Pastoral Team
Lead Pastor Lionel Goh
Lionel was an Elder at Bartley Church, and one of the three Founding Elders of RiverLife Church. He used to work as a Senior Manager with a Property Developer for 22 years. In 2002, he retired from his secular job, and went to New Zealand for Theological Studies. After he returned from his theological studies, he served as a Pastor at Bartley Church for four years. He is currently serving as the Lead Pastor of RiverLife Church.
Lionel is married to Eunice, whom he met at Bartley Church and got to know through her siblings. Eunice is a homemaker who used to lead the Children Ministry at RiverLife Church. She presently spends much time praying and ministering to women. Together, Lionel and Eunice have two grown-up children, Ivan and Liz Ann.
Lionel came to faith as a student in New Zealand in 1974. He was baptised in Elizabeth Street Chapel in Wellington in 1975, and joined Bartley Church when he returned home in 1977. During his time at Bartley Church, he led a cell, took charge of Christian Education classes, served as a Deacon, then an Elder and eventually a Pastor. As an Elder in RiverLife Church, he was involved in Church Administration, Alpha, Prayer and Healing & Wholeness Ministries.
Lionel’s primary giftings in ministry are teaching, pastoral care and mentorship. His life vision is to become more like Jesus each day, and to be faithful to God’s calling (Matthew 25:23). Lionel loves seeing what Jesus can do to touch and transform people’s lives, and believes in the power of the church to make a difference in society and the world.
Lionel qualified as a real estate valuer, holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Hull, UK and a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity from the Bible College of New Zealand. His hobbies include fishing, watching movies and taking long walks.
- Favourite sports activity : Fishing, crabbing and boating
- Your idea of a perfect meal : Dining with my wife in a romantic ambience
- Not many people know this, but you are actually afraid of : Tight enclosures
- Your greatest experience with God : Discovered the depth of God’s love for me through Scripture (John 13-17)
Pastor Lim Teck Boon
Teck Boon came to the Lord in 1977 at a youth camp, and was baptised in 1978. He is married to Wendy whom he met in church. Wendy is currently working at Riverside Resource and together, they have a son and daughter – Nathanael and Natasha. Teck Boon holds a Masters in Divinity from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Missouri, USA and a Masters in Arts (Business Management) and Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University, Virginia, USA.
Previously, he worked in the Air Force for seven years as a RSAF aircraft mechanic. Around 1992, he felt God calling him to full-time ministry. After finishing his contract with the Air Force, he joined RiverLife (then known as Pasir Ris Christian Church) in 1996 as a Church Administrator, helping to coordinate the pioneering of a new church. He later served as Youth Pastor – where he pioneered a youth church and Missions Pastor from 1999, providing oversight and direction for church missionary efforts.
Teck Boon has a heart for the nations and his life verse is Revelation 7:9-10, which describes how every nation, tribe, people and language will worship God one day. His passion is to strengthen the church to fulfil her purpose. He believes that RiverLife is the local church where God has placed him and where his passion can be nurtured and expressed.
Teck Boon loves to read and travel.
What Do You Love About The Church: It is the hope of the world, a shelter for the refugee, a home for the homeless, a house of worship.
- Your favourite food : Laksa
- School activities you participated in : Brass Band
- Your greatest indulgence : Electronic devices
- One book that transformed your life : “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” by Mark Batterson. A must read for all!
Pastor Joseph Tang
Joseph played a significant role in RiverLife’s historical landscape. Soon after Bartley Christian Church (BCC) had purchased the land in Pasir Ris in 1998, he was appointed by the Elders at BCC to plant a new church in Pasir Ris together with three elders and a pastoral staff.
Joseph is married to Dorothy whom he met in BCC, and served together with him at O.M India. Dorothy is serving in SuperLife, Healing & Wholeness Ministry, Intercessors’ Network and Cell ministry. Together, they have three grown children, Charis, Benel and Elshan.
Joseph accepted Christ at BCC Youth Fellowship in 1965 after a friend brought him to church. Subsequently, he quit his gambling habit, which he picked up from an early age. He was baptised four years later in 1969. He went on to serve as a Youth Leader and a Sunday School Superintendent.
