Stanley Yew, 2009, Singapore
Earlier on this month, we interviewed Stanley Yew about how God laid a burden in his heart for missions and how it rubbed off onto his cell group members. You can read about it here. In part 2 of this interview, let us find out how they carried out missions work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qns: How were you able to continue missions during COVID-19?
Ans: In spite of COVID-19, our cell group members were still excited to do missions, albeit in a different way—via Zoom.
Online mission trip on Zoom
In July 2020, we held our first online “mission trip” with the church in Laguna and Batangas. Our members, especially those trained in SOT, taught Bible study, preached the Word, shared testimonies, gave offering messages and led praise and worship. Our younger members helped out with preparing the audio aspects, PowerPoint, song sheets, and administrative tasks on Zoom. On the average, we had 12 to 13 members serving in missions every month. The people in the Philippines were hungry for God and were very encouraged by the ministry during the pandemic. It was truly a tough time for them and our members were grateful to be part of something so meaningful.
We also ministered to churches in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia via Zoom. On some weekends, we even had two teams serving concurrently, ministering to churches in different locations.
Qns: Since COVID-19, how many online missions were conducted by the cell group?
Ans: In total, from July to December 2020, we did about 52 missions involving a total of 50 to 60 cell group members, giving their weekend and rest days to serve the kingdom of God. It was hectic—physically and mentally—but our hearts and souls were so full for the Lord. We learned to depend more on God and to work closely with the Holy Spirit.
We have about 51 online “mission trips” planned for 2021 and our members are excited to serve God again. The SOT graduates will once again take turns to lead the teams for the various missions.
SOT: How has the online missions work impacted the churches?
Ans: The pastors and leaders of the churches we served shared with us that they were very encouraged. The people were brought back to the basic foundation of their Christian lives and their purpose on earth. The pastors learned how to disciple their members and reach out to the lost. The church in Bahrain grew from not having any cell groups to having four cell groups now. The leaders in Laguna and Batangas grew stronger in faith and confidence in leading and shepherding their flock.
Last year, we raised funds to give groceries to the villagers in the Philippines. We also built two community centres in the barangays which allowed the villagers to have Bible study and church service weekly to seek the Lord during the pandemic. This year, we have built another two church buildings in another two barangays in the Philippines so that more villagers can worship God and study the word of God even when they cannot travel all the way to the main church building.
SOT: How would you encourage those of us who feel inadequate but have a desire and passion to do missions work despite the COVID-19 pandemic?
Ans: The Bible says in Ephesian 4:16 (NIV), “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Just start with doing whatever you can. Even the little is much in the Master’s hand. Then follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Consult your pastors and leaders for advice. Whatever we have learned from our pastors in SOT, in church and in cell group, coupled with the leading of the Holy Spirit, have enabled us to step out to serve God. In spite of COVID-19, the work of God will continue. Nothing will stop us from serving the Lord because people need the Lord! Soli Deo Gloria!