National Service (NS) was a time of growth where I got to learn new things about myself and unlearn many misconceptions I had about myself. It taught me how to relate to others, about resilience and giving my best in all I did as a Christian NSF.

There were great highlights like being privileged to travel to Germany for Exercise Panzer, where I spent about three weeks with my signaller friends supporting the armour cadets – opportunities for deeper conversations I would not have gotten in Singapore.

But there were also deep lows, like the start of NS when I went through a break-up in the middle of Basic Military Training (BMT).

On top of the physical training and adjusting to the new environment, this break-up was one of the most emotionally tough periods of my life where I struggled to see how God was present and still working in my life.

I was already experiencing on-and-off sickness (Tekong cough) alongside the daily training regiment of the Mono 1 Guards intake.

It was two days before Valentine’s Day, and we were discussing whether we wanted to continue with the relationship – before coming to the mutual conclusion that we should break up.

Though I had peace that night, the emotional pain took its toll over the next few weeks as I wrestled with feelings of hurt, regret and even guilt.

In that season, I was so grateful for MCF which provided a space and community in which I could find older brothers in Christ to confide in and seek counsel from.

MCF also proved to be a platform through which the Lord spoke to me in the midst of my trials, keeping me grounded and aware of the call I still had as a Christian soldier!

How did MCF come into the picture?

I first got to know about MCF through their pre-enlistee camp. The camp programme provided a space for fellow pre-enlistees to connect and hear from NSmen’s experiences and testimonies. It was a really encouraging time as it prepared me emotionally and spiritually for my next two years in NS.

The most prominent way the Lord worked in my life through MCF was through the community and the brothers in Christ that He placed around me.

Older brothers like Uncle David who saw me through my NS journey from the start, alongside Christopher and Charles who I got the opportunity to serve on the worship team with – they were sources of encouragement through the different phases of army life.

I also saw God work tangibly in how He placed me in a relatively less “siong” unit, which gave me the freedom to be more involved in ministry again and even explore missions. I also had the opportunity to reach out to my friends and be salt and light even in camp.

One Bible verse that really got me through NS life was Job 23:8-12. This passage particularly encouraged me in a season when I felt far from God and could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I took comfort in Job’s example. Though he faced the feeling of abandonment, he held fast in faith towards God, believing that the Lord was still present and had good plans amidst the immense suffering.

It gave me the hope to believe that when I eventually came out of this trial, my faith would be refined to be more precious than silver or gold.

Now that I’m a NSman, I may not be as involved as I was during my NSF days, yet Uncle David and the team has graciously given me the opportunity to share my story on different platforms and be a living testimony of how He has been so present throughout my army life.

Alongside this, I’ve also been able to share about the community & the work God is doing in MCF with fellow friends who may be entering or currently are in NS!

If you are someone who will be serving NS soon, the one word of encouragement I would give is to simply be assured of your identity as a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father!

Amidst the different voices and expectations that are placed upon us in NS, I pray that you would be rooted in Christ and His unwavering love, knowing that whether we do well or mess up, He still calls us His beloved.

Happening at Fairfield Methodist Church on November 29 at 9:00 AM, the first-ever NS Conference will equip and encourage Christians in National Service to live boldly for Christ.

If you are a Christian currently serving or preparing to serve in SAF, SPF or SCDF – this is for you. NS parents are also invited! More details here.