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GCF Sectional
Groups & Ministries
Take a look at our various Sectional Groups and
Ministries:
SECTIONAL
GROUPS
1. Christian
Medical and Dental Fellowship (CMDF)
2. Fellowship
of Christian Care Professionals (FCCP)
3. Lawyers'
Christian Fellowship (LCF)
4. Teachers'
Christian Fellowship (TCF)
5. Engineering and Science
Christian Fellowship (ESCF)
MINISTRIES
6.
Christian
Conciliation & Arbitration Ministry (CCAM)
7. Marketplace
Christian Network (MCN)
8. Origins Interest Group
(OIG)/
Comparative Religions Interest Group
(CRIG)
9. Indonesian
Graduates' Christian Fellowship (IGCF)
10. UK
Returnees (Chinese Overseas Christian Mission) - (COCM)
11. OCF
Alumni Singapore
12.
GCF Kairos
ASSOCIATE MINISTRIES
13. St
Luke's Hospital
Christian Medical and Dental
Fellowship
(pictures from http://www.cmdf.org.sg))
Introduction
The Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship (CMDF) Singapore is a sectional group of the
Graduates' Christian Fellowship (GCF). Started in 1966, it is an inter-denominational,
evangelical fellowship of Christian doctors and dentists. It seeks to bring together
Christian medical and dental professionals for fellowship and mutual encouragement,
sharpening each other in our faith and walk, and optimising our professional gifts and
resources for His glory.
Theme Verse
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a
ransom for many (Mark 10:45)
Vision and
Mission
We exist to serve the local fraternity of Christian medical and dental professionals to be
all that God has designed and called us to be, generally as a unified evangelical
Christian body; and specifically for each in our individual callings and roles. This is a
ministry by Christian doctors and dental surgeons for Christian doctors and dental
surgeons.

(pictures from http://www.cmdf.org.sg)
Aims
* To encourage members in the Christian faith
* To be a witness to Christ amongst our colleagues
* To support Christian students in the medical faculty
* To spread the gospel throughout the world and support
missions
Ministry Focus
The focus and ministry of CMDF are in the following areas:
Missions
Working alongside mission agencies to send forth our doctors to the mission field for both
long-term ministries and short-term mission trips. Serving as a channel of medical support
for other missionaries. Locally, supporting St Luke's Hospital for the Elderly in finance
and expertise.
Mercy
Ministries
Sending forth our doctors for humanitarian missions, working alongside various relief
organisations such as Crisis Relief Network, Ops Blessings and CREST.
Marketplace
Developing strategies that help integrate faith and practice, and equipping health
professionals to reach their spheres of influence for Christ.
Medical and
Dental Students
Nurturing medical and dental students for discipleship and witness on campus. Facilitating
medical electives with mission hospitals and mission organisations.
Mentoring
Mutual encouragement and sharpening, both peer-to-peer and between seniors and juniors.
One such forum has been the Meet the Housemen sessions, where senior Christian doctors
reassure and encourage fresh graduates just before they embark on the
Housemanship.
Medical
Ethics
Acting as a national voice for Christian ethics in healthcare policy. Organising seminars
to address issues that pose challenges to Christian witness in the profession, such as
Psychiatry and the Occult, In-Vitro Fertilisation, and Cost of Medical Care.
(pictures from http://www.cmdf.org.sg))
Brief
History
The roots of the CMDF can be found in the formation of the Varsity Christian Fellowship
(VCF) in 1952 by a group of final-year medical students, in the then University of Malaya
in Singapore. This began mainly as an evangelical response to the liberal theology
prevalent at the time, which openly discounted the Bible to be the Word of God. The VCF
eventually led to the formation of the GCF in 1955. It sought to bring into Christian
fellowship graduates from the VCF as well as other campuses both locally and abroad.
