On 7th October 2016, Trinity Theological College (TTC) marked 68 years of God’s faithfulness with a full day of celebratory activities that was kickstarted by a thanksgiving service held in the TTC Chapel. Before a chapel filled with students and faculty, Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian delivered the opening address, giving thanks to God for TTC’s growing involvement in the church and public square, and encouraging the College to continue in obedient service as an expression of gratitude to God. The Right Reverend Caleb Soon, TTC alumnus and current synod moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Malaysia, called all of God’s servants into deeper intimacy with God, to have an unwavering love for the Church of Christ and to be faithful to the ministry of the Word.

Since biblical times, praise and exultation to the Almighty has always been intimately tied to music and songs. True to TTC tradition, the near-100-strong TTC choir led the College to offer up praise and thanksgiving to God, under the masterful baton of Mrs Simon Chan. Also part of the thanksgiving service is the presentation of Long Service Awards to staff and faculty who have served the College faithfully over the years. This year, awardees included administrative and library staffs – Ms Leong Ian Ming, Mr Edmund Yan (both 15 years), and Ms Soh Foong Hoe (25 years) – the faculty – Rev. Dr. Mark Chan, Rev. Dr. Andrew Peh (both 10 years), Dr Chan Yew Ming (15 years), Dr Tan Kim Huat (20 years) – and the Principal Rev. Dr. Ngoei Foong Nghian (15 years).

Celebrations continued into the evening with the Thanksgiving Dinner, held on the serene grounds of the Orchid Country Club (OCC). Over 600 guests attended the dinner, representing over 90 churches from various countries around the region. The ballroom was awash with colour as students, guests and faculty turned up to celebrate God’s faithfulness clothed in their cultural best. Jonathan Tan, a 2nd year MDiv student, led the congregation in rousing songs of praise in English and Mandarin, while the TTC Choirs presented two anthems on behalf of God’s people, H.E. Singley’s “You are Exalted” and Joseph Martin’s “The Lord of Everything.”

After his words of welcome, Dr. Ngoei shared his thoughts on cooperation among seminaries in Singapore, highlighting that there is more common ground to unite than differences to divide. He expressed the need for greater collaboration and synergy among seminaries, taking active steps toward good stewardship of God’s intellectual resource in Singapore. The College then presented Certificates and Licentiates in Christian Ministry to fourteen lay members in recognition of their continued dedication to being effectively equipped for Christian ministry. Even as food, drink and conversation flowed freely, all good things had to come to an end. A prayer for the graduating students was delivered by the Chaplains, Rev. Dr Jeffrey Truscott and Rev. Dr Wilfred Ho, before all stood to sing the college anthem. The night was drawn to a close by Rev. Dr. Gordon Wong, President of the Trinity Annual Conference and TTC Board member, who gave the benediction, concluding a full day of thanksgiving to God, whose faithfulness had sustained TTC through the past 6 decades and will undoubtedly continue to sustain TTC in the days ahead.

By Jasper Ngoh (MDiv 3)