Our Milestones
1907
SU notes used by individuals in Singapore, who ordered them direct from England.
1954
Dr W Leon Dale was Chairman of the first SU Committee in Singapore as a result of a visit by Dr John Laird, General Secretary of SU London who spoke at an SU Rally attended by 250 people.
The first SU Committee consisted of Dr Leon Dale as Chairman, Mr Ralph Mitchell as Secretary, Mr K Abraham, Miss Bette Eade, Dr Khoo Oon Teik, Mrs I Morrison, Miss Ellen Wong Hee Aik.
1955
Rev Cecil Johnston, Children’s Special Service Mission (CSSM) Superintendent in India visited Singapore and Malaya. He spoke at 58 meetings in 11 days, as arranged by the SU Singapore Committee.
1956
In May, Rev Lester Pfankuch, came from New Zealand, as the first Inter-School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) staffworker. The St Andrew’s Cathedral made him an honorary staff. He served until June 1959.
He spoke at an SU Rally held at St Andrew’s Boys’ School and spoke to 500 at an SU Rally at Methodist Girls’ School (Mt Sophia).
1957
Rev Paul Contento of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) introduced Mr Charlie Tan as a honorary Children’s worker to SU.
1958
Professor Khoo Oon Teik, a Methodist and medical doctor, was Council Chairman of SU Singapore from 1958 till 1973.
With the help of Rev & Mrs Paul Contento, SU Singapore was requested by the Graduates’ Christian Fellowship (GCF) to organise the Inter-School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) groups.
Mr Tony McCutcheon, from Melbourne was appointed as General Secretary for SU Singapore and The Federation of Malaya.
1961
On 13th May, SU Singapore was officially registered as a society in Singapore.
The SU Singapore office was at 36A Orchard Road. Mr Charlie Tan was the first full-time local staffworker. He served for 24 years until 1981.
More than 700 people attended the SU Rally to welcome Dr Paul White, the “Jungle Doctor”, arriving at the Victoria Memorial Hall in a helicopter.
1962
Dr Lawrence Chia was appointed as the first full-time General Secretary of SU Singapore from 1962 to 1964.
SU Singapore organised a rally on “The Book Speaks” with Rev Peter Young from Malaya as the speaker.
Mr Billie Cheng joined the SU Singapore Council as Treasurer and became Chairman of Finance for many years.
1963
On 13th July, an SU Rally was held at Victoria Memorial Hall with Bishop Marcus Loane from Australia speaking on “The Bible Meets Your Needs”.
Professor Phoon Wai-On joined the SU Singapore Council and became Chairman of the Bible Reading Committee.
The SU Chinese work began with Mr Goh Ewe Kheng as the first Chairman of the SU Chinese Committee.
A Student Book Centre, spearheaded by Rev James Wong, opened at 36A Orchard Road (next door to MacDonald House).
1965
SU Singapore conducted Sunday evening services over Radio Singapore every year.
The first SU Junior ISCF Committee was formed with Miss Kam Poh Kin, a home economics school teacher as Chairperson.
The SU Singapore Central ISCF Committee was chaired by Elder Tan Teng Wai, who later became a Bishop of the Diocese of Singapore.
SU Bible Reading ministry was promoted at the annual Singapore Keswick Convention from 1965 till 1985.
1966
The very first SU Junior ISCF camp was organised.
1968
SU Singapore bought over The Christian Book Room from Mr John Willis, which was run by two lovely volunteers - Miss Dear and Miss Marsh.
Mr McIntosh was seconded by OMF to be the General Manager of SU Book Centre at Prinsep Street.
Mr R. W. FairLamb, a businessman, became Chairman of SU Book Centre Committee.
1969
Mr Freddie Ho was appointed as a Senior ISCF Staffworker who later became the SU Singapore Acting General Secretary from 1974 till 1978.
In July, Rev David Chan became the Regional Secretary of SU Australia, New Zealand and East Asia (ANZEA), a post he held for 21 years until 1990.