As the number of doctors grew in
the GCF, some members felt a need to have a grouping as a medical fellowship within the
GCF. The reasoning was that there should be an identifiable group of Christian doctors to
be a witness to colleagues, patients and the community. It sought to encourage members
growth in the Faith, and the practice of the ideals of medicine, as exemplified by the
Lord in His ministry to the sick. Christ came not be served but to serve; this was to be
the ideal for the Christian doctor. At a meeting held in April 1966 at King Edward
VII Hall, the Christian Medical Fellowship was formed. It became affiliated to the
Graduates Christian Fellowship in June 1973. In 1980, a formal move made to include dental
surgeons resulted in the Fellowship being renamed the Christian Medical and Dental
Fellowship.
A milestone for the Fellowship
was when it hosted the 5th International Congress of Christian Physicians (ICCP) in
Singapore in November 1975. At about that time, CMDF became a member of the
ICCP, now
known as the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA).
The challenge for CMDF members in
nearly 40 years of our existence is different now from then. It is therefore necessary for
our present leadership and members to seek afresh God's will for our generation, and in
completing the task, to bring Him all the glory.
Website : http://www.cmdf.org.sg
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Fellowship of Christian Care
Professionals
Introduction
The Fellowship of Christian Care Professionals (FCCP) is a sectional group of the
Graduates' Christian Fellowship (GCF). It comprises members who are mental health
professionals (social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists);
professionals or lay appointed counsellors; and pastors and theologians with a special interest in the field of
counselling.
Aims
* To encourage each other to maintain spiritual
vitality and Christian witness in our work
* To be salt and light to our society
* To be of help to Christian students and trainees
preparing themselves to become members of the caring professions
Ministry Focus
FCCP achieves its aims through mutual support, informal networking, regular small group
discussions and occasional large-scale meetings. An important aspect of these activities
involves the integration of our professional experiences and Christian convictions in
order to be salt and light to our society and to be of help to potential Christian care
professionals.
Some recent activities organised included the following talks:
* "Postmodernism and New
Spiritualities-Impacting and Connecting with the Younger Generation" by Dr Gary
Collins, a world renowned Christian author and speaker
* "Sex - What Has Love Got to do with It?"
by Associate Professor, Dr Calvin Fones, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chief of
Physiological Medicine at the National University of Singapore.
Brief
History
In 1991, a small group of Christian care professionals who felt it would be useful to network and share resources to tackle issues which they faced, started meeting together at the FES Graduate Centre (new name of City Centre). Two years later, at the GCF annual general meeting in June 1993, the FCCP was accepted as a sectional group.
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Lawyers' Christian Fellowship
Introduction
The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship (LCF) is a sectional group of the Graduates' Christian
Fellowship (GCF). The LCF was formed in November 1978 with the hope of enhancing Christian
witness amongst members of the profession and bringing to bear the ethical teachings of
Christ in the day-to-day operations of lawyers. Membership is open to all Christian
lawyers who are qualified persons within the meaning of the Legal Profession Act and such
other persons who have legal training or qualifications.
Aims
* Fellowship: To encourage Christian lawyers to study the
Word of God, have fellowship with one another, grow in their personal spiritual lives and
relate the practice of their faith to the practice of their profession.
* Witness: To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to
fellowmen, especially those in the legal profession.
* Service: To serve the Church and the community at
large through the pool of Christians, legal expertise and other gifts of its members
Ministry
Focus
Since its formation, LCF members have been active in various areas, one of which has been
in GCF study groups, particularly those involved in examining impending legislation and
making representations to Parliamentary Select Committees. One such example was GCF's
representations on the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Bill. In 2003, on behalf of the
GCF, LCF provided inputs to the National Council of Churches of Singapore committee formed to
discuss and give feedback to the government on the proposed religious code. Through the
years, various seminars and public lectures, which deal with law, both
Biblical and secular, and legal perspectives on various issues, have been organised.
The Annual Dedication Service is
held in conjunction with the official opening of the legal year. Members of the Bar and
Bench take the opportunity to come before the Lord and dedicate and consecrate themselves
to serving Him in the profession.
LCF members meet
once a month at a law firm to pray for one another as well as needs in the legal profession.
