Singapore Connections

I continue my work in Singapore, seeking to build (and rebuild) relationship with the Lutheran Church in Singapore. Relationship is a key thing at the personal level here in Southeast Asia before it ever progresses to the institutional level.

However on this visit it’s a diplomacy of a different kind, welcoming Rev. Dr. James Baneck from LCMS to his first experience of Southeast Asia. His flight arrives a little late (thankfully for me!) so I don’t need to be at the airport quite as early. The two of us haven’t met before so it’s a nice opportunity to meet another brother in Christ.

This afternoon we celebrated a small Divine Service with a few LCMS folks based in Singapore. My ministry to and with them continues as well, though it’s challenging only getting to see them every month or two. A great group of folks though, deeply appreciative of their Lutheran heritage and identity.

After worship we were treated by one of our Singaporean brothers to lunch at a small Catholic-run eatery next to the building where we rent worship space.

It was a nice time for reconnection. Rev. Charles Ferry worked with these Singapore folks for several years before he became Regional Director for Southeast Asia and handed the work off initially to Rev. Matthew Wood (our neighbor in Medan and our region’s expert on Indonesia) and then to me.

On the right side of the photo Rev. Ferry sits closest (with the dark beard), next to Johan, an Indonesian transplant to Singapore, and then Sam Borgwardt, the Regional Business Manager. On the left side I’m sitting closest, next to Haley who is a citizen of China but studied and came to faith in the US through Lutheran churches and now works in Singapore. After her is Rev. Dr. James Baneck, LCMS Executive Director of Pastoral Education. And finally is Stephen, one of our Singapore group who also studied in the US and encountered and grew to love Lutheran theology there.

It’s a great group, and it was a great time to be fed with the Word and Sacrament of God, and then by some great local food.