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Issue 1 of 3 — 2019
For Christians Only
East Asia Edition
Evangelism
the Foundation of Missions
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and
out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage –
with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:2)
E-copy of the SIMNOW magazine can be found at
www.simeast.org and facebook.com/SIMEASTASIA.
2 Editorial
E VAN GE LI S M
THE FOUNDATION OF MISSIONS
by Dr Stanley Ling (Regional Director, SIM East Asia)
2 Tim 4:2, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.”
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”
Central to the Great Commission is ‘making disciples of all nations’. Fundamental to
this disciple-making effort is evangelism – the proclamation of the good news (Greek:
“euaggelion”) of Jesus Christ by word and deed. That is the starting point of making
someone a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through our life testimony and words we
share the good news, and those who believe are reconciled to the Creator God. A new
relationship can then begin with the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
Likewise, evangelism should be the foundation of missions – with the good news
conveyed and expressed in a culturally acceptable and understandable way. There are
times when missionaries are so engrossed with doing missions – meeting the tangible
needs of people – that they forget to proclaim the good news. While proclamation
through deeds is needed, proclamation by words and leading them towards the cross
and confession must not be neglected. The advice from Paul in 2 Tim 4:2 should be our
motto, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and
encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” It is only when we persistently
preach the Word of God that we can challenge the status quo of a person’s relationship
with God and people. Evangelism is the foundation of missions!
Churches in Asia are generally serious about evangelism. This partly explains
the rapid growth of the Church here. When a church lifts up Jesus and the gospel takes
the centre stage of church life, people will be attracted to it. For it is our Saviour and
Lord who attracts people to the church, not good programmes and activities.
Official publication of SIM (Serving In Mission), an interdenominational evangelical Protestant mission. SIM includes Africa Evangelical Fellowship, Andes Evangelical
Mission, International Christian Fellowship, Sudan Interior Mission and Middle East Christian Outreach. The East Asia edition of SIM Now is printed by SIM East Asia,
116 Lavender Street, Pek Chuan Building, #04 - 09 Singapore 338730. ISSN 0711 - 6683 - 11981, MCI (P) 056/02/2019. Permission to reprint any material must be
obtained from the Editor, SIM East Asia – Email: eastasia.info@sim.org. East Asia Editor: Stanley Ling. Assistant Editor: Lye Sue Kheong. Designer: Seah Gek Khee.
Printer: GL Printing Sdn Bhd. 29 Jalan Masai Taman Perindustrian, Kota Putri Satu, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia. For security reasons, contributors are occasionally given
pseudonyms. All rights reserved. When applicable, stock photos are sometimes used to help represent stories.
3
In 1978, the churches in Singapore held a large evangelistic rally at the National
Stadium. Some 337,000 people attended over 5 nights. The speaker was Billy
Graham. Forty years on, the churches in Singapore are organising a similar event to
reach out to the many unreached people here with the good news of Jesus Christ.
It is encouraging to see how churches in Singapore are coming together in unity to
work as one body for this significant event. SIM, as part of the Christian community,
is praying for this evangelistic rally and working together with the churches in various
ways. Refer to the advert on this event and join with us to Pray, Engage and Gather
those who have not yet heard the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
One of the statements that Billy Graham made forty years ago continues to inspire
Christians in Singapore. He called on Singapore to become the ‘Antioch of Asia’. As
a Singaporean, I felt flattered by his statement. But on a serious note, I feel that
Singapore churches should indeed pray that we can become one of the many
‘Antioch of Asia’ and continue to send missionaries into cross-cultural settings to
bring the gospel and love of God to the people who need it most.
CELEBRATION OF HOPE is a city-wide endeavour calling on all churches to unite for prayer and the proclamation
of the life-transforming name of Jesus. Only God can open people’s hearts to hear and believe the message.
[ ]
Come, pray with us, engage with your loved ones and pre-believing friends and invite them to the event.
CAN YOU BE A PART OF THE CELEBRATION OF HOPE?
PRAY! Join in our Regional Prayer Meetings to pray for the harvest.
ENGAGE! The Andrew Initiative training empowers you to fulfil
the Great Commission.
