(Angeline Koh, currently on overseas trip, was represented by her nominator Shirley Leong (third from right).)

The Lifelong Learner Awards, now on its seventh year, recognises individuals and companies who “persevere in upgrading their skills and taking on new challenges to stay relevant at work…who proactively put in place a culture of lifelong learning at the workplace…”

Angeline Koh, one of the writer contributors of Chicken Soup for the Singapore Soul, and author of the book How the Moken Sea Gypsies got their Book published in 2007 was nominated by a friend Shirley Leong, who took notice of Angeline’s pursuit to learn and motivate others as well.

Here’s a short article about Angeline Koh published at a local paper Today (19 November 2008, page 25):

Growing up, Angeline was so playful that she neglected her studies. She coasted through secondary school before enrolling in a vocational institute to study advertising art after her O levels. Six months later, she was asked to leave. Discouraged by the expulsion, Angeline felt that she was a failure.

To add to her misery, her thyroid condition worsened. But that period served as a wakeup call to Angeline, and she not only discovered her creative talents, but also her calling at a Christian organisation that specialises in people development, The Navigators Singapore.

She has been with the organisation for 18 years now, starting as a youth worker. During that time, she took up various courses to upgrade her skills, including a diploma in mass communication which she completed in 2002. Her hard work has paid off and today, she is the organisation’s communications director.

Of her journey to success, Angeline said: “I believe that one should never stop learning and that is how I got to where I am today.”

The Navigators Singapore alumni gathering, 27 October 2008.

It was a breath of fresh air to see the more than 100 alumni come for our Alumni Inaugural Gathering held this afternoon at the Grand Mecure Roxy Hotel. The alumni brought much energy into the event and also hopes of greater partnership to advance the gospel.

Alumnus Alex Lo said, “We hope to reconnect, build a network, rekindle passion for disciplemaking, refire the vision of the Navigators, know what people are doing, align with what they are keen to explore, or offer, and develop discussions to a point where they are comfortable to partner with us. They might not plug back into the Navigators but they could helm disciplemaking efforts in their own churches, or wherever they are, and become ‘labourers next door to everywhere.”

If you are a Navigator alumnus, we’d like to connect with you.

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27 October 2008 (Deepavali holiday)
2.00 pm - 5:30 pm
Grand Mercure Roxy Hotel
(opposite Parkway Parade),
Brooke, Meyer, and Frankel rooms, level 3
(Please note the change of venue.
We’re moving to a bigger room
due to a very good response!)

Thank you for your interest in connecting with us. We have limited seating capacity. Please help us by registering early.

Toshi and Caleb Yap sang Speak, oh Lord at The Chase seminar with Jerry Bridges in Singapore last 30 August 2008.

Jerry Bridges, a Navigator veteran from the US and author of The Pursuit of Holiness, swept hundreds of believers of Christ in Singapore with an unwavering passion for the greatest story ever told, yet painfully forgotten or taken for granted by many – Jesus died for our sins that we may live the abundant life with the infinite Holy God of all.

“I want to say to you that there is nothing that would be more exciting to you in your whole life than to reflect upon the gospel everyday,” he said.

Bridges spoke at The Chase seminar and other events organised by The Navigators, NavMedia, and partnering churches in Singapore last August and September, which brought a turn out that was more than expected.

(Listen to Jerry Bridges’ message on The Essentials to Keep You Going, 39 minutes)

“The reason so many Christians are not growing today is not because they haven’t been discipled; it’s not because they haven’t been taught to have quiet time – and I’m not belittling those things. But I believe most Christians are not growing because there is no gratitude in their hearts for what God has done for them,” he said.

With no apology and reservation, Bridges also exposed every individual’s sinfulness seen in the light of God’s holiness. With that he meant not only the big sins people commit like sexual immorality, adultery, and murder. He also meant sins like corrupt talks, impatience, anger, lustful thoughts, and other “small things” we consider. “Sin is sin in the eyes of God,” he nailed the point.

Rev Henry Hong, senior pastor of Living Praise Presbyterian Church, said in an interview during the Pastors Breakfast with Jerry Bridges that busy Singaporean Christians should take time to stop and reflect on the gospel to be grounded in God and be able to continue their journey.

