Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION
14 Aug 2026

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” 
Luke 8:15

Leon Jala’s journey as a leader reminds us that Christlike character is intentionally cultivated over time. Behind his development stands the influence of his father, Idris Jala, known for his leadership in national and organisational transformation, but whose important legacy is also found in the values and faith he has sought to pass to his son.

For Leon, mentoring did not take place only through formal instruction. It grew through relationship—conversations, shared experiences, meals after church, and honest exchanges about leadership, challenges and faith. Their conversations through The Game of Impossible also provide a window into this father-son relationship, where wisdom is shared and difficult questions can be explored openly.

As Leon assumed greater leadership responsibilities at PEMANDU Group while continuing to serve as a lay pastor and worship leader, the importance of character became increasingly evident. Leadership is not merely about competence, position or achievement. Christlike leadership begins in the heart.

Luke 8:15 describes the good soil as those who hear God’s Word, retain it, persevere, and eventually produce fruit. This gives us a helpful picture of spiritual mentoring. A father cannot manufacture fruit in his children, but he can faithfully cultivate the soil—planting God’s Word, modelling integrity, correcting with love, encouraging perseverance, and demonstrating what it means to serve others.

The harvest often takes years to appear. Seeds planted in childhood may bear fruit much later in adulthood. That is why godly parenting requires patience and perseverance.

Our greatest legacy as fathers is therefore not the wealth, reputation or position we leave behind, but the character we help cultivate in the next generation. When children learn to love Christ, walk in integrity, serve humbly and influence others for God’s Kingdom, the seed has multiplied.

“A father’s greatest legacy is raising a son who walks in the footsteps of Christ.”