The Li Family
The Li Family: Jacob, Josephine, and their children, Josiah and Jesse
Location: Singapore
Local Time:
Missionary Agency: Power to Change (in Canada), formerly known as “Campus Crusade for Christ in Canada,” which is closely affiliated with Cru in the United States.
Since 2015, both Josephine and Jacob have been serving as full-time lecturers at the East Asia School of Theology. Their focus is to equip Christian leaders in Southeast Asia by providing them with quality theological training and giving them much-needed encouragement. Most of their students come from closed or persecuted countries, with no safe and easy access to quality and affordable theological education. Yet, these students have an unwavering commitment to proclaim the Gospel to their own people. Jacob and Josephine feel privileged to equip the next generation of Christlike leaders through EAST’s residential school in Singapore, its extension cites in several countries, and also through its online platforms.
Outside of EAST, Jacob serves on the Commission of Accreditation and Educational Development (CAED) for Asia Theological Association (ATA), comprised of 400 schools around the world. He is also a Senior Consultant at International Council for Evangelical Education (ICETE). Josephine continues to minister through her Sisters-In-Ministry Toolbox that she founded, where more than 1,000 sisters have been equipped online.
Josephine and Jacob were born in Hong Kong but grew up in Vancouver, Canada. Before entering full-time ministry, they both worked in the business world for many years. Jacob worked as a corporate trainer and real estate developer, while Josephine worked as a marketer and interior designer.
Both Josiah and Jesse were born in Canada but grew up in Singapore, where the family ministered.
Josephine and Jacob are thankful for the numerous theological education opportunities, not to mention an abundance in quality Christian resources, available in the West. Their desire is to share what they learned from the West in Southeast Asia, in a way that’s contextualized to the various Asian cultures, for the purpose of edifying current and future Asian Christian leaders, for the glory of God. The Lis firmly believe that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Hobbies & Interests: Jacob enjoys watching movies and flying—at one point, he wanted to be a missionary pilot! Josephine is very creative and enjoys beauty. She enjoys arts and crafts, and is constantly looking for fresh ways to point people to God through art.