Doing More for the Lord as a Global Mission Agency

This article was originally posted in our December 2017 Word@Work.

2017 is a year filled with meaning and significance for The Bible Society of Singapore. It is a season of commemorating God’s past faithfulness to us. We celebrated the 180th Anniversary of our formal registration with an array of special events and materials, acknowledging with 1 Samuel 7:12: “Till now the LORD has helped us”.

It is also a season of preparing for the future. In the same year, our Bible Society is newly appointed by the United Bible Societies (UBS) as its Mission Resource Centre (MRC) for Bible Engagement. This new role calls for us to play a more active role in serving global Bible Societies as a centre of excellence, and casts a new vision and direction for us in helping to advance the local and global Bible Mission.

The Shape of Missions to Come

The designation of certain Bible Societies as Mission Resource Centres (MRCs) was first implemented by the UBS in 2013. It reflected a vital change in the shape of missions forward, as increasing globalisation led to a greater awareness of the diverse needs of communities around the world, and of the Bible Societies that serve them.

“We believe that MRCs will play a key role in the process of improving Bible Societies’ ability to share knowledge and expertise. They will enrich the [UBS] Fellowship by ensuring that we have easy access to information and best practice in key ministry areas.”—Terje Hartberg, Head of the UBS Global Ministry Exchange

The British and Foreign Bible Society and American Bible Society were the first two MRCs appointed for Bible Advocacy and Trauma Healing respectively. More have been appointed since then, and The Bible Society of Singapore has been designated as the sixth MRC, focusing on the area of Bible Engagement.

Serving One Another, Serving Together

Bible Engagement is a pertinent need today as the world witnesses increasing ignorance and scepticism of the Bible’s truth claims and its relevance in modern society. These issues are compounded in less affluent countries, which are often ravaged by calamities like natural disasters and war, and where availability and knowledge of the Bible remains scarce.

Over the last decade, we have successfully launched several Bible Engagement initiatives to address these issues in our local context. By God’s grace, these materials and programmes have been instruments of blessing to other countries as well.

Engaging the Bible Through...
Discipleship courses and materials such as the WISE 40-day devotional Bible-reading plan and Walk Thru the Bible (WTTB) study programmesProgrammes reaching out to various demographic groups such as the D6 Family Conference and Colours of the Bible art competition and exhibitionOrganised Bible Mission Trips and Bible Land Tours

  • WISE is adopted and translated in Nepal, with countries such as Sri Lanka and South Africa exploring its adoption

  • Our WTTB trainers also conduct the programmes in Malaysia, with plans to extend to the whole of Southeast Asia


  • Opened not only to locals, but also to participants from countries such as Israel, Myanmar and Hong Kong


  • Enabled local churches and Christians not only to grow in their knowledge of God’s Word, but also to be exposed to and involved in mission work in these lands

In addition, our Bible Society sought to bless other Bible Societies in the region by sharing these resources, knowledge and experience to build up their capacities. Together with informal meet-up sessions with representatives from other Bible Societies, we also organised conferences and workshops as platforms for sharing ideas and exploring partnership opportunities. These included the inaugural Asia Bible Advocacy Conference in 2014, the Literacy through Listening Workshop in 2015, and the AAA Capacity Building Workshop for Bible Engagement in 2016.

Such collaborations and partnerships enhance the capacities of regional Bible Societies to serve their communities more effectively and extensively. It also opens up new opportunities for more cross-cultural missions. Thus, through the support of our donors and volunteers, God not only blessed the Bible Societies in Singapore and other countries, but also enabled all of us to play an even greater role in advancing the global Bible Mission together.

The Road Ahead

“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) We continue to be thankful to God for preserving and growing our Bible Society in the last 180 years, and granting us the privilege to serve Him as the UBS Mission Resource Centre for Bible Engagement.

As we strive to do more for the Lord as a global mission agency in the new year ahead, your support is critical for the effective furtherance of the Bible Mission in Singapore and overseas. Join us as we seek to serve other Bible Societies and communities around the world, and advance the global Bible Mission together till all the earth is filled with the knowledge and glory of God!


Faith Conversations

Studies show that today’s children and youth get exposed to worldly concepts and realities at a much earlier age than previous generations. How can you talk with your young people to help them journey through this ever-changing landscape?

