Singaporean businessman Wai Kwong Seck encouraged about 250 Union business students, faculty and community leaders to surrender their careers to God at the annual “Business Through the Eyes of Faith” luncheon April 3 in the Carl Grant Events Center.
The McAfee School of Business’s annual luncheon is designed to encourage and equip members of the West Tennessee business community to integrate their Christian faith into the workplace.
Seck , vice president of global markets and global services in Asia Pacific for State Street Global Marketing, urged those in attendance to use the platforms God has given them to minister to clients and co-workers.
He alluded to the biblical character Esther, who saved her people from genocide, saying that professionals, just like Esther, can be placed in certain positions “for such a time as this.”
“My job can be a platform for God,” he said. “Each of you also has a platform where God has placed you. You must be willing to surrender it.”
While growing up in a non-Christian home in Singapore, Seck said he turned to God when his academic studies began to take a toll on his health.
“I came to the end of myself,” he said. “I prayed to God, and I said, ‘I don’t care if I have to collect garbage for all my life; I want to follow you.’”
Since his conversion at age 16, Seck has held senior-level positions in the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Government of Singapore Investment Corp., Lehman Brothers and DBS Bank.
He was chief financial officer of the Singapore Exchange for eight years before accepting the position with State Street Global Marketing in 2011.
Seck said that because his career demands much of his time, there are days he doesn’t turn to the Bible.
“The Lord has to teach me daily to surrender my sins, my family, my work, my success,” Seck said. “Then, and only then, will I know what real victory is.”
Anita Doll, senior accounting major, said hearing Seck’s personal testimony encouraged her.
“I’m going out into the business world soon, and this is a reminder for me to look for opportunities to share the love of Christ in my career,” Doll said.
