Dawn of a new Epoch?

epoch, originally uploaded by mincaye.

Last Wednesday, Keat Lim, Tee Ming and I visited the Epoch Youth Resource Centre in Sentul, along with his friend Soo Aun (who manages a music equipment store in Times Square) and fellow Shelter colleagues Anderson and Angela.

There, we were briefed on Epoch's ministry by one of its advisors, Mr Neil Rode (Alissa and Nigel's father... how many Rodes are there, anyway?) and Ryan, a YWAM-er (Youth With a Mission) who volunteers there. And, of course, we met Alissa, who returns to Singapore this week.


Generally, Shelter intends to start a youth centre somewhere in PJ, to be something of a safe hangout place for the youth, and an environment in which good values and character can be cultivated. So they decided to draw inspiration from Epoch.

One of the key differences is the population demography: the Sentul neighbourhood comprises mostly of the lower-income class, whereas much of PJ consists of the middle to upper-middle class.

As such, the availability of reference resources, music lessons, multimedia facilities and a cafe--all at minimal cost--is something of a treasure for the people among whom Epoch ministers. In PJ, the scenario will be quite a contrast.


What Ryan said made me think of connecting points; one of the things he does, is teach the children there guitar and drums. He said his job was made easier by the fact they listen to the same music as he.

In any case, a centre which is established to serve a particular community, must meet that community where it is, and so work to fill its voids. Otherwise, whatever it does is certainly not service, but more of a pointless pandering to some imaginary need.


Nevertheless, what made the strongest impression on me during the visit, was the nature of the centre. Cafes are always great places to lepak, and our famous mamak is a fantastic example.

This reminded me of other famous cafes in television series, such as Central Perk (Friends), Cheers (OK, this is a pub/bar) and Kopitiam.

For the purposes of fellowship, there is no setting more apt than a place where food and drink flow freely (metaphorically, of course... there's always the bill to contend with!).

Ultimately, all of these are 'ministries of wasting time,' to quote something Francis Dunn said at NSCF. Nothing quantitatively productive emerges from such trivial pursuits as having a meal or tea with a bunch of friends... but little seeds of hope and love are planted, and lives are changed forever.


Here's something that might interest d'NAers, or anyone acquainted with the Koh family: Soo Aun's full name is Kok Soo Aun. Tee Ming and I thought it sounded very much like a hybrid of Koh Earn Soo and Koh Chien Aun--with the Koh somehow morphing into a Kok... close enough, lah.

(By the way, just to dispel any doubt, Epoch is pronounced 'ee-pock,' not 'epic.' The Oxford English Dictionary has spoken).