Matt Hyam, Senior Church Specialist from World Vision UK reflects on the hope we can cling on to this Easter despite the difficulties and the uncertainties the world is experiencing right now. 

As we approach the end of the first week of emergency relief operations following the devastating earthquake in south-eastern Türkiye and northern Syria, please pray with us for all who have been affected.

Covid-19 has caused major disruption to the world over the past couple of years. Organisations had to quickly rethink how they conducted their operations in order to comply with the latest Safe Management Measures, as well as how to stay relevant in the changing world. Likewise, the church has to evaluate how it can continue to participate in cross-cultural missions in light of Covid restrictions. When the opportunity to partner with World Vision in a Faith-in-Action Virtual trip to Cebu, Philippines arose, a team of 10 youths and young adults from Yio Chu Kang Chapel quickly jumped on board.

Many Christians practise a period of fasting during the season of Lent to prepare their hearts for Easter Sunday. To help church communities reflect on the relationship between the biblical practice of fasting and God’s admonition to pursue righteousness, help the weak, and care for the afflicted, World Vision Singapore developed The Fast I Choose, an interactive devotional resource for church ministry and discipleship groups.

As World Vision’s humanitarian responders ramp up our operations to support refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, join us in praying for and with the children and families who have been caught up in this crisis and face an uncertain future.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her". However, child marriage departs from God's design for marriage. Instead of mutual respect, love, and honour, child marriage neglects a girl's well-being, causing her to lose her childhood and opportunities to realise her God-given potential. Join us as we pray for child brides this International Day of the Girl.

On 11 October 2019, World Vision held the second in a series of church engagement forums on The Connected Generation, a pioneering global study, co-commissioned with Barna Group, on how the outlook, experiences, and values of millennials and the leading edge of Generation Z should inform the Church’s efforts to make in-roads with, disciple, and activate an emerging generation living in a digital, sceptical and experiential age. Mr. Daniel Copeland, a Research Associate from Barna Group, was invited to share the results from Singapore.

How can young Christians harness digital tools to share and grow in their faith, and how can pastors and youth workers use technology in creative ways to support their youth ministry? These were some of the questions broached at a dialogue with Kevin Kim, Executive Director of Crazy Love in San Francisco, and elder and pastor at We Are Church. Kevin discussed the intersection of faith and technology in the digital age, and shared his personal experience of using digital tools to aid Christian ministry.

On 23 February 2019, around 40 students and young professionals joined Reverend Andrew Morley, President and CEO of World Vision International, for an exposition of Micah 6:8 and a dialogue on his experience of juggling and reconciling his professional responsibilities in the marketplace with deepening involvement in holistic ministry before joining World Vision. Deborah Wee and Christabel Chan, both students from the National University of Singapore, share their reflections.