After Joseph received God’s call to full-time ministry during one of the youth meetings at BCC, he enrolled into Far Eastern Bible College in 1975 and graduated with a Diploma in Theology. The Lord later led him to Operation Mobilization (O.M) India to serve for three and a half years. Upon his return in 1980, he served as full-time pastoral staff in BCC, and subsequently, as a Pastor in 1987. In addition, he has served as Chairman of Evangelism Explosion Singapore for a number of years, training pastors to train people to do evangelism. Joseph is currently the Zone Pastor of the Tampines Simei Bedok zone, and heads up the Intercessors Network Ministry and Prayer Ministry.
His main passions are evangelism, prayer and planting churches around the world.
Joseph holds a Diploma in Theology from the Far Eastern Bible College and a Masters in Arts (Mission) from Columbia International University, USA.
- Favourite sports activity : Hunting for wild fighting fish in the forest
- Your idea of a perfect meal : A dish called "Israel chicken," which I used to enjoy during my Far Eastern Bible College days. It is basically a deep fried chicken baked in cream of mushroom soup. Yummy!
- Your ideal holiday destination : A road trip around New Zealand with my family
- What inspires you : Seeing people come to Christ
Pastor David Low
David accepted Christ as a Secondary Three student in 1964 at a Youth for Christ meeting. He started off in Bartley Christian Church as a cell member in 1978 and was baptised in 1980. He later became a Cell Leader and eventually an Area Overseer (Deacon) of the church. In 1991, David was one of the 123 founding members from Bartley Christian Church who helped to start RiverLife Church (then known as Pasir Ris Christian Church). He assisted Pastor Joseph Tang and Pastor Vincent Lun in coordinating and taking care of the cells.
David worked for 24 years in Statutory Boards and Private Companies in Estate Management, Maintenance, Real Estate and Hotel Maintenance Works. In 1993, he was invited by the pastors to join the pastoral staff team. After much prayer and deliberation, David entered into full-time ministry in July 1993, at the age of 45. He is currently a Zone Pastor for the Pasir Ris zone and is overseeing the Bereavement Ministry.
He is married to Sew Lian, whom he met when he was working in PSA. Sew Lian is presently working in a music school as an administrative staff. She serves as a Holy Communion Preparer and in Riverside Resource. David and Sew Lian have three grown-up children Samuel, Dora and Joel. Their eldest, Samuel, is married to Jeanette, who is serving as a part-time pastoral staff (MegaLife) in RiverLife. David and Sew Lian are the proud grandparents of two little boys, Tyler Jerron and Tevin.
David’s primary giftings in ministry are pastoral care/shepherding, administration and helps (1 Corinthians 12:28). He is firmly passionate about building RiverLife Church for the glory of God, and believes that it is his calling to be a pastor and to shepherd the flock.
David completed a nine-month Zone Pastor Training Course with Faith Community Baptist Church in 1994, and graduated from Trinity Theological College, Singapore with a Bachelor of Divinity in May 2000.
- Your greatest indulgence : Chocolate
- Your CCA when you were in school : Science Society -Gardening
- One book that has transformed your life : “Surprised by the Power of the Spirit” by Jack Deere
- Your favourite food : My wife’s curry chicken
Pastor Ng Chye Aik
Chye Aik received Christ at the age of 14, and was baptised in the same year. He is married to Adeline, whom he met at a small group meeting. They have a beautiful daughter, Charlene. Adeline is a teacher and currently serves as a back-up vocalist in the Worship & Music Ministry.
God started calling Chye Aik into full-time ministry when he was in his late teens. Since then, his passion to see nations reached and lives touched kept burning stronger and stronger. After graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Chye Aik worked as an engineer for five years. While he was on a business trip, God spoke to him clearly to let go of his engineering job, to “follow me and I’ll make you a fisher of men” (Matthew 4:19). That day, Chye Aik decided to let go of everything to follow Christ and to enter into full-time ministry.
Chye Aik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from the Assemblies of God Bible College, Singapore. He has been serving in full-time ministry for more than ten years in pastoral leadership. In June 2006, Chye Aik joined RiverLife as a full-time pastoral staff.
He currently oversees the cells of young adults in HighLife (Tertiary and NSF) between the ages of 18 to 25. He also preaches and teaches in various church platforms. In addition, he is one of the pre-marital counsellors who prepare couples for life-long commitment. His passion is to help people experience true freedom through prayer and counselling; guide and release young people to their fullest potential; and equip leaders to serve with heart and skills.