In September, about 600 people attended an SU Rally celebrating the 150th Anniversary of SU worldwide with Mr Tan Kok Beng and Bishop Chandu Ray (from Pakistan) speaking on “The Timeless Word”.
1970
In August, through the contact of Rev James Wong, SU presented the Chapel Choir from First Baptist Church, Dallas in Texas, USA to raise funds for the development of the SU Campsite at Wing Loong Road (Changi). The concert was held at the National Theatre. The land for the campsite was donated by the Chen Su Lan Trust.
1972
Professor Khoo Oon Teik served as Chairman of the SU ANZEA Regional Council from 1972 to 1980.
On 30th April, Mr Alan Thomas Kerr, Chairman of the ANZEA SU Regional Council dedicated the SU Campsite at Wing Loong Road (Changi). It was demolished in 1977 to give way to the new Changi Airport.
Miss Dorothy Tham joined SU Singapore as a Senior ISCF Staffworker.
Mr John de Koch of OMF was appointed as the SU Book Centre Manager.
1973
The SU Bookshop was relocated from Prinsep House to Peace Centre, Sophia Road.
1974
Professor Phoon Wai-On was Council Chairman of SU Singapore from 1974 till 1984.
On 1st May, with a big proportion of funds raised through the Graduates ’Christian Fellowship, a 60-year lease was obtained from the Bible Society for the SU Singapore Headquarters office in the Bible House.
1975
Mr Winston Yap, Honorary Secretary of the SU Singapore Council for many years, became the General Manager of SU Book Centre (SUBC). He served for 20 years until 1995.
1977
OMF handed the Upward Path Bible Correspondence Courses to SU Singapore. Mrs Ng Wai Fong was in charge.
1978
Miss Amy Lim, was appointed as the Honorary Secretary of the SU Singapore Council, a post she served for 23 years until November 2001.
On 4th May, SU Singapore obtained a 30-year lease from Sentosa Development Corporation for our Camp Centre in Sentosa.
SU Singapore was involved in the Singapore Billy Graham Crusade. We printed “The Invitation to Live” in English and Chinese as a follow-up material.
1979
On 1st March, Rev Alfred Yeo was appointed as the General Secretary of SU Singapore. He held this position until mid 1985, when he stepped down to be the Executive Secretary of Luis Palau Singapore Mission.
On 1st April, SU Singapore celebrated the SU International Centenary Bible Reading Thanksgiving Service at Orchard Road Presbyterian Church with Dr Benjamin Chew as the speaker.
On 2nd June, Professor Khoo Oon Teik dedicated the SU Camp Centre in Sentosa.
1980
On 10th June, the SU Book Centre warehouse cum office at Tagore Ave was dedicated.
The SU-Normanton Park Bible Club began with six children in Mrs Theresa Low’s home. This group grew to an average strength of 30 per week.
1981
On 1st August, an Induction Service for Rev Alfred Yeo as the full-time General Secretary of SU Singapore was held at Orchard Road Presbyterian Church with Rev Paul Contento as the speaker.
1983
Two Senior Citizens Camps, organised by SU Singapore were held at our Sentosa Camp Centre.
1984
On 19th June, SU Singapore celebrated our 30th Anniversary held at Wesley Methodist Church with Professor Khoo Oon Teik as the speaker.
1985
Mr Eric Chan was Council Chairman of SU Singapore from 1985 till 1990.
1986
Dr Freddy Boey was honorary General Secretary of SU Singapore from 1986 to 1988.
The SU Singapore Children’s Committee organised the children’s choir and music team for the Luis Palau Children’s Mission at the National Stadium where some 15,000 children and adults gathered for the first time in the Christian history of Singapore. Hundreds of children prayed to receive Jesus that morning.
1988
Mr Harry Cotter was seconded by OMF to be the Associate Director of SU Singapore from April 1988 to December 1990.
On 21st February, SU Book Centre Pte Ltd was incorporated as a separate entity.
