We continue our series of profiling local churches from our three Annual Conferences of The Methodist Church in Singapore. As we come to have a better understanding of each other’s history and ministry, we may discover more opportunities to forge cross-church partnerships and collaborations.
Sembawang Tamil Methodist Church (STMC) was instituted 83 years ago in 1934 by the grace of God. However, its history goes even further back, as the church has been working with surrounding communities around Seletar Naval Base from as early as 1928. In 1940, a school building was erected at 150 Jalan Sembawang Kechil and for the next 52 years, the church worshipped there.
In February 1992, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) offered STMC a church site located at Yishun St 11 which we would share with another independent church. The church formally moved into its new premises on 1 Aug 1999. Sharing a building with other churches brings unique challenges, but by God’s grace we are able to address and overcome these challenges, growing in understanding and acceptance of our brothers-and sisters-in-Christ.
From our humble beginnings, STMC has grown to about 80 members and we are seeking actively to bolster our ranks.
The vision of STMC is to be an ‘Agent of Transformation’ in the community where we work hard to bring hope and comfort to those who are in need by being salt and light to the community where God has placed us.
One of the key ministries of STMC is reaching out to our neighbouring community by regularly visiting some families in nearby blocks. The visits by STMC members would include praying for them, sharing the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ, and donating essential provisions to needy families. The families were also invited to attend church services and programmes such as Christmas parties, celebrations for Mother’s and Father’s Days, and the Passion Song Service. We have made successful headway into the community around us and see ourselves as a part of it.
At the same time, STMC actively supports Christian missions in countries like Myanmar and Sri Lanka, through visits and monetary help. We work very closely with the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) boards in our mission work. The last couple of years have seen STMC working towards the Lord’s harvest in Myanmar. Our youths are also very passionate in participating in the various Myanmar mission trips.
As a church, STMC emphasises the importance of God’s Word, prayer, and ministry. Our agencies make sure that these three facets are constantly the focus in their meetings. The Word of God strengthens our faith, prayer helps us depend upon God and align our wills with His, while being steadfast in our ministry helps us reach out to others within and beyond the congregation.
We sense God’s call to bring up new leaders to serve in the church and the community, to raise up people for full-time ministry, and to touch the lives of our neighbours with the love of Christ. As we look forward to His second coming, we hope to hear from our Lord: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:21, 23, NKJV)
Sembawang Tamil Methodist Church
(Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference)
No. 3 Yishun Street 11 (Level 3), Singapore 768645
Sunday Service:
8.30 a.m. Tamil
Contact us:
Phone: 6257-0116
E-mail: stmcsg@gmail.com
Website: www.stmc.org.sg
The Rev Albert Vijay Joseph –
is Pastor-in-Charge of Sembawang Tamil Methodist Church.