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The Tuition Ministry - An Open Door

Low Lai Sai has been serving in the Tuition Ministry since the late 1980s, with some short breaks in between. In Lim Rui Wen’s interview with this quiet man, we get a glimpse of his service and commitment through the years.

What moved you to serve God through this ministry?

In my early years as a Christian, I was looking for a way to serve God. I chose tuition since it did not require me to have good English – I could teach mathematics instead. It also provided an opportunity to reach out to the MacPherson community. I had first heard of the name of Jesus in primary school. Although I only accepted Christ much later, Jesus still gave me hope and peace, especially when I was faced with fear and uncertainty. Because of this, I saw the importance of sharing Christ to children at a young age. This would give them the opportunity to experience Christ’s love, and possibly provide them with the same hope and peace I experienced.

What has kept you persevering through all these years?

What has kept me persevering is experiencing God’s faithfulness. I also view this ministry as a door that opens the church to the community. People will not walk into the church if there is no ‘door’ for them to walk through. The Tuition Ministry helps to break down barriers both for the children and their parents, opening doors for them to enter the church.

When they are familiar with some people in the church and find it a friendly place, they will be more willing and ready to come for events here. They will also find it difficult to reject our invitation. It is important to keep this door open to the community. Hopefully we can have more open doors besides tuition. Another motivating factor is to see the children improve in their mathematics. It is rewarding to see that the effort put in does make a difference.

What are some things you desire for these children (and their families) through this ministry?

I wish to see the children become better persons, not only academically but also in their character. Along the way, I also hope to plant the seed of the gospel and God’s love in their growing years. Hopefully, this seed will bear fruit in their lives and in their family members’ lives too.

I remember having one student who was very weak in his studies and also had very poor behaviour. I did not know how to discipline him. I had scolded him and even chased him out of the class before. However, I knew that this would not help, so I asked God for wisdom in handling this student. God changed my perspective and made me realise that he needed love and care. I gradually changed my way of handling him. The class noticed my change and began to learn diligently too.

What challenges or disappointments have you faced in this ministry?

The main challenge for me is following up with them after they leave primary school. As I only teach primary school classes, I lose contact with them once their PSLE is over. Unless I call them or meet them or their parents in the market or neighbourhood, I do not know what happens to them subsequently.

Some disappointments I have faced include hearing that a student has dropped out of school, or having students who were not willing to accept our help. There are students who may not be very good in their studies but they don’t come back after attending for only one year or drop out after only a few months.

Can you share some instances of how God has encouraged, enabled, or affirmed you in this ministry?

I see God’s faithfulness. He has always called the right people at the right time to serve in the ministry.

I also see the love and compassion in our teachers past and present. Some teachers go the extra mile to bring students to and from church on Sundays, and bring those with learning disabilities for assessments and professional help.

Just this year, God has enabled this ministry in a special way: He opened up to us the RC (Residents’ Committee) premises in the void deck of an HDB block in the neighbourhood, thus allowing us to be closer to the community. (This is a temporary arrangement until the church rebuilding is completed.)

Tuition Ministry 1

We thank God for the RC premises that He has provided to enable us to continue our ministry this year while our church is being rebuilt. Rui Wen is shown at the far right of the photo.

What do you thank God for and what are you asking God for regarding this ministry?

I thank God that He has put a burden in people’s hearts to serve in the Tuition Ministry all these years.

I also thank God that I got to know my neighbour when he sent his children to our tuition some years back. It was through this neighbour that we were able to secure the RC premises for this year.

Most of all, I thank God that some of our past students have received Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

My prayer is that GBC’s outreach programme will not be limited to just this ministry. We must open more ‘doors’ to reach out to the community. Some of our students and their families actually come from China and India. Perhaps the Tuition Ministry could be a platform and a stepping-stone for other opportunities.

Tuition Ministry 2

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Read the full issue of Grace News on Finishing Works here.