This year, we celebrate 60 years of Singapore’s independence and also 140 years of Methodism in Singapore. We give thanks to God for many years of his faithfulness and favour. As we look back on the histories of Singapore and that of The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), we see how Methodists have played a role in nation building.
A year after the founding of the first Methodist church in Singapore, Bishop William Fitzjames Oldham started Anglo-Chinese School in an old shophouse with just 13 students. At that time, very few children in Singapore had access to education and the chance to improve their lives. It was Bishop Oldham’s goal to provide quality education and since then, this spirit has endured and today, there are 16 educational institutions and six preschools under MCS.
Our social outreach arm, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), now serves more than 16,700 beneficiaries. For more than 40 years, the organisation has been committed to uplifting the disadvantaged and distressed in Singapore.
A printing press was started, which marked the beginnings of Methodist Printing House (MPH). This was a key tool for communication and the publisher/printer of this very publication you are reading in its early days.
You can read more about MCS’ role in nation building in Rev Dr Andrew Peh’s article in this issue.
As Singaporeans, we enjoy religious freedom and have a safe space to worship. How are we stewarding this freedom that we have? How are we using it for the continued betterment of our country and neighbours? When we look at the rich history that our forefathers were part of, we should also look at how we want to build on what we have for future generations.
As we celebrate these milestone anniversaries, let’s not rest on our laurels. We will continue to be tested and challenged in different ways. But we pray for God’s mercy to continue to cover us as we position ourselves for the challenges and blessings of the years ahead. Let us continue to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength. And to love our neighbours as ourselves (Mark 12: 30-31).
Bishop Philip Lim was elected Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore in 2024. Previously, he served as a missionary in Cambodia under the Methodist Missions Society (MMS), and as Executive Director of MMS from 2012 to 2018.