GATHER! Tickets are free! Download the Celebration of Hope app
to reserve your seats.
For more information, please visit https://celebrationofhope.sg
4
“The harvest is truly plenteous, but the labourers are
few... . If He decides to choose and prepare you to
be one of His labourers, will you say ‘Yes’ to Him?”
This was the message and challenge that cut straight
into the heart of an eleven-year-old boy one Sunday
morning in 1958. Listening to the guest missionary
preacher, Andrew Ng Kang Chin felt a strange stirring
within his heart that compelled him to say ‘Yes’. His
response would eventually lead him on a journey
that would take years of preparation and training for
the field but that would change his life forever. Two
decades later, on 8th August 1978, Andrew and his
Grace Upon Grace: wife, Belinda, flew to Niger, Africa in response to
God’s call.
Remembering
our beloved pioneer - Although he responded to the call as a young boy,
Dr Andrew Ng Kang Chin Andrew’s quest to serve God in Africa began in
by Mae Wong earnest only in 1965 when he was a medical student at
the University of Singapore. He had learnt about SIM
(Sudan Interior Mission then) and wrote to ask if it
would accept Asians into what was predominantly
a Western-dominated organisation. His letter
subsequently set off a revolution in missions, blazing
the path for other Asians to follow suit. The Koreans,
Chinese, Filipinos, Indians, Japanese exploded into
the mission field. From Africa to Asia, and from Asia
to everywhere else, the mission scene changed and
expanded resulting in the formation of SIM East Asia.
Once the Ngs were accepted by SIM, preparation
went full swing. First, they had to learn French because
Niger was a French-speaking country, and to
communicate with the educated Nigerien,
particularly government officials, they had to be
adequately equipped. Andrew and Belinda spent
Andrew completed medical school in the nine months in Albertville, France learning the French
University of Singapore in 1971. He worked
and taught at the Dept of Surgery, NUS upon language. Later, they also learnt Hausa, the heart
completing his military service. In 1975,
he obtained his surgical qualification with
language of the locals. Andrew served as a missionary
a Masters of Medicine (Surgery) and the doctor at Galmi Hospital in Niger while Belinda
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons,
Edinburgh (FRSCE) ministered mainly to the women and children in the
community. During their stint, they witnessed the
beginning of worship services in the village. A
village health project linked to Galmi Hospital was also
started to bring healthcare and the gospel to as many
villages as possible.
5
National service requirements for their two sons, Nathaniel and Joel, finally brought them home to
Singapore end of 1989. They had, by then, served 12 years in Niger. The couple did not retire from
mission service upon their return home. From 1 January 1990 – October 2005, Andrew served as the Regional
Director of SIM East Asia, and Belinda, the SIM Personnel Director, as well as the Communication
Coordinator. But the couple never forgot Galmi and its people who occupied a large space in their hearts.
Andrew continued to make annual trips to Galmi Hospital to provide medical help right up to the time he
was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
In 2006 Andrew served as the Deputy International Director (responsible for Asia Pacific). Following
the completion of his 5-year term, he continued to serve actively as Mission Consultant, mentoring
missionaries and helping to pioneer new fields in creative access countries in Asia. On 7 January 2019,
Andrew r eturned home to be with the Lord. From the time he made his way to Africa to the time of his
demise, he had touched many lives and inspired many to follow in his footsteps. His life is a story of God’s
grace upon grace, as we witnessed firsthand how God sustained his family and granted them the courage
to make inroads with the gospel in a relatively hostile environment.
8th Aug 1978:
The Ngs arrived in
Niger, Africa and
6th June 1977: The Ngs left for Melbourne, Australia for the Candidate Course & Orientation in then flew to Galmi
phase 1 of their mission preparation. where Andrew
1977 –1978: Andrew & Belinda and their one-year-old son left for Albertville, France. They would serve as
studied French in the French language school recommended by SIM. missionary doctor
in Galmi Hospital.
Later he became
the medical
coordinator for
Francophone,
West Africa
During their service, the Ngs saw
the beginning of church worship April 1979: The Ngs’ second son, Joel was
services in the villages. born at Galmi Hospital.
