This is part of our bi-monthly interview series in 2025. Pastors of various churches will share spiritual reflections and insights on their journey with God and their role as shepherds of His people.
Second in this series, I have Pastor Juni Leong (read “uni”) with me.
You might also like the interview series with various Christians who shared about their past, present and future.
Who is Ps Juni Leong?
Ps Juni Leong co-leads Kingdomcity Singapore with her husband, Ps Andrew Leong. Kingdomcity is a Pentecostal multi-site church with locations worldwide. Originally based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it now has locations in other parts of Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Ps Juni and her husband, Ps Andrew Leong, were in Melbourne before they returned to Singapore and started Kingdomcity Singapore through a series of events. They had their first official church service, along with their firstborn, in 2015. They went on to have 3 more daughters, making Ps Juni a mother of four daughters, ranging from 2 to 10 years old. As for the church, the congregation has since grown to over 4,000 people. They just celebrated their 10th anniversary earlier this month, on 9 March 2025!
The Past
Looking back…
How did you come to accept Christ?
I am a 5th-generation Christian with my paternal grandmother paving the way for my faith. I accepted Christ and was baptised in Bedok Methodist Church before my family attended New Creation Church during my secondary school years. All these teachings laid a foundation for my Christian faith and beliefs.
What was it like for you in Australia?
I was born and bred in Singapore even though my parents are from Malaysia. After my O levels, I went to Melbourne to study physiotherapy and later worked as a physiotherapist. In my third year in Melbourne, I attended Planetshakers Church (“Planetshakers”) when it first started. I was newly discipled and introduced to serving in Planetshakers. I became involved in many areas – the university ministry, ushering and merchandise teams, and the small group as the leader.
I could manage my newfound independence in Australia but had a tough time adjusting to a different education system. My grades slipped and that made me doubt myself and my capabilities. It didn’t help that I stopped serving in church to concentrate on my studies, thinking that church was taking too much of my time. However, once I stopped serving, I spiralled deeper into darkness because of the loss of support and community. By God’s grace, I made it through and out of the rut.
On another note, Andrew and I were in the same small group in Planetshakers. However, he was disconnected for a season, before reappearing to be baptised after a personal encounter with God. We then reconnected and got together around the time I graduated in 2007. We were together for about four years before we married at the end of 2011. Two weeks after our wedding, we relocated back to Singapore and by then I had lived in Australia for ten years.
Did you ever imagine being a Pastor or just in a full-time ministry?
We came back to Singapore partly because Andrew has a heart for the people in Singapore. We did not have concrete plans, but I do know I want to be involved in church ministry one way or another. But not as a pastor!
When we returned to Singapore, we attended a local church for about two years and I would find every opportunity to help in church. I was on a four-day workweek then, so I would even go to the church office on my weekday off to see if they needed help. However, there were not as many things for me to help in church as I had wished.
How were you called to be a Pastor / start Kingdomcity Singapore?
I had been working at Mount Elizabeth Hospital after returning to Singapore. However, at one point, I served a 3-month notice to search for another job to get out of my comfort zone. I woke up one morning and heard the verse ‘Do not worry about what you will eat, drink, and wear…’ and I knew that was God speaking to me to take a step of faith.
Around that time in early 2014, we also met up with Ps Matt Fielder who was planning to visit Kingdomcity Cambodia in Phnom Phen in June 2014. Andrew and I decided to join him because we had once been on a Phnom Phen mission trip that deeply impacted us.
Kingdomcity Phnom Phen then met in a small and simple house, unlike well-built church spaces common in Singapore. They had nothing much, a US$20 offering collected from that day’s service, yet they had everything we were looking for – the presence of God. The presence was so strong in the church even though we didn’t understand the worship songs that they were singing in Khmer. I was also touched by their generosity even in their lack– the pastor’s sister bought me a pair of earrings even when she had nothing much.
Two weeks after the trip, we joined Ps Matt at Kingdomcity’s leaders meeting in Kuala Lumpur. We got to know Ps Mervin at the meeting, and he asked me, “Are you pregnant?” We just found out ourselves after trying to get pregnant for two years. As it turned out, I was pregnant with “two babies” – my firstborn and Kingdomcity Singapore!
