intheLIFESTYLE
intheLIFESTYLE
The McKellars - Nola, Deborah and Ian
Q: You were born in South Africa. Any hint in your early years that
you would become a pastor of a church in Singapore?
A: Interesting question... I did know that I would be living in a harbour
city one day because of a vision that God gave me 30 years ago. I thought
it may be Cape Town!
I studied and then worked as a civil engineer for eight years. I was
called into the ministry in a very wonderful and successful church in
Johannesburg, SA. I then travelled and ministered in over twenty nations,
authored two books, and then felt the call to relocate to Asia.
Ian McKellar is a South African pastor who followed
God’s calling to Singapore and has been residing
here for 11 years. Together with his wife, Nola
McKellar, he leads the eldership team at Church
of Joy in Singapore. They both share a common
desire to see the preaching of God’s Word bring
transformation in personal lives and in society.
For Christmas this year, Ian has prepared a special
word for Weekendin.
Q: What brought you to Singapore?
A: My wife, Nola and I were leading a church in South Africa and travelling
a lot to Asia to help train leaders. The idea of moving to Singapore was to
help us establish a ministry in Singapore that could help Asia. The twenty
first century belongs to Asia and Africa. I would like to see a greater
collaboration between Singapore and South Africa.
Q: What are some of the major challenges you have had to overcome
as a pastor?
A: STRESS. A businessman heard that a fellow pastor had burned out, and
he proceeded to ask me how the ministry could possibly be so stressful. I
told him people problems are always stressful. You work with a volunteer
army. Many are incredibly enthusiastic and are a great inspiration. But
many have deep emotional needs and are feeling spiritually empty. Such
people can drain life from you, and yet many times your desire for their
maturity and success is greater than their own. They give up, but you
press on for their sake. This can cause you much stress.
Plus there is a spiritual stress that is unique to pastoring a church. Life can
be cruel - people suffer, families break up, children rebel, and sickness
cripples, disaster strikes and many times your own, spiritual, emotional
and financial resources are stretched to the limit. I think that leading
a church can be way more stressful that going into a bullring or cage
fighting. Just my opinion.
Q: How different is Christmas celebrated in Singapore and South
Africa?
A: Not too different actually. Commercially, things look much the same;
Christmas decorations everywhere, carols playing at the malls and
shopping centres. People exchange gifts and enjoy family dinners in
much the same way. In South Africa, there is also a strong emphasis on
helping the poor at Christmas time.
Q: Do you have a wish list for Singapore this Christmas?
A: I wish for more of the Kampong spirit and less stress. People are so
stressed. I wish they could enjoy each other more and enjoy the gift of
life. Life in any big city is stressful. The real victors are those who are not
robbed of happiness and quality of life because of that stress.Those who
overcome are gracious and radiate confidence. Those pushed down by
stress become frantic and worried to the point of not being able to enjoy
life and relationships even when all is going well. I wish Singapore could
change their education system. It is well respected all over the world,
Q: What does Christmas mean to you?
A: It is day of gratitude. It’s a wonderful celebration of God’s gift of His but I wish for a system that could produce innovators and world leaders.
only Son to mankind and a time of reflection and thankfulness.
Q: If you could spend Christmas with anyone (Alive/Dead/Fictional),
who would it be and why?
Q: How do you usually spend Christmas Day?
A: Going to worship with others on Christmas morning. Having a leisurely A: If you asked me a few years ago, I would have said Martin Luther King
Jr. I love his courage and he radiates love. Or maybe Sir Alex Ferguson, I
dinner with the family.
love his strategic leadership skills. Or maybe Bono, I love his passion.
Q: What is one Christmas tradition that your family follows every
But this Christmas... I think C. S. Lewis. I love his wit and his perception of
year?
A: Opening our home to the church community for dinner. And the issues. I also love the way he encouraged others during the London air
raids of World War II. I would love to talk to him and get his perspective
family present-opening ceremony after dinner.
on the modern world. What he thinks about where we are heading and
what can be done to make the world a better place.
Q: What are your plans for the church this Christmas?
A: A celebration service on Christmas morning. And a rooftop Christmas
carols service on Friday 7th December. This should be epic. I hope that
someone can video it much like the Beatles rooftop audition in the Let it
Be movie. Oh come all ye faithful!
Q: If you could jet-off on your dream vacation right now, where
would you go & what would you do?
A: That’s easy! I would go to Paradise Island - a small secret island off the
east coast of Malaysia. The ideal place for relaxing, swimming, reading
and generally catching up with yourself, God and family.
Q: What is your favourite Christmas dish?
A: Any meat roasted and juicy; roast chicken with stuffing, roast lamb
with mint sauce, or roast beef with delicious gravy.
Q: Do you have a favourite bible verse?
A: YES, Hebrews 4:16 because it speaks of God’s mercy and grace, and
the invitation to come into his presence.
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