Jimmy Wong

first person to be

ordained as

Diaconal Minister

HISTORY was created on the final day of the 32^nd Session of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) when The Methodist Church in Singapore got its first ordained Diaconal Minister.

When Mr Jimmy Wong Phin Thau, a long-time Peranakan preacher, was called to the front of Pentecost Methodist Church sanctuary on Nov 22, 2007 to be ordained as a Diaconal Minister, loud applause broke out.

Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, addressing the congregation, said: “This person is by God’s grace to be ordained as a Diaconal Minister. Those authorised by the Church to inquire about him have discerned that he is of sound learning and of Christian character.

After the Bishop had presented a Bible and a sash to Mr Wong towards the end of the ordination procedure, the Bishop said to him: “Rev Jimmy Wong Phin Thau, take authority as a Diaconal Minister in the Church to serve God’s people.”

And so, another Reverend has been created, albeit a different kind from the Deacon and Elder Ministers of our Church.

The Rev Jimmy Wong’s ordination was followed by that of six Deacons – Mr Bernard Chao Wee Chun, Mr Khoo Kay Huat, Mr Edmund Koh Leong Swee, Mr Leslie Lim Kok Seng, Mr Fred Tan Hee Kok and Mr Aaron Tay Tian Yeow.

After the Bishop had presented each of them with a Bible, he turned to each new Deacon and called him, preceeded by the title “Reverend”, and said: “Take authority as a Deacon in the Church to preach the Word and to serve God’s people.”

Then came the ordination of four Elders – the Rev Lai Kai Ming, the Rev Daniel Cornilius Tan Boon Liat, the Rev Tay Kay Leong and the Rev Joel Yong Chi Wi.

As Elders, each of them received a Bible and a stole from the Bishop.