Parents and ministry leaders, join us for this interactive discussion on how to talk through some of today’s key topics.

Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2018
Time: 7.30pm-9.30pm
Venue: 7 Armenian Street, Bible House, Level 4, Morrison-Liang Seminar Rooms, S179932

About the Speakers

Morgan Zhou currently serves as Children's Ministry Coordinator at Fairfield Methodist Church and believes that the transforming power of Christ can impact lives, shape culture, and alter human destinies. Prior to his appointment as Teaching Fellow in the National Institute of Education, he was Vice Principal at Anglo-Chinese School (Junior). Morgan is married to Angela and they have two wonderful boys, Elijah and Elias. In his free time, he volunteers with the Boys' Brigade in Singapore, the Anglo-Chinese School Old Boys' Association as well as in the Christian Ministry work of his alma mater.

Quek Shiwei is the Director of Kallos, a relevant and fun ministry that empowers young women to be advocates of inner beauty and confidence and to boldly live out their God-planned design. She is a graduate of Singapore Bible College and worships at RiverLife Church. As the oldest of 4 sisters and a proud mum of a little girl (and boy), she is passionate about the beauty God has placed in females!

Pastor Ben KC Lee was born in Sabah and is married to Dinah. They have enjoyed assignments as church planters and pastors but their favourite role is to be parents to their young adult twins. Ben and Dinah are pioneers in Whole Life discipleship. They coach pastors and equip congregations in taking an integrated lifespan approach to discipleship. Ben started out as an accountant before serving as senior pastor and then as pastor to pastors. He currently serves as Head of Sexual Wholeness with Focus on the Family Singapore. He is the author of the 2017 book Unmasked. He speaks regularly on a range of sexuality topics within the context of discipleship.


December 2017


Egypt Videos

Holistic Missions

Loving the Poor and Needy in Word and Deed

“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’”—Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV)

Throughout Scripture, God shows Himself to be a God who takes notice of the poor and needy, and cares for them materially and spiritually. It is one of the ways in which He demonstrates His love and compassion. As God’s children, Christians are called thus to imitate Him, loving not only in word and talk but also in deed and truth (1 John 3:18). This is the motivation for holistic missions, which are an integral part of the expanding global Bible Mission.

Holistic missions focus primarily on humanitarian efforts and disaster relief, seeking to meet the immediate needs of those disadvantaged by persecution and natural disasters. These acts of care and love communicate to the poor and needy that they are not forgotten, and that God’s love and message of salvation in Christ are also theirs to embrace.

Since the early 2000s, the Bible Society, in collaboration with regional Bible Societies and churches,  began engaging in holistic missions to serve overseas communities in need. This included raising awareness of and undertaking fundraising activities for countries hit by major disasters such as the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and the recent floods in South Asia.

From 2014 onwards, formal mission trips have also been organised to various affected areas to serve the needy there. Through these efforts, the Bible Society and participating churches gain opportunities to be God’s channels of blessing to these communities, both in the caring for their material and spiritual well-being, as well as in the restoration of their way of life.

Tacloban, the Philippines (2014)

  • Ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, the worst tropical cyclone recorded in history
  • Distributed Scriptures, food toiletries and furniture to the locals, and helped in church rebuilding efforts

Lebanon (2015)

  • Thousands suffered displacement, persecution and hardship from ISIS attacks
  • Visited refugees in several areas and provided relief through the distribution of Scriptures and relief packs

Myanmar (2016)

  • Locals subjected to regular floods from yearly monsoons
  • Distributed Scriptures and necessities such as mosquito nets and family kits to aid the rebuilding of the locals’ homes and lives

Nepal (2016)

  • Locals affected by frequent earthquakes and floods
  • Distributed Scriptures and daily necessities, and provided zinc sheets to aid in house rebuilding projects

There are still many needy communities in the world that need to know and grow in God’s love, which mean more areas of service for us to explore. Egypt is one example. One of the oldest countries in the world, Egypt has a rich history and culture that dates back to Biblical times. At the same time, children and youth, many of whom are poor, make up a large percentage of the total population (33%). Its Christian population is also among the most persecuted in the world today.

