Whether you are a theologian, pastor, church leader, missionary, or simply interested in the intersection of theology and missions, this symposium invites you to join a vibrant community of individuals passionate about theology and missions. Together, we will explore the theology of mission, forge connections, and inspire, one another to take meaningful action in fulfilling God’s mission in the post-pandemic era. Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to be part of the conversation and shape the future of missions.
Whether you are a theologian, pastor, church leader, missionary, or simply interested in the intersection of theology and missions, this symposium invites you to join a vibrant community of individuals passionate about theology and missions. Together, we will explore the theology of mission, forge connections, and inspire, one another to take meaningful action in fulfilling God’s mission in the post-pandemic era. Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to be part of the conversation and shape the future of missions.
Let’s catch Rev Dr Bernard Koh talk about the Ecclesial Responses to Missions in Post-pandemic Times.
ETHOS Annual Conference 2023 X GoForth: Theology of Mission in the Post-pandemic Era
This December marks the second anniversary since the launch of The Alliance of Domestic Workers Outreach (ADEO) in 2021. ADEO is a movement of Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA) that seeks to provide holistic support and care for the migrant domestic workers (MDWs) community in Singapore in a sustainable manner. This year, in conjunction with the celebration of ADEO’s 2nd Anniversary and HIA’s International Migrants Month (IMM), a reading programme for the MDWs was soft-launched on 10 December 2023.
This programme aims to empower and encourage more than 200 MDWs in the first two years of the launch, in the hope to improve their proficiency in speaking and reading in the English Language. Through regular Basic Conversational English Lessons and Book Club sharing, ADEO hopes to cultivate a habit of reading among the MDW community. This feat is made possible through the partnership and support from National Library Board (NLB) and ADEO partners. This is also an opportunity for stronger connections among our volunteers and the MDW community with the common interest of learning and reading to be fostered, echoing the theme for IMM #TogetherInSingapore. These lessons and book clubs will commence in 2024.
The Guest-of-Honour, Ms. K. Jayaprema, President of Association of Employment Agencies (AEAS) addressed our MDWs at the ADEO anniversary celebration. In her speech emphasised the importance of saving money for the future and awareness of scam threats. The MDWs were encouraged to spend their off days meaningfully by joining activities and volunteering their help to their fellow MDWs in Singapore. Ms Jayaprema ended her speech with a reminder to the MDWs that they are never alone and that there will always be help available for those who need it.
During the celebration, we also invited talented MDWs to showcase their performing talents, from singing to dancing. Many came forth confidently and shared their joy and warmth through performance, especially those that showcased their ethnic cultures. It was indeed a feast of wonderful performances brought forth by the MDWs to celebrate with ADEO. In celebration of such a joyous occasion, ADEO also held a flea market together with our partner Big At Heart, selling preloved items such as clothes and shoes. The celebration then ended happily with birthday cake-cutting, lucky draws and dinner for the MDWs. Everyone was delighted with this celebration, with one MDW commenting how ADEO’s activities have made her feel special after a whole week of work.
As part of HIA’s IMM efforts, HIA also partnered with DKatalis Bank to conduct a financial literacy workshop for 30 MDWs from Masjid Wak Tanjong on the same day. Volunteers from DKatalis Bank presented the importance of saving, as well as how to make use of digital banking services to better manage one’s finances. They also introduced the MDWs to basic investment tips, and how to manage finances with relatives in their home countries. ADEO hopes that through the partnership with DKatalis and Masjid Wak Tanjong, more such collaborations could be done for the MDW community.
2023 also marks the second year of partnership with Gardens by the Bay (GBTB) where free visits to Flower Dome were sponsored for the Migrants Workers (MW) and MDWs during HIA’s IMM. Since Deepavali, HIA has been facilitating free entries for multiple groups of MWs/MDWs every Sunday. More than 5,000 MWs and MDWs have benefitted from this collaboration thus far. We are grateful to GBTB for their generosity in joining HIA to appreciate the contributions of our migrant friends, as well as better support and care for our migrant worker community in Singapore.
We hope these programmes can benefit more MDWs and help to improve their lives for the better!
