Banking veteran and ex-offender-turned-prison volunteer among winners of 2025 Caleb Award

We worship no one but Jesus. But the Bible tells us to outdo one another in honour. (Romans 12:10) Since 2016, Salt&Light and the other websites on the Thirst Collective have published thousands of stories of believers whose obedience to God has seen lives, communities, and even nations, transformed. This year, to recognise these heroes of faith […] The post Banking veteran and ex-offender-turned-prison volunteer among winners of 2025 Caleb Award appeared first on Salt&Light.

Religion Sep 30, 2025 0 7 Add to Reading List

Banking veteran and ex-offender-turned-prison volunteer among winners of 2025 Caleb Award

We worship no one but Jesus. But the Bible tells us to outdo one another in honour. (Romans 12:10)

Since 2016, Salt&Light and the other websites on the Thirst Collective have published thousands of stories of believers whose obedience to God has seen lives, communities, and even nations, transformed.

This year, to recognise these heroes of faith who labour in love for God and community, and to invite support for their ministries, we are pleased to announce the inaugural 2025 Salt&Light Inspiration Awards.

The seven categories in the 2025 Salt&Light Inspiration Awards are:

Creation Care Award
Stories of Hope and hhm.sg Evangelism Award
Missions Impact Award
Marketplace Impact Award
Caleb Award (Age 65 and above)
Thir.st Youth Inspiration Award (Age 21 and below)
2025 Salt&Light Inspiration Award

The winners of the 2025 Caleb Award (Age 65 and above) actively contribute to their communities in Godly pursuits, serving as role models for the generations.

The 2025 Caleb Award winners are: Ong-Ang Ai Boon, Yvonne Huang, Jenny Lim and Dr Paul Choo.

(Catch the winners of the other categories on Salt&Light all this week.)

ONG-ANG AI BOON, Director, The Association of Banks in Singapore

Working in the banking sector for the past 52 years, Ai Boon, 79, has been Director of Association of Banks in Singapore for 44 years.

She has publicly declared her faith in the ABS book, It’s Not Me, where she attributes the growth of ABS, and by extension, Singapore’s financial landscape, to God.

An elder at City Missions Church, she has hosted Bible study at her office and home for more than three decades.

How did you get started?

“My journey began when at 36, with three kids, I was desperate to save my marriage as my husband was about to walk out. In that brokenness, the Lord Jesus called me to abide in Him, the true Vine, and to bear fruit of the Spirit.

“The love of God showed me the Cross and called me to die to myself daily. Looking back, I see the Hand of God guiding me at every crossroad, through the Holy Spirit and His Word.

“God reshaped me – from tigress to cat – teaching me humility and dependence on Him. He also entrusted me with ministry, enabling me to overcome difficult people and situations in His strength.”

What are your hopes for the future?

“My desire is to live and end well, glorifying God in all things. As I say in Teochew, I cannot ‘sia-sway’ (disgrace) God.

“Ultimately, my greatest longing is to be with Jesus when He returns – riding among the armies of Heaven, clothed in fine white linen (Rev 19:11). To God be the Glory!”

YVONNE HUANG, Missionary counsellor & community volunteer

Yvonne, 68, served as a mission worker, teacher and counsellor for almost a decade, often travelling for up to 33 hours alone in a country where safety was an issue.

Familiar with the challenges faced by missionaries, she became a counsellor to missionaries for more than seven years.

In Singapore, Yvonne blesses the migrant workers. Most recently, she organised her own SG60 project, preparing gift packs with the message “SG60: Thanks for being with us” to bless 1,000 migrant workers.

How did you get started?

“My mission journey began in my early 20s with a gnawing dissatisfaction. In a moment of seeking God, the Holy Spirit whispered an uncomfortable truth: We weren’t caring for the lost outside our walls.

“This revelation led me to join OM in 1979, leading to a lifetime of encounters with God.

“For the past 13 years, this calling has focused on Singapore’s migrant brothers, who are often undervalued despite their hard work.”

How do you see God in your journey?

“COVID provided a hands-on opportunity to serve migrant brothers at medical centres in Penjuru. God arranged divine appointments, and faithfully provided all the resources to meet practical needs and medical emergencies.

“Ultimately, the love of God compels us to respond (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). The key is allowing His compassion to flood our hearts, pushing past our own comfort and fear. My hope is to challenge more believers to live with radical faith – since life is uncertain, let’s live purposefully for what truly lasts.”

JENNY LIM, community volunteer, Blessed Grace Church

Once in and out of prison 5 times for drug offences, “Aunty Jenny”, 74, is now a prison volunteer. Last August, she received the ThroughCare Hero Award from the Singapore Prison Service.

Aunty Jenny also visits her Chai Chee neighbours at home and in the hospital, and started a Hokkien church in Tanjong Pinang.

How did you get started?

“The Lord Jesus transformed my life by filling me with His love. The prisons could not reform me; neither could the officers there. Now I want those in prison to know that the same God who transformed me can also transform them.

“My first job was at a coffee shop. I felt a special burden for the elderly, for they rarely hear the name of Jesus. I took it as my responsibility to look after them. I would take them to the doctor, to church, and walk with them in faith until the Lord called them home.”

How have you seen the Lord in your journey?

“In the past, before the Lord changed me, I was engaged in dishonest dealings in Tanjong Pinang. People there lived in sin – taking drugs, fighting, gambling.

“The situation was dire, and my own reputation there was very poor. But the people saw the change in my life, and through it, saw the Lord Jesus.

“I desire to continue serving, and I ask the Lord to grant me health, that I may bear witness to Him and proclaim the Good News.”

DR PAUL CHOO, Co-founder, Parkway Shenton Group, Founding Pastor, Gospel Light Christian Church

Dr Choo is a medical doctor who is also a Doctor of Divinity. He started the Shenton Medical Group in 1973, and was the Founding Pastor of Gospel Light Christian Church in 1987.

He also went on to found the Asia-Pacific Institute of International Studies (APIIS) that conducts practical ministry, leadership and biblical courses, training more than 4,000 Asian leaders. He also founded NGO Goducate (Goducatephilippines.org) after recognising that the needs among the poor in Asia were great.

At 78, he still teaches the Master of Ministry two-year online seminary programme in APIIS. The course is now also taught in Bahasa and soon in Chinese.

“I witnessed his heart work and labour to equip batches of students with sound biblical principles. His modelling of servant leadership and humility have touched many,” said a Pastor and former student of Dr Choo’s.