HOPE Conference Workshops

Our Workshops on November 23, Saturday, will provide an in-depth look at various subjects related to the core conference theme of Hope. By attending a workshop, you'll gain insights, engage in meaningful conversations, and learn practical tips on incorporating Hope into different aspects of your life. All workshops are open to both men and women, unless indicated otherwise.

There will be two Workshop sessions:

• Workshops 1 - 1:30-2:30pm
• Workshops 2 - 2:45-3:45pm

A total of eight (8) workshops will be running concurrently, with a limit of 50 seats per workshop, per session.

As you register for the event, remember to choose 1 topic for Workshops 1, and a different topic for Workshops 2. Due to some limitations, we are unable to make changes to your workshop choices after you have confirmed your registration. Thank you for your understanding.

Below is the list of workshop titles and their corresponding speakers, for your reference:

Addiction, whether to substances or behaviors like online activities, has far-reaching effects on health, relationships, and daily life.

Personal recovery involves recognizing the problem, seeking support, and building healthier habits. Compassion for loved ones and understanding are crucial, as recovery can be a lifelong process.

We will explore some key strategies to overcome addictive behaviors such as:

• Issue identification
• Seeking help
• Support networks
• Relapse prevention

The loved ones of those battling addictions are hurting, too. Learn how to provide hope to someone suffering in darkness and despair.

John Vincent is a deacon at IBC, and has been a member since 2018. He began attending the church with his wife and daughter in 2017. Professionally, he has a background in financial technology SaaS sales, marketing, and digital acquisition for financial institutions. He has also guest lectured on Digital Transformation at NUS and currently guest lectures on Digitalization in the Finance Sector at SMU Academy.

Since 2018, John has helped facilitate Celebrate Recovery meetings (a Christ-centered 12-step recovery program) at IBC. He is also part of a secular recovery group, focusing on abstinence from alcohol and restoring relationships with God and others.

Often need solitude? Need to fellowship with others to recharge your batteries? Somewhere in between? Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, how can we honour God and find hope in the unique ways He has designed us? Join us for a thoughtful and lively workshop as we unpack the necessity of diversity as introverts and extroverts seeking to minister to others, and be ministered to, in our modern world and God's kingdom.

Pastor Peter Shannon leads our Prayer and Care ministries. Prior to joining the IBC staff, he served in our Connection Groups ministry while he was completing his Masters in Counselling at the Singapore Bible College. He and his wife, Sherry, both served in Grace Baptist Church in Taiwan, before coming to Singapore.

Anne Yeoh serves in the Connection Groups Ministry in IBC. Prior to joining the IBC staff in 2020, she was a social worker with a passion for journeying with marginalised communities. She enjoys being in nature, diving into the world of ideas through books, movies and conversations, and is often seen with a cup of coffee.

In our fast-paced work environments, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of projects and meetings, causing us to lose sight of God’s calling in the marketplace—a place where we spend a significant portion of our lives.

 Have you ever wondered on what is God’s specific purposes for us in our marketplace? Do you seek  greater fulfillment and purpose in your daily work and aspire to make a meaningful impact for God in the marketplace?

 Join us for an engaging workshop where you will:

• Discover God’s strategic purposes in the marketplace beyond career progression and compensation.
• Recognise your unique role & calling where God has placed you and how your presence can bring hope and light to your workplace
• Explore proven steps and resources to equip you in finding purpose & fulfilling your calling in the marketplace, regardless of where you are in your faith journey

Join us as we learn to embrace our privileged responsibilities as torchbearers of hope, and seek to encourage each other to positively impact our communities!

Boon Kim has been with IBC since 2011 where he serves as a marriage mentor and as a co-leader in Kovan CG. He is part of the leadership group in his office Christian Fellowship which seeks to use the workplace as a platform to grow disciples of Christ and as our mission field. He also serves as a mentor in Digital Mission Ventures' Redemptive Labs which is an accelerator to help equip Christian tech founders to steward businesses for the good of their neighbours and the renewal of culture through the power of redemptive entrepreneurship.

Wilson Yeo worships and serves in Trinity Christian Centre since 2020. Deeply inspired by the support and encouragement he has received from fellow Christians in the workplace, he is passionate about paying it forward and empowering others. Wilson believes that work is an act of worship to God, and that every Christian can make a positive difference in the marketplace. Through his experiences, Wilson hopes to encourage everyone to embrace their roles as God’s ambassadors in their professional lives.

