Getting to know Pastor Jacob Lim
Rev Jacob Lim joined PLMC as a pastor on 1 Jan 20. Heartbeat caught up with Ps Jacob and here are the answers to some burning questions you might have, but were too paiseh to ask him.
Please tell us about yourself and your family.
I am an only child. My mum is not well-educated but she loves me with her all. In Jun 2017, shortly before entering pastoral ministry, I got married. My wife, Charmaine, whom I met in Trinity Theological Collage (TTC), serves as pastoral staff with Barker Road Methodist Church. We treasure our family time and make overseas trips together. Time is a gift from God and before our time runs out, I hope to have many shared fun-filled memories with them.
What has your journey towards ministry been like?
With much fear and trembling, I was progressively set up by God to enter the pastoral ministry. It had never crossed my mind that I would be a pastor. It never crossed the mind of my mum either. My mum's supervisor at work thought it was a prank when she applied for leave to attend my ordination.
In 2006, after being serious with my walk with God, I prayed to be a good Christian: work hard in life and serve God faithfully. In these early formative years of my Christian walk, I took up the challenge to read the entire bible 6 times over 18 months. That spurred my desire to pursue theological education with the intention to know God better and deeper. Still, it had not crossed my mind to be a pastor.
As God progressively opened the door for theological education, my then pastor, Rev Lai Kai Ming, asked me what my plans would be should I enter theological education.
"Be a good Christian," I replied. "How about considering Pastoral Ministry?" he asked. "NO!!! I am not cut for it. Pastors are eloquent and are role models for many. Not me!"
I thought I would be more of a stumbling block than a role model. One morning, as I was seeking God for clarity, a sense of assurance came upon my heart. It was not about stumbling block or role model. It was not about me. It was about faithfulness to God. I knew God was pointing me to this path - Via Dolorosa.
I entered TTC through a bridging test (my highest qualification then was 'O' level) and completed the Bachelor of Divinity. At the beginning of each semester I prayed, "God, you set me up for this. I don't know how to go through this semester. You have to help me since You got me into this." With fear and trembling, I graduated and became a pastor.
How do you see yourself as a pastor and where do your passions lie?
Ephesians 4:12 is the kind of pastor I think God wants me to be. One who is interested in the lives of individuals, discovering each person's ministry passion and desire, and seeing them flourish in their God-given calling. A pastor who will value the individual and honour the needs of the ministry.
I am a firm believer in the importance of family. Many stories of broken lives can be traced to dysfunctional families. I can't change the family situation, but I hope that the Word of God can be a firm anchor to the individual battling through life's storms. I hope the spiritual family in Christ will be the tower of refuge, a means of restoration.
What do you do for fun and leisure?
I LOVE household chores... (joking!). I like to go for long, quiet drives, and spend time at the beach/pool under the sun with a good book. I like movies, too, except for horror.
What do you like to eat? (Very important in PLMC)
Lor Mee, Buah Keluak, Steak, Snacks, and the list keeps going on. I only don't eat bittergourd (I can't take hardship/bitterness) .
How can we support and pray for you?
Thank you for this kind, yet needed, gesture. Pray that I will always walk humbly with God, love others, and be faithful in all that I am entrusted with. Also, that I will form deep and godly relationships with you at PLMC.