In recent years, the
LCF has organised the following activities and programmes:
* Social gatherings/dinners with Christian Pupils and
newly called lawyers;
* Christian Conciliation & Arbitration
Ministry-LCF Christian Mediation Workshop;
* A Career Guidance Seminar for the National
University of Singapore Law undergraduates;
* Combined Prayer Leaders Meetings (for prayer
leaders of different law firms);
* Special services with guest speakers;
* Prayer and Praise Meeting for the profession
Brief
History
The LCF had its beginnings in the second half of the 1960s when some fresh law graduates
from Singapore and England shared a wish that there could be a Lawyers Christian
Fellowship in which they could learn and share and through which they could witness to the
profession. However, some senior Christian legal professionals thought it was a bit
premature as there were too few Christian lawyers to form a fellowship.
In 1978, the scene has changed and there were more lawyers had joined GCF. At that time too, the legal profession had began to experience adverse publicity for various reasons, so the idea of forming the fellowship was revived. The LCF was officially formed and affiliated as a sectional group to GCF on 1 November 1978 although it was inaugurated only on 3 February 1979 at the Shangri-la Hotel.
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Teachers' Christian Fellowship
Introduction
The Teachers' Christian Fellowship is a sectional group of the Graduates' Christian
Fellowship (GCF). It was started in 2 November 1968 by a group of teachers who felt the
importance of a continuing witness to Christ after graduation.
Aims
* To encourage Christian teachers in their witness in
schools, colleges and other institutions;
* To enable them to relate their faith to education
and
* To build fellowship among them
* To encourage Christians to formulate a Biblical
perspective towards educational issues
Ministry
Focus
Occasional workshops, seminars and social gatherings are organised to address the needs of
the teaching profession and to stimulate educational issues. Examples of such issues
discussed have been pastoral care, and Christian concepts of discipline, administration
and education
Publication
TCF's main communication is through its newsletter which is distributed free to anyone on
its mailing list. TCF has produced a monograph "Called to be a Teacher" and a
Bible study guide "The Beginning Teacher " for new graduates.
Annual
Dedication Service
The Annual Dedication Service is to welcome Christian teachers who are new to the
fellowship, as well as to challenge and consecrate each one in the teaching profession for
Gods glorious service.The first Dedication Service was held on 8 January 1983 at the St
Andrew's Cathedral.
TCF and
NIECF
TCF maintains strong links with the National Institute of Education Christian Fellowship
(NIECF). NIECF is part of the Nanyang Technological University's Christian Fellowship
under the Fellowship of Evangelical Students (FES). The first joint Dedication Service was
held in 1995. Instead of holding it in January, the joint service is held in May beginning
in 2002, to make it more relevant for graduates posted to schools in July.
Brief
History
As early as the mid-1950s, Christian students of the then Teachers College met to have
weekly fellowship. This practice continued into the 1960s and was known as the Teachers
College Christian Fellowship. During 1961-62, the GCF focussed its attention on two areas
: Christian witness and literature work. A group of graduate teachers from the GCF formed
the Teachers Committee, and together with the Teachers College Christian Fellowship,
helped to start the Teachers Conference. The first Teachers Conference was held in
December 1962 at Tanah Merah, Singapore.
Six years later, the graduate teachers within GCF gathered sufficient manpower to structure themselves into the Teachers' Christian Fellowship (TCF). TCF was inaugurated on 2 November 1968 and was affiliated as a sectional group to GCF in 1969. It then restructured and came under the Fellowship of
Evangelical Students in 1971. TCF rejoined GCF in 1981.
Website : http://www.gcf.org.sg/tcf/index.html
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Engineering
and Science Christian Fellowship (ESCF)
Introduction
The Engineering and Science Christian Fellowship
(ESCF), a Sectional Group of the Graduates' Christian Fellowship (GCF) has
been officially endorsed as part of the GCF at its AGM in July 2008.
The ESCF was formed to meet the need and the
challenges facing the science and engineering world today.
Science and engineering constitute the
profession/vocation of a major segment of Christians in the world of work.
Christian professionals working from fields of research to engineering to
technology applications, contribute to the main engine of economic growth
in the global economy. Engineering and science graduates constitute about
40 to 50 per cent of total graduates from universities around the world.