Chye Aik’s hobbies include reading, going to the gym and watching movies.
- Your favourite movie : The Lord of the Rings
- Your idea of a perfect meal : Rice, kai lan, sze chuan sour and spicy soup and beef
- Your role model in life : Selwyn Hughes, the former author of “Everyday with Jesus.”
- A super power you wish to have : To always be able to love even in the most difficult situations
Pastor Betty Lin
Betty grew up in a farming area of Taiwan. She came to know the Lord through an English bible study class. She was working for an international trading company then and attended the class with the desire to improve her English. She eventually accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour in 1983, and was baptised in 1985.
In less than two years time after her conversion, Betty received the call from God to enter into full-time ministry. Eventually, she went to the USA to pursue her theological training. Betty holds a Masters in Arts (Biblical Literature) from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, USA.
She started to serve as a pastor since 1993. While in Taiwan, she taught at Bible College and did pastoral work in local churches. Subsequently, she came to serve in Singapore in the area of Christian Education and Cell Ministry. Betty came to RiverLife Church in June 2008 as a consultant, and became a permanent pastoral staff in September 2008. Betty is currently the Pastor overseeing the Chinese People Group, providing oversight of both the Dialect and Mandarin congregations.
Betty fully believes that the local church is the hope of the world, a big family where people can find true relationship and love Her passion is to help believers grow in their understanding of the Word, to disciple them to be Christ-like, and equip leaders for Kingdom service.
- Your first job : I worked in a shipyard recording the weight of truckloads of metal
- How you start the day : Prepare breakfast and then settle in my cozy corner for devotion
- Your greatest experience with God : God preserved my life from near-death episodes twice
- You would love to meet : Henri Nouwen and C.S Lewis
- Your love language : Quality time
Patrick Ng
Patrick was working in the building industry for over 30 years, and retired from full-time work in 2008 to attend Tung Ling Bible College and do two programmes there.
He is married to Patricia, whom he met while they were in school. She was a Girl Guide and he, a Boy Scout. They have a grown-up son, Gregory. Patrick and Patricia serve in the Greeting & Ushering Ministry together.
Patrick and his family came to faith in 1993 after a friend prayed for him, and Pastor Joseph Tang shared the gospel with him. They were baptised in 1996. After his baptism, he went on to serve actively in several ministries- Ushering; Cell Leadership; and Building Fund Committee. He has also been the chairman of the Riverlife Kindergarten Management Committee for the last five years.
His call to full-time ministry came through a prophecy that was released by three anointed teachers, while he was studying in Tung Ling Bible College. Following which, he was approached by Elder Freddy Boey and Pastor Lionel Goh to join the church staff team. Realising that it was no accident, Patrick knew that he had to obey the Lord’s call.
Patrick’s passion is to see people coming to know the Lord, and to disciple them to grow in their relationship with God. His main giftings in ministry are exhortation and evangelism.
Patrick holds a Diploma in Civil Engineering from the Singapore Polytechnic. His hobbies include sailing, windsurfing, skiing, swimming with his Labrador, Choko, and releasing his inner geek with Mac products.
- Your favourite movie : Big productions like “Around the world in 80 days,” “Sound of Music,” “Titanic” to “Avatar”
- Best thing someone has said to you :“Papa, I love you!”
- Your childhood ambition : Fly a plane and see the world
- Kopi or gourmet coffee, which do you prefer? : Spinelli’s gourmet coffee
Pastor Tony Lee
Tony became a Christian in 1978, after his cousin shared the gospel with him. He was baptised in Bartley Christian Church in 1981. He is married to Koon Eng, whom he met while serving in Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ. Koon Eng is currently a homemaker, and serves actively with Tony in cells, missions and the Healing & Wholeness ministry. They have a son, Joshua.
Before joining RiverLife, Tony worked in the SAF for more than 25 years, holding the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel (S). Tony has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Leadership & Organisational Development, Civil Service College, Singapore.
Tony was one of the 123 pioneer members from Bartley Christian Church who came over to start RiverLife Church (then known as Pasir Ris Christian Church). He served as a Sunday school teacher before progressing to youth ministry and adult cell leadership. He eventually became a Zone Overseer and a team leader serving in the Healing & Wholeness ministry.