1989
Almost all the SU ISCF groups have ceased functioning due to the government’s closure of Chinese-stream schools in the early 80s, its new ruling regarding the teaching of religion as a subject under the moral ethics programme in schools and the overloading of Christian teachers in their work.
1990
Mr Eric Chan was elected as the first Chairman of SU East Asia Regional Council in 1990 and served in that capacity for 5 years.
On 4th January, SU Singapore was also registered as a Charity under the Singapore Charities Act.
SU Singapore produced our first children’s songs cassette-tape “The Song Goes On”, sung by the SU-Normanton Park Bible Club kids.
1991
Mr Tan Soo Jin became Council Chairman of SU Singapore from 1991 to 1993. He was also Chairman of the SUBC Pte Ltd Management Committee.
1991
On 1st April, Mrs Mona Lee-Chia was appointed as the Executive Director of SU Singapore and she served for 6 years until 29th January 1997.
1992
On 30th May, SU Singapore organised a Children’s Carnival held at Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Secondary School in aid of the children victims in Chernobyl through World Vision.
1993
In August, our Sentosa Camp Centre hosted the first week of the 1st SU East Asia International Students Camp.
In September, SU Singapore organised a Charity Bike Rally around Sentosa island in aid of St Luke’s Hospital for the Elderly.
In October, SU Singapore organised the very first African Children’s Choir concerts in Singapore at various churches.
1994
Dr Douglas Kong was Council Chairman of SU Singapore from 1994 till 1997.
1994
On 21st March, SU Singapore organised a Charity Treasure Hunt at Fort Canning Park in aid of Christian Outreach to the Handicapped.
On 14th May, SU Singapore celebrated our 40th Anniversary held at Fort Canning Park with Rev Dr John Stott as the Guest-of-Honour.
1995
On 24th June, SU Singapore organised the first “I Will Conquer” Christian Charity concert at the Word Trade Centre Auditorium in aid of Teen Challenge & SU Singapore. Mr David Leong, our Children & Families Ministry Director became an adjunct lecturer of Christian education and family subjects at the Theological Centre for Asia (TCA). On 22nd December, the weekly SU-Normanton Park Bible Club had its last Christmas gathering. In its 15 years of ministry, God has used it to touch more than a hundred children’s lives, many of whom have become church leaders.
1996
On 26th June, SU Singapore jointly organised the second “I Will Conquer” Christian Charity concert at the Word Trade Centre Auditorium in aid of Teen Challenge & SU Singapore.
From 20th October –1st November, our SU Sentosa Camp Centre hosted the 2nd SU International Senior Staff Development Course.
1997
SU Singapore assisted the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Methodist churches for their first Children’s Bible Quiz held at Fairfield Methodist Church.
1998
Mr Goh Ewe Kheng was Council Chairman of SU Singapore from 1998 till 2000.
On 1st March, Mr David Leong was appointed as Executive Director of SU Singapore.
SU Singapore produced her first CD children’s music album “Tiny Lives Mighty Praises”.
In June, SU Singapore started to conduct the first Holiday Trek Package “Oligopistos”for children at various church camps.
SU Singapore organised the Ultimate Street Soccer Challenge in partnership with Ling Kwang Youth Centre for two years.
On 18th July, SU Singapore assisted the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Methodist churches for the second time to organise their National Children’s Bible Quiz held at Wesley Methodist Church.
1999
In July, S+U Bookshop at Peace Centre was renamed SU Resource Centre.
SU Singapore sponsored the production of the LoveSingapore’s 40-Day Fast & Prayer booklet for two years.
From 26th - 30th July, SU Singapore assisted the YMCA International Youth Conference held in Singapore.
On 21st August, SU Singapore again assisted the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) Methodist churches to organise their National Children’s Bible Quiz held at Bedok Methodist Church.
On 11th September, SU Singapore celebrated our 45th Anniversary at the Concorde Hotel with Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee as one of our special guests.