With the industrialisation of the late 19th and early 20th century, we now
live in a world that is saturated with science, engineering and
technology.
With the proliferation of science and engineering
also comes a whole host of ethical and environmental challenges. The earth
has limited resources. How can Christian scientists and engineers redeem
and be obedient to the Creation Commission in Genesis where we are first
commissioned as humankind to "have dominion over the created
order"? How are Christian scientists and engineers, who are redeemed
and called to redeem creation, practise and do our work, which is in
congruence with the Word of God? Are Christian scientists and engineers
creating technology and designing products that benefit humankind and
glorify our Heavenly Father?
There is also a great imbalance in the technology
gap, translated to economic gap. Those without technology know-how, are
significantly disadvantaged. What are some of the foreign missions
initiatives and poverty alleviation projects, which Christian scientists
and engineers can be involved in to bridge the gap, in the meantime
witnessing the love of God and the hope of Jesus?
This is particularly important as many
two-third-world countries will be greatly urbanised. There is also a great
need as many previously predominantly Christian nations are now foreign
missions fields and in need of highly skilled engineering and science
professionals to work in their midst.
There are many such challenges ahead for
Christian engineers and scientists. Hence, the creation of the new
sectional group Engineering and Science Christian Fellowship (ESCF) under
GCF to bring the Christian engineers/scientists under one umbrella to have
fellowship and to equip themselves to meet the challenges in this material
world.
Vision
Kingdom Innovations and Designs
Aims
As we see our vocation as a calling and ministry
from our loving Father, we hold regular fellowship meetings to:
" Keep accountable to the highest ethical
standards in performing our daily work, when necessary, even over and
above what is industrial norm or legally mandated " Seek the interest
of the common good for humanity and environment through our work as much
as possible, in particular for the poor, needy, orphaned and widowed
" Help our fellow Christian colleague to clarify his/her calling
though vocational counselling " Sharpen our skills and ability in and
through our daily work through so as to present work of excellence before
the Lord " Integrate our faith and work through the corporate study
of Scriptures and contemplating on its application within the vocational,
personal, cultural, political and social context " Challenge each
other to be witnesses, in words and deeds and living out the rule of
Christ in every sphere of our lives, including our vocation.
Ministry Focus
The ESCF is for the following professionals:
" Graduates from engineering, science and
technology faculties " Researchers or professionals in science and
technology " Engineers in any related field " Professionals from
manufacturing and process industries " Technical sales, marketing,
support and quality professionals
Its activities include the following: "
Bible studies and case studies to integrate faith and work " Updates
on significant technology and research breakthrough, Christian worldviews
and implications " Mentoring of students/young graduates and
vocational guidance " Conduct training and projects for foreign
missions initiatives " Training on marketplace ministry and missions
Brief History:
The ESCF was "launched" on 24 October
2007 with LT Jeyachandran speaking on "God and Technology" with
about 40 people attending. On 28 February 2008, Timothy Liu spoke on
"A Matter of the Spirit and Matter" while on 22 May 2008, LT
Jeyachandran gave a talk on "Theology of Science".
ESCF plans to form a core team and core group of
members this year (year 1) and to grow its membership in year 2 and 3. In
year 4, it plans to start sub-groups, which will be based on industries
and sectors if there are sufficient interest and numbers. The ESCF also
plans to collaborate with the Fellowship of Evangelical Students (FES) to
be on campus to work and perhaps hold some seminars for students in the
science and engineering faculties.
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INTEREST GROUPS &
MINISTRIES
OCF
Alumni Singapore
Introduction
Throughout Singapore, there are thousands of OCF returnees from Australia,
the United Kingdom and New Zealand, who are making a difference for
Christ. As a ministry of the Graduates' Christian Fellowship, the OCF
Alumni (Singapore) seeks to reach out to such Christian returnees to help
them integrate back to their country, church and marketplace, and to
rekindle their passion for the gospel.
