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Lessons from starting a new ministry

Tan Sue-Ann (1920x1153)
Tan Sue-Ann

It was daunting to consider starting a family life ministry in church. At the time, I was juggling family and church commitments with a heavy course-load in my counselling programme at Bible College. I was very hesitant.

But God showed me glimpses of his heart for families. I asked him to confirm the prompting. Soon after, confirmation came through someone at church. Then I asked God who would build the ministry with me. One by one, names came to mind. Each one agreed readily when invited to come alongside. We had neither strategy nor plan, but our team of five had faith. To face our challenges, we prayed for God to lead and provide while we availed ourselves to him.

Seven years on, the team has grown, united behind the vision of discipleship of future generations through families. We now have an encouraging community of volunteers, answering the call to disciple and minister to couples and parents. I could not ask for better co-labourers.

Ministry is an expression of my worship, an offer of myself to be God’s instrument. It involves hard work, personal sacrifice and at times, even heartache. But I have gained so much more. Trusting God in ministry has been a significant part of my spiritual formation. He has even redeemed my life experiences to bless others. That is precious to me.

Tan Sue-Ann is the Chairperson of the Family Life Ministry at Trinity Methodist Church. She pursued clinical training in counselling and psychotherapy after 20 years in the legal sector and now has her own counselling practice where she works with young adults, women and couples, offering a faith-based perspective in her work with Christian clients. With her husband, she leads a young adult small group and mentors couples in church. / Photo courtesy of Tan Sue-Ann

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