Bishop’s Message

For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:
“Seek me and live.”
~ Amos 5:4

Our hearts are full of thanksgiving as we begin a brand new year. Two events that stood out from 2024 fill me with gratefulness: the peaceful transition of leadership as Mr Lawrence Wong assumed his role as Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister in May, and Singapore winning a bronze medal in kitefoiling at the Paris Olympic Games in August.

For our Church, there is also much to celebrate and give thanks for. Our churches are growing steadily with members serving the Lord fervently. Our pupils have excelled in the schools as well. On top of these, Methodist Welfare Services continue to reach out to the needy and Methodist Missions Society continues its work of planting churches.

Personally, I lead a rather uneventful life (except being elected Bishop). Still, I want to give thanks for all the little and mundane things. Indeed, I am reminded of Paul’s word in Colossians 1:3-4, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.”

Nonetheless, there is a degree of apprehension arising from the challenges we face—the escalation of conflicts and wars with no end in sight, the rising cost of living and prevalence of mental health issues, just to name a few.

Remember then the words of Amos, which is a call as well as a promise. Amos 5:4 says, “For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: ‘Seek me and live.’”

In this new year, I urge all Methodists to resolutely seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.