“I have deep appreciation and gratitude to hear from Jerry Bridges the call to remain faithful and passionate about God and the gospel… He brought us back to the fundamentals, especially back to the essence of the gospel in our living and in the ministry God has entrusted to us.”

Operation Mobilisation (Singapore) leader George Barathan also commented: “I’ve never met Jerry before, so meeting him for the first time and having read his book The Pursuit of Holiness a number of years ago, is a unique privilege to be able to see him in person and hear what God had laid on his heart for us. To see such a man at 78 years of age, still stressing the message of the gospel, is a great encouragement and blessing to me.”

Bridges also spoke at partnering churches Bartley Christian Church, Bethesda Frankel Estate Church, Covenant Evangelical Free Church, Glory Presbyterian Church, True Way Presbyterian Church, and St John’s-St Margaret’s Church. (Aurelia L. Castro/Photos by ALC and Ian Koh)

27 October 2008 (Deepavali holiday)
2.00 pm - 5.30 pmGrand Mercure Roxy Hotel
(opposite Parkway Parade), Siglap Room
Please note that we have limited seating capacity. Please help us by registering early.

Alumnus Alex Lo said, “We hope to reconnect, build a network, rekindle passion for disciplemaking, refire the vision of the Navigators, know what people are doing, align with what they are keen to explore, or offer, and develop discussions to a point where they are comfortable to partner with us. They might not plug back into the Navigators but they could helm disciplemaking efforts in their own churches, or wherever they are, and become ‘labourers next door to everywhere.’”

If you are a Navigator alumnus and interested, please…

cforms contact form by delicious:days

India was a time for me to focus on other people, to step out of my comfort zone, and be humble. The ten days were a great learning experience and I hope to apply them from now on. — Suyintha Supramaniam, mission tripper

Our team of eight left Singapore early in the morning and reached Bangalore in the afternoon. The wind was strong and I felt like I could be swept up in the whirlwind of India.

We spent the first three days at Breakthrough – a training facility with a high ropes course. It was fun jumping on a trampoline and swinging from a tire; having devotion on the huge rock with the tree wedged in the middle.

We did a programme for 20 slum children ages three years and above. Many of them had lost their family members. My heart went out to them.

They were dressed up that day; only one boy came wearing sandals, the rest were barefooted – it was something special for them. I felt like they didn’t need our pity, they just wanted someone to play with them and love them.

As I stood against the wall and watched them play, a girl waved at me to come and join them. One particular girl was so adorable. The image of her is still planted in my mind. She came decked in Indian garb – a sari and the whole works. The three-year-old wore eyeliner and bangles. Imagine that!

Our time at Youth With A Mission was packed with activities. We visited village houses and a school. The first house we went to was just a tiny, dark rectangular room with a single bed. All of us crammed in and sat on the floor. Eleven people live there. A room and a kitchen were all they had to house them.

I tried to put myself in their shoes, I cannot imagine living in such conditions. There are times I complain about my room being too small and here is a family of 11! I am truly blessed to have what I have. I think it is looking past my selfishness and being grateful for the things God has provided for me.

The following morning we got up at five. I’m pretty sure the bees were still sleeping. We drove around the different gates of Bangalore, praying as we went.

That same day we went to the Stonecutters’ Village. We taught the children songs while the guys were used as a tower for many small “King Kongs” to climb on and have a rowdy time.

Wing Man was in her element as she interacted with the young girls, even allowing them to play with her hair and plant wet, sloppy kisses on her cheeks. She actually broke the ice by shaking and kissing their hands. These children live in a slum and do not exactly have the cleanest, most hygienic hands. Seeing Wing Man kiss each girl, I thought, ‘Do I really have to do this?’ Just then a girl shoved her hand closer to my face expecting a kiss. I complied.

Yelligiri Hills was a relaxing time. This being my very first time trekking up to that peak, it was really special. Seeing the great expanse of blue sky and breathing in fresh hill air. I have to admit it was scary climbing up that one boulder to get to the peak. The wind was so strong I didn’t dare to stand up for long for fear that the wind might make me lose my balance.

India was a time for me to focus on other people, to step out of my comfort zone, and be humble. The ten days were a great learning experience and I hope to apply them from now on.

Come, listen to Dr Bridges address the issue of “Respectable Sins - confronting the sins we tolerate”

FREE admission