Kimberly Goh, SOT2023, Singapore
During the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, I fell away and became disconnected from God and church. I stopped attending church services and cell group meetings. I went through life like a routine and completely neglected God. What made it harder was that my cell group went through a challenging time, and I was transferred to a new zone, under the care of new leaders whom I was unfamiliar with. I felt increasingly awkward about showing up at church and cell group again.
Although I had never met my new cell group leader before, she constantly pressed in to connect with me, encouraging me, and praying for me. With her constant love and encouragement and despite my apprehension, I eventually stepped back into church during the 2021 Candlelight Service. Truly the first step is always the hardest, because thereafter, I started attending cell group meetings. Each time I showed up, God filled and touched me with His presence, leaving me hungry and thirsty for more.
After graduating from my Polytechnic in May 2022, I took a gap year and worked part-time in the hospitality industry. Not knowing what God’s plan was for me, I was clueless, without vision, and feeling hopeless about my future. Days after graduation, my cell group leader suggested that I enrol into the School of Theology. Toying with the idea, I thought about finances, reactions from my family, especially my father who is a devoted Buddhist. There were many nights where I would stare and scroll through the SOT website and posts on social media with tears in my eyes. There was certainly a stirring in my heart. Wanting an answer from God, I asked Him for a sign, saying, “If I am to go to SOT, let me keep seeing the colour ‘purple’ randomly around me.” I never thought much about it but as time passed, the colour purple indeed kept showing up. For instance, my cell group was heading out to supper after our meeting and I looked up at an HDB unit above me and there was a glaring purple light in one of the rooms. Another time was when I met my cell group leader for Bible Study and she chose a place with the name, “Purple Panda”. Deepavali was just around the corner and there was purple everywhere. To top it off, the Purple Parade was on as well.
After many “I don’t know’s” and insecurities, eventually after eight months, I took the step of faith and signed up for SOT. It was the best 6 months of my life. Without the support of my family, I decided to pay for my own school fees and pocket money. In SOT, I was a Team Leader to a team of 17 members, of which, seven were Mandarin-speaking. Being one of the youngest in the team, I felt inadequate as a leader. There was no unity, and it was difficult to lead members who were older than me. Not being proficient in Mandarin also made me discouraged. Despite it all, I continued to serve and encourage myself in the Lord. Through prayers and showing love through actions, God did a work in my team, and we grew in unity and graduated together. I am so proud of each one of them and the testimony they bear for Christ.
Kimberly and her team (fifth person from the left in the last row)
During SOT, different ones would randomly come up to me and ask questions such as “Are you a full-time staff in church?” “If there is an opening for full-time ministry, would you go for it?” It was a frequent occurrence that it got me feeling curious. One day, Pastor Jun Xian was teaching at SOT and he shared his story of how he once prayed, “God, if it is Your calling for me, please let Your calling CALL me.” I made that prayer every day ever since. Without telling anyone, I kept praying while wondering if I was called for full-time ministry. One day, I met up with my cell group leader and we randomly talked about full-time ministry. God truly works in amazing ways. 30 minutes after I accepted the offer for full-time ministry, my manager from my previous company found someone to take over my position. He had initially left the role open for me for two years, hoping I would go back to the job after SOT, with promise of a supervisor position and higher pay. However, I did not feel the peace in my heart to go back to the job.
When we obey God, blessings will follow. I joined SOT, worrying about finances; but all my finances were covered. I was worried about my family; but my mother came to my graduation, proud of me. I worried about my future; and God opened the door for me to join full-time ministry. Once I left everything up to God, He did exceedingly and abundantly, above all I could ask or imagine.
I am now a full-time staff, working in the SOT department. It has been extremely rewarding to see the transformation of God in the lives of many students. To hear the stories of various ones, basking in God’s presence every single day, and being in a loving community is something I appreciate so much. I am so thankful for shepherds who believe in me, and I owe it all to God that I am living a life transformed.
Kimberly (third person from the left in the front row) with her colleagues from the School of Theology, Department of Missions and Chinese Church.