Here were the Top 5 most-read stories of 2022.
What a year it has been!
From stories of hope and peace, to testimonies of grit and perseverance, it has been a privilege for us here at Salt&Light to bring you stories of God’s goodness, peace and love throughout the year.
As the year draws to a close, here’s a look at the Top 5 Salt&Light stories you enjoyed this 2022.
#5 She was a university graduate who married a Primary 2 dropout and former gang leader
“We are really opposites. But because of these opposites, we are able to work together better,” said Teng Teng. Photo courtesy of Koh Teng Teng.
She is a university graduate who majored in business and sociology. He dropped out of school in Primary 2 after hurling a chair at a teacher.
Apart from attending school, she spent her growing up years dutifully helping her single mum run a coffee shop stall. He spent his youth as a gang leader, getting into fights and eventually landing himself in jail.
They are worlds apart, yet this is exactly what makes the love story of Koh Choon Huat, 43, and Teng Teng, 41, so compelling. Their marriage crossed the 18-year mark this month.
How did they even end up together and how do they make their marriage work? They spilled all the details in an interview with Salt&Light on Valentine’s Day.
#4 The “dad for life” who didn’t give up despite single-handedly raising 4 kids for 12 years
Wayne with his four children: Seth, 22, Ethel, 20, Tertius, 18 and Elliot, 16. Photo courtesy of Wayne Toh.
They were the picture-perfect family and the envy of many. Wayne Toh and his then-wife were loving parents of four beautiful children – until she walked out on the family one day.
“Don’t cry, Daddy. Jesus loves you and will bring Mummy back,” Wayne’s children would say whenever he broke down in front of them. His wife did not return.
Left a single parent overnight, Wayne was forced to be both mother and father to his children, shouldering the responsibilities of supporting the family financially and caring for his children.
“I told God I didn’t know how to love them. Sometimes seeing them reminded me of my ex-wife and I had to deal with the bitterness and unforgiveness,” he told Salt&Light in March.
Suicidal thoughts plagued his mind.
At the end of his tether, the exhausted and dejected father knelt down one Friday night and cried out: “God, I don’t have the strength to fight all these suicidal thoughts anymore. I can’t take it, please help me.”
In an interview with Salt&Light, he shared how God saw him through those darkest moments and why he is an advocate of supporting single families today.
#3 Canon James Wong, who shook church and marketplace by power of the Holy Spirit, called home to the Lord
In 1977, Canon Wong birthed eight new churches in various housing estates around Singapore. Since then, Canon Wong has served in many Christian organisations, including the Scripture Union, the National Council of Churches and the Lausanne Committee on World Evangelization.
Canon James Wong, who was active in building God’s kingdom in Singapore for more than half a century, died of complications related to Parkinson’s Disease on the evening of April 8. He was 82.
The faith giant and Anglican minister, who served under the Diocese of Singapore for more than five decades, left an impact on every stream of the faith in the country, including in denominations, marketplaces and schools.
In the wake of his passing, Salt&Light looked back on the fruit of his faithful labour in the local Church, and the personal revival moment that started it all.
Read about the impact Canon James Wong left on the Church in Singapore here.
#2 America’s Got Talent’s Nightbirde dies at 31
Having struggled through a divorce in the midst of recurring cancer, Jane Marczewski has learnt how to find forgiveness and healing in the midst of suffering. Photo from Nightbirde’s Instagram page.
America’s Got Talent golden buzzer star Nightbirde, whose actual name is Jane Marczewski, inspired millions around the world as she battled terminal cancer – and a divorce after her husband left her – with her gritty faith in God.
In her blog, she detailed in honest poetic prose how she railed against Him in her deep pain, yet also found comfort in His faithful presence.
In one post, she wrote: “I haven’t come as far as I’d like, in understanding the things that have happened this year. But here’s one thing I do know: when it comes to pain, God isn’t often in the business of taking it away. Instead, he adds to it.
“He is more of a giver than a taker. He doesn’t take away my darkness, he adds light. He doesn’t spare me of thirst, he brings water. He doesn’t cure my loneliness, he comes near. So why do we believe that when we are in pain, it must mean God is far?”
Read more about her journey of suffering with God here and here.
#1 “I already saw a casket at my house”: The deputy commissioner of police who was rescued from death three times
Dato Tan sharing his near-death experience at an annual prayer service held for Christians in the Malaysian police force. He is the chairman of the Royal Malaysia Christian Group which organises these prayer services. Photo courtesy of Dato Tan Chong Jin.
The most-read story of 2022 this year was the miraculous testimony of Dato Tan Chong Jin, Deputy Commissioner of Police in Malaysia, who has had – not one – but a few close encounters with death.
Ironically, none of them had anything to do with his job. In fact, the now Commandant of the Royal Malaysia Police College in Kuala Lumpur has been in the police force for 35 years without incident.
Instead, each near-death experience – he almost drowned, was seconds away from being crushed by a falling flyover, went into a coma because of Covid – happened while he was going about his normal life.
While others may chalk each episode up to coincidence and each save to good fortune, Dato Tan, who has been a Christian since his university days, believes God spared his life each time.
“I don’t know why God sustained me and gave me a few chances in life. But I believe God gave me this opportunity and that He has planned for me to do something for His kingdom.”
Read about three miracles Dato Tan experienced here.
And that’s a wrap for 2022!
We hope that the stories on Salt&Light have been a source of blessing, encouragement and inspiration to you this year. If there was a story that made an impact on you, share it with someone who may benefit from it too!
The team at Salt&Light looks forward to bringing you more stories of God’s love, hope and grace in 2023.
From us to all of you, have a blessed new year!
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