Gideon Pingkihan

Featuring Esther

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope you all are doing well by God’s grace.

We are already halfway through 2025, and I hope everything we have prayed for since the
beginning of the year has come true.

In this edition, we will feature one of the notable characters in the Bible who shines like a beacon
of courage, faith, and purpose—Queen Esther. Also, an editorial on how we navigate our faith in a
rapidly changing cultural landscape, as seen in Romans 12:2; Do not be conformed to the pattern of
this world, often provides every Christian with a sense of purpose, community, and ethical guidance
in a rapidly changing world, influenced by different social behaviors, norms, and the advancement
of technology.

Today, we live in a rapidly changing cultural landscape – where values shift, truth is often relative,
and faith is frequently challenged or misunderstood. How do we stand firm? How do we remain
faithful without losing our voice in the noise of modern culture?

One biblical example? – Queen Esther.
Esther lived in a time when her identity as a Jew was hidden, her people were threatened, and the
cost of speaking out could mean death. Yet, she embraced her faith and influence at the right time,
standing courageously before the king to plead for her people. She navigated the culture of her day with wisdom, humility, and bold conviction. She didn't isolate herself from the world but engaged it, guided by prayer and purpose. To all of you who are reading this, in today’s rapidly changing culture, we need to be resilient and
wise like Esther. We are called not just to survive but to shine, speak, and stand—not with fear but
with faith.

May every page ahead challenge and encourage you to live out your calling, for such a time as this.

In His Service,
Gideon Pingkihan
Associate Editor
EGM Times