In August 2017, the Bible Society sent a team to Egypt to further understand and support the mission works there. They joined up with staff from the Bible Society of Egypt, who have been organising rallies and special programmes to reach out to the children and youth. One of the team members, Joan Cher, recounts:

“I saw how the youths were so passionate in reading and learning about the Word. Living in the hostile environment, the local Christians also depended on one another for support, which further strengthens their faith and identity as one Body of Christ. I am greatly challenged to take the reading of God’s Word and being part of the church—my immediate spiritual family—more seriously.”

We are truly privileged not only to partner with our Egyptian brothers and sisters in serving the needy in Egypt, but also to share in their joy of seeing them knowing and growing in the love of God and His Word. We are also committed to support these ongoing outreach works in Egypt, such as the upcoming Christmas distribution of Scripture materials, hygiene items and sweets to the children.

British evangelist Leonard Ravenhill once remarked,

“That world outside there is not waiting for a new definition of Christianity, it’s waiting for a new demonstration of Christianity.”

We are ever thankful for our faithful supporters and volunteers, whose contributions enable us to continue to demonstrate God’s love through these missions with local and overseas brothers and sisters in Christ. We also covet your continued prayers and support, so that more will be able to taste and see that the Lord is good, and be brought into His fold.


Are We Reaching the Next Generation?

Our first NextGen Seminar “Are We Reaching the Next Generation?” was held on 31 March 2016 at St Andrew’s Cathedral. More than 130 people from over 55 churches attended to hear from our speakers.

The speakers shared valuable insights for those working with children and youth. Dr Norman Wong discussed the principles behind building a thriving youth ministry, while Charleston Lim from Heart of God Church explained how churches can release and empower youths to not just be leaders of tomorrow, but leaders of today. Pastor Sam Phun from River Community Church shared his insights on how his church trains children to minister to other children.


Are We Losing the Next Generation?

Our second NextGen Seminar “Are We Losing the Next Generation?” was held on 28 June 2016 with 110 people from over 50 churches gathering to learn how ministries and parents can effectively disciple the next generation.

Dr Calvin Chong (Singapore Bible College) gave a presentation on reaching and nurturing the next generation in a media-saturated world with many competing voices. He also explained how stories, rituals and relationships are being used to shape values and the worldviews of the next generation.

In the panel discussion that followed, Rev Christopher Chia (Adam Road Presbyterian Church) shared about his church’s work in building lifelong disciples from childhood to adulthood and beyond. Ps Joey Asher Tan (Grace Assembly of God) described how his youth ministry has transited to age-based niches instead of one ‘mass’ youth ministry. Christina Ong (Methodist TRAC, Children’s Ministry) talked about how she reduced the fallout when teens leave the children’s ministry by introducing a ‘tweens’ ministry. Finally, Yuen Chee Onn (Centre for Fathering) shared about the need for fathers to be properly equipped for their role and encouraged parents not to make the mistake of outsourcing the work of discipleship to church or youth ministry.

About the Speaker

Dr Calvin Chong resizedDr Calvin Chong is Associate Professor of Educational Studies at Singapore Bible College. His current teaching and research areas relate to youth, urban missions, and oral preference learners. Calvin is a board member of The Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore and HealthServe, a community development NGO.


Modern Khmer Bible at the Heart of the Revival of the Cambodian Church

This article was originally posted by the United Bible Societies.

Over the past 20 years the Cambodian Church has experienced an extraordinary revival. Today there are 400,000 Christians in the country – a steep increase from the 5,000 Cambodian Christians in the 1990s. The Modern Khmer Bible, published in 1997, is at the heart of this revival. The translation happened in exile when Cambodia was closed and Christians killed. It has been key to the renaissance of the Cambodian Church.

A new Church

Mana Duong with her Modern Khmer Bible


“This translation brings hope to the decimated Cambodian Church,” declared Rev Dooley, an American missionary to Cambodia. He was speaking in the 1990s, when the New Testament had just been published and the Old Testament was still being translated. “I am waiting for this Bible to be completed,” he added. “It will enable a new Church to be built for a new generation.”

