FES News and Updates (Impetus Sept 2020)
Thoughts for Food
On 8 August 2020, 21 student leaders gathered for a day of brainstorming. This need was driven by the significant chaos and confusion which Covid-19 had caused throughout the CFs. Samuel Lau, a student leader from Temasek Polytechnic and member of the NSC Exco, shares more about this spontaneous venture called Thoughts for Food:
“This started with a few of us in NSC thinking, With operations halted and handicapped, how can we build the CFs up differently? How can we do things better?
This is why we started Thoughts for Food. Like the sowing of seeds for a great harvest, the NSC created this platform for leaders to share challenges they have faced especially in this time of the pandemic. Coupled with any solutions they have managed to come up with, we hoped that this would spur conversations towards more creative ideas to solve even bigger problems we may see in the future.
The leaders who came that day identified three prominent challenges.
One, there have been differing attitudes towards Covid-19 within the CFs. This has caused difficulty for committees to get a consensus on whether to try their best to have face-to-face meetings and gatherings, or to simply keep things minimal and online. Two, there is a need to acknowledge and understand how witnessing for Christ on campus is different now as a result of the pandemic. And also, the drastic changes for campus ministries, for both the present, and for the long-term. Lastly, CFers often find it difficult to articulate the value of joining a CF. It has only gotten more difficult to do so now, especially to new students, through the digital medium.
The conversations have only just begun. Moving on from the event, I felt tired but accomplished and hopeful. It is the start of a process of evolving and adapting to a new world, which would require the input of ideas and support from everyone, and great help from our good Lord.”
Youth Theological Forum
The Chinese Work Youth Theological Camp (YTC) which typically happens at the end of the year has been re-imagined as online forums due to the pandemic. Simon Tong, an Engineering student from NUS, shares about the first Youth Theological Forum (YTF) which was held on 5 September 2020.
“The topic for this conference was ‘Being a Disciple in the New Normal.’ Over 52 youths from various denominations participated in this forum. The youths were challenged to reflect on how they can still live a God-pleasing life as His disciple in the midst of this pandemic. Two speakers, Rev. Jasper Ngoh and Rev. Koh Hock Soon, shared different perspectives on being disciples in the new normal. Rev. Ngoh talked about the typical signs of being a disciple, such as faith, hope, love, joy, prayer and thanksgiving. However, under this new normal, there are in fact more signs that can uncover the life of a disciple, such as relationality and being incarnational. Rev. Koh mentioned that disciples under the new normal face a different type of persecution which varies with each individual. Yet these persecutions happen with the same objective – to help us become God-pleasing disciples.
My one major reflection was the need to rethink how I am living under this new normal as a disciple today. Do I actually give God the respect and praise that He deserves even when no one is watching? Is my attitude towards God the same as when there was physical worship? Or, has environmental changes resulted in a difference in my attitude? I hope to continue asking myself these questions as a reminder that despite living as a disciple under the new normal, I can still give God the reverence and awe He deserves.”
Student Leaders’ Summit
Student Leaders’ Summit (SLS) was organised by the Indonesian Ministry and spanned three weekends over July and August. More than 30 student leaders from the various Indonesian Students’ Christian Fellowships attended the SLS and were equipped for leading their respective CFs in the coming year of uncertainty. Jennifer Chessa, a Year 2 Data Science student from NUS shares:
“The summit’s main theme was ‘Changing Times, Biblical Minds: Students’ Roles in the Digital World.’ In the first session, the summit speakers and panellists reminded us about the importance as well as the challenges that we will face in journeying through this ministry at this time. In the second session, Digital Tech in the Ministry, we were introduced to the many new opportunities which have become available because of the current situation. Last but not least, we also talked about the sensitive yet important issue of understanding mental health.
Personally, I used to view serving as a challenging task, even more so because of our current situation. However, this training challenged me to adjust my thoughts and vision as a student leader. My main takeaway is that things are never futile or impossible with God. I was introduced to many digital tools that I have never thought of before and I realised that God provides even in the most impossible situation. I have also been reminded that even when the visible results seem dim, God is and will always be working in us and through us. It is up to us now whether we want to play our part with a wholehearted heart and fully surrender to God.”
Pray for our Student Leaders
In the past months of August and September, student leaders, student committees, and students themselves have been active in leading, organising, and participating in various activities as most schools gear up to open in this ongoing Phase 2 of Covid-19 efforts. We have adapted camps, trainings, meetings, Bible studies, and even small and big gatherings to the digital medium. Some CFs have already begun a mix of digital and physical gatherings as allowed.
Praise be to God for sustaining us through these months. In the typical season of student ministry, the holidays are usually the busiest and most intense period. Covid-19 has only heightened the intensity. But the CFs, students, and student leaders have reportedly managed to adjust to this new normal thus far.
Despite ministries being able to continue, many of our staff and student leaders feel that they have not had a proper rest. Please pray for rest, joy, and peace as we all continue to minister through this new normal and the ongoing changes to the campus and education.
Jeremiah Goh
Communications Team Lead
