Pioneering a New Campus Ministry

Adrian got to know Christ through the Navigators in 2010, when his spiritual leader reached out to him while he was on campus (in Republic Polytechnic). It was the first time that someone ever shared the gospel with him. After weeks of reading the scriptures, his heart was convicted over his sins, and he found the need for God's forgiveness in his life. He then started serving in the Republic / Nanyang Polytechnic Ministry but has now transitioned to start a new campus ministry.

Adrian and his spiritual leader, Andson (photo taken in 2011)

How did God lead you to start a new campus ministry? What convicted you?

“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
(Psalm 61:2)

Psalm 61:2 was the personal promise the Lord gave me for 2022, though I did not know what it was related to initially.

One day, my leader met my wife and me to discuss with us about starting a new student ministry. I knew this was ‘the rock’ He was leading me to and responded to His leading.

“Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth — everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
(Isaiah 43:4-7)

God put Isaiah 43:4-7 in my heart as the ministry promise.

He revealed to me that the students are the precious people He wants me to exchange my life for — for more precious souls.

Adrian and his wife Siew Siew, with their baby girl Anna

What motivates you to do life-on-life ministry?

My life has been transformed through the Navigators because someone invested his life into mine.

Andson, a Navigator Staff, invested his time in helping me to grow in my walk with God. He opened his home for me to stay so that I can learn from his life example and live out my life as a disciple of Christ. Through observation and learning, I have also grown to have the heart to do the same for others — investing in peoples’ lives.

Many peoples’ lives are not being invested in, and no one really helps them.

Mark 3:14 says that Jesus also gave his life to invest in others —

“He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach”.

Likewise, Jesus spent a lot of time with his disciples to share his life so that they may know what it is like to live their life for God.

Being involved with the Navigators is more than just learning the methods or skills to disciple someone, but it is also about learning to have a heart for the individual.

Every individual's life has the potential to multiply for Christ. This motivates me to share my life and impart my life unto others as I disciple God's people.

Adrian and Jian An, one of the guys that Adrian discipled. 

What was your biggest takeaway from the APEL (Asia Pacific Emerging Leaders) gathering in Cambodia last August?

One of the speakers shared in his message, “Go Lead”. God regularly calls His people to lead and labour beyond what they think they are capable of doing. God gave Moses, Gideon, Mary, Paul and even the Twelve Disciples roles or tasks that seemed beyond reasonable expectations. It is natural to be afraid and doubt our qualifications and abilities, yet focusing on them can make us lose sight of God.

I learned that the greatest assurance from God, despite the “impossible task” entrusted to us, is His presence. Gideon was chosen and sent by God to save Israel from the Midianites. Gideon saw himself as the least and weakest, but God saw him as a mighty warrior and answered him, “I will be with you”. God could see more of him than what Gideon could see in himself and God gave him the promise of His presence.

As I will be starting a new campus ministry, this has been a timely message and brought great comfort to me. It has always occurred to me about who I am and what kind of qualities I need to have to take on a responsibility such as this. But I need to constantly remember that if God is the one who called me, He will be the one to lead me through. It is not based on whether I think I can do it, but to trust God for “immeasurably more” than what I can do according to His power working in my life to glorify Him.

What are you looking forward to this year?

We are praying for people who would have a heart like Timothy (in the bible) — a heart that is willing to learn and grow, and one that is willing to be discipled.