Farand:
Hi Titus, happy to speak to you! Could you briefly start by introducing yourself and what is new?
Titus:
I just graduated from SMU Business. My major is in Org Behaviour & Human Resources. I completed my final exams at the end of April. I'm thankful to God that I managed to find a job. I'll be starting work at Sembcorp next Monday as a HR Executive. Certainly looking forward to learn and contribute as much as I can.
Farand:
Oh great news indeed and how timely we are speaking. How do you feel about your first day of work? Any area of HR that you’ll be specializing in?
Titus:
Well, for the first day I guess it is just more or less the same feeling as first day of school? 😊 Excited and perhaps a little nervous as I transit from being a student and adapting to corporate life, which can be very different. I just hope that my colleagues and my manager will be patient and show me the ropes as this will be my first full time job. Mistakes are bound to be made, more importantly it will be how I react to the situation e.g don't repeat similar mistakes. I'll be starting off as a Generalist for now, I aim to be a HRBP (Human Resource Business Partner), of course not ruling out any specialization.
Farand:
I imagine as you are joining Sembcorp that they will have a large bunch of freshers joining like an orientation of sorts too? Hopefully that’ll make the transition easier but I’m sure you will manage! Any particular reason why you are leaning towards HRBP?
Titus:
Oh yes, there is an orientation program, looking forward to it to understand more about the company better! Thanks for your confidence in me! :)
I'm leaning towards HRBP because previously in my internship, my manager was a HRBP. As I was assisting him, I found that his work as a HRBP is wide ranging , and that is what I would like to explore more. For instance, Performance Management, job evaluations, organisation structure reviews, and even sensitive issues like Performance Improvement Plan. Though I find it challenging, but I like the variety of tasks, and more importantly, I enjoy it and find it fulfilling.
Farand:
Did you go for a graduation trip or any major celebration before you embark on your career?
Titus:
Nope, I didn't go for any grad trip as money is a major consideration. I guess, to some extent, the June Camp is a "grad trip?" Haha. I'm glad to spend time and foster closer bonds with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. That being said, I hope to save up as I start work and bring my parents for a holiday sometime in the near future.
Farand:
Speaking of, how was the church camp experience for you? What were some highlights?
Titus:
It was great!! Kudos to the organizers! The highlights will definitely be the finale games! I like that it was inclusive as games required ppl from the various age groups to participate. It also required lots of teamwork and strategy. Definitely an inspiration, and if I need to plan team bonding events, will use these games as a reference 😊
The bible lessons were also very engaging as well, like the discussion part as the matters we discussed were very practical issues. It was good to hear from brethren their points of view on how they are going to approach it. At the end of the day, in relation to the theme, it really drilled into me that we're all together in this Christian race, and that it is important to march together as one :)
Farand:
And you contributed greatly with a devotion as well. I remember thinking how comfortable you looked delivering the message. Was it how you felt as well? I believe you have been teaching various teenagers and also Thursday lessons already, so the experience shows!
Titus:
Thanks for the kind words. Public speaking is not my forte, especially in front of such a large crowd. 😅 There is definitely much to learn and improve in terms of my delivery and of course, more importantly, that it is scriptural. I'm thankful to various brethren such as Ben, Ernest and Jun Wei who have been me giving me opportunities to teach in various classes and even giving devotions during homezone.
Farand:
Besides teaching, you are also known to be active in church in various areas. You also help out in the men to serve every Sunday, plus I believe you had organized various activities? Could you share more on which areas you have been involved and what your experience is/was like?
Titus:
For men to serve, it is pretty standard, generally brethren come by 9.15am, or if they are still on the way, they will inform me. I am very used to it already, as it is just a short 5-10 mins briefing. The tricky part will be when it is about 9.20am and if the particular brother has yet to arrive, and I do not know what the ETA is, then I will have to find a replacement last minute. So far, there have been brethren that are more than willing to step up and serve even though it may be on short notice. I'm thankful for this. Have been doing this since a few months before Covid started. On this note, I would like to thank Shawn for sending out reminders even though he may be on holidays sometimes, and also Jun Wei for helping me with the men to serve too.
Regarding organizing church events, notably will be the Bible Quiz. I'm thankful for the opportunity to help to organize it with a good team in the previous years. With clear communication and aligned purpose, we managed to plan and execute it well on D-Day. What heartens me the most is that the participants had fun and we received good feedback. All of these cannot be done without a solid team.
Farand:
That’s quite a lot considering your youth. Could you share with us your spiritual journey? Were you coming to church since young? When and what was your growth and relationship with Christ/Church like? When were you baptized etc.?
Titus:
Yes, I've been coming to church since young as my dad brought me here. I obeyed the Gospel and was baptized in Apr 2011. It has been 13 yrs since I became a Christian!
For me, growing up in the church definitely helped me to have a good foundation and I'm very thankful to the Bible Class teachers for this. When I was in Sec 1, I realized that in order to be saved, I need to obey the Gospel. My dad was also supportive of my decision, so it was not a very difficult decision to make once I realized the importance of being saved. After becoming a Christian, I'd say that my faith slowly grew. I first started to be involved in the men-to-serve serving as an usher, and then got more active when Ben asked me to serve as the men-to-serve IC. Once I grew more in the faith and knowledge, then that was when I stepped up to teach bible classes. I'll advise those who have just become Christians to take incremental steps to grow in your knowledge and also aim to help out in at least one event, it could be the bible quiz, June camp, fellowship activities etc.
Farand:
Thanks! Sound advice! And also big congrats that your mom was recently baptized. Could you share more on how that came about?
Titus:
My dad and I were definitely overjoyed over this! We've been waiting for this a very long time! My mum's background was that she came from a denomination. Though she attended services for many years, but it was only last October when she started to have classes with Ernest on Saturdays. My mum then realized that her baptism at the denomination was unscriptural, as she previously thought she was saved before baptism. Ernest patiently explained to her everything from the Bible and cleared any doubts that she was having, which included speaking of tongues, which we know has ceased today, and also why we don't celebrate Christmas.
I'll say that for those who have family members who have not obeyed the gospel yet, do be patient with them, give them time and pray to God. The seed has been sown, ultimately it is up to them if they want to obey the gospel. On our end, we need to be sensitive, tactful and not give up.
Farand:
Thank you for the sincere and thoughtful answers! Hope you have a great first day of work! Would you have any last thoughts to share?
Titus:
Hey Farand, thanks so much for your questions!
My last thoughts: As someone who is starting work and just completed my university studies. I'll just like to encourage the young Christians that when we are in our late teens and early 20s, we'll definitely be curious and perhaps face lots of temptation in NS or in uni, such as clubbing, drinking, etc... Always remember to pray to God for strength.
1 Cor 10:13 comes into my mind. (There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.)
Also, I'm a firm believer that it is important to step up and serve in the Lord's Church when you're young, because that's when you have lots of energy and zeal. At the same time, you can grow in your faith and bond with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ
1 Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth ; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity
I have faith in my generation and the younger generations to come that we'll continue to do our best to be faithful and to serve Him all the years of our life.