Stanley Yew, 2009, Singapore
Missions is a way of life for this SOT alumnus. Stanley Yew shares how he caught the fire for missions and how it is part of his cell group life now.
Stanley and his cell group during a mission trip.
Qns: Please share with us how you got started in doing missions?
Ans: As a member of City Harvest Church in the early days, I’ve personally witnessed how Pastor Kong and Sun have poured their lives into mission and the Crossover Project. In 2009, while I was studying in the School of Theology, the Lord gave me a verse from Matthew 28:18-20, which was to go and make disciples of all nations. My heart was very stirred and I sought the Lord for an open door to do missions.
Qns: Share with us what happened after God spoke to you?
Ans: Upon graduation, I prepared myself by writing sermons and studying the Bible. In 2011, my wife, Jaques and I went to Medan for missions and we witnessed how the Lord moved in that trip. Many were touched by the presence of God, weeping as God healed them of their broken hearts and physical pain. I was overcome by the realisation of how much people need the Lord, and how God could use me in spite of my inexperience. Jaques and I returned home with a new perspective and love for people.
Qns: How did your cell group get involved in mission trips?
Ans: In 2013, on the invitation of a church in Taiwan, my whole cell group flew up with me and it was a life-changing experience for us all. We ministered at a number of churches and were so humbled to see the spiritual hunger of the people in Taiwan. We went back again for missions the following year.
Qns: Share with us about the mission trip experiences.
Ans: In 2013, we had an opportunity to do missions in North East Asia. Some of my cell group members went with me and we ended up going back to minister four to five times a year, for three years. By God’s grace, the church in that city grew from 30 to almost 300 members.
Mission trip in Bacolod
Since 2016, we have been ministering to a church in Bacolod, Philippines. Since then, the church has grown from 60 to over a thousand members. Doors opened for us to do missions in other parts of the Philippines such as Bacolod, Laguna, Batangas, Noveliches, and more. We were also able to build a physical church in a village in the Baranggays.
Through these mission trips, our own cell group grew, not just in numbers, but in their walk with God.
Qns: How has missions impacted your cell group members?
Mission trip in Bacolod
Ans: The cell group members have developed a heart for missions. Seeing the spiritual hunger of the people just gave them a renewed sense of joy in serving. It also helped them appreciate what they have back home and develop a heart of gratitude to the Lord.