From 22 to 28 November 2023, Colours of the Bible (COB) and the Bible and Chinese Culture Festival (BCCF) held a combined art exhibition. The exhibition, titled His Love Endures Forever, was located at the Visual Arts Centre. Attendees could view featured winning artworks from COB’s art competition, centred on the theme God’s Love for Children in the Bible, as well as Biblical calligraphy and paintings from BCCF. This exhibition sought to depict God’s truth through art.
The Embassy of Israel in Singapore was a co-organiser of the COB Art Competition and Exhibition. Deputy Chief Mission of the embassy, Hila Rose Fridman, said that the competition demonstrated the importance of allowing all kinds of people to express themselves by creating something meaningful and beautiful. “I was very impressed with how creative the artists and the children behind the art pieces were. I’ve learnt that for many of them, art is a way of expressing themselves,” she shared.
On 18 November 2023, the closing service of GoForth 2023 was held at International Baptist Church. Bishop Prof Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance and the service’s keynote speaker, shared a speech which inspired participants to continue God’s mission.
GoForth is a National Missions Movement that encourages Christians, wherever they are, to rise and fulfil the Great Commission. The 2023 theme ‘Missions in the New Norm: Unite to Accomplish the Mandate’ sought to call on Christians to fulfil their God-given mission. The movement featured a year-long conference comprising events from eight tracks. The eight tracks were classified as the ‘8Ms’: Marginalised, Mission to Unreached People Groups, Marketplace, Migrants, Media, Multi-Generational Mentoring, Mandarin, and Metaverse. These tracks focused on missions; for example, ‘Media’ entailed integrating missions across communication platforms, while ‘Mission to Unreached People Groups’ aimed to make the Word of God accessible to all, including the forgotten and left behind. Over 4000 participants across more than 30 events explored their interest in missions.
Even though GoForth 2023 has concluded, mission work does not end. This event ushered in a Decade of Mission from 2023 to 2033, rallying Christians to continue God’s mission and achieve a further-reaching impact in the mission field.
Mental health issues have taken on a greater prominence in Singapore in recent years. This conversation seeks to address some pertinent questions: What is the Christian perspective on mental health and its associated conditions? Are there mental health conditions and struggles particularly associated with those from a religious community (including the church)? What role can the Church play in helping those struggling with mental health issues? Join Dr Adrian Loh, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, as he shares his insights for the topic of this conversation, Mental Health and the Church.
ETHOS Annual Conversation 2023: Mental Health and the Church
ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity was formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore in 2014.
Mental health issues have taken on a greater prominence in Singapore in recent years. This conversation seeks to address some pertinent questions: What is the Christian perspective on mental health and its associated conditions? Are there mental health conditions and struggles particularly associated with those from a religious community (including the church)? What role can the Church play in helping those struggling with mental health issues? Join Dr Adrian Loh, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, as he shares his insights for the topic of this conversation, Mental Health and the Church.
ETHOS Annual Conversation 2023: Mental Health and the Church
ETHOS Institute™ for Public Christianity was formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore in 2014.
On 23 September 2023, ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity organised the ETHOS Annual Conference 2023 at the Bible House. This year’s topic was ‘Theology of Mission in the Post-pandemic Era’, inviting participants to explore the theology of mission and build connections with the theological community. This event was held in conjunction with GoForth 2023, a campaign encouraging Christians to fulfill the Great Commission.
The event featured four speakers. Mr Quek Tze-Ming from the Biblical Graduate School of Theology expounded on the ‘Biblical View on the Mission of God in the Pandemic World’, while Rev David Lim of ACTS College shared about ‘Theological View on the Mission of God in the Post-pandemic Era’. TCA College’s Rev Dr Bernard Koh delivered a speech entitled ‘Ecclesial Responses to Missions in Post-pandemic Times’, whereas Dr Calvin Chong of the Singapore Bible College enlightened participants on the digitalisation of missions.
Watch the replay of Mr Quek Tze-Ming – Biblical View on the Mission of God in the Pandemic World here!
The Bible Society of Singapore joined the lineup of this year’s Singapore Night Festival. Held over two weekends on 18-19 and 25-26 August 2023, the work of God was shared through live music, crafts and handmade crochet items at the Bible House. The proceeds from this event will be dedicated to SowCare, the charitable division of the Bible Society. These funds will support the marginalised communities that SowCare reaches out to.
