Articles by

Joanne Kwok

Real Life, Real People

I thought I knew love, until it almost destroyed me

I love people. From a young age, I poured my life and heart onto others, especially the boys I was leading in church. As their mentor and older brother, I tutored them, played sports and music with...

Devotionals

So you think you’re too far gone?

A long time ago, when I first became a Christian, I learnt that Christ died for my sins – that He had forgiven me for every wrong thing I had done against Him in the past. Christ’s love was...

Culture

Ever felt like a foreigner in your own country?

I’m sureĀ that many of those who are reading this article now attendĀ Singaporean churches, where everyone speaks Singlish or some variant of Standard Singaporean English. But where I worship,...

Friendship

I tried to save my best friend’s life; but everything fell apart

It was the third week of January, 2015 – my first year of university. I received a phone call. The voice saidĀ my best friend was inĀ hospital. He’d met with a road accident and was fighting...

Real Life, Real People

I am a Pastor’s Kid: The work that took my dad away

My father pastoredĀ a family church for many years before he was made the chairman of the Singapore Centre for Global MissionsĀ (SCGM) to lead the local conversation on mission work. His ministry was...

Apologetics

Stirring Stale Waters: Finding joy in our baptism

TheĀ church service is underway. Congregation’s waiting. The pastor calls out a bunch of names including yours. You stand up and step forward. Questions are asked. Water is poured out… Or...

Real Life, Real People

My battle with bulimia and anorexia

Time: 3.43AM.Ā Distance covered: 22.7km.Ā Calories burned: 1,743kcal.Ā Current weight: 52.7kg. That was how far shame took me. At 14 years old, I was training to be a national high jumper. My fat...

Real Life, Real People

I kept walking right back to the love that was destroying me

I am a survivor of sexual and emotionalĀ abuse in my childhood. In my healing process, I’ve realised that while I thought I was unaffected by the repeated sexual assaults, the hurt and repeated...

Family

Draw yo’ mama!

“IĀ was 25 when I got married and I told Jerry I didn’t want children.” Samantha Chia’s eyes crinkle into her trademark smile. She has the undeniable air of a mother, loving...