On Sunday, 10 August 2025, Christ Evangelical Reformed Church inducted three new Church Ministers’ Apprentices (CMAs): Andy Goh, Joyce Yee, and Colin Loh. 

Pastor Robin Gan, Lead Elder of CERC, began with introductions. 

Pr. Robin: “Can you introduce yourselves? Tell us when you joined CERC and when you first started thinking about apprenticeship.” 

Andy: “I joined CERC in 2016 and started thinking about apprenticeship two years later.” 

Joyce: “I came to CERC at the end of 2017 and began considering full-time paid ministry in 2018 while I was a student at IMU.” 

Colin: “I came to CERC in 2019, but I had already been thinking about CMA in 2018.” 

The Weight of the Task of Full-Time Paid Ministry 

Pastor Robin framed the induction by reading from 1 Timothy 3, reminding the congregation that this passage—along with the rest of the pastoral epistles—teaches God’s people how to conduct themselves in His household. 

Not every apprentice, he noted, will be appointed as a minister. For the men, the office in view is overseer; for the women, pastors of audiences that do not include mixed male-female gatherings. Still, the call to the “noble task” of shepherding God’s people is a serious one for all who enter the programme. 

Pr. Robin: “This is why the CMA programme exists—because of the importance of the gospel and Christ’s church. In our church, there are no trappings of the office—no big hat, special parking spot, or bishop’s Mercedes. We look like ordinary people… even if today, they look quite smart.” 

(At this point, he straightened Andy’s tie to laughter from the congregation.) 

Robin urged the church to pray for the apprentices, give them feedback, and even rebuke them when needed. 

Pr. Robin: “Raising godly leaders is a shared responsibility. The quality of your leaders will be a reflection of your commitment as a church. If they fail, you fail. This will take our time, money, patience, prayer, and an attitude that esteems this task as worthy of our best efforts.” 

Testimonies 

Robin then invited the three CMAs to share their Christian conversion, how they came to CERC, and their thoughts on the next two years. 

Andy: “I was a Buddhist until I was 8 years old and was converted through the Word. Friends from IMU brought me to CERC. I’m praying for strength from God to do whatever it takes to be godly and competent for the sake of the church.” 

Joyce: “I began considering Christianity seriously in IMUCF, where my CG leader was Andy. There I was confronted by the Word and realised that only in the church will God and His Word endure. That led me to consider both Christianity and full-time ministry seriously. These next 24 months are a great responsibility and privilege. Please pray for me to rely on God to create in me a love for the church.” 

Colin: “I grew up in a Christian home but didn’t really read my Bible. At Monash CF, I began reading it seriously and wanted to serve God with my whole life. I came to CERC because I saw the faithful Word ministry here and wanted to be trained.” 

A Charge to the Church 

Pastor Robin confirmed that all three had fulfilled the requirements for entry, having been interviewed, tested in ministry, and having borne fruit. 

Pr. Robin: “Together, we will commit to 24 months of assessment. This is a sacred time—assessing potential for leadership in God’s church. If they pass, they will enter a year of preparation for seminary. Church, will you commit to supporting, encouraging, assessing, and—if God wills—recognising them for the office of pastoring and teaching?” 

The congregation responded with a resounding: “We will.” 

Closing Prayer and Presentation 

Pastor Robin prayed that they would be faithful in life and doctrine, handle the Scriptures well, and grow in both firm leadership and Christlike gentleness. 

“May these 24 months bring glory to Your church, whether they pass or fail. May they be proved faithful and up to the noble standard of being ministers of Christ.” 

After the prayer, CERC’s General Manager, Penny Lai, presented each apprentice with a watch—their “badge of office”—symbolising their call to live on the Lord’s time. 

As they put on their watches, the congregation applauded — marking not just the start of their apprenticeships, but the next step in raising faithful shepherds for generations to come.