That is exactly what has happened. The Modern Khmer Bible makes it easy for people to read, understand and be touched by the Gospel. Cambodian celebrity Mana Duong – a television presenter – describes her experience of reading the Bible:

“I love to read the Word each day because it helps me to understand God’s overflowing love for us. It is rare for me to not read the Bible! Everywhere I go, even when I travel to other provinces, I always take my Bible with me. The Bible is my life.”

Two million dead

What a contrast between the flourishing Cambodian Church of today and its recent history. The genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge led to the deaths of two million Cambodians between 1975 and 1979 – and Christians were not spared.

“The four Khmer Christians on the Modern Khmer Bible translation team between 1968 and 1975 all perished under the Khmer Rouge,” explains Father François Ponchaud. He was a member of this interconfessional translation team, and fled Cambodia in May 1975, taking with him the first five chapters of Matthew.

“We will do something”

Translation team working on the Modern Khmer Bible


Determined that the work should somehow continue in exile, in 1984 Fr Ponchaud sought help from the United Bible Societies (UBS), which at that time had an Asia office in Hong Kong. His visit was unsuccessful: Cambodia was closed therefore it would not be possible to distribute a new translation there so the project was ‘unviable’, he was told.

But this did not discourage him: on his return home to France he explained the situation to French Bible Society General Secretary Rev Jean-Pierre Boyer. Mr Boyer told him, “We will do something. Who knows? Maybe when we’ve finished translating the Bible the country will open up again?”

He kept his word. Thanks to Fr Ponchaud’s persistence and Mr Boyer’s vision, translation work recommenced in 1985, funded by donors in France. The interconfessional team was made up of four translators in exile, notably Fr Ponchaud and the Rev Arun Sok Nhep.

“Mr Boyer didn’t know how true his words would prove,” comments Mr Sok Nhep, who today works as a UBS Ministry Resources Facilitator. “That man really had a vision: we had just finished translating the New Testament in 1992 when Cambodia re-opened!”

“A true revival”

It was back in Cambodia that the Old Testament was translated. Fr Ponchaud and Mr Sok Nhep returned to the country and put together a new translation team. Within four years the Old Testament was completed and the New Testament revised. The full Bible was published in 1997.

“In the 1970s everything was lost – the translators’ lives, the draft manuscript of the New Testament…and then this…It was a true revival!” states Mr Sok Nhep.

Arun Sok Nhep and Fr Ponchaud today


“Restoring the Word of God to the Khmer people gave new life to the Cambodian Church,” adds Fr Ponchaud.

Today, the Modern Khmer Bible is used by the Catholic Church and most Protestant churches, too. And a revision is now underway by a team of young Cambodian Christians.

“The French Bible Society and its donors enabled the work to resume at a time when nobody believed in the future of the Cambodian Church, when everybody had lost hope,” concludes Mr Sok Nhep. “And the New Testament was ready just as Cambodia re-opened its doors! It was surely not a coincidence that Fr Ponchaud and I both ended up in France – land of asylum that also nurtured this new translation!”

Young Cambodians reading the Bible on their smartphones



Bible-Based Trauma Healing Programmes Help Restore Young Hearts

This article was adapted from one originally posted by the American Bible Society.

When Angel* first visited the club, she could often be found crying and hiding her face. You see, this teenage girl didn’t just carry the trauma of violence in her heart. She wore it across her cheek.

When Angel’s parents and siblings were attacked and killed, Angel survived, but she still bears painful scars from machete cuts across her face.

Angel often sobbed as the other children made fun of her. But as the week in the Healing Hearts Bible-based Trauma Healing Club progressed, she began to open up and share her story.

Throughout the week, her confidence grew, and she stopped covering her face with her hands. She even shared her testimony and publicly forgave her tormentors for the heinous acts they committed.

Angel’s story is horrifying, but not uncommon. Our world is a battlefield. Warfare, genocide, abuse, and crises are rampant, and as a result, millions of traumatised children have witnessed and endured the unspeakable.

Bible-based Trauma Healing allows these children to understand that they are special to God—they are not forgotten. During Trauma Healing camps, the children are given a chance to express their pain and share their stories. They memorise promises from the Bible and then bring their pain to Christ and ask him to heal their hearts.

