A recent population report indicates that by 2030, around one in four Singapore citizens will be aged 65 and older.1 Hence our government encourages active ageing. For Christian seniors yearning to age purposefully, there’s good news—God’s kingdom has many opportunities for redeployment after retirement with no age restrictions!
If you’re sensing a call for overseas missions work, assess your personal situation: factors like health and financial security, family obligations, your skills and experience. Consult with your pastor and/or church community to determine your gifts, confirm your sense of calling, discern what needs you can meet and your ministry goals.
Then reach out to Methodist Missions Society. Discover opportunities that align with your situation, either at home or abroad. Seek your church’s spiritual support through prayer and financial support, if needed. Take short-term mission trips with open eyes, ears and heart to discern where God is leading you to serve.
Interested? Be encouraged and inspired by these “redeployed seniors”!
Chan Kum Kit
Chan Kum Kit, a retired public accountant and member of Christ Methodist Church, felt increasingly convicted to give more of himself in service to God, despite having facilitated Disciple classes and served on his church and MWS committees for years. He heard the insistent call at a church camp in 2023, and also during talks and prayer retreats he later attended. Then he came across the MMS publication, Harvest Force, and learnt of the need for administrative and accounts support at St Paul Methodist School (SPMS) in Timor-Leste. With friends’ encouragement and after a one-week visit to Timor-Leste to “walk the land”, he was sure.
While his experience in accountancy and governance was useful for his role at SPMS, he found that it was his spiritual life and life experiences which mattered most. “I would encourage everyone to attend courses offered by churches and theological schools to strengthen their foundation, so they’ll always be prepared to serve.”
Anna Loo
Anna Loo and her husband Rev Yeung, a retired CAC Elder, are seniors serving God at SPMS. Anna is a Local Preacher from Aldersgate Methodist Church with many years’ experience in inner healing and prayer ministry.
The couple went to Timor-Leste only after a long period of prayer and on-going communication with MMS. “We waited for over a year, but never doubted our calling. We’re even surer when we see people from all walks of life support our mission here,” says Anna. Within SPMS, she set up a 24/7 house of prayer that is called the “Watch City” for Timor-Leste. Besides counselling those who are troubled, she coaches students in prayer.
As Mandarin is their main spoken language, communication is their biggest challenge. However, their ability to speak Mandarin has also enabled them to reach out to the Chinese diaspora in Timor-Leste. Although they feel homesick sometimes, they are buoyed by the school’s appreciation for their work, the courteous, sincere locals and God’s unfailing provision of resources to launch many prayer movements.
Ho Lip Jin
Ho Lip Jin, from Charis Methodist Church, is the Chairman of MMS’ Building, Construction and Maintenance Committee (BCM). BCM is one of several committees established by MMS to support field ministries such as Education. Lip Jin worked for major property developers in Singapore before opting to retire at 58 to “build my treasure in heaven instead”. Lip Jin served as the Project Manager for the construction of Sundermeier Home for students and SPMS (Phase 1) in Timor-Leste. He also oversaw the completion of an additional premise for primary students in the Singapore Mission School in Laos, as well as the construction of Little Candles Methodist School in Thailand.
“Every construction project overseas is challenging,” he says. “There are fewer regulations governing construction than in Singapore, fewer skilled carpenters, electricians, plumbers, etc. We need God’s wisdom on how to execute the work, manage construction costs and mitigate risk. I realised during SPMS’ Dedication Service that just as it takes a village to raise a child, it took a village to set up this mission school including donors, prayer warriors, school staff and many more. I was thankful and gratified to have played a part.”
Dr Eileen Aw
Dr Eileen Aw is from Wesley Methodist Church and provided outpatient treatment for university students for 35 years.
She went on to help establish St Luke’s Hospital and lent her expertise to St Luke’s Eldercare Services. She served with MMS as Chairperson of the Advisory Board for the Singapore Mission School (SMS) in Laos for approximately seven years.
Of her years with MMS, she says there was no special calling; she simply responded to a need. “When I heard about SMS in Laos, I thought ‘Wow!’ How wonderful to have a mission school in one of the least developed Southeast Asian countries! It’s a divine opportunity to build capability through education and to share Christian teachings and values, which are cherished memories of my own student days at Methodist Girls’ School (MGS).”
Having served on MGS’ Advisory Board for 27 years, she understands well the function and responsibilities of a school board. “Recruiting Christian staff from Singapore for SMS was our biggest challenge, and establishing and implementing SOPs was slow and sometimes trying. But the tireless dedication of fellow board members and volunteers from Singapore was encouraging.”
Rev Teresa Wilborn is a consultant with the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) and a member of Aldersgate Methodist Church. / Photos courtesy of MMS
1 “Population in Brief 2024”, “Baby Boomers Survey-Singapore”, Archives Online, https://www.nas.gov.sg/