Hwai May has been attending IBC since 2017 and is currently serving in a CG. During the most stressful season at work, she found immense refreshment and strength through Christian workplace talks and communities. These experiences shaped her belief that we, as the church, have a mission to disciple Christians and reach out to those in need beyond its walls. Having encountered hurt and wounded Christians, she recognizes the need to share the transformative hope of Christ with individuals from various walks of life.

This workshop will discuss what parenting with hope looks like, particularly in the areas of family, friends, faith, finance and future plans.

Luke and Carol have 2 grown-up sons. They have been worshiping in IBC since 2006, and their boys grew up attending Children's Sunday School, Youth Ministry and AWANA.

Explore how faith in God provides hope that surpasses our present struggles. Whether facing challenges like job loss, health issues or stress of a rapidly changing world, the belief that God has a plan beyond life’s hardships and heartaches offers comfort even in the darkest times. This hope is not just about escaping current difficulties but about looking beyond them, trusting that God’s purpose transcends temporary suffering.

This workshop focuses on how holding on to hope lifts our perspective above adversity and grounds us in the assurance of God’s eternal plan and unfailing love.

Lucy’s life spun out of control in 2017, when she was diagnosed with cancer a second time.  This time, it had metastasized. Yet, she refused to let cancer take over her life.  Her faith in God stems from a simple belief in the sovereignty of God and her surrender to His perfect will. She continues to live with hope, joy, and purpose. 

She loves sharing her adventures with the Lord with anyone who has time to listen. She enjoys studying and teaching the Bible as well as dining with family and friends - especially if she isn’t the one cooking!

In this workshop, we will explore the transformative power of journaling through:

• Testimony
• Sharing and discovering various ways to journal
• Working with various journaling methods

Join us as we learn how journaling can deepen understanding of ourselves, enrich our relationship with Christ, and empower us to share that hope with others.

“And these things we write…” 1 John 1:4

Sasha Woo is passionate about the transformative power of journaling. She began journaling in her teens, and her journals bear witness to the evidence of hope. She has led workshops and shared her testimony about the power of journaling, both in Singapore and internationally. Sasha’s mission is to inspire others to find hope, peace, and clarity through this meaningful practice.

In this workshop, we will explore the rich, biblical tradition of hospitality and how it goes beyond simply opening our homes - it's about opening our hearts. Hospitality, when rooted in love, brings joy both to the host and the guest: together, we will look at key passages in Scripture that show how offering a warm welcome can reflect God’s character and bring deeper connection with others. Whether in simple moments or grand gatherings, hospitality can be a joyful expression of faith, transforming everyday moments into meaningful, life-giving opportunities.

Emma Merritt is passionate about serving the Lord and sharing His love through the gift of hospitality, using her home and heart to introduce others to Christ in meaningful ways, be it with family and friends, in ESL and women’s bible studies at IBC or, simply, “over a cuppa.”

Matthew 28:19-20 makes it clear that the Father has called us to share our faith with others and to make disciples of all nations. 

Come join our workshop to learn practical ways to fulfill the Great Commission, studying methods that will help you share the Gospel with those around you including family, friends and acquaintances.

Our primary focus will revolve around realistic ways to get into spiritual conversations in everyday situations using sharing tools such as “step-up” as well as a simplified “Any 3”.  We will discuss why it is important that we share the gospel according to Scripture, what is our role in the process and what is the Fathers role.  Our goal is to equip and encourage believers to be actively sharing their faith with non-believers so that everyone living in Singapore will have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Good News that is Salvation through Jesus the Messiah.

Melissa Richardson is a wife and mother of two and currently serving in Malang, Indonesia, arriving to the field a little over ten years ago. She and her husband have been serving as Team Leaders for the past six years, leading a team that includes two other families as well as five national partners.  She has also had the privilege of leading the Ayu Sewing Project, a ministry where women sew products from their homes to earn an income for their families.  Through this ministry it has given us access to women in villages to share the hope and love of Christ.  Melissa's passion and desire is to see lost women come to faith, equip local believers to reach their villages and disciple believing women to grow in knowledge and faith in our Lord Jesus.

Molly Jones has been living in Indonesia for four years. Currently, she is working on her master’s degree in theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She also volunteers as a communication partner at universities, helping students of all ages improve their English skills. With a deep passion for college students, Molly finds joy in ministering to them and helping them draw near to God. For the past three years, she has found great fulfillment in her work with the Ayu Sewing Project, and truly loves the Indonesian people and cherishes the opportunity to be a part of their culture and serve the community.