Tom and Judy Harvey - Mission in Singapore

From the original introduction of the Harveys to our congregation: Tom Harvey writes, "To teach in Asia has been a goal in my life for several years now. When I returned from China to the United States to pursue a PhD in theology, my goal was to return to Asia to assist in pastoral and theological education. While in China, I witnessed the vigor and growth of the church there. This vitality was most evident in the Christians I came to know. Their faith, reason, tradition and experience strengthened my own. Indeed, it was through my conversations with them that I began to realize how the culture, history, and experience of Asian Christians could enrich theological reflection universally."

The Harveys began their appointment as mission specialists with the Presbyterian Church in Singapore in 1997. Their work is two-fold:

First, they work for the PC (USA) partner church, Singapore Presbyterian Church. Tom works with the church leadership and has been helping to develop leadership training programs. He serves on the Theological Response Commission that addresses theological and ethical issues that arise and alsopreaches regularly in various churches.

Second, Tom is Professor of Theology and Ethics at Trinity Theological College. With nearly 200 students from twenty-one nations that literally span the globe, Trinity has been active in developing relationships with the Chinese church on the Mainland. Trinity is the first Chinese language seminary in Asia to which China Christian Council officially sends their candidates for post-graduate studies. The Singapore church has experienced a growing awareness of mission and a desire to understand the history and theology of Christian mission in general – as well as the distinctive history, practice and theology of mission in the Presbyterian Church. There is also, among Presbyterians in Singapore, an acute interest in understanding Reformed views of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The church desires to respond constructively to the growth of charismatic churches in Asia and to better understand the theological issues at stake.

Prior to serving in their present work, Tom and Judy’s educational and work backgrounds prepared them for their new home in Asia. Tom has a BA in Christian Education and Philosophy from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, and an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Judy graduated from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, with a BA in Psychology. They spent four years teaching in China. Judy taught English As A Foreign Language and Academic

Writing and English Conversation at Guangzhou Foreign Language Institute, in Guangzhou. Tom was an instructor in English and Cultural Studies at Fuxin Mining Institute in Fuxin, China, for two years and then an instructor in American Cultural Studies at Guangzhou Foreign Language Institiute.

Learning from her experience in China, Judy writes: "We do not ‘take’ God to other places. Wherever we go, God has been there before us, preparing the way and revealing himself. He brings us to where he is already working. Although I want to see results, one of the lasting lessons that the Lord taught me through our time in China was that wherever it is that I am serving him, my calling is not to results, but to faithfulness: faithfulness to him and faithfulness to the relationships he has brought into my life; to give these relationships the time and patience they require; to pray and leave the results to the Lord."

After returning to the United States, Tom earned an MA in Theology from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, and then began his PhD work in Theology and Ethics at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. While in Durham, Tom worked as a director of Christian Education at Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church. Judy was a homemaker and also a Bible study leader and Sunday School teacher at Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church. Tom was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament as a candidate through New Hope Presbytery.

Tom and Judy are the parents of Joe, Paul, and Emma. Joe and Paul have attended an international school in Singapore and Emma is at a Chinese school. Joe (14) continues with his piano lessons and plays guitar in the junior high praise band. Paul (12) is a sax player. Both boys play soccer in an Australian/New Zealand league. Emma (7) is active in many new things: reading, riding her bike, swimming and ballet.

Trinity Theological College has been in the process of moving to a new campus in the past year, with the $20,000,000 costs for new land and buildings provided by generous churches and friends of TTC from around the world. Not only the physical campus, but the overall vision and vocation of TTC has been expanding, requiring much planning and prayer. One major answer to prayer has been the increase in the teaching faculty at TTC. Five new faculty members have been added in the fields of Missions, New Testament and Theology!

Tom’s work has expanded considerably in lecturing, mentoring students and pastors, writing articles for publication locally and abroad on Baptism, Revival, and a series on Presbyterian and Reformed Doctrine. His dissertation was also selected for review for a new collection of books on East Asia. Tom traveled last January to Eastern Theological College in Assam, Northern India, to teach theology and ethics in two weeks of intensive courses as part of a program to deepen relationships with Eastern Theological College. He has also increased his involvement with the Singapore Presbyterian Church: serving as Moderator of Prinsep Presbyterian Church (their home church); serving on the Synod Theological Response Commission and planning with the English Presbytery a series of lay seminars on Reformed Theology and Presbyterian Polity. Tom was the speaker throughout Holy Week at the Easter Convention of the Singapore Presbyterian Church English Presbytery. The theme was "The Way of the Cross." The messages concluded with a Good Friday service at the Westin Ballroom with over 3,000 people in attendance.

Judy’s work with the student wives has expanded with the influx of new families to Trinity Theological College. The Bible study for the wives has grown and now includes other women from the neighborhood. Her English class has become two classes. She teaches Sunday school and is PTA vice-president at the children’s international school. She jokes that with all of the children’s extra activities, the only difference between her and a chauffer is that a chauffeur has a car (they use public transportation).

Some additional details are available in an article which appeared in the Las Cruces Sun News

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Last update 2009-08-12 22:26:26