Meet the new students

Indonesia

ARIS JOKO SUSILO

I got to know Christ through Perkantas (IFES Indonesia) while pursuing my bachelor’s degree. Through discipleship and small groups, I was guided step by step to become a follower of Christ. God later confirmed my calling to become a full-time staff member for Perkantas in Bali.

Through this ministry, I met my wife. Ade was a student who came to know Christ and accepted Him as her Lord and Savior. We got married in 2022. A year later, God blessed us with a handsome son, Christopher. We continued serving students in Bali. We desire every student in Bali to know Christ and experience a transformed life. We had experienced Christ’s love as students, so we want them to experience it too.

At Discipleship Training Centre (DTC), we are learning and preparing to more effectively help students in Bali and Indonesia. Students from various countries and cultures come to study in Bali perhaps because it is a popular tourist destination. DTC is the perfect place for us to learn about multicultural ministry.

Please pray that we have a wonderful time at DTC with our fellow believers. We hope to gain more knowledge and grow closer to Christ. We are grateful for all the support which has enabled me and my family to be at DTC for the next two years. May everything be for God’s glory alone.

Thailand

WIWORN ANGSIRIKULCHOTE (BRIGHT)

I was born in a Christian family. When I was eight, I was challenged at a church camp to start a relationship with Jesus. When I was 15, I lost one family member and learned that only God can protect and provide for my family, and because of Jesus Christ, we will meet this family member again someday.

I have been with Thai Christian Students (TCS), IFES East Asia, in Bangkok, as a full-time staff for High School ministry. We disciple the students and encourage them to make an impact in the places (e.g., school, home) where God has called them to be. We also encourage them to support their church.

I came to DTC to update my skills for Christian ministry, so that I may serve better when I go back to my country. I want to not only learn the theory but also learn by doing. I also want to learn to cross cultures and open my eyes to see more of what God is doing.

Please pray for me to continue learning day by day and seeking God for what He wants me to do. Pray that I can understand every class and that it will be meaningful for my life. Lastly, pray for the mission trip to Cambodia (Nov 19–Dec 1, 2025) that God will provide, and He will protect us.

Philippines

RISHELL CASTANEDA

I grew up in a Christian family and knew about God, but for many years I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. I went through deep pain that led me to make choices that took me further away from Him. Eventually, I reached a point of hopelessness. Yet in His mercy, God revealed His redemptive love. He pursued me even when I felt unworthy, and I surrendered my life to Him.

On Sept 13, 2022, I recommitted my life to the Lord. My aunt and uncle guided me spiritually and encouraged me to consider Bible school as part of God’s healing and preparation. After much prayer, I emailed DTC on October 8, 2022, but didn’t receive a response at that time. I was drawn to DTC because of its focus on heart transformation, cross-cultural learning, and strong commitment to Asia.

While waiting on God, He opened doors for me to teach at Shalom Academy of Davao, volunteer in Sunday School, and join short-term mission trips. These experiences deepened my desire to know Him more. As my teaching contract would end in the school year 2024–2025, I reached out to DTC once again. This time, they replied and accepted me! Truly, God’s timing is perfect. He has given me peace, courage, and provision to face this new season of life.

Please pray for: 1. Courage and wisdom to minister to Filipino helpers at Amazing Grace Presbyterian Church, as I am the youngest among them; 2. Meaningful relationships with my classmates, seniors, and lecturers; 3. Humility and perseverance to learn.

Cambodia

MOM REATH & THORN SOVAN

I (Reath) was raised in a Christian family. My father is a pastor. After high school, I was interested in theology, so I went to Phnom Penh Bible School (PPBS) in Cambodia. There, I met my future wife, Sovan, who was also a student. After I finished my studies, I worked at PPBS as a translator, assistant teacher and chapel coordinator. We also got married in 2023.

Through PPBS and various people, God allowed us to come to DTC for further education. I hope that coming to DTC will shape me and equip me for future ministry as a teacher in Cambodia.

I (Sovan) believed in God in 2017. I was 17. After finishing high school in Preah Vihear province, I continued university in Phnom Penh. I stayed in a Christian dormitory for students. After attending worship services and listening to the preacher, I decided to believe in God. My life changed completely. God gave me joy and hope.

