Esther Tay became a Christian in her secondary school days and believed that God had called her to full-time ministry both locally and in overseas missions. In 1977 she came on staff with the Tabernacle Church and Missions.

In 1985, Esther pursued her theological training in Trinity Theological College and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Divinity. In 2008, with the counsel and support of Senior Pastor David J. Seah, she furthered her studies to read a Master degree in counselling with Monash University.

As a Pastor, Esther served the young and elderly in a Chinese congregation. Esther had cross-cultural experiences working with Thai people in Bangkok. During her 4 years as a missionary, she made disciples and trained leaders for a Thai church. She also helped to lead the youth work and started the woman’s fellowship.

Esther returned to Thailand, Chiang Mai in 2000 to set up and pastor a church. Besides being a missionary, Esther also served as a social worker on one of the mountains at Mae Salong. She helped and gave counsel to the poor, the orphans, the sick and former drug addicts. Presently, Esther pastors, counsels and teaches at the Asian Pastoral Institute.