Forward

I have known Rev Dr Lim Kheng Hai for more than half my life—first as his pastor, then as one of the lay elders in our church, and later as one of my associate pastors when he joined the pastoral team of Mount Carmel Bible-Presbyterian Church. As his senior pastor, it was a joy to serve alongside Kheng Hai, and I can vouch that he truly has a pastoral heart.

Since leaving Mount Carmel, where he served with distinction in multiple roles, Kheng Hai and his wife, Gek Lang, joined SIM East Asia (Serving In Mission) until his retirement in 2025.

Kheng Hai’s retirement from SIM was a timely boon for Ambassadors for Christ Singapore (AFCS), the organisation where I am currently serving. Even while he was still with SIM, Kheng Hai willingly offered part of his time to serve as an adjunct lecturer for EQUIP-21, the training ministry of AFCS. This was with the personal blessing of SIM’s former Regional Director, Mr Watson Rajaratnam, to whom I am deeply grateful.

Upon hearing of his imminent retirement, and building on our 36 years of friendship, I invited Kheng Hai to consider a new role as Associate Missionary with AFCS, operating from our Singapore office as his home base. This allows us to partner once again in gospel ministry.

First, with seven years of experience as a pastor-counsellor to missionaries under SIM, Kheng Hai brings real-life missional experience gained through meaningful interaction with God’s servants in multicultural mission fields. Such experience strengthens his contribution as he represents AFCS and helps train leaders in mission contexts.

Second, Kheng Hai is an excellent teacher. He served 25 years as a polytechnic lecturer in Singapore, demonstrating strong teaching ability. When he left in 2003 to pursue theological studies in New Zealand, his Head of Department was reluctant to see him go—testimony to the high regard in which he was held.

Third, his module on “The Gospel of John” is among the most sought-after in AFCS’s EQUIP-21 training ministry. Leaders from multiple cities have consistently given positive feedback. Many have even adopted his materials to train second-generation leaders—evidence of both clarity and usefulness.

When Kheng Hai proposed turning his lecture content into a book, the decision was straightforward. The Board of AFCS unanimously agreed it would be highly beneficial, particularly as a textbook for EQUIP-21.

I encourage you to explore Exploring the Gospel of John for yourself. It is well organised and precise, clearly identifying key themes, offering lucid explanations, addressing complex issues where necessary, and providing helpful guidance for preaching and teaching. It serves equally well as a personal study guide or a group resource.

Kheng Hai has also made it clear that he does not intend to profit from this book. Instead, proceeds will support the training of pastors through AFCS’s EQUIP-21 ministry. For this generosity and his tireless labour, we are deeply grateful.

May you be richly blessed as you experience God’s Word coming alive through this book. May it be like manna from heaven to every reader. And may you encounter Jesus as the Bread of Life.

Coram Deo, Rev Dr Daniel Chua Missionary Partner, AFCS Founding Chairman, EQUIP-21