The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) celebrated its 140th anniversary with a grand Celebration Service that took place at Paya Lebar Methodist Church on 19 September 2025. More than 750 people gathered for the service, including Methodist pastors, denominational leaders from Singapore, and Methodist clergy from Asia and Australia.
Rising in thanksgiving
The hall echoed with worship as voices rose in unison, with hymns sung in multiple languages and accompanied by a unified ensemble of the Methodist Festival Orchestra, the Methodist Festival Choir and the Emmanuel Praise Band, with liturgy prepared by the Methodist School of Music.
The call to worship was led by Methodist students from Trinity Theological College (TTC) representing the three Annual Conferences—Mr Felix Lam from the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC), Mr Kyle Yeo from the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) and Mr Elisha Philip from the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC)—as the Methodist clergy and leaders processed into the sanctuary. The three Annual Conference presidents, Rev Reuben Ng, Rev Lek Yong Teck and Rev Saravana Kumar, then led the congregation in singing the hymn “Together in God’s Mission” that reaffirmed MCS’ commitment to God’s calling to be led as one Body of Christ by the Spirit, and not by our own human strength.
Bishop Philip Lim, who is also the President of the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS), welcomed the special guests, which included Bishop Milton Nee from the Chinese Methodist Church in Australia, Bishop David Wu from Gereja Methodist Indonesia, Bishop Hsin Chun Chieh from The Methodist Church in Republic of China and Rev Sia Howe Ding from The Methodist Church in Malaysia (Sabah Annual Conference). The Methodist Church in Cambodia, which MCS set up with partner agencies from around the world, was represented by its President, Rev Lun Sophy.
Bishop Lim also expressed appreciation for the presence of the local denominational heads—Cardinal William SC Goh, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, Rt Rev Dr Caleb Soo, Synod Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Singapore and Rev Ivan Ho from Covenant Evangelical Free Church—as well as Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian, General Secretary of NCCS and Rev Ezekiel Tan, General Secretary of The Bible Society of Singapore. The guests then offered their well wishes to MCS in turn.
Cardinal Goh expressed thanks and praise to God for the “great work” that MCS was doing. “I have great admiration for The Methodist Church in Singapore because I think you are doing very well, especially in forming leaders that are grounded in gospel values … whether in government, whether in politics, whether in the corporate world or in the humanitarian field.”
He said, “I continue to pray for you all, that your mission will be successful and fruitful.”
Cardinal Goh also shared a surprising anecdote. “I am one of the beneficiaries of the Methodist Church’s mission in Singapore because I was a student under Rev Dr Ngoei and Rev Dr Kang Ho Soon when I was doing clinical pastoral care 40 years ago as a young priest.”
I have great admiration for The Methodist Church in Singapore because I think you are doing very well, especially in forming leaders that are grounded in gospel values … whether in government, whether in politics, whether in the corporate world or in the humanitarian field.
~ Cardinal William SC Goh, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
Rev Ezekiel Tan recalled being very moved when a time capsule discovered last year at Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (TACMC) revealed a Chinese Bible presented by the British and Foreign Bible Society. This year, The Bible Society of Singapore was invited to contribute another Bible for a new time capsule that was installed at TACMC, when the building was re-opened and re-dedicated this year. Rev Tan said he hoped that this marked the unity of the Church in the propagation of God’s Word until Christ comes again.
Running the race marked out for us
The sermon preached by Bishop Lim based on Hebrews 12:1-3, was titled “Worship God with Reverence and Awe”. Centred on the theme of perseverance and endurance, he drew on the metaphor of a relay race to illustrate the Christian journey in light of Hebrews 12:1. Emphasising the goal of completing the race set before us, he highlighted the need to run with endurance and to cast aside anything that hindered from reaching the end. He went on to share three key insights.
The first point is the importance of drawing inspiration from the faith and service of those who came before us, particularly the early missionaries. Bishop Lim reflected on the history of MCS, highlighting figures such as Rev Dr James Thoburn, Rev William Oldham, Sophia Blackmore, William Shellabear and Rev Goh Hood Keng. He noted how the early Church was deeply committed to its mission—evangelising and establishing preaching points wherever opportunities arose. Today, MCS stands on the shoulders of these giants as the number of churches and the Methodist community have grown significantly, with approximately 46,000 members.
Emphasising the goal of completing the race set before us, Bishop Lim highlighted the need to run with endurance and to cast aside anything that hindered from reaching the end.
The second point emphasised the call to persevere, as urged in Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. He reminded the congregation of their responsibility to carry forward the legacy left by those before them. Highlighting that the relay race was far from over, he referenced the State of the Church Singapore 2023 report, a collaborative effort between Biblical Graduate School of Theology, Singapore Bible College, Trinity Theological College and Salt&Light, acknowledging concerns about growing disinterest among young people in the faith of their parents. Despite this, he encouraged the congregation to remain hopeful, noting that many are still coming to Christ and that the hunger for God’s word endures.
The third point is to run the race together as a Church through worship and service. He challenged the congregation to view their daily lives as expressions of worship and service. Highlighting opportunities for involvement—such as through Methodist Welfare Services, Methodist Missions Society, and the imminent opening of ACS (Academy)—he encouraged members to “practise scriptural holiness” by living according to Scripture, demonstrating consistent devotion and genuine acts of mercy, and above all, loving God by loving our neighbour.
Bishop Lim concluded his sermon with a powerful call to action: to keep running the race with our eyes fixed on Jesus, drawing on every ounce of inner strength, much like a boxer persevering.
Responding to the call
Following the sermon and the song of response, “Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God”, the congregation was invited to profess their faith as they prayed for the unity of all clergy and members within MCS. Bishops Emeriti Ho Chee Sin, Wee Boon Hup and Chong Ching Chung then led the congregation in prayer, interceding for the world, the universal Church, and those in need.
The service concluded with a sending forth by the three Annual Conference presidents, each pronouncing this common message in their own language: “Let us go forth—not by our might, nor by our power, but by the Spirit’s fire, united in God’s mission.” Bishop Emeritus Dr Robert Solomon then pronounced the benediction in Mandarin, Tamil and English, inspiring the congregation to venture to “fulfil the eternal purposes of God”.
Elliot Soh is a Sub-Editor of Methodist Message and worships at Barker Road Methodist Church. Additional reporting by Lianne Ong. / Photos courtesy of MCS Communications and Daniel Lie