Because Angel was able to share her story through a Bible-based Trauma Healing programme, she began to feel less ashamed of her scars. And she began to experience the joy and hope made possible only through the loving God of the Bible.

People who once lived in despair are finding hope and peace through Bible-based trauma healing programs that are made possible by the generous gifts of our financial partners.

*Name changed for security purposes


The Inaugural Sower Awards 2017

This article was originally published in our September 2017 issue of Word@Work.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” —James 1:12 (ESV)

One of the highlights of the BSS 180th Anniversary Bible Mission Concert was the presentation of four inaugural Sower Awards 2017 by His Excellency President Tony Tan. The Sower Awards honour those who have been used by God as His channels of blessing in the Bible Mission, hence encouraging more people to get involved in the Bible Mission. 

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the outstanding and faithful service of people who have truly dedicated their lives to sowing God’s Word in the world. The Award went posthumously to the late Rev Peter Hsieh, the Bible Society’s first local and longest-serving General Secretary. Rev Hsieh served as the General Secretary of the Bible Society from 1965 to 1980. He was also the principal figure in proposing the rebuilding of the Bible House into a six-storey, contemporary style building that could also function as a centre for various Christian communities and organisations. The new Bible House was also completed and reopened in 1974. Since then, he continued to spearhead various projects in which the Society collaborated with local and global Christian organisations. Rev Hsieh retired in 1980, having built a firm foundation for the Society to work towards self-support and expanding its mission.

The late Rev Hsieh was Dean at Trinity Theological College (TTC) before he joined the Bible Society. We were unable to contact his next-of-kin, hence Dr Roland Chia, a professor from TTC, received the award on his behalf. Along with this award, the Bible Society also contributed $10,000 to the library of TTC to complete some of its Biblical Reference Collection Series.

Bible Missionary of the Year Award

The Bible Missionary of the Year Award celebrates the faith and perseverance of a Bible missionary, who works to fulfil the Bible mission even in the challenging realities of the mission fields. This award went to Mr Ramez Atallah, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt., for his faithful service in Egypt, a hostile country where Christians are a minority and ministry can be challenging.

Mr Atallah and his team are also especially dedicated to establish the next generation in Christian discipleship—organising book fairs, rallies and specialised programmes, such as the annual "Kingo Festival" and the "In His Image" talent show, to reach out to the children and youth in Egypt, who make up 33% of the Egyptian population. These programmes also provide a platform for the children to express themselves without fear of being silenced or ignored. Through these avenues, Mr Atallah and his team have reached out to 1.5 million children in the past 12 years. He is 71 this year, but continues to work with great passion and zeal for God. This award also included a gift of US$10,000 as an encouragement to him and the staff of the Bible Society of Egypt.

Benefactor of the Year Award

The Benefactor of the Year Award celebrates the generosity of an individual whose contribution has enabled Bible Mission work and made a real impact on many lives. This award went to Mrs Dorothy Chan—a tireless businesswoman—the first major supporter of one of our ministries—ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity—which was established in 2014. Mrs Chan is also a supporter of various arts and grassroots initiatives.

As a pioneering initiative with no prior track record or precedent to model after, the ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity had to build its infrastructure, itinerary and reputation almost entirely from scratch. Mrs Chan’s insight and good faith led her to pledge to give generously to the ETHOS Institute in its infancy, before it had any track record or reputation. Thanks to her, the ETHOS Institute has grown rapidly in the last three years and is now becoming increasingly recognised locally and internationally for its work.

Volunteer of the Year Award

The Volunteer of the Year Award celebrates the dedicated service of our volunteers, whom we call our Sowers-in-Action. The award went to a group of eight ladies from Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church who have been partners in the Bible Mission for almost 30 years. They help out mainly in the packing and mass-mailing of the Society’s materials, work that is often unnoticed, but crucial to our operations.

The ladies are always open and enthusiastic about their service, rarely turning down requests and warmly accommodating to the Society's various production timelines. These unsung heroines—namely Alice Tan, Anna See, Diana Wong, Goh Joo Luan, Lily Nai, Rosalind Yin, Seto Lau Choong, and Charlene Tan—have been remarkably dedicated and committed, and we were happy to recognise them.

Watch our 180th Anniversary Concert