1. Welcome to our PLMC family! Can you introduce yourself and your family please?Caroline is happily married to Alex and they are blessed with two wonderful children, Tiffany and Ian. Before coming over to PLMC, Caroline served as a Pastoral Team Member at Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church (TRAC). Her husband, Alex, is serving as a pastor at Christalite Methodist Chapel.

2. What three words describe you best?
I don’t know (Haha… joking joking!)
Quiet, Contemplative & Responsible

3. What are pivotal moments in your faith journey?
I began my Christian journey when I first heard the Gospel and gave my life to Jesus when I was in Secondary 2 in PLMGSS. As I grew in the Christian faith, there was a longing to serve God in a greater capacity. In 2003, while seeking God’s call on my life, I received a vision with the word “Pastor”’ being spelt out at one of the sessions at YMLC 2003. I responded to God’s call and committed my life to serve Him. After completing my theological studies in Sydney in 2007, I returned to Singapore and started serving as a Youth Worker at Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church (TRAC).

Paradoxically, that also started my journey of “running away” from God’s call to be a pastor. I started negotiating with God, that serving Him full-time as a Pastoral Team Member also counts as pastoral work. Later, when my husband, Alex, became a pastor, I reasoned with God that, being a pastor’s wife also counted as obeying God’s call, as I can support Alex in ministry. Through all the reasoning and justification, deep inside me, I always felt that I was running away and avoiding God’s call. No matter how hard I tried, there was always this sense of restlessness and discontent.

In 2024, the stirring in my heart to answer God’s call to be a pastor became stronger. During devotion times and at silent retreats, the consistent message was to stop hiding and trust that God will carry me through. On 31 August 2024, I had a dream. In the dream, I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness, t. The impression was that I was grieving God and breaking His heart, by not obeying and trusting Him. I was woken up by the deep sense of grief. I did not share this immediately with my husband, as he was preaching the next day. I thought to share with him after service, after his preaching. The next day, Alex preached on Hebrews 5 and these verses stood out to me.

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:12-14, NIV)

With these encounters, God convicted me of His call on my life, and I knew that I should no longer run away from Him. Even though I have been “running away” from God for so many years, His patient love and grace still sought me out. It is with must utmost gratefulness and thankfulness that I respond to God’s call by surrendering my life completely to Him.

4. What is your favourite Bible verse and why?
For this season: 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

5. Who is your favourite Bible character and why?
For this season: Jonah
I feel that for a season, I can relate with Jonah, as we run away from what God called us to do. In God’s mercy, He still allows us to partner Him, be part of His plan to fulfill His mission.

6. What is your hope/vision for your season here at PLMC?
PLMC has been amazingly welcoming, warm and generous to me and my family. I hope to learn to be as hospitable and generous as I get to know and serve together with the PL family. I hope to build meaningful friendships as we journey and serve together, spurring each other on to grow deeper in our relationship with God.

I also hope that we will be able to build an authentic community where everyone feels belonged, loved, supported and feels comfortable to share vulnerably. This authentic community ought to be one that is open and welcoming to all, including the underprivileged, the disabled and those with special needs.

7. What are your favourite hobbies and ways to rest and recharge?
I enjoy spending time with my family, reading a good book and chatting over coffee.

8. PLMC is a family who loves our food. What is your favourite cuisine or dish?
I love food too! I eat almost everything—, too many favourites. If I have to list something, maybe Japanese or Peranakan food.

9. Foodie quiz: Which do you prefer – Coffee, tea or bubble tea? Chocolate or vanilla? Meat or vegetables? Cafe or kopitiam or hawker centre? Rice or noodles?
Coffee, Chocolate, Meat, Hawker Centre, Noodles

10. How can PLMC members support you in prayer?
Please pray for:

  • Smooth transition for me and my family as I enter a new season in ministry.
  • Protection of my relationship with God, that He will always be the centre of my life and the reason for me to do what I do.
  • God’s favour and strength as I get to know people at PL and to familiarise myself with the different ministries.
  • God’s wisdom as I navigate the transition and to serve together with the various teams.
    Thank you!