After graduating from university, I continued my studies at PPBS. Then I worked as a teacher at a private school in Phnom Penh for two years. God called me to continue my studies at DTC. I came to DTC because I want to grow in God and use the knowledge I learned to teach in Cambodia. I am very happy to study here. It is an opportunity for me to meet new people from different countries and live in a community like one family. My prayer request is for wisdom in learning English, and strength to serve in the ministry at Bartley Christian Church.

Please pray for our families back home. May God protect them and keep them healthy.

Timor Leste

SANCHES HERCULANO (METTA)

I believed in Christ through my brother. He was the first person in our family to become a Christian, and his life changed. Later he took me to church, and I lived in a dormitory in 2009 where I learned to study the Bible and grow in my faith in Christ. I finally made the decision to declare that Jesus is my Lord and Savior and was baptized on 15 March 2011.

Before DTC, I worked in campus ministry with IFES in Timor-Leste (SEE-TL) and helped the church’s youth ministry. I was also involved in the Christian Youth movement, Jerasaun Loos Nasaun Diak (JLND).

During my eight years in campus ministry, I always wanted to study theology further but didn't know how. I once shared my heart's desire with my leadership overseeing IFES East Asia, and we prayed about it. After this, I received a message that I could apply to study at DTC, and I felt very happy. Now I enjoy studying at DTC with colleagues from other countries and with the teachers. I’m looking forward to being part of the DTC community. I’m glad to be the first student from Timor-Leste to study at DTC.

My focus in prayer is to remain faithful to what God has given me, especially in continuing to do campus ministry with students. I also pray for clarity in hearing God’s call. My passion for the future is to serve God through education. My dream is to open a school in my village, starting with pre-primary.

Japan

TAIKI KITA

I studied at Tokyo Christian University from 2013 to 2018, and after that I served as a pastor in Japan for seven years from 2018 to 2025. Now I have come to DTC for sabbatical studies.

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I decided to stop my step. This was not an easy thing for me. I have been working in Japan with many expectations. I love sharing the gospel with people. My ministry has become more and more fruitful. However, as I approached the age of 30, I began to feel that I could not go on like this. I began to feel the need to look further ahead.

Japanese Christians account for less than 1 per cent of the population (less than 0.5 per cent for Protestants). There are about 7,000 churches in Japan. It is said that more than half of these churches will disappear by 2030. The average age of Christians is about 65 years old. The average age of pastors is about 65 to 75 years old. It is said that two-thirds of the pastors will retire in five years.

I was introduced to DTC through my mentor, who is a DTC alumnus. The reason I came here is to have a good rest and think about the future of missions in Japan. My sabbatical studies program is planned for one year.

Please pray for blessings during this time, for my family (my wife Marie, my son Itsuki, age 3, and my daughter Haru, age 1) here with me, and for Japan.

Creative Access Nation

MARK

I was born into a non-Christian family that worshipped idols. As a child, I was attacked by evil spirits and suffered a long illness. I was near death. In desperation, my family turned to Jesus. He healed me and brought peace to our home, and my parents dedicated me to the Lord.

One particular year, while serving in earthquake relief, I sensed God’s call to full-time ministry. I entered seminary and later served in church. Through the training in Perspectives and Encountering the World of Islam, God gave me a strong burden for cross-cultural mission.

For over six years, I mobilized churches and led a small team serving Muslim communities in my country, discipling new believers. During my sabbatical year, I went to Thailand to serve among unreached minority peoples, where my cross-cultural calling deepened.

To follow God’s call for cross-cultural mission, I laid down my ministry and came to Singapore—even when many could not understand—to study at DTC, trusting His leading to equip me for His mission.

Please pray for my English learning and coursework, for clear guidance on future ministry and team, and for my home church to stand firm and witness faithfully amid persecution.

Creative Access Nation

RUTH

I received Jesus in college. My friend asked me four times to join student fellowship activities, but I did not receive Jesus until I suffered a lot of pain. In one fellowship meeting, I watched a video about praying for my country. The people in the video cried when they prayed. I was so deeply touched that I wanted to receive Jesus and know more about him.

I worked as an administrator in my church for 4 ½ years before I came to DTC. The idea of studying theology came from God. When I was confused about where I should study, God let me meet a pastor from Singapore. He had come to my church to serve in the summer camp for youth. I asked him which school I could go to study theology. He introduced DTC to me.

Pray for my family, that my parents, my grandfather, my younger brother and his family will receive Jesus. Pray for my studies in DTC, that I will study better and have a closer relationship with God.