TO ENCOURAGE, EMPOWER AND ENGAGE women for missions, the General Conference Womenâs Society of Christian Service (GC-WSCS) held a Missions Conference at Sophia Blackmore Hall at the Methodist Centre on May 5, 2012.
The objective of the conference was based on the theme verse, John 20:21 â âAs the Father has sent me, I am sending you.â A number of practitioners in the mission fields of China, Cambodia and the Philippines were invited to share their experiences, as well as staïŹ from Methodist Missions Society (MMS) and e Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS).
The Rev Philip Lim and the Rev Teresa Wilborn from MMS shared with participants the âWhyâ and âWhereâ of missions, respectively.
It was an eye-opener for many when the Rev Wilborn spoke about the â10- 40 Windowâ and how it also coincided with areas where the largest number of young people had yet to know the Lord. ese areas are in great need for mission outreach.
Other practitioners in the mission field also shared their experiences. Dr Stanley Ling from Serving In Mission gave some practical tips for planning and going on missions, peppering his talk with humour about the versatility of the sarong.
Dr Tan Lai Yong, who spent 14 years doing medical work in Kunming, Yunnan, spoke about his work there, including rearing goats and the many lessons he learnt from the villagers. Mrs Maureen Ho from Oikos Helping Hand Inc shared about God leading her into the mission field of New Smokey Mountain in Manila. She showed how doing the Lordâs work means total trust in Him.
Mr Ling Swee Chan, a director of Operation Hope Foundation, was a testimony of Godâs love and strength as he related how he set up homes for orphans in Cambodia despite being a wheelchair-user.
He showed what each of us could do for the Lord, regardless of whether we are old or young, rich or poor, educated or not, physically strong or physically hindered. All we need to do is to walk close with Him, to feel His heartbeat for His people, and to respond when He calls.
In addition, each of the three Annual Conferences of the MCS gave a presentation on their missions work, including song and dance items.
The full-day event saw a turnout of more than 150 participants from the three Annual Conferences. Some were men whose interest in missions emboldened them to come with their wives.
The Lord touched the hearts of many that day. e participants left the conference renewed in their convictions; many responded in their feedback forms that they would like to participate in short-term missions and were keen to learn more about missions.
Tina Neoh is the Missions Coordinator of the Trinity Annual Conference Womenâs Society of Christian Service. She worships at Christ Methodist Church.