Changing lives through generosity
Rev Dr Paul Goh recently saw first hand the impact of loving hearts giving generously
October 21, 2025
During his current visit to Thailand as a member of the Uniting Church’s delegation for the World Communion of Reformed Churches’ General Council, President-elect Rev Dr Paul Goh has shared in a unique presentation hosted by one of UCA’s Korean partner churches.
Last weekend, Rev Dr Goh was invited to lunch by Rev Dr Hodeuk Choi, a missionary with Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) and co-principal of Sahamit Vittaya School in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Over a meal together, nine students were presented with university scholarships while a further three were awarded book grants. These extraordinary gifts were provided by the PCK congregations, friends and family of Rev Dr Choi.
“Their faith, courage and determination is deeply inspiring.”
The young recipients are from second-generation Karen refugee families in Thailand. The Karen people are an ethnolinguistic group who primarily live in southeastern Myanmar and the Myanmar-Thailand border region.
“It was a privilege to offer words of encouragement and a prayer of blessing to these students,” Rev Dr Goh said. “Their faith, courage and determination is deeply inspiring.”
Red Dr Goh encourages us to pray that God will continue to bless these young people as they walk in faith and hope, shining Christ’s light within their communities.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
More news from the Assembly
Bringing community voices to the heart of Parliament
Bringing community voices to the heart of Parliament Subscribe to our newsletter If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. Decisions made in Parliament House can have profound outcomes far beyond Canberra. They shape whether community services have…
Queensland gathers for its 39th Synod
Queensland gathers for its 39th Synod meeting How can the Uniting Church embrace renewal, strengthen local ministry and empower the next generations of leaders? These questions shaped three days of worship, conversation and discernment at the 39th Queensland Synod held last weekend. Gathering under the theme ‘Renewal: Praying Without Ceasing’, members from across Queensland…
A Story of Belonging
A STORY OF BELONGING Corina Sumner’s artwork for Held Together By Michael Zewdie Through weaving, water and the meeting of cultures, Corina Sumner’s artwork invites the Uniting Church to consider how we belong to one another while honouring the stories each of us carries. “This artwork is a story…
President's pastoral message following Helen Haines attack
President’s pastoral message following attack In the aftermath of the attack on Helen Haines MP, Rev Charissa Suli has released this message and prayerAs we continue to hold Dr Helen Haines MP, her husband Phil, and their family and the Wangaratta community in our prayers, we recognise the profound suffering caused by this devastating attack…
From where will liturgical renewal come?
From where will liturgical renewal come? By Matthew Julius, Liturgical Renewal Project Lead I recently attended the Australian Academy of Liturgy (AAL) conference, Liturgy Under the Southern Cross. AAL brings together liturgical scholars from different churches across Australia to reflect on Christian worship and its connections to the “public work” of the church (which…
Receiving the Gift of the Spirit
Receiving the Gift of the SpiritReflections on two years as General SecretaryBy Andrew JohnsonTwo years ago, I stood before the 17th Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia and accepted the call to serve as General Secretary. I spoke of the commitments I hoped would shape my leadership: our Covenant with First Peoples, our calling…
Prayers for Helen Haines MP
Prayers for Helen Haines MPA prayer from Rev Charissa Suli, President, Uniting Church in AustraliaI invite the Uniting Church across Australia to pray for Helen Haines, the independent Federal Member for Indi, following a serious incident outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. Lord God, We hold Helen, her family, friends, staff and…
Celebrating 60 Years Since the Ordination of Dr D'Arcy Wood
Celebrating 60 Years Since the Ordination of Dr D’Arcy Wood A Lifetime of Service: Celebrating 60 Years Since the Ordination of Dr D’Arcy Wood This year marks the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Dr Harold D’Arcy Wood, one of the most respected theologians, church leaders and ecumenists in the…