Situated just north of the equator on a continent which now boasts nearly 60% of the world’s population, Singapore’s four to five million inhabitants (who live on an island uncannily the same shape and size of the Isle of Wight) punch well above their weight in both the regional and global economies.
The current Singapore Church Directory (2001-02) lists nearly 370 churches, but what is striking is the breadth of ministry. Many provide special language ministries for Indonesian, Filipinos, Tamil (S. Indian), Cantonese and Hokkien (both Chinese), and others too, including more discreet ministries in the Muslim community. Some Sunday ministries begin as early as 7.30 am and continue with their multi-lingual services through to early evening.
The Directory also reflects a full ‘supermarket’ selection of Protestant denominations present in Singapore, ranging from an historic Anglican cathedral through to the more charismatic churches with membership of over 10,000. In an amazing way, each seems to have a role to play in Christian work in Singapore. To understand this, one needs to briefly reflect on the history since Sir Stamford Raffles first landed on the equatorial shores in 1819 to set up a trading station for the East India Company.
