Short summary of the mission service of the Harveys.

Serving the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Singapore with his wife, Judy, and their children, Joe, Paul and Emma, Tom Harvey was Professor of Theology and Ethics at Trinity Theological College. He is now Dean at the Oxford Center for Mission Studies in Eng;land.

The Harvey family from Singapore spent a week at the First Presbyterian Church reporting on their mission work that is partially supported by the local church. Judy spoke to the Presbyterian women about the Bible study groups with which she was involved. Tom spoke in detail about his work at Trinity Theological College, while the children, Joe, Paul, and Emma toured the Farm and Ranch Museum.

Their work in Singapore is much different from the mission work that the local church is supporting in other places like Africa. Singapore is prosperous with more Mercedes cars per square foot than any other city. It is also a stable country with a mature but rapidly growing Christian community.

The Harveys described the city-state as well run, safe, but crowded by New Mexican standards. Their apartment, for instance, was considered as large at 1100 square feet for five people. Their home church, Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church, is an old established church first built in 1849. It has about 1200 members, 85% Chinese, many of who are professionals and prominent business people from the community. The members are obviously committed Christians. The church has three services each Sunday and about 70% of the members attend a weekly cell meeting.

But the rapid growth of the church presents a problem. There is a lack of trained, theologically sound leadership. This lack of trained leaders is not just a problem in Singapore, but holds throughout the whole east Asia region that has a rapidly expanding Christian population.

Trinity Theological College (TTC) at which the Harveys work is designed to help supply this lack.

The idea of a regional theological seminary had its beginning at the start of World War II. When the Japanese captured Singapore, they interned many of the Christian community at Changi Prison. There leaders of the Anglican, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches outlined the characteristics of the institution that became Trinity Theological College.

Today it is a growing institution just about to move into a new campus. It has a faculty of over twenty members, 70% Asian, most of who have Ph.D. degrees from schools in the United States or Great Britain.

The school is well-known throughout east Asia with about 200 students from over 20 countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma) as well as China. The academic program is conducted in English and Chinese. The school aims to develop committed, well-trained pastors, Christian workers, and theological educators, as well as laity, who are deeply grounded in the Scriptures and concerned about the mission of the church. It fulfills these aims by offering short courses and advance degrees with a variety of specializations. Over the past few years over 70 graduates have been placed as teachers in regional seminaries.

Early in the week Judy told of her work as Warden (Head Resident) of the married student housing. In that position she also runs Bible study classes for the wives of students and teaches classes in English. She said "The Bible study classes are the most rewarding part of my work. I particularly enjoy the insights provided by the class members."

Tom is lecturer in Theology and Ethics at TTC. His duties also involve writing articles, interpreting the actions of American church organizations to the Asian Christian community, and presenting an intensive course at a seminary in India. He said that the work of TTC in providing theological leadership to the whole region is particularly important because the expanding Christian community badly needs knowledgeable leaders to provide a sound basis for further expansion and to retard the formation of syncretistic cults.

Both Harveys were featured speakers at the Missions dinner and Tom preached at the main service on Sunday.

More information about Trinity Theological College is available on the Internet at www.ttc.edu.sg.

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Last update 2009-08-12 22:31:00