Unknown to us then, there were plans to start Kingdomcity Singapore, and Ps Matt had recommended us to Ps Mark Varughese, the founder of Kingdomcity. So in our first conversation with Ps Mark, he asked us, ‘Why not start a Connect Group in Singapore and let’s see what happens?’ We agreed because we wanted to serve and be in a church filled with the presence of God as we experienced in Kingdomcity Cambodia.
Hence, we invited people through our Facebook to attend the Info Nights where we introduced Kingdomcity – our team and our values. From there, we started three Connect Groups in September 2014 that met in various homes on three different days. In about four months, there were 80 people across the three groups and the team decided it was the right time to start a church service.So we set it up thinking Ps Mark and his wife, Ps Jemima, would come to take over someday. Only after three years, my husband had the revelation that we were meant to be the pastors of Kingdomcity Singapore.
I gave birth to my eldest daughter on 25 February 2015 and a week later, we had our pre-launch church service on 1 March and our first official service shortly after on 8 March. That’s why it felt like we had two babies around the same time!
What were the challenges in pioneering a church?
For a start, my parents voiced their concerns about our financial security, like most Asian parents. Moreover, when we started the church, we had no experience with full-time ministry work,had never attended Bible school,and were not from any Kingdomcity church. Hence we had to learn on the job and also flew to Kuala Lumpur and Perth to understand the dynamics and DNA of the Kingdomcity family.
Starting a church as a couple has similar challenges to a couple partnering in a business. The blurred boundaries between work and home saw work issues spill over to family life, testing the relationship that is together almost 24/7. Our insecurities surfaced and we had more disagreements and intense arguments arising from the inevitable teething problems of a new church, and conflicts in working style. I believe spiritual attacks had a part to play too.
It didn’t help that less than a year after starting the church, Andrew’s mother passed away and he was embroiled in a family’s court tussle while grieving. He had to represent his deceased mother and it became very emotionally and mentally draining for him. Yet, he remained strong and steadfast in working tirelessly day and night for ministry and family. At the same time, it also meant I had to step up incaring for our infant baby and the church in the infant stages.
What are the most memorable insights you had as a pastor?
Although it’s hard in the beginning, I am thankful for the chance to do ministry as a couple. It gives us a common vision and purpose and helps us to stay close and connected.
I asked God why He had us start a church around the time I gave birth to my eldest daughter. I could not do as much as I liked to because of that. And Ps Mark said something that I would always remember, “It’s not about what you do, but what you birth.” So it’s less about what we do, but what God is doing through us.
If given a chance to return in time, is there anything you would do differently?
I would probably show more grace to people, listen more, and be less intense and confrontational.
Anything to make you say “God works all things good”?
Looking back on my life, I am assured that I don’t have to work things out but simply surrender and trust God. I agree with Ps Mark’s book title, Ready, Fire! Aim, instead of the intuitive Ready, Aim and Fire. We fire with our ‘Yes’ to God without hesitation, and trust God to aim. Things will work out in our entire surrender.
One example is our Capitol church venue.Our church met in a theatre at Bugis+ from 2015 to 2018 and we were not actively searching for another venue. But one day, someone connected us to the landlord of Capitol who wanted to have an anchor tenant for Sundays. We knew the theatre was it the moment we stepped into it. We were enthralled. This central location has also led many to pop by and subsequently attend the church.
Another testimony was about how we felt led to sow during the Miracle Offering service even though we were financially tight with two children. Soon after we gave, our children’s kindergarten told us that they found out we were pastors and thus were eligible for a pastoral subsidy! Not only did they grant us the pastoral subsidy for the current year, but they reimbursed us for previous years. God reassured me, “If you would build My house, I will build yours.”
The Present
Looking at now…
How do you balance ministry work with four children?!
