Education Proves a Blessing for Mainline Evangelism

Tuesday, Mar. 3, 2009 Posted: 6:30:47PM HKT

Facade of Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School.

In a day and age of postmodern relativism, education is proving to be a great preparation and help for evangelism whether local or regional particularly in regard to the established mainline churches.

Through their education ministries the Presbyterian and Methodist denominations have succeeded in preparing the ground and reaching more people for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.

Combining inter-church unity with its edge in the field of education in a recent massive evangelistic effort, The Presbyterian Church in Singapore saw 1,500 students from its five schools attend its first combined musical Gospel rally and many of them accepting Christ.

The final tally for audience – many of whom were students – responses to the Promise Musical was 917 responses, among which were 137 decisions to attend church activities, 118 decisions to accept Jesus as personal Saviour, 178 decisions to talk to someone about their faith, 59 decisions to serve the Lord full time and 183 decisions to renew their faith, according to the synod’s newsletter.

Regionally, the local Methodist mission arm witnessed 57 baptisms – 51 of them students from its two education institutions: COS Children’s Village and Emmaus Women’s Centre – during its Christmas celebrations last year. Baptised individuals included children, youths and adults, an associate missionary with the denomination reported according to Methodist Message.

At the same time this trend coincides with these mainline churches’ emphasis on not just academic but holistic excellence in all areas of student growth and vision of providing youths with comprehensive and edifying education.

The Presbyterian Church for instance has been adept at coupling grand vision with bold fundraising. The latest newsletter in which the denomination published on the aspirations and needs of its five institutions showed all of them on a continuous trajectory of growth.

The vision of the five Presbyterian schools is as follow:

Presbyterian High School: The school has undertaken to build a $6.55m Indoor Sports Hall this year which will allow it greater flexibility to schedule Physical Education lessons without having to worry about the weather and give more students the opportunity to participate in sports and games, contributing to the holistic, well-rounded education the school provides.

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School: With its Future Learning Hub concept, a cluster of specialised learning centres including The Design Thinking Centre, The Media Recording Studio, The Genero Room and computer labs, this already technologically savvy school is developing The Matrix, a centre for both students and teachers to collaborate, experiment with new ideas and create digital media as resources or products that truly reflect relevant and authentic learning.

Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School: With its emphasis on, in addition to academic excellence for which it is known, the inculcation of sound values and nurturing of good character, the school is raising funds to subsidise its Character Development, Leadership and Outdoor Experential Programmes, and to upgrade its facilities to accommodate the booming student population and various activities.

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Edmond Chua
edmond@christianpost.com