A Day in a Life of a Pastor

Pastor Wu Tze Chong, 50, hosts guest speakers on a Sunday afternoon.

The hollow sound of a lock turning, loud and heavy, echoes across the third floor. It is followed closely by a robotic buzz as the passcode system installed in the door is disabled. A hand pokes out, reaching for a small reusable bag containing The Sunday Times newspaper hanging from the door handle. It is 8.46am, and a busy day is just beginning.

A large man emerges from the same door at 9am, donning a light pink button-up and black trousers. He hugs an iPad (covered in a sleek, black leather case) to his belly as he goes down the stairs for breakfast. A closer look permits curvy red letters spelling, “Chong”, embroidered neatly into the cuffs of his sleeves.

Breakfast is served; a steaming plate of home-made fried carrot cake which he shares with his wife, Theresa, before they shuffle out the door and into a luxurious black Mercedes.

It is 9.20am when they set off on a 10-minute journey to Bethel Assembly of God, a small church nestled in the Geylang-east community.

On this particular Sunday, Pastor Wu Tze Chong, 50, is scheduled as the service pastor.

As he makes his way to the Sanctuary where the English service is held, he stops often to greet church members warmly –– handshakes and occasional pats on the shoulders are given, coupled with polite smiles and kind words.

He is meticulous; he does not miss the dirt on the ground at the entrance of the sanctuary and pauses with a frown, toeing the dirt with the tip of his shoe to get an idea of what it might be. He then shakes his head in disapproval before hurrying into the sanctuary.

“The corridor is very dirty, get someone to clean it up before people start coming in.” He instructs a staff member. “I’ll go outside and greet people. Let me know when he is here,” Pastor Chong tells someone in the sound booth, referring to the sound man who had not arrived for the sound check. He slips on a tag that says “PASTOR” and begins ushering church members who are streaming in for the service. He greets them with big, welcoming smiles and firm handshakes, exchanging ‘good-morning’s and ‘God-bless-you’s.

At 9.45am sharp, Pastor Chong is on stage, mic-ed up and opening the service with pre-service prayer. He speaks with a booming voice that commands attention and his hands are active, emphasising his speech. His wrists twist in the air like he is tuning a radio.

As service pastor, he is tasked to lead the sequence of the service and give announcements on happenings in the church.

Pastor Chong does more than just pray and speak to a congregation – he also deals with the operational aspects in the church and works with the lives of people.

“It is the same as any business that wants to be successful. You need to plan ahead, gather a team of volunteers who are good at respective aspects of planning. Provide direction, empower them, encourage them… Communication is critical,” he explains.

He finds his work challenging and frustrating at times, but meaningful.

“It's one thing to be able to plan and execute day-to-day operations well but quite another to know that you can impact a person and influence their long-term contribution to both community and family.” he expresses.

After the service, Pastor Chong goes for lunch with the guest speaker, (“a form of hospitality”, he tells me), before rushing off for a meeting at another church.

In the meeting, he speaks to a group of international Royal Rangers commanders who have just completed a leadership camp. He talks to this small group the same way he speaks to a congregation; with clarity and firmness. His sharing is short but impactful, one that elicits laughter and murmurs of agreement.

Edina Choo, 32, describes Pastor Chong as someone who is diligent and giving, having worked with him in church.

She said: “He demands and expects a lot, but according to our abilities and potential… he also gives a lot; his time, resources and expertise,”

Unlike most, Pastor Chong’s work is not limited to his office. He is “on duty” all the time, ministering to people from various walks of life, mentoring them, guiding them, and impacting their lives in a meaningful way.

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SIDEBAR: WHAT IS ROYAL RANGERS?

Royal Rangers is a Christian ministry that aims to “reach, teach and keep boys and girls for Jesus Christ”.

The Royal Rangers programme happens in several churches every week, Bethel Assembly of God being one of them, where 5 – 18-year-old boys and girls are engaged in a holistic programme “to meet their mental, physical, social and spiritual needs.” Leaders in the programme are called commanders, and they facilitate the programmes and mentor the boys and girls.

The core of the programme is its regular devotions and study of the Bible. Those who participate are encouraged to take up leadership roles, and will have many opportunities to go for camps that will build and develop their leadership skills. They will also get to take part in various indoor and outdoor activities, as well as a merit-based advancement programme that covers a wide range of hobbies, interest groups, sporting activities and crafts.

The Rangers are split up by age group when participating in activities; the youngest group of Ranger Kids aged from 5 to 7 years old, and the oldest Expedition Rangers aged 15 to 18 years old.

A Ranger aged 14 years and above will also be able to complete the Singapore National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) programme via the Royal Ranger merits and programme.

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