On 13th November, SU Singapore jointly organised with Campus Crusade –Mass Media Ltd the historic nation-wide Psalty in Singapore Funtastic Praise Concerts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
2000
SU Singapore jointly organised with YMCA of Singapore and Teen Challenge the “I Can” Youth Conference for 2 years.
2001
Professor Freddy Boey was Council Chairman of SU Singapore from 2001 till 2005.
With the help of Mrs Debbie Ong and Ms Lim Bee Suan, SU Singapore produced our own locally written quarterly children’s devotional notes – Quest and One-to-One for both Singapore and Malaysia.
On 9th &10th November, SU Singapore jointly organised with Faith Community Baptist Church & the Singapore Children Pastors’ Network the “You Are Special” Psalty’s Funtastic Praise Party 2 Concerts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
2002
In August, SU Singapore went to Medan, Indonesia for the first time to do regional children’s ministry with Gereja Kemenangan Iman Indonesia (GKII) church. Mr David Leong was invited for the first time to be on the teaching faculty of the annual Children Ministries Conference organised by the Assemblies of God in Singapore. He has been invited since then. On 9th & 10th November, SU Singapore participated actively in the nation-wide ARISE Concerts 2002 with Brendon & Cathie Clancy at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
SU Singapore produced 10,000 copies of “The Art of Living”, an undated 60-day devotional notes targeted for Christians in the rural parts of China.
On 31st December, Mr Michael Leong, our camp warden, retired from his service with SU Singapore after 36 years.
2003
On 3rd April, Mr Michael Wee, former Deputy Council Chairman was appointed as interim Chief Executive of SU Singapore.
On 19th August, our bookshop operation under SUBC Pte Ltd was ceased.
Our Resource Training ministry received 298 registrations for our first Seminar on 52 Creative Ideas to Teach Bible Stories held at Orchard Presbyterian Church. The contents of the seminar were compiled by Mr Patrick Phoon, our Deputy Head of Resource Training.
2004
The SU Singapore quarterly children’s notes Quest and One-to-One were revamped to become six-monthly undated volumes. Mrs Winnie Phoon was appointed as the chief writer for the notes.
From 29th March –2nd April, SU Singapore in partnership with Covenant Community Baptist Church and the Singapore Baptist Convention, conducted the first educational programme for 23 Thai youths at our Sentosa Camp Centre.
On 10th April, SU Singapore organised an Easter Children’s Party to screen the latest of VeggieTales – An Easter Carol held at Church of Singapore (Marine Parade). This event was supported by Integrity Media Asia Pte Ltd and Church of Singapore (Marine Parade).
On 14th May, SU Singapore celebrated our 50th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving Dinner cum Service held at Bukit Panjang Methodist Church with Dr Lawrence Chia as speaker. The theme was “Bearers of His Light”. A Golden Jubilee Edition of special Scripture Union children’s camp theme songs was produced.
2005
We were involved in the second ARISE Praise & Worship event on 1st & 2nd January at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. SU Singapore conducted for the first time a one-day training seminar for pastors and marriage counsellors to administer the PREPARE-ENRICH inventories for premarital and marital couples. SU Singapore was invited by the Dean of the Anglican Deanery of Indonesia to conduct training in children’s ministry for the first time to a group of 12 Anglican pastors and workers at their Institute Anglican Indonesia in Bandung. A special children”s musical drama written abnd durected
2006
Mr Jon Ong became Council Chairman of SU Singapore as well as a member of the SU East Asia Regional Council Executive Committee. SU Singapore was invited for the second time to conduct training in children’s ministry for another batch of 12 Anglican pastors and workers at their Institute Anglican Indonesia in Bandung. A children’s ministry seminar was also conducted for about 70 teachers and parents from various churches in Bandung.
2007
SU Singapore went to Ulan Baatar, Mongolia for the first time to conduct a children’s ministry conference organized by a committee represented by SU Mongolia and a number of local children’s ministry agencies. After our Annual General Meeting on 1st July, SU Singapore Council undertook a transformation exercise to stay relevant and position ourselves for growth in the ministry for the glory of God.
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