Rev Saravana Kumar elected President at 49th Session of ETAC
The 49th session of the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) was held from 8 to 9 November 2024 at Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church.
The year 2024 marked the end of the 12th quadrennium (2021-2024), which meant that the delegates needed to elect a new ETAC President and other office holders for the 13th quadrennium (2025-2028). Rev Philip Abraham did not qualify to stand for election again due to his age, and in fact, ETAC had only one eligible candidate—Rev Saravana Kumar. This was made possible because of a successful petition by ETAC at the 13th General Conference Session to amend ¶584 of the Book of Discipline to state, “…to provide for at least two candidates for that particular election; or to allow a single candidate to be declared elected”. Rev Kumar was thus elected as President for the next quadrennium.
The quadrennium theme: Towards harvest
In his final President’s Address, Rev Philip Abraham recounted his goals for the quadrennium:
- To grow ETAC’s membership
- To improve pastoral supply
- To strengthen ETAC’s Youth Ministry
He reported on ETAC’s Vision 2024 “Towards Harvest”, a goal to reach 1,000 members by the end of the quadrennium.
From 2021 to 2023, the annual themes were “PRAY”, “SEEK” and “SOW”. The theme for 2024 is “REAP”, and churches organised various programmes that align with this vision and bring it to life.
The “REAP” theme was unpacked in the following ways:
- R: Build Relationships
Fostering meaningful connections within congregations and communities
- E: Examine Readiness
Assessing our hearts, ministries and preparedness for God’s calling
- A: Assure God’s Love and Promises
Reaffirming the unchanging and faithful love of God and his promises in every season of life
- P: Pray for Salvation
Seeking God’s intervention through prayer for the salvation of souls in our communities and beyond.
Significantly, ETAC’s membership has grown steadily each year (except for 2020), and is now just a little shy of 1,000 members.
“I am thankful for the ways that our churches have embraced these principles, sowing seeds of faith and love that will, in God’s perfect timing, bear fruit in abundance,” said Rev Philip. Through efforts that took place over the four years, such as the daily synchronised prayer and prayer bookmarks to remind members to pray for 10 pre-believers, a “culture of prayer and outreach” was fostered.
Pastoral supply
A total of four pastors were recruited during the quadrennium: Ps Adlin Jacob, Ps Jesudoss Charles, Ps Vasanth Joseph and Rev C Jebakumar.
The 49th Session witnessed Ps Adlin Jacob ordained as a Deacon. Members-on-trial, Ps Jesudoss Charles and Ps Vasanth Joseph have progressed onto MOT 2 while two seminary students, Mr Elisha Philip and Mr Joshua Gnanaruban, are on track to complete their Master of Divinity Studies in May 2026 at Trinity Theological College and Singapore Bible College respectively. Rev R Prabhu has been re-engaged as an Associate Pastor.
Formation of Board of Youth Ministry
Earlier last year, a Youth Dialogue was held, where ETAC youth leaders gathered to raise their challenges and concerns. This was a crucial time of listening, reflecting and discerning God’s direction for the next generation. In response to the need for youth-focused ministry, Rev Philip announced the formation of a new Board of Youth Ministry, signalling ETAC’s commitment to youth engagement.
Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference
Appointments for the year 2025
REV C SARAVANA KUMAR – PRESIDENT
REV JAMES NAGULAN – DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
Pastoral Appointments
Ang Mo Kio Tamil MC
Pastor-in-Charge
Rev Albert Vijay Joseph
Pastoral Assistant
Ps J S Jesudoss Charles
Jurong Tamil MC
Pastor-in-Charge
Rev Philip Abraham
Pasir Panjang Tamil MC
Pastor-in-Charge
Rev Philip Abraham
Associate Pastor
Rev R Prabhu
Seletar Tamil MC
Pastor-in-Charge
Rev James Nagulan
Pastor
Rev Adlin Jacob
Sembawang Tamil MC
Pastor-in-Charge
Rev C Saravana Kumar
Tamil MC, Short Street
Pastor-in-Charge
Rev James Nagulan
Pastoral Assistant
Ps Vasanth Joseph
Toa Payoh Tamil MC
Pastor-in-Charge
Rev Albert Vijay Joseph
Pastoral Assistant
Ps J S Jesudoss Charles
Singapore Telugu MC
Pastor-in-Charge
Rev C Jebakumar
SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2025
District Superintendent
Rev James Nagulan
Methodist Welfare Homes Coordinator
Rev Adlin Jacob
Chaplains to Methodist Schools
Rev Adlin Jacob
Ps Vasanth Joseph
