Tan Yan Ren, 35, a School Health Project Manager, is an active working volunteer with the Poly Ministry.
How did you know SYFC?
A secondary school friend and ex-volunteer Jeremiah Du invited me to a Poly Ministry event in 2007. Then, I continued to join the weekly PEP (Prayer Evangelism Partnership) meetings as I was curious what gospel-centric living looked like. I enjoyed the community and fun events, and continued actively throughout my three years of studies in the poly.
But was it stressful for you as a student having to share the gospel at PEP meetings?
I had no problem approaching and talking with people. What I struggled with was what to say about Jesus and how to help others know Him more. As a young Christian then, I didn’t know much about the gospel. After some Bible studies and evangelism training, I realised what the gospel is. So, thank God, after that I could communicate the gospel more clearly and did not talk nonsense.
What do you do in Poly Ministry now?
After transiting from a student volunteer to an adult volunteer, I joined the Calendar Taskforce and ex-staff Yew Lian Sie showed me the ropes to event management. One of the earlier events I organised was Unstuck Conference, where we invited church leaders and youths to learn together how we can be ‘unstuck’ when sharing the gospel.
Now I’m still planning events. I’m also ensuring other adult volunteers are spiritually well, plugged into a community in the Ministry and involved in various evangelism work.
Recently, I started journeying with two youths who indicated they are interested to know more about Jesus.
Is Time Management then an issue for you?
When I oversee an event, it can become more hectic. But overall, my ministry portion is quite manageable and with the meeting dates set, I work my schedule around them. That said, now that I’m married, I’m learning not to plan my schedule independently of my wife so that we allocate time for each other and our family.
How have you grown through your involvement in SYFC?
I now have a greater appreciation of the gospel and am more missional, recognising man’s greatest need so much that I want to tell them the gospel. The other is a mindset shift from focusing on the here and now to focusing on eternity.
You started serving in Poly Ministry in 2007, what kept you going?
Friendship and the value of the work. And I really enjoy the process of journeying with someone in coming to know Jesus.
How can our readers pray for you?
To manage my time well, and for wisdom and courage to make changes to my involvement during different seasons of my life. Pray for the two youths whom I’m journeying with that they will come to know Jesus as their personal Saviour and Lord.
