Diakonia 2025-1 Chairman’s Message

Greetings in the precious Name of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are thankful to the Lord that the Diakonia magazine has been regularly published for many years, covering various themes and topics related to the Assemblies and their ministries. We have been blessed and encouraged by many of the articles that were written. We are excited that Diakonia 2025 will be published in two volumes this year! Once again, we thank the Lord for the editorial team’s passion, initiative, and commitment in producing the Diakonia. We also thank the Lord for those who have contributed articles in the past and for this latest publication. 

The theme chosen for this year, “Hope in Times of Uncertainty,” is timely. We must be reminded not to lose heart despite sufferings (2 Corinthians 4:16-18), and to continue faithfully in the Lord, holding fast to the sure hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Times of Uncertainty are often anxious and troubling. It can mean distress, disasters, destruction, and even death. The fear of the next deadly pandemic, of impending terrible natural disasters, of another great economic depression, of the outbreak of deadly modern warfare is real. The Lord describes how it will all spiral into times of far greater catastrophic dimensions, so much so that people will faint in terror (Luke 21:26). Times of uncertainty will also hit the church in the form of opposition and increased persecution.

We certainly know of the great troubles ahead as revealed in Scriptures, yet we may be so caught up with the things of this world and live as if they will not happen. May Diakonia 2025’s theme about Times of Uncertainty ahead of us spur us to have a greater awareness and not to take lightly what God has said about the future. The Lord Jesus also exhorts us not to be terrified as things unfold (Luke 21:9), but to watch and pray always (Luke 21:36). But praise the Lord that there is hope for believers in times of uncertainty, and to ultimately stand before the Lord Jesus in glory.

Luke 21:36 “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

 John writes that, having such a great hope of seeing the Lord Jesus, we should strive to purify ourselves, just as He is pure. How we carry ourselves as believers while navigating through times of uncertainty. May we be a firm witness and testimony of the hope that is found in Christ.

Enjoy reading this first volume of the Diakonia 2025 and all the articles written and be encouraged and motivated to continue to serve the Lord faithfully, especially in bringing the Gospel to the lost.

Thank you.
Chiew Sai Kee, Chairman.