When people think of God’s call to full-time ministry, they often imagine dramatic moments—a booming voice from heaven, a life-changing vision or an unmistakable revelation.
For Timothy Ho, 29, it was nothing like that.
“There wasn’t a lightning-and-thunder moment,” he said with a smile.
Instead, God’s call unfolded gradually over many years through faithful service, ordinary conversations, spiritual growth and a growing burden for God’s people.
As Timothy prepares to begin full-time theological studies at Trinity Theological College (TTC) this July, his story serves as an encouragement to younger Wesleyans who may be wondering what it means to follow God wholeheartedly and whether He might be calling them too.
FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH
Timothy, the youngest of four children, grew up in a Christian family. His parents, both first-generation Christians, intentionally established spiritual rhythms at home through church attendance, devotions and worship.
Looking back, he sees how those seemingly ordinary practices shaped him more deeply than he realised at the time.
“Attending worship services and youth ministry became instinctive,” he reflected. “They weren’t difficult commitments because they had already become part of my life.”
At the age of 13, during a youth camp worship session, Timothy remembers responding personally to Christ for the first time. Although he recalls few details of the meeting itself, he remembers kneeling before God and professing his faith in Jesus.
The years that followed were not always marked by spiritual intensity, yet God continued to place faithful people around him.
“Worship and youth ministry were never difficult commitments—they were simply part of who I was.”
One particularly influential figure was a Boys’ Brigade officer who met regularly with several young men after they graduated from secondary school. Through weekly meals, Bible studies, conversations and mentorship, this officer helped Timothy navigate questions about faith and discipleship.
Today, Timothy credits much of his understanding of mentoring and disciple-making to those formative years.
WHEN GOD BREAKS OUR SELF-SUFFICIENCY
One of the most defining chapters of Timothy’s spiritual journey came during National Service (NS).
Prior to NS, Timothy found much of his identity in achievement. He excelled academically, enjoyed leadership opportunities and was accustomed to succeeding through hard work and determination.
“I believed I was strong enough to get anywhere and attain anything if I put my mind to it,” he admitted.
NS completely challenged that mindset.
Despite his efforts, he found himself among the physically weakest trainees in his cohort. For the first time in his life, he felt below average.
The experience was painful, but it became one of God’s greatest tools for transformation.
“It was there that I realised how much I needed God’s forgiveness and strength,” he said.
During that season, Timothy committed himself to daily Scripture reading and prayer whenever opportunities arose. God’s Word became more than information—it became life-giving sustenance.
What followed was what Timothy describes as a spiritual revival.
Driven by a deep hunger for God, he immersed himself in Scripture, books, sermons and theological discussions. His understanding of the faith deepened, his conviction grew stronger and his relationship with God became increasingly personal.
Looking back, Timothy sees a recurring pattern.
“As painful as it was, I learnt that God often uses circumstances to humble my pride so that I might realise how much I need Him.”
“As painful as it was, I learnt that God often uses circumstances to humble my pride so that I might realise how much I need Him.”
LEARNING TO SERVE
As Timothy entered university, he became increasingly involved in ministry.
He continued serving as a peer leader in his youth small group and became involved in developing Bible studies. Later, he was invited to lead Kristos, Wesley Youth Ministry’s creative arts ministry.
Initially, he felt deeply inadequate.
He had no formal training in dance or theatre and found himself leading people who were older and more experienced than he was.
“I struggled with insecurity and feelings of inadequacy for many years,” he said.
Yet he sensed that God was answering a prayer he had often prayed—to serve more.
Choosing to lead despite his fears became an important lesson in obedience.
Those years taught him valuable lessons about leadership, perseverance and trusting God even when results were not immediately visible.
Today, he can see how God was working in the lives of those he served, even when he could not see the fruit at the time.
“Choosing to lead despite my fears became an important lesson in obedience.
ASKING A BIGGER QUESTION
As graduation approached, Timothy found himself wrestling with a question many young adults eventually face: what is meaningful work worth spending my life doing?
