After 20 years at the helm of the Methodist Schools’ Foundation, outgoing Board Chairperson Mrs Joni Ong reflects on providential moments, unexpected detours and the living testimonies that have shaped her understanding of stewardship.
As I come to the close of two decades serving as chairperson of the Methodist Schools’ Foundation (MSF), I find myself returning not to a list of milestones, but to the many quiet, and sometimes unexpected, moments where I have seen God at work.
When I first stepped into this role, I accepted it as a responsibility—not yet knowing it would become a deeply personal calling. We had conviction, but limited resources; we had vision but were still learning how to bring the wider Methodist community into a shared mission.
One of the earliest tests came during the global financial crisis of 2007–2008. Families were suddenly under strain, parents lost jobs, and students’ ability to thrive in school was at risk. We wanted to do more, but our resources and fund usage (original constitution) were limited to infrastructure and teaching aids.
It was during that season that God’s provision became unmistakably clear. At a time when the need was greatest, the Chen Su Lan Trust stepped forward with a remarkable endowment gift of $2.92 million, specifically to provide financial assistance to students in need. The timing could not have been more precise. What we could not have planned or achieved on our own, God provided, decisively and generously. That moment left a deep impression on me: that when the work is aligned with God’s heart, he will make a way.
My own journey with MSF has also not been a straight line. In 2012, after serving six years as chairperson, I stepped down. I believed then that season had ended, and it was right to pass the baton on. But in late 2014, I was asked to return—initially for what I thought would be a short, transitional period of about a year.
That “one year” became twelve.
Looking back, I can only see God’s hand in that unexpected homecoming. The challenges were more complex, more demanding—but also more formative. God used this second chapter to draw me closer to the needs of our students and schools, and to teach me empathy not as an idea, but as a posture: to listen more carefully, to feel more deeply, and in doing so, to be both humbled and inspired.
This, to me, is part of how God sustains. Not always by making the path easier, but by shaping us through the journey, and placing us exactly where we need to be for that season.
Over the years, I have also come to see that MSF’s journey has not simply been about growing funds, but about deepening partnerships. One example that stands out is the evolution of the biennial MethodistWalk.
In its early years, the Walk was largely funded by MSF itself. In 2011, we reimagined the model, seeking a stronger church-school partnership. Wesley Methodist Church responded by underwriting the entire Walk—allowing every dollar raised by our schools to go directly back to them.
That shift marked a turning point. Since then, each Walk has been underwritten by one or more Methodist churches coming together. What was once an MSF-led event has become a community movement. To me, this reflects how MSF itself has evolved—from doing things for our schools, to journeying with the wider Methodist family in a shared calling.
Among the many Walks, one remains deeply etched in my memory. In March 2015, our nation mourned the passing of our founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. A seven-day period of national mourning was declared—and right on the Saturday of that week, our MethodistWalk was scheduled to take place.
Out of deep respect, there was every reason to pause. Yet, 5,000 participants, mostly students, had already committed themselves. The question before us was not just logistical, but deeply sensitive: how could we proceed in a way that honoured both the occasion and our national grief?
With guidance and special permission, the organising committee responded with remarkable unity and sensitivity. Colourful elements were replaced with black; banners were rewritten to reflect the nation’s sombreness; the tone of the event was thoughtfully adjusted. What could have been a tension became something unexpectedly beautiful—a solemn yet resilient gathering. Then-Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup paid tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and together we walked, not in celebration, but in quiet solidarity.
It was a powerful reminder that our witness is not only in what we do, but in how we do it.
Personal interactions with our beneficiaries have also shaped me. One case has stayed with me through the years: a Primary One student whose parents could not afford the $20,000 needed for a liver operation that would prolong her life and give her a chance at a better quality of life. It was not within MSF’s usual remit to fund medical needs. And yet, as I heard her story, I felt a quiet but persistent conviction that we could not turn away.
I brought her case before the Board. It was not a straightforward decision, but we chose to respond—to extend support through her school and provide the funds needed for the operation. Today, that little girl is in her twenties, well and serving God in her own way—a living reminder of God’s goodness and the privilege of being part of her story.
This is what MSF is truly about. Yes, we support schools. Yes, we raise funds. But ultimately, we are called to respond to real lives, real needs and real opportunities to reflect Christ’s love in practical ways. MSF is no longer just a foundation that supports schools. It has become a bridge connecting churches, schools, alumni and the wider community in a shared commitment to Methodist education.
There were, of course, challenges: seasons of uncertainty, decisions without clear outcomes, moments of fatigue. But God’s faithfulness proved sufficient—not always removing the difficulty, but providing what was needed.
As I prepare to step down in October 2026, I do so with deep gratitude and quiet confidence. The work of MSF will continue—not because of any one individual, but because it has always been sustained by God and carried by a community of faithful partners.
We now look ahead to our Charity Dinner on 15 August, with a goal to raise $1 million to support our schools and students, particularly those with greater needs. Each contribution is more than a gift. It is an investment in lives that will, in time, shape the next generation.
As I reflect on these 20 years, my overriding response is gratitude: to God, who sustained the work and let me witness his hand in lives changed; to the faithful co-labourers alongside me; and for the privilege of being part of something far greater than myself. To God be the glory.
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
~ Psalm 145:4
To sponsor a banquet table at MSF’s Charity Dinner on 15 August 2026 or donate to MSF, visit https://www.methodist.org.sg/mcevents/msf-una-voce
Table registrations are open until 15 June 2026.