1st Jan 1990 – October 2005:
Andrew and Belinda served in SIM East
Asia and saw the influx of Asians in
world missions.
7 Jan 2019: Andrew
returned home to
the Lord.
Stories
6
from Beyond...
Statements that begin with "Stories from Beyond..." may sound a little eerie...but that is exactly what life beyond
the borders may look like for our workers in the fields! We hope that through these snippets extracted from their
prayer letters, you will get a glimpse into their lives, understand their circumstances a little more, and pray for them
more meaningfully.
A SIM worker in Asia
God’s Response to Unified Prayer
These are hard times for my country. In the recent election, a leading political party is bringing much heartache
as it gains power in state after state. In May, a Christian leader mobilised Christians via WhatsApp to pray for a
crucial election in one state. The result? The ruling party lost by a very small margin! However, they defied the
results and chose a Chief Minister. Believers across our nation fasted and prayed. There was a deep sense of
unity. During that time, as I read from Daniel 2, I felt God would break the foundation of lies and injustice. The
governor of the state, also of the ruling party, delayed his decision. Ugly drama in the parliament went on and on,
but so did the prayers. After one week, the illegitimate CM acceded to defeat, and the leader for whom we were
praying was announced as the new CM.
This experience of community prayer at work has stayed in my heart. Even as I recall that time, I experienced the
presence of God.
Fela (Ghana)
Praying with the ostracised and vulnerable
In Gushegu, Ghana, widows are among the few believers in a small church. Life for them is hard. Considered
“witches” in the community, even the church avoids them, fearing responsibility to care for them with limited
resources. My wife and I began spending time with them; listening to their stories and needs, so we could at least
pray for them. Witnessing their plight was painful. We invited them to our house for a weekly prayer meeting;
praying with them for God to provide. Despite their struggles, gratefulness and joy characterized these women.
But I struggled, “Why are You taking so long to answer our prayers?”
But God had a plan. Just as the pre-harvest months began – a time of food shortage – I travelled to Accra. A godly
man inquired about our ministry. Hearing of the widows, God moved him to supply their needs. This year, God’s
daughters will not be scavenging the market place at dawn for anything that resembles food. His timing is perfect.
R & P (Thailland)
Breaking Free
“I want to remove the sacred images in our room that I worshiped daily in the past. But I fear the wrath of the evil spirit
if I just throw them away,” said Sao to us on one of our visits.
Sao was a medium and a spirit was passed down to her from her great-grandfathers. After she and her husband,
Wuth received Jesus two months ago, they wanted to get rid of the images. They were, however, afraid to do so
by themselves. So we prayed with them, and told them to remove the images as soon as possible.
It was not easy to arrange a time for removing the images, as problems arose in the family that needed immediate
attention each time an appointment was made. While waiting, Sao tried giving away a few of the images to some of
her relatives - following the rule that the spirit must be passed on to a family member. Her relatives, however, returned
the images to her, complaining of severe headaches because of them. This left Sao undecided on who else to pass the
spirit to. Her only option was to throw the images away, but she was afraid.
We went to visit the family a couple of weeks ago and prayed for God’s protection from the evil spirit and for them to
remove the images from their house. God answered their prayers. When we visited the family again, they told us they
have removed all the images from their house. Sao was encouraged by the fact that God is the Creator of heaven and
earth and that the evil spirit and the images are just objects. She therefore decided to break the rule and stop passing
on the spirit. Sao and Wuth took the images down and threw them away. They are no longer under the power of the
evil one. Praise God.
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
7
by Benson (SIM Trainer C onsultant)
During the last two years, several nations suddenly shut their doors to evangelism and even
imposed imprisonment for any conversion. Nevertheless, the churches must continue with her
charge to preach the Gospel. Evangelism is an indispensable part of missions. It is the life-blood
of the local church. Without evangelism, the local church will begin to decline and die.
How can the church in such countries evangelize? One way is to carry the cross and pay
whatever price for evangelism. A while ago, two of my trainees were imprisoned for their
Gospel outreach. It was their country-men who saw them as a threat and reported them to
the authorities. I must commend these two church leaders for their courage to preach the
Gospel in such a dangerous environment. Another way is to find approaches that can neutralize
the hostility.