Theme Verse
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew
28: 18-20)
Vision and Mission
To "Re-integrate" and to "Re-kindle"
Aims
Seek to reach approximately 2,500 Singaporean alumni in addition to 3,500
in Malaysia and 1,000 in other countries Encourage alumni to be active GCF
members and promote participation in GCF's various professional groups
Ministry Focus
Returnees Gathering - It is a time of fellowship, updates and
networking with fellow Returnees, current students and friends of OCF (for
example, Aunty Merrilyn)
Crossings Training with Marketplace Christian
Network - For some, re-entry into our own culture can be a major
transition. Come and walk together in this journey both the transition
back to Singapore and also into the workplace
Brief History
The OCF Alumni (Singapore) was accepted as a new ministry by the
Graduates' Christian Fellowship (GCF) Council at its meeting on 12
February 2007.
OCF Australia, which was formed in 1958, is the
oldest international student fellowship in Australia. It remains the only
student-run, inter-denominational, multi-university Christian fellowship
in Australia, supported by local churches. Today, it operates on 22
campuses across Australia, and has branches in New Zealand and the United
Kingdom.
In partnership with the Australian Fellowship of
Evangelical Students and many other Christian groups on campuses, OCF
jointly reaches out to the growing international student population,
estimated at 250,000 onshore students. Some 10,000 come from Singapore.
In partnership with the GCF in Singapore, the OCF
Alumni (Singapore) was set up to encourage and support returning Christian
graduates in their professional and personal lives to be salt and light in
society.
Christian Conciliation &
Arbitration Ministry
The Christian Conciliation and
Arbitration Ministry is a ministry of the Graduates' Christian Fellowship (GCF). It
was set up to help in the negotiation and settlement of legal disputes among Christian
parties such as individuals, churches and para-church organisations. In the past, GCF
members have helped to successfully resolve several legal disputes among Christian
parties.
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Marketplace Christian Network
Introduction
The Marketplace Christian Network (MCN) in Singapore is a ministry of the Graduates
Christian Fellowship (GCF). Internationally, the MCN is a group of Christians worldwide,
joined together as a non-profit organisation. It is an inter-denominational, evangelical
ministry.
Aims/Vision
To encourage all Christians to see themselves as full-time ministers of God and to adopt the
marketplace as their mission field
Ministry Focus
What we mean by:
1. Full-time Minister of God
* We see our
vocation as an integral part of our faith in Christ; it is not just a job
* We are
called as Christians to be ambassadors and full-time missionaries of God in His work of
reconciliation
* We are to
serve as priests in our home and community of Christians to administer Gods grace
and love
2. The Marketplace
*
People we come into contact with from day to day
* People we
spend time with. They include our family, colleagues, friends, neighbours and community
3. The Mission field
* Where
non-Christians are
Our Mission
Networking individuals, marketplace groups, Christian organisations and churches so as to fulfill
their call as full-time ministers and the Great Commission

The church
Local churches and para-church organisations, immersed in the world through intentional
ministry. We see the world as the Christian community scattered in ministry.
Marketplace groups/ministry
* Returning to the church, the Christian community gathers for worship, equips itself and is
a group from which resources can be tapped.
In practice, this means:
* Helping Christians to realise their call in the marketplace, equipping them to actualise
that call and to provide continued support to fulfill that call
* Providing groups involved in marketplace or workplace ministry with resources, training,
seminars and forums to be equipped, to be encouraged and to encourage others. These are
missionary teams planted in their respective mission fields
*
Encouraging churches to have a focus and providing resources for marketplace ministry
within and outside their congregations. MCN comes alongside church staff to support them
on marketplace issues
*Collaborating with Christian organisations to provide the training and resources needed in
order to help Christians, groups and churches in achieving our vision
Brief History
MCN was started in 2001 in Singapore. Subsequently, MCN joined GCF as a
ministry in 2002 because of the common vision we share for the marketplace. It is a
ministry run by volunteers who also serve as ministers in their respective occupations. In
2003, we started our alternate monthly public meetings. These meetings are used as a
platform to build a fellowship of marketplace practitioners through worship, talks and
discussion forums on issues encountered at the workplace. MCN is also building a resource
team as well as a team of marketplace ministry consultants. These consultants will assist
groups and churches to integrate marketplace ministry into their overall ministry, based
on their calling and gifts.
