To me, being a Methodist is to grow in God’s Word, fellowship, discipline, and live an exemplary Christian life with social holiness.
B The Bible is the fountain of heavenly wisdom (From John Wesley’s Notes to the New Testament)
E Engaging the spiritual and physical needs of the people and empowering the gospel to others
I Instilling discipline and sobriety
N Not distinguished by theology but by lives lived (Wesleyan theology)
G Growing in holiness in groups (Wesley’s Holy Club)
Together with the Church, I have been growing in God’s Word through a systematic and chronological Sunday sermon series and leaders’ Bible study. I am thankful to be in a church with strong bond of fellowship. The active social concerns ministry has taught me to be compassionate and help the needy in the church and the community.
As a young lay leader, I practice discipline and sobriety, keeping an accountable life together with my fellow leaders and church friends. We encourage one another by using our Church accountability app where we upload our daily scripture readings and prayers.
My wife, Priscillia, and I have been married for three years now, and we have a two-year-old daughter. As a young couple, it is sometimes difficult to balance family, work and ministry. Priscillia serves as a Sunday School Superintendent and I serve as lay leader of the church. Our hands are full but the joy of serving the Lord together keeps us going.
My father was a pastor, and I personally grew in a very active ministry-oriented environment. I grew up watching my family in the ministry and I wish the same for my family. I pray that the words of Joshua 24:15 (NIV) will be true in our lives too: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”.
We feel privileged to be part of a larger community in The Methodist Church in Singapore, where there is place for the whole family to grow and serve together as a family!
Joshua Gnanaruban is the Lay Leader of Seletar Tamil Methodist Church, and chairperson for media, communications and archives committee.