I am thankful for the help we get. We have a great domestic helper who is also passionate about God. She leads a growing Connect Group of domestic helpers attending our church. Our parents also help us by shuttling and ferrying the children around. However, they travel quite often, and so during those times, Andrew or I will do the school pick-ups or if we are tied up, we get our very good friends to help us. Hence, it takes a village to raise our four children.
Perhaps not having a fixed daily routine also gives us the flexibility to manage all our schedules. It makes us more fluid in meeting the demands of a pastor, where things we do and the people we meet can be dynamically different from day to day. Sometimes, it’s also knowing when to say noto appointments or meetings to have time for myself and my family.
Wisdom is needed in such situations, especially when we have to weigh the severity to decide whether to be present in church or at home. Andrew and I are always at church-wide events, however, there are times when family calls for us. For example, once I had to preach in all three services, and just the day before, one of my daughters was admitted to the hospital. I stayed with her through the night, and later I passed on the baton to my helper and parents who accompanied her the following day. Nevertheless, in between church services, I still shuttled to and fro from the church to the hospital to be with her.
How are they as pastors’ kids?
If they could, our girls would want to attend all the services Andrew and I are attending. To them, church is a big part of their life instead of being segregated. Sometimes, if I can’t get help on Sunday, since my helper is off that day, the girls would gladly stay for all three services!
Whenever we are home, we pray with them before they sleep.We always emphasised to them that they are daughters of God, rather than expecting or training them for certain roles in church. It’s more about talking to them about their identities than what they have to do or not.
Are there any unique struggles you face as a female pastor in a male-dominated “profession”?
I am thankful that Kingdomcity has a culture of honouring everybody, male or female and an environment that is very welcoming for female pastors.There are many female pastors in Kingdomcity worldwide and in some cities, the churches are led by a female pastor. Locally, we love to hire females, including mothers as they tend to be flexible, efficient and multi-task well.
Ps Jemima (Ps Mark’s wife) is a stellar example of a female pastor who is a role model or leader for many pastors. Although we have different giftings, I look up to her a lot. I often check in with her to bounce things off, from ministry to life issues, including marriage, finances, and motherhood. We had prayed for a couple to come under, and Ps Mark and Jemima are our answered prayer!
Of course, there will be people who are not supportive of females as pastors. Once, a parent told his/her young adult child that only male and not female pastors can wed couples. At most introductions, people would naturally assume I am the pastor’s wife instead of a pastor, let alone the lead pastor.
However, I understand the societal expectations for men to be the lead. Hence I had to slowly build trust and respect from congregants through time, although they generally value the voice of females. And if Andrew and I disagree on minor issues, I will still go along with him as the head of the household. As for the major issues, we would seek advice from Ps Mark and Ps Jemima. Generally, Andrew and I complement each other well in our skills — I am good at execution while Andrew is a brilliant, faith-filled leader who thinks out of the box.
Were there moments that made you feel like giving up (as a Pastor)?
Yes, many times – whenever I had another kid! Haha. With each additional kid, more logistics are involved and more help is required to navigate the children and handle them at home. After I had my second daughter, I had a tough time juggling two children without a helper. Hence I stepped away from church ministry for a while and only came back to the church on a part-time basis after she turned one year old.
How do you deal with difficult people or people who don’t like you?
Most difficult people are usually hurt and have issues that may not have been dealt with at the roots,whether it is their fears, hurt, broken relationships, or upbringing. As much as I could and would walk with them, ultimately they have to choose how they want to live. Sometimes, people may not choose to deal with the issues because they do not want to relive their painful memories or brokenness. Instead of dealing with the issues to heal, they numb their feelings to cope.
For example, if someone struggles with authoritative figures or people in authority, it is usually because he had a bad experience with someone of authority in his family or school. If that issue remains undealt, it limits how far the person can go in his career or life. The unresolved issues might affect his trust in authority figures like pastors, bosses, teachers, and colleagues, causing him to give up on their ministry work or any difficult choices he faces.
I have since learned how to let these people go if they choose to do things their way instead of doing it God’s way. The best fathers are the best sons. That is, the best shepherds know how to be the children of God first. At the end of the day, it’s not about what we do or serve but our relationship with God and His people.
