The best thing any father can do is to build a lasting legacy. Many choose a legacy of wealth, or intelligence, or even fond memories. However, for a man departing his earthly life, there is nothing more assuring than knowing that those he leaves behind have Christ in their hearts and lives. This is the best gift from a father to his children.
The 17 Oct 2020 event was organised with this as a foundational starting point, and encapsulated in two words—“godly legacy”. In conjunction with celebrating the 135th year of Methodism in Singapore, it was a grand opportunity to bring together the fathers from the three Annual Conferences. We are thankful for Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung’s clarion call to gather Christian fathers sto rise and take up the mantle of godly fatherhood in their homes.
My personal fatherhood journey has been intriguing but rewarding. I recall one Friday evening in August 2008, I returned from a week-long business trip. That evening, as I was catching up with the family, I mentioned that I had to attend an LCEC meeting the next day. In an instant, I could see the disappointment in 10-year-old Emmanuel’s face. He turned to me and said, “Daddy, why do you abandon us again?” Those words went sharper than the sharpest knife into my heart.
I could hardly sleep that night but knew that God was saying something to me through my son. From that point, I made some huge decisions to recalibrate my life, including leaving the senior corporate job I had held for the past decade.
Ten years down the road, I can say that besides my decisions to accept Christ and to marry Amy, I have made no other better choice. The family is much bonded, with a strong marital relationship and very close relationships between my children and me.
I have not looked back since and have been an advocate for the critical role of fathering. Heading the Dads for Life movement of the then-Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, and being part of the founding core team of Elijah7000 were opportunities to serve that have greatly blessed and changed me.
When the heart of the father is turned towards his wife and children, fuelled by God’s grace, there will be familial blessings and strength, and the home prospers. The richness of family which fathers can build is beyond anything the world can offer. Strong families grow thriving communities, which lead to strong nationhood. Indeed, society’s bedrock is the family.
In parallel, godly fatherhood is a natural agent for discipleship and evangelism. Home is our first church and children our first disciples. This is generational evangelism. I am praying for a Spirit-led movement in The Methodist Church where the fathers are on fire for the Lord and their families, and thus building and passing on a godly legacy.
David Ang is eagerly anticipating a movement by God amongst the fathers and households of the Methodist family. He worships at Kum Yan Methodist Church. He was one of the organisers of “Passing on a Godly Legacy”, a One MCS online event for Methodist fathers that was held on 17 Oct 2020.