Although he had studied Psychology at the National University of Singapore, he was not particularly drawn to a psychology-related career. He also considered pursuing opportunities in the specialty coffee industry, another area of personal interest.
Around the same time, he became increasingly aware of a troubling pattern among some working adults. Many had entered the workforce only to gradually disengage from church life because of demanding schedules and long working hours.
That observation left a deep impression on him.
“I resolved to find work that would allow me to remain meaningfully present in the life of the church,” he said.
Then came a significant moment during Wesley’s Companions in Christ programme in 2022.
While reflecting on Mary’s response to God in Luke 1:38—”Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”—Timothy sensed God stirring something in his heart.
For the third time in his life, the possibility of full-time ministry surfaced. This time, the prompting remained with him.
“I resolved to find work that would allow me to remain meaningfully present in the life of the church.”
DISCERNING GOD’S CALL TOGETHER
Rather than making an immediate decision, Timothy sought counsel from trusted people around him.
One such conversation was with Benedict Tay, who would later become his colleague in Youth Ministry. Benedict spoke honestly about the realities of ministry—the joys, but also the sacrifices, challenges and burdens.
Another pivotal conversation was with Rev Raymond Fong. Pastor Raymond encouraged Timothy to think of ministry as an offering of his “first fruits” to God. Even if he served only for a season before moving elsewhere, that season of faithful service would not be wasted.
The idea brought tremendous freedom.
“For this next season, whether it’s one year or two years, this is what faithfulness and obedience look like,” Timothy remembered thinking.
The more he learned about the needs within Youth Ministry, the stronger his desire became to help meet them.
Eventually, the question was no longer whether he could serve. It became whether he would respond.
“Pastor Raymond encouraged Timothy to think of ministry as an offering of his “first fruits” to God. Even if he served only for a season before moving elsewhere, that season of faithful service would not be wasted.”
THE JOY OF SEEING LIVES CHANGED
Timothy joined Wesley’s staff team in September 2022.
Over the past few years, his conviction about ministry has only deepened.
His greatest joy is surprisingly simple.
“My ministry motto is: ‘I live to see more lives lived a little more faithfully.'”
For Timothy, ministry is not primarily about spectacular moments. Instead, it is found in the small decisions people make every day to follow Jesus.
When youths choose obedience, begin praying for one another, serve sacrificially or take steps towards spiritual maturity, he rejoices.
Those moments remind him that God’s work is often quiet, steady and deeply transformative.
At the same time, ministry has also exposed him to the grief of witnessing spiritual apathy and brokenness. His heart has grown increasingly burdened for the spiritual health of the Church.
Yet even these burdens have confirmed his calling.
“God breaks our hearts for what breaks His,” he reflected.
“Ministry is not primarily about spectacular moments. Instead, it is found in the small decisions people make every day to follow Jesus.”
LOOKING AHEAD
This July, Timothy will begin his Master of Divinity studies at TTC.
His prayer is not simply to gain more knowledge, but to know God more deeply and worship Him more fully.
As for the future, he remains remarkably open-handed. He does not have elaborate ambitions or detailed plans. Instead, he hopes simply to remain faithful.
When asked what kind of servant of God he hopes to become twenty years from now, his answer is both simple and profound.
“I want to live in such a way that if God were to take me home at any time, I would be able to stand before Him smiling and say, ‘This life You have given me, I have not wasted.'”
Perhaps that is the challenge Timothy’s story presents to all of us.
God’s call is not always accompanied by dramatic signs. Sometimes, it emerges through years of worship, service, obedience and a growing love for His people.
For younger Wesleyans wondering what God might be calling them towards, Timothy offers three pieces of advice: stay rooted in God’s Word, seek Him faithfully in prayer and invite trusted believers to speak into your discernment process.
And if, in the midst of that journey, God calls?
Like Mary, may we have the courage to respond:
“Let it be to me according to your word.”
“God’s call is not always accompanied by dramatic signs. Sometimes, it emerges through years of worship, service, obedience and a growing love for His people.”
(Photos courtesy of Timothy Ho)
Read also: Never Too Young to Be Called By God: Answering God’s Call at 18