I have also learned how to deal with personal disappointment. We are all imperfect, and though many do not do it intentionally, people do let us down like how we let others down. People are different and therefore make different choices from us! I have learnt not to manipulate others into doing what I think is best for them but to let them decide for themselves as their lives are their responsibility.
Ultimately, it’s how we steward the soils of our hearts. If we maintain a clean and pure heart, we will not be hurt or jaded by the disappointments we encounter. Chasing the presence of God instead of the praises of men helps.
What are the joys of being a Pastor?
I love seeing how people are being transformed in Christ.Transformation becomes multi-generational when parents are restored in the Father’s love, and this love overflows to the children. The joys of seeing individuals in families transformed and then coming together as a family, with some involving three generations. Only God is capable of this great and mighty ministry of reconciliation. I also find joy in seeing how people realise that they are loved by God just for who they are and not what they do.
Have you thought about getting a seminary education?
It is hard for me to go to Bible College during this season of having to care for four young daughters and meet the needs of a growing church. However, I did ask Ps Mark at the beginning of the pastoral ministry about not having a seminary qualification. He reassured me that it’s God who qualifies, not the certification. God equips those He has called. And with today’s wealth of knowledge on the internet, if one is hungry, there is little reason for not feeding oneself.
The Future
Look forward…
Where do you think God is leading you next?
Beginning of the year, I felt God was going to do a new thing in Kingdomcity Singapore and my life. This year is Kingdomcity Singapore’s 10th anniversary and I’m thankful for the decade that has passed. In a biblical context, the number 10 symbolizes completeness, perfection and divine order. At the same time, I am excited about what God is about to do in the next decade as we enter into a new season of the “teenage” phase.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert.
Also, at the start of the year, I had a vision of myself standing on the stage and wielding two swords. God also spoke to me about putting away my fears, hesitation and insecuritiesabout not being good enough and having the courage to accept new challenges and bigger platforms. In essence, to be strong and courageous.
Since then, many things have happened for me to step up in the first quarter of 2025. Moreover, opportunities and things are happening faster with lesser time to prepare. For example, Andrew and I were recently asked to host a global live stream of Gather25 representing Asian countries. I was terrified because I had not done a live stream before, let alone a global live stream, but with the grace of God, it went well.
What is your bible verse of the season?
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
What’s one piece of advice for young pastors?
Regardless of male or female pastors, comparisons to other pastors will always be there. The important thing is to be secure and have a secure identity in God. Step into your grace, be it a prophet or evangelist, teacher or pastor, and thrive in the area where God has given you the talent and blessing.
Have a strong conviction of what God has asked you to do because it will help you stay on course when distractions and attacks come your way. Even if it’s a small spark of conviction now, it can grow stronger and become a bigger flame if you take the first small step in faith (like Andrew!).
Have people around you to speak the truth into your life. They will point out blind spots and what you are doing wrong and encourage you to stay on course. If not, you will think your way is the only way.
For those married, strong unity between husband and wife is needed. Both parties must have conviction for either one or both to be in the ministry. Ministry and life challenges can intensify as time goes by, hence unity in marriage provides the foundation and core of everything you are building in life. Unity will see you through marital fights and challenges with finances, families and conflicts. Lastly, God will also miraculously grow your capacity as He expands your family.
Fun question: What would you be doing if you did not choose the path of a pastor?
I would probably still be a neuro-rehab physiotherapist or another healthcare-related job when I’m older because a neuro-physiotherapist can be physically taxing. I thought of being a stay-at-home mother, however, after doing that for a while, I concluded that I needed to contribute to society in another way just for my sanity!
Editor’s Note
We thank Ps Juni for sharing her journey and insights into being a pastor. As I wrote this interview, I saw her love-filled heart and willing hands to serve God and His people. I also saw how she flows in the grace of God to juggle the many demands of having four children and managing a growing church. If this post speaks to you,leave a comment or send us a message to encourage Ps Juni.
If you liked this, you may enjoy reading other interviews too: shema-rhema.com/blog/category/interview
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