1. Welcome back to our PLMC family, Ps Emanuel! Can you share your history with our church please?

I was born and raised in Paya Lebar Methodist Church as my parents has been worshipping here since the 1980s. I attended Sunday School, youth service and served in the Beyond 12 Ministry before working in church as an intern from 2012 to 2013. Thereafter, I was sent by PLMC to Trinity Theological College for my Master of Divinity (MDiv) and after graduation, I worked in PLMC as a Young Adults Ministry Executive for three years before applying to be a Member-On-Trial (MOT) in 2019.

2. Congratulations on the arrival of your baby! Please introduce your family.

My wife, Belicia Tan, is a pre-school teacher in Australian International School and my baby girl, Hope Goh, was recently born in the first week of January.

3. What are pivotal moments in your faith journey?

Growing up in a Christian family, I always knew about God, who He is and what He has done for us. It was only in my young adult season of life that I searched for Him and found Him in my struggles to understand Christianity better. The church community and their love for Jesus helped me to find who Jesus is to me. Through the church community, my faith in both my knowledge in God and my personal experience grew. It is through this journey of growth; I learnt to surrender my life to God and join the ministry full-time.

4. What is your favourite Bible verse and why?

Psalm 23:6, “Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Through this verse, I am always reminded of God’s goodness and love for me such that it doesn’t just follow me but His goodness and love chases after me. Also, I am reminded of God’s house, the church, His people. In other words, I am reminded of you and me as we come before the Lord to worship and serve Him. Through the coming and serving, may we all continuously dwell in His wonderful and gracious presence.

5. What is your hope/vision for PLMC in your season here?

To grow and journey with God’s people as we serve God as a spiritual family.

6. You had mentioned about enjoying sports and movies in a previous interview in the Methodist Message. Are these still hobbies you enjoy? What other ways do you rest and recharge?

Yes, they are still hobbies that I enjoy. I would love to go for a hike, cycle or run. A good sleep is always good to rest and recharge especially when I have a newborn.

7. PLMC is a family who loves our food. What is your favourite cuisine and dishes?

My mum was a Peranakan, so naturally, I like spicy food and anything homemade. I think homemade food is the food of love. Other favourites include fried chicken wings, Bak Chor Mee and Wanton Mee.

8. Foodie quiz: Which do you prefer – Coffee, tea or bubble tea? Chocolate or vanilla? Meat or vegetables? Cafe or kopitiam? Rice or noodles? 

  • Coffee, for sure!
  • Chocolate over vanilla
  • Hands down, meat!
  • Kopitiam, because you never know what treasures you can find in those random stalls you chance upon
  • Noodles, but I do love a plate of fried rice

9. Would you have any allergies, food or otherwise?

Nothing I can think of right now, but maybe that’s because I am sleep deprived!

10. How can church members support you in prayer?

Pray for my family and me as we adjust to a new season of our lives in PLMC and as new parents. May God continue to lead us in parenting and serving in PLMC!