Jurong Tamil Methodist Church (JTMC) would like to praise and give thanks to God for leading the church over the past four decades.
Its seeds were planted in 1975 when the late Rev Prabudass Roberts of Tamil Methodist Church at Short Street initiated an outreach point in Jurong. In response, Mr and Mrs JCD Pandian held weekly worship services and prayer meetings at their residence. They were further supported by a few families from Pasir Panjang Tamil Methodist Church who resided in Jurong.
These families actively established this ministry by reaching out to the Indian community in the neighbourhood, such as with Sunday school and vacation Bible school for the children. The women in the ministry gathered in their homes to pray and read the Bible with female non-believers in the neighbourhood.
In 1977, the outreach point was officially constituted with 35 members. In February of the same year, the Jurong Christian Church (JCC) opened their sanctuary, on a rental basis, to JTMC for their Sunday services.
Mr Pandian was appointed as the supply pastor as he continued to work closely with the church’s members to reach out to the neighbourhood. By 1979, JTMC’s membership grew to 53, and continued to increase over the years as the church actively strengthened their outreach ministries.
The Rev D Premkumar was appointed as the church’s first full-time pastor in 1981. The Lord also called a youth, the Rev Philip Abraham, to full-time ministry. This was a blessing for the church that prepared many of its youths and Sunday school students to serve as the church’s leaders, choir members and musicians.
In 1991, JTMC moved to worship in the hall of Fairfield Methodist Secondary School. Although JTMC’s Sunday services have had to change location many times, we have never forgotten the place that our church was birthed as our members continue to actively reach out to the Indian community in Jurong.
In Feb 2017, the present Counsel and Pastors of JCC warmly welcomed JTMC to worship in the multi-purpose hall. The pioneer members rejoiced to be able to celebrate the church’s 40th anniversary at the very place where they had started their journey. The re-location has also increased membership, as more newcomers have since joined the worship service.
JTMC Pastors past and present
1977–1981: the late Rev John Pandian
1981–1990: the Rev D Premkumar
1990–1996: the late Rev Dr J Daniel
1996–1999: the Rev Moody Nehemiah
2000 Jan–April: the Rev Philip Abraham
2000–2003: the Rev James Nagulan
2004–2007: the Rev Ebinezar Mohan
2007–2009: the Rev Dr.Vinson Samuel
2010–2012: Ps T Jeevanantham
2013–2014: the Rev Isaac Raju
2014–2016: the Rev Philip Abraham and Ps T Jeevanantham
2017–2018: the Rev Isaac Raju
2019–present: the Rev R Prabhu and Ps Shadrak Stephen
Jurong Tamil Methodist Church
(Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference)
2 Tah Ching Road #03-02 S(618744)
Sunday worship service:
3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Sunday school:
2.00 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Youth service:
2.00 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Bible Study
7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. every Wednesday
rprabhu_sg@yahoo.com / stephenshadrak@yahoo.com.sg
9836-2284 (the Rev R Prabhu) / 9816-3130 (Ps Stephen Shadrak)
Mrs Susila Stephenson has been a member of Jurong Tamil Methodist Church since 1990, and has served as church secretary, treasurer and lay leader.
Photos courtesy of Jurong Tamil Methodist Church