THE Rev Lawrence Chua has been appointed as the Area Director of the Methodist Missions Society (MMS), assuming his position on Aug 1, 2007. His area of responsibilities will cover Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.


With the concurrence of the Rev Wee Boon Hup, President of Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC), Bishop Dr Robert Solomon appointed the Rev Chua to the position on Aug 1, but he could not be released from Fairfield Methodist Church where he was the Pastor, until July 31.


The Rev Chua's passion and gifting are in the area of training and nurturing pastors and leaders. He does this in partnership with his wife, Susie. He will also be involved in training and nurturing pastors and leaders in China, Nepal and Timor Leste.


His whole life bears great testimony to the grace of God. Ask him to tell you of how the Lord saved him from a street gang in Geylang; how Bedok Methodist Church's Youth Ministry and Youth for Christ helped to turn his life around; how a school record completely "red" (he failed all his subjects!) turned to distinctions; how Israeli commanders shaped his life during his National Service days; and how the Lord gave him a job with Singapore Telecoms for nine years before sending him to Trinity Theological College.


He graduated in 1984 and has been serving with distinction as a pastor with Trinity Annual Conference ever since, having served at Toa Payoh Methodist Church, Barker Road, Wesley, Pentecost, Bedok, Agape and Fairfield churches.


A pleased Rev Dr Norman Wong, Executive Director of the MMS, told Methodist Message: "Our Lord is able to bring great blessings even out of difficult times. At the MMS, we have struggled to cope with the Rev Ajit Hazra's absence since last October."


The Rev Ajit had left the MMS as Field Director, and is currently serving with The Leprosy Mission International.


"Our search committee was pleasantly surprised by the number and quality of applicants to fill his post, but after interviewing the Rev Lawrence Chua, our choice was clear. Our only difficulty was that he could not be released until Aug 1."