How can MCN help You and Your Church?
Sign up as a Ministry Partner
As a Ministry Partner, you will receive regular updates on our alternate monthly meetings,
seminars, forums via email. You can also access our website for regular updates of
articles, recommended books, web-site reviews, and other resources related to marketplace
issues. You will have to commit yourself to be a full-time minister of God and adopt your
marketplace as your mission field.
*
Join our fellowship and meetings
*
Serve your church as a champion for the marketplace
* Get
your church to contact us for speaking engagements, workshops, consultations and resources
Website: http://www.marketplacechristian.net/
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Origins Interest Group
Introduction
The Origins Interest Group (OIG) is an interest group of the
Graduates' Christian Fellowship (GCF).
We are living in an age of technology and rapid scientific advancement where scientism and
scientific naturalism are the prevailing paradigms. Biological macro- evolution of species
and cosmological evolution of the universe based on the Big Bang theory are accepted as
scientific facts which cannot be questioned. Thus, the media (from the newspapers to
television ), science centres and academia regularly disseminate the so-called
"facts" of evolution.
In the book entitled "The Meaning of Evolution", Simpson states "There is
neither need nor excuse for postulation of non-material intervention in the origin of
life, the rise of man or any other part of the long history of the material cosmo".
Professor Richard Dawkins of Oxford University has stronger views when he states that
anyone who does not accept evolution as a fact is either stupid, ignorant or insane or
perhaps wicked! It is interesting or disconcerting to note that in spite of the fact that
an increasing number of non-Christian scientists (albeit relatively small) have recently
started to question the validity of Darwinian and other forms of evolution, there is still
a fair number of evangelical scientists, especially in the United States, Britain and
Australia, who believe that evolution is a fact and that God has chosen to use this
process.
Aims
* To create an interest in and awareness of evolution
and the origin of life among members of GCF and the general Christian body
* To have its own group of highly qualified Christian
scientists and engineers who, apart from their secular vocation, would be willing to
utilise their scientific knowledge in this area so that we need not rely solely on
the efforts of our mainly Western brethren.
Ministry Focus
To achieve these aims, the OIG organises talks and seminars, and publicises its lectures
and resource materials through publications (both print and electronic).
To date , the OIG has organised several dinners and meetings with speakers who have
doctorates in fields such as astrophysics and paleontology. These include:
* "Does the human soul exist?" by Professor
K. O. Lee, Head of the Department of Endocrinology, National University of Singapore
* "Man: Fossilized or Created?" by Dr Kurt
Wise, Associate Professor of Science and Director of Origins Research at Bryan College
based at Tennessee, USA
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Comparative Religion Interest Group
The Comparative Religions Interest Group (CRIG) is an interest group of the Graduates'
Christian Fellowship. It seeks to understand comparative religions and come up with a
Biblically-based response.
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Indonesian Graduates'
Christian Fellowship
Introduction
The Indonesian Graduates' Christian Fellowship (IGCF) is a ministry of the Graduates'
Christian Fellowship (GCF) and also partners with the Fellowship of Evangelical Students
Indonesian Ministry (FESIM) in doing the graduates' ministry.
Aim/Vision
Calling all Indonesian Christian graduates to play a strategic leadership role as salt and light in churches, society, nation-building, in particular Indonesia, for God's glory.
Ministry Focus
Final Year Ministry *
Reaching out to the final year students in tertiary institutions
New Graduates Ministry * Reaching out
to new graduates to live out the vision and calling in the transition period.
Five Interest Groups: Society, Education, Church,
Nation-Building and Mission
Brief History
In April 2001, a group of Indonesians in Singapore were concerned about the spiritual
situation of the significant number of
Indonesian students and graduates in Singapore. They felt that it would be very strategic
to reach out to them for God's kingdom and so got together to form the group.