In early 2007, the Lord’s call for him to step out from his ministry in the army became very clear, and in 2009 he joined RiverLife as Senior Pastoral Staff & Missions Staff. He is now a Pastor, providing pastoral care over a cluster of cells in the Family and Adults People Group. In addition, he is also actively involved in missions in the areas of equipping and ministering to members of the local church. Tony’s life purpose is to grow in intimacy with God; build strong loving relationship with his family; and help others discover and develop to achieve their maximum potential.
His hobbies include swimming, cycling and reading.
- What inspires you : When lives are touched by the Lord
- Your ideal holiday destination : Canada
- Favourite sports activity : Cycling and swimming with my son
- If you weren’t working for the Church, we would find you : Working as a school vice-principal
Pastor Linda Ng
Linda accepted Christ at the age of 19 during a Sunday service at Marine Parade Gospel Centre, and was baptised one year later in 1981. She started attending RiverLife Church (then known as Pasir Ris Christian Church) in 1996, and went on to serve as an Usher in the Hospitality Ministry, a Cell Leader and an Area Overseer.
Linda is married to David, whom she met through a mutual friend in 1998. They have two daughters, Lisbeth and Danielle. David is a part-time Pastoral Staff and heads the Healing & Wholeness Ministry. Linda co-leads, co-teaches and co-ministers with David in the Healing & Wholeness Ministry and Cell Ministry.
Before entering into full-time ministry, Linda worked as a State Registered Nurse for three years, and as a Safety Training Instructor with Singapore Airlines for 12 years. She received the call from God into full-time ministry in 1999. After a three-year journey of preparation by the Lord, in surrender and complete abandonment, Linda finally entered into full-time ministry in 2001.
In her time as full-time pastoral staff, Linda has pioneered the Healing & Wholeness Ministry with a team of 10. She currently heads the Family Life Ministry, supporting the Christian Education Department in teaching and missions, and is a Pastor providing pastoral care over a cluster of cells in the Family and Adults People Group. Her passion is to see people of God thoroughly equipped for every good work through discipleship and transformation, so that they can fulfil God’s given calling for their lives.
Linda holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Nursing) with Sydney University, a Masters of Arts in Ministry and a Graduate Diploma in Theology with the Theological Centre for Asia College.
- Your greatest accomplishment : Being a mother
- A super power you wish you had : Teleporting, so that I can appear at the place I want to be at immediately, and not worry about taking a car or a flight
- You would love to meet : Paul the Apostle, Lee Kuan Yew and C.S Lewis
- If you weren’t working in church, we would find you : Owning a café and using it to reach out to pre-believers
Sarah Leung
Sarah grew up in a Christian home in Malaysia. She made a personal commitment to follow Christ when she was 12, and was baptised when she was 14. In 1989, Sarah left for Australia to pursue a double degree in Business (Accounting) and Computing (Information Technology) at Monash University. There, she also met her husband, Bill, who is from Hong Kong. Both of them served as leaders in the Overseas Christian Fellowship. After a year of courtship, Sarah and Bill were married in 1994.
Sarah started her professional career with a multi-national IT solutions firm in Kuala Lumpur for six months before she moved over and worked in the Singapore office for the next six years. Sarah quit her job for about a year after giving birth to twin girls, Hannah and Tammy, at the end of 1996. That was also the year when Bill and Sarah started attending RiverLife and began serving in the music ministry and later as cell leaders. In 2000, Sarah and five others founded a real estate firm. Over three years, she set up and led the IT department and general operations before joining RiverLife as a full-time staff in 2002.
On a voluntary basis, Sarah also serves alongside Bill who is the Area Overseer of a cluster of cells in ONELife.
Sarah and Bill are passionately committed to the mission and values of RiverLife Church. Their life vision is to fulfil God’s purpose in their generation and to raise their children to do the same. As a couple, they love to go on holidays and take long walks together with their children. Sarah herself loves music and plays the piano to relax. She also loves spending her nights having fun with her girls.
- Your first job : Systems Engineer
- Your ideal holiday destination : It doesn’t matter as long as my husband is with me
- A super power you wish you had : Power to have more biological children without having to go through more torturous pregnancies, which mine was
- Your love language : Physical touch, followed by quality time