
Kiem Kwa speaks, writes and teaches on issues of Christian engagement in the public square at East Asia School of Theology. Whether teaching in the classroom, sitting on a medical ethics panel, or welcoming students into her home, she seeks to be a relevant member of God’s kingdom.
Kiem and her husband Ivan (M.Div. ’06) live in multi-religious, multi-lingual Singapore, with more than 5 million people in an area of 715 sq. km. Comparatively, Jessamine County has about 50,000 people in 450 sq. km.
Their unique location provides the opportunity for lively, practical conversations around the issues of public theology, ethics and social justice. These topics have experienced an increased growth in interest within the past 10 years.
“I see God’s hand in preparing me to be His spokesperson in my context just for such a time as this,” Kiem said. “We have been holding conversations at home with a group of younger Christians as we all seek to find ways to live out the calling to be a city set on a hill, that is, in the public sphere.”
Kiem believes her time at Asbury Seminary developed foundational convictions for her current role and cultivated disciplines that have helped her navigate some of life’s trials. These convictions include living in, being shaped by and developing God’s story, actions and perspectives in the world, instead of being overwhelmed by the minutiae of everyday life and paperwork, while caring for aging parents.