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UK
Returnees (Chinese Overseas Christian Mission) - (COCM)
Introduction
The UK Returnees (Chinese Overseas Christian Mission or COCM) is an
interest group of the Graduates’ Christian Fellowship (GCF).
Aims
1.
To provide fellowship for the new returnees and programmes to help them
adjust to life and the work environment in Singapore
2.
To help the young graduates to assimilate with the rest of the fellowship
eventually
3.
To encourage and support any future full-time Singaporean/Malaysian staff
workers in the United Kingdom (UK).
Ministry
Focus
To achieve the above aims, the COCM organises a monthly prayer
meeting on the second Wednesday of every month. All
eligible
returnees from the UK especially those who have yet to return will
be encouraged to join this GCF interest group.
Brief
History
The
COCM was founded in 1953 by the late Rev Stephen Wang, who had left China
a few years earlier for postgraduate studies in the UK. The original
purpose of the mission was to minister to and evangelise Chinese
restaurant workers
and overseas Chinese students in UK. This work has now been
expanded to include
Eastern and Western Europe. There are now more than 100 Chinese
churches through out the UK and Europe. A few non-Chinese Singaporean and
Malaysian students are also attending such churches.
The
COCM’s
headquarters is in Milton Keynes, UK which also houses the Bible
school for Chinese-speaking workers. One of
COCM’s long-term goals is to evangelise the Europeans (as Europe
and the UK have become a spiritually dark continent). Work has commenced
among the British-born Chinese, who do not speak Chinese and who are
virtually indistinguishable from the Caucasian British.
About
100 to 200 graduates in Singapore including three past GCF presidents and
some current members were either converted through the COCM or have been
actively associated with it during their studies in the UK.
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St Luke's Hospital
Introduction
The Graduates' Christian Fellowship (GCF) is a founding member of the St Luke's Hospital
Limited. Although the St Luke's
Hospital Limited operates independently, a GCF representative sits on its Board of
Directors as Chairman. Many GCF members support this ministry as professionals,
volunteers, financial supporters and fund-raisers. The other seven founding members are
Singapore Nurses' Christian Fellowship, Bartley Christian Church, Bethesda Frankel Estate
Church, Bethesda Katong Church, Church of Singapore, Presbyterian Community Services and
Wesley Methodist Church.
St Luke's Hospital Limited is located at 2
Bukit Batok Street 11 in Singapore.
Aim/Ministry Focus
We are a Christian Community Hospital committed to providing holistic care to the elderly sick
Brief History
In July 1989, the Graduates' Christian Fellowship, Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship
and Nurses' Christian Fellowship firmed a study group to examine the feasibility of
setting up a home for the elderly sick. Taking note of the findings and recommendations
outlined in the "Report of the Advisory Council on the Aged", the group had
discussions with relevant authorities and consulted church leaders.
The proposed Home was to provide a level of medical services that would be higher than
currently available in other nursing homes and would minister to the whole person as well
as touch the lives of patients and other relatives. The Home would also provide an avenue
for church people to give themselves in service to the community and a powerful testimony
concerning inter-church unity. After two-and-a-half years of study and discussion with
various people and authorities, St Luke's Home for the Elderly Sick was registered and
gazetted with seven foundation members. The Management Council was formed and the first
General Meeting was held on 5 December 1991. At the first Annual General Meeting on 8 May
1992, the name was changed to St Luke's Hospital for the Elderly. The eighth Foundation
Member joined and a full-time Project Director was appointed.
Website: http://www.slh.org.sg/
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Introduction
We are Christians who believe that for Christians there is no room for
apathy. Our faith should be all embracing and not limited only to the
“sacred” but extending to the “secular” as well. Our God is
concerned not just for His covenant people, but also for all people. This
concern is reflected throughout the gospels in the life of Christ.
Christ’s
example for us is one of empathy and compassion for people. If we profess
Christ therefore, we must begin with genuine concern for the poor,
helpless and destitute.