I met a church leader from a big church and suggested he tapped on the skills, gifts, talents
of educated church members of the developed nations. Non-believers are naturally opposed
to conversion, but most of them will welcome free and effective education for their children.
I have personally witnessed the effectiveness of the Singapore diagramming approach for
Mathematics. A teacher came for a Mathematics workshop and decided to test it on his class boy
who always failed his Mathematics. The result was amazing. That boy did so well and he topped
the class. During my training workshop for some 3rd world leaders, I playfully posed a Primary
3 Mathematics problem sum for them to solve. One of them, a mathematics teacher, took a few
minutes to solve the problem. He told the class that this problem sum is taught at the Secondary
school level. The leaders were shocked when they realize that it was taught at Primary 3 level in
Singapore. There are many church members in Singapore who are competent to teach Singapore
Mathematics in the mission fields. Churches in the mission fields can partner with Christians from
Singapore to organize Mathematics camp for children during their school holidays. The effec-
tive ways of how to use the left and right brain, mind maps, and study smart are strategies we
can use to help students perform better in school. These benefits will neutralize the hostility of
the parents.
The teachers can let their love do the talking. Gospel truth can be communicated at strategic
points in the lessons for the students to pick up. Our IT savvy youths can create a video and
post it on Youtube on “How to receive Christ as my Savior?” and refer all the participants to the
website. Developed World Churches must capitalize on their gifted members to partner with
our brothers in the hostile mission field to develop creative and effective ways for evangelism.
Others can use their culinary skill to conduct cooking or baking classes. These will draw the
adults or parents to attend. We have many great cooks and bakers in our churches. They too can
use their skill to build bridges for evangelism.
8
We are searching for...
1. Mobilization Representative, SIM Singapore
Assist the Country Director in the overall mobilization of churches and individual Christians into mission
engagement, focusing on the Chinese-speaking churches
Key Responsibilities
Provision of leadership for the development of SIM’s ministries in Singapore among Chinese speaking churches
Engage regularly and intentionally with church pastors and key leaders so as to have a good
understanding of the church, its vision, mission knowledge and involvement
Advocate and champion missions promotions
Engage in missions equipping and consultation
Journey with potential mission candidates and supervise mission interns from churches/colleges
2. Singapore Director
He/She will report to the Regional Director of SIM East Asia and is accountable to the Singapore Home Council.
Key Responsibilities
The Singapore Director is a home based missionary and will oversee SIM’s work in Singapore. This includes
Provision of leadership for the development of SIM’s ministries in Singapore
Working with churches and Christian groups to raise mission awareness and present SIM’s global ministries
Mobilization of churches and individuals for participation in global missions
Coordination with pastors and church leaders on preparing and sending missionaries to the field
Guiding and encouraging appointees in their preparations for the field, including raising support
Overseeing the personal and ministry development needs, and adequacy of member-care for
Singapore missionaries
For more details, go to https://www.simeast.org. Please contact Dr Stanley Ling, Regional Director of SIM
East Asia, at rd.eastasia@sim.org if you wish to explore further.
Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills Workshop
WHEN: 26 – 31 May 2019
WHERE: Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church
77 Prinsep Street, Singapore 188649
HOSTS: SIM East Asia & Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church
At SIM, we believe that our people should be growing not only in faith and obedience to Jesus, but
also in ministry competence. In helping to equip God’s people, SIM EA has been actively involved in
organising and facilitating the Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills (SYIS) workshop.
An annual event, this workshop aims to provide Christians with the essential biblical knowledge,
attitudes and skills for relating well with co-workers, family members, friends and those from other
cultures.
For additional info and cost, please visit simeast.org/syis
To register, please contact Belinda Ng via syis.sgp@simeast.com.
Registration is limited to 20 people.
116 Lavender Street, #04-09 Pek Chuan Building, Singapore 338730
Tel: (65) 6298 3611 Fax: (65) 6298 6751
Serving In Mission
Email: eastasia.info@sim.org Website: www.simeast.org FB: facebook.com/SIMEASTASIA
Email to eastasia.info@sim.org to subscribe for e-copy of magazine, cancel hardcopy subscription, and to notify change of address or quantity.
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