In the broader culture of postmodern societies today, there is a growing willingness among young people to accept transgendered individuals and adopt new views on sex and gender. Some people, even children, experience gender dysphoria – the distress caused by an incongruence between one’s biological sex and gender identity. They struggle to make sense of their identity and find supportive community. At the core, the questions are about life’s meaning and purpose. As Christians, we want to be grounded in a biblical perspective and, at the same time, know how to minister in a loving and redemptive way to people who are struggling with such issues. This workshop seeks to help Christians gain a basic understanding of the transgender issue, wisely engage today’s culture and better respond to people – whether churched or unchurched – who experience gender dysphoria.
Pastor of Covenant Evangelical Free Church of Singapore
(District Mentor and a member of the Equipping Ministry Team and the Preaching Team)
Pastor Ivan Ho Hien Liong
Workshop 1C: Gender Dysphoria
Speaker Bio
Ivan received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour in 1986 at the age of 14 while in Secondary Two. He studied law at the University of Nottingham, UK. Upon Ivan’s return to Singapore in 1996, he began worshipping at Covenant Evangelical Free Church. In 2002, after a few years practising as a construction lawyer, Ivan left the legal profession to answer God’s call to full-time vocational Christian ministry. After completing a one-year internship programme with Covenant EFC, he joined their staff team. In 2009, Ivan graduated from Singapore Bible College with a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies. Since then he has been serving as a Pastor overseeing a District of over 20 small groups, as well as an Equipping Ministry team member conducting teaching and training for church members and leaders. Ivan has been happily married for 20 years and has two children aged 14 and 12. In his free time, Ivan enjoys badminton, walking, reading, music and movies.