“Too
many of us evangelicals either have been, or maybe still are,
irresponsible escapists. Fellowship with each other in the church is more
congenial than service in an apathetic and even hostile environment
outside....Instead of seeking to evade our social responsibility, we need
to open our ears and listen to the voice of Him who calls His people in
every age to go out into the lost and lonely world (as he did), in order
to live and love, to witness and serve.”
From
"Issues Facing Christians Today” by John Stott
Theme Verse
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every
disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them,
because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a Shepherd.
Then He said to the disciples. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers
are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send workers into His
harvest field.” ” (Matthew 9:35-37)
Vision and Mission
In support of Christian work, our
vision is for sustainable development of communities through business
enterprise with the goal of poverty alleviation.
Ministry Focus
Identify and Evaluate
Qualifying
projects have the objective of creating sustainable development for
poverty alleviation through business enterprise. Because GCF Kairos is a
Christian organisation, projects must be in support of Christian work.
Finally, projects must be feasible as long-term ventures with reasonable
prospects of poverty alleviation and for modest returns on capital.
Investment/Loan
Structure
Investment
or funding can take many forms. Example of project types:
1. Direct Community Support -These projects involve direct funding to
communities and would typically include goat-rearing projects, Agri-ventures
and cottage industries.
2. Development Platforms – These projects involve establishing a
platform to support a community.
For example investment in a training school or self- reliant farms.
Acceptance
and Funding
There
is considerable flexibility in investment/loan structures but guidelines
for micro-enterprise investments or micro-loans will include the
following:
1. Supervision by a trusted sponsor
2. Shared commitment of the community to repay loans or to develop shared
investments
3. Maximum caps on funding
4. Guidelines as to repayment
5. Reporting requirements
Repayment
and Support
In
most cases, we would require month repayment of loans. Every quarter, a
detailed report on the project is also required. The project will be
supervised by a volunteer, who will also look into providing expertise and
support from other volunteers.
Financial
Gifts and Governance
GCF Kairos aims to raise 3 million Singapore dollars in committed
funds to the work by the end of its third year as an established
non-government organisation (NGO). However, we will not accept financial
gifts until we can be sure that processes for safeguarding gifts and
executing our objectives are in place. We hope to be able to accept your
gifts by the end of 2008.
The funds committed to GCF Kairos will be managed by Trustees appointed by
the Council of the GCF under a trust deed that limits the use of trust
funds to the objectives of GCF Kairos. Currently, the three appointed
Trustees are all professionals, a lawyer, a doctor and an accountant, who
are current members of the GCF Council.
GCF
Kairos in not an investment fund so all gifts to the work will not be
repaid and any profit from micro-enterprise projects will not be disbursed
but will be invested in other projects.
Prayer
Please
remember us in your prayers. We are still a start-up ministry and need
prayer in the following areas:
* We are looking at three projects presently in Thailand,
Myanmar and India but communication has been difficult.
* The legal and organisation structure for GCF Kairos is
progressing but more needs to be done and we need good advisers.
* We have assembled a group of supporters and have
commitment of start-up funds but we need to bring people together.
Volunteer
We need people with skills and a heart for helping the poor. Whether
it is teaching English in Indonesia, helping set up a farm in Sabah or
teaching elementary book keeping to villager in India, we need committed
women and men who are willing to make a difference by helping others.
We will, in most cases, expect you to carry your own expenses because the
trust funds allocated to the ministry is intend for the work. But in
return, the hope is that you will gain a sense of our Lord in the faces of
the poor that we help.
Brief History
GCF
Kairos is a micro-enterprise ministry initiated by the Graduates’
Christian Fellowship as the GCF Council believed that the GCF is uniquely
positioned to provide a platform to support missionary work in Asia
through the development of micro-enterprises.. The GCF Council officially
approved the formation of GCF Kairos as a ministry in May 2007. The first
governing committee of GCF Kairos are Timothy Goh, Peng Chung Mein and
Seah Yen Goon.
Website:
http://www.gcfkairos.com
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Let us know if there are any
events or updates you would like to share with fellow members.
We invite you to view our website, attend our
events or contact us. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about
the organisation and how you can join the Graduates' Christian Fellowship.
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