The Council for World Mission (CWM) was invited by the Singapore Bible College (SBC) to participate in its annual Missions Emphasis Month. CWM set up a booth on campus on 4 September as part of an exhibition featuring various mission agencies in Singapore.
Founded in 1952, SBC is an evangelical and interdenominational seminary established by pastors and leaders from Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and independent churches, with the support of the Chinese Church Union, the Christian Nationals Evangelism Commission, and the Overseas Missionary Fellowship.
During the exhibition, CWM staff engaged with students and faculty, introducing the mission and programmes of CWM.
A love without limits
Beyond the exhibition, CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum preached at the chapel service on the theme “From Disciples to Disciple-Makers.” Drawing from John 21:5–13, which recounts the risen Christ’s seaside breakfast with his disciples after a night of fruitless fishing, Keum highlighted the disciples’ moment of obedience that preceded the miraculous catch.
Challenging the SBC community, he asked: “What about the SBC? Do we have any fish? We have the best-equipped faculty and curriculum. But do we have faith and obedience like the disciples, who said, ‘Because you say so, I will let down the nets?’”
Keum went on to emphasise the radical love of Christ, demonstrated most fully at the cross: a boundless, sacrificial love unconcerned with cost. He noted that such love is profoundly disruptive to worldly systems built on self-interest and limitation. He exhorted students to accept Christ’s invitation to challenge the grain of culture, confront power, and embody a courageous lifestyle that stands up for what is right.
Three dimensions of transformation
Reflecting on Peter’s restoration in John 21 and the disciples’ renewed commission, Keum reminded the community that discipleship is never static but always calls for transformation.
He explained that this transformation begins with reimagining what it means to be a disciple. Too often, discipleship is reduced to church membership or personal piety. Instead, Christians are called to be missionary disciples, stepping beyond the walls of the church and living out their faith in the everyday spaces of life, actively continuing Jesus’ mission in the world.
Disciples are invited to remain constantly open to being transformed, both individually and communally. Discipleship, Keum reminded, is a spiritual journey. It is a way of life that shapes actions, words, and attitudes so that they reflect the character of Jesus.
Finally, Keum stressed that disciples are called not only to be transformed but also to be transformative. As such, we are privileged to join in the mission of the triune God: moving in the Spirit, working together towards life, living out the values of the kingdom of God, engaging in mission from the margins, and humbly bearing witness to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
“True discipleship creates a movement of resistance and hope, countering the death-dealing forces of our time and discovering fullness of life. It is a calling to be disciple-makers!” he declared.
Concluding his message, Keum exhorted the SBC community: “The missionary God who sent the Son into the world calls you to be a community of hope. May the Holy Spirit empower you in weakness, provide fellowship in isolation, courage in fear, and life in the place of death.”
