45th SCAC
Dear Bishop Ong & President Tie, pastor-colleagues, brothers & sisters in Christ,
First of all, I want to give thanks to the Lord for calling me into this task and the Church for recognising this through the act of election.
In response to the election, I want to echo with words of the bishop-elect. He said, “I take office knowing that many have lost their positions and jobs. Many have become poorer. We live in challenging times in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected every area of life.”
Hence, this is not winning a political election, but a call to servanthood leadership; a call to walk humbly with the Lord; a call to act justly and to love mercy; a call to deeper dying to oneself; a call to live life built on God’s Word and prayer.
As the Church lay hands on me to be installed to this office, may I ask you to “…stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1: 27) Additionally, would you kindly remember me before the Lord in your prayer?
In this installation service, when I can’t even show you my full face, I am reminded to behold the glory of God: when we cannot have multitudes to witness this occasion, I am reminded to desire the presence of the Holy God; when I feel overly overwhelmed by the election, I am reminded to be humbly dependent on God’s power and grace.
On behalf of my family, may I wish you a blessed Christmas and new year ahead.