Clarissa Chung had the opportunity of interviewing Marianne Liaw and Wong Siew Mun who are involved with the Girls’ Brigade Ministry at St Mary’s School as well as Wong Yoke Ling who is helping out with the Girls’ Christian Camp (an annual interdenominational camp that many of our church members are involved in).

For Marianne Liaw, the Captain of the Girls’ Brigade at St Mary’s School, leading 300 girls as they “seek, serve, and follow Christ” is hard work. Yet, she firmly affirms that it’s been a decade of joy.

“One of our student leaders joined Girls’ Brigade in Form One because she liked the uniform. That was the first time she heard the Gospel. She started attending Christian Fellowship to find out more. Finally, she decided to commit her life to Christ,” Marianne said, adding that the girl also brought her younger sister to Girls’ Brigade, and she too accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour.

Wong Siew Mun, who serves in the primary school’s Girls’ Brigade, shared that the ministry also exposes the school teachers to the Gospel.

“A teacher once came forward at the end of the lesson and told us that she was deeply impacted by the devotion that day which was about Jesus’ authority over Satan in casting out demons,” said Siew Mun.

Siew Mun also spoke about the girls’ enthusiasm for the lesson. “Many of them will come forward at the end and give me a hug before they leave for home,” she said.

That youth ministries leave a deep imprint on young people’s walk with God is a fact to which Wong Yoke Ling can attest. Yoke Ling, who organises the annual Girls’ Christian Camp, remembers the impact it made on her own life back when she was a camper.

“I remember sitting under the teaching of good and faithful preachers of God’s Word, who challenged me to take my faith seriously.”

The camp, which targets girls aged between 9 and 18, usually has 120 girls joining from allover the Klang Valley. Much like the Girls’ Brigade ministry, Yoke Ling shared that beyond thefun activities, those who serve in the camp seek to ensure that the Gospel is always shared, especially with those who are non-Christians.

While those who serve in the two ministries experience many moments of encouragement, there have been challenges as well. For the Girls’ Brigade, only 3-4 teacher advisors and volunteers run the meetings that cater to over 300 girls.

“Crowd control is challenging. And not every girl is receptive to the Gospel, though, for one reason or another, the uniformed body keeps growing,” said Marianne.

“If people are from Girls’ or Boys’ Brigade background, it would be great if they could step up to serve. We want people who have a heart for the Gospel and a heart for the girls.”

For the Girls’ Christian Camp, practical service is much needed. “In addition to the main committee that plans the camp, we need helpers to assist in various ways by being kitchen helpers, and workshop and hobby leaders. We also need women who are willing to stay in as ‘camp mums’ who will look after the younger girls and model good Christian values.”

Girls’ Brigade runs on certain Wednesdays at 2 pm, while the Girls’ Christian Camp this year will fall on 8-12 December. If there is anyone who is able to volunteer their services, please contact Marianne Liaw (Girls’ Brigade) or Wong Yoke Ling (Girls’ Christian Camp). Most importantly, as a church, let us pray without ceasing, upholding these two ministries to God in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).