Ivan Kramskoy.
Le Christ au Désert. 1872.
Lent is one of two great seasons of preparation and penitence, the other being Advent, which leads up to Christmas. Consisting of 40 days, excluding Sundays, Lent was traditionally a season of preparation for new converts who were to be baptised on Easter Sunday.
The number of days comes from gospel accounts of Jesus’ 40 days of testing in the wilderness. Lent is generally a time for all Christians to strengthen their faith, with emphasis on prayer, fasting, acts of penitence and mercy. The season begins with Ash Wednesday and concludes with the Holy Week Celebrations on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.
Within The Methodist Church in Singapore, each Annual Conference is led by a President who provides spiritual leadership and administrative oversight for the churches under that conference. The President works closely with pastors, ministry leaders, and church members to guide the conference in fulfilling its mission of discipleship, ministry, and service.
In addition to supporting the work of local churches, the President helps coordinate conference programmes, pastoral appointments, and leadership development. The list of Annual Conference Presidents reflects the faithful leadership of individuals who have served the church across different periods, helping to shape the growth and direction of Methodist ministries in Singapore over the years.