From the President's Office
Welcome - BTS 9th President
April 2025
When Rev Peter Lin returned home to the USA after completing his 4 year-term of service as BTS President in July 2024, I stood in to cover some presidential duties while the search committee (chaired by Seck Wai Kwong with members Daniel Soh, Rev Edwin Lam, Rev Koh Kok Chuan and me) began seeking for a suitable candidate. I was hopeful that the right person to helm BTS would be found shortly.
The search journey has been challenging but not unsettling. Engaging with potential candidates took much more time than anticipated. Before I knew it, I had been standing in for nine months. It has been a fulfilling time spent interacting with faculty, staff and students at BTS, without regrets. I am grateful that the President Search Committee remained undaunted even when faced with initial setbacks. It laboured diligently, adopting two guiding principles in the selection process. The first was not to consider nor approach more than one candidate at any one time. The other was that unanimity of decision by all the members of the board was required to approve the candidate for BTS Presidency.
After many months of due diligence and waiting upon the Lord, it is with much joy and thanksgiving to Him that the ninth President of BTS has been identified and selected.
On behalf of the BTS Management Board, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Ho Chiao Ek, a seminary scholar, a leader in theological education and lay leadership development, bringing a unique combination of academic and administrative expertise to BTS, as its President.
After graduating from NUS in 1981, Chiao Ek served full-time with Campus Crusade for Christ until 2000. He obtained leave to pursue theological studies overseas where he earned his Master of Divinity from the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University (summa cum laude) in 1993. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (New Testament Studies) from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, in 2000.
Upon returning to Singapore, he served three years as a lecturer with the East Asia School of Theology (EAST) and was later appointed its Principal in 2003. He left EAST to be the Principal of the Intentional Disciplemaking Church (IDMC) Institute, a ministry arm of Covenant Evangelical Free Church, in 2012, and stayed until the end of 2024.
Dr Ho is the youngest among eight siblings. His great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were from China and served as pastors. Married to Samantha in 1989, they have two adult children (Kirsten and Brandon). Samantha is a practicing psychotherapist.
Dr Ho’s theological training, leadership responsibilities and varied experiences with lay leadership development resonate with the twin ministries of BTS in cultivating missional pastors and equipping lay ministers for the harvest fields in Singapore and beyond. He has affirmed his alignment with BTS’ mission, Statement of Faith and Baptist distinctives, and is eager to establish personal and working relationships with Baptist pastors and leaders.
Dr Ho commences his term as BTS President effective 23 June 2025. As he serves with us at BTS, let us uphold him in prayer often and extend our hands of friendship and hearts of partnership to him as we unite to fulfill God’s will for BTS.
To God be the Glory,
Peter Tang
Interim Managing Director
