Few things knit a cohort together better and faster than its very own Instagram account of insider jokes told as memes. Our SOT 2023 correspondent hunts down the anonymous poster @sotmemes2023 who has been entertaining the class (and some SOT alumni) with almost daily memes.
Many good things unite SOT students together each school year, from PA week to missions. But ask any of the SOT students from this year’s batch and they will probably tell you that one of the most interesting things that have come about is the SOTMemes2023 Instagram account. I am sure as a believer on social media, you would have come across funny Christian memes, but when you have a dedicated Christian meme account highlighting funny moments of the daily classes you attend at Bible school every day, that’s on another level!
Disclaimer: If you scroll through the account and don’t quite understand some of the memes, it’s not you. Some of them are insider jokes that only SOT 2023 students would get! So turn to your neighbours and say, “You need to go to SOT!” (haha)
The writer’s favourite meme
As an SOT 2023 student, I am an avid fan of the SOTMemes2023 IG account. Like many of my batchmates, I am most curious as to who the admin is behind this account. I have an inkling as to who it is, but I think it is fun to keep the mystery until graduation.
But that did not stop me from doing an interview with the admin over Instagram (anonymity guaranteed). #AchievementUnlocked I hope it answers some of the burning questions you might have if you’ve been following SOTMemes2023.
The meme that started it all
City News: What prompted you to start this IG account? Or who inspired you to start it?
SOTMemes2023 Admin: It’s a funny story—I was fellowshipping with my teammates one day after school, when suddenly, the thought of creating a meme account came into my mind. I told my friends, “You know what, I’m going to create a meme account,” and I just did it. Only a handful of people know that I’m the admin behind the account.
I was inspired by Christian meme accounts that I follow on Instagram (@thebestchristianmemes, @epicchristianmemes and @deuteronomemes to name a few). They always make me laugh, and I thought I could do the same for others.
Did you come up with all the memes yourself?
I created majority of the memes. I used to be on social media all the time. My Instagram, Facebook and Reddit feed would be full of memes. So, I have an archive of memes in my head. When something funny happens, my mind immediately thinks of a meme that would fit the situation.
But I have to give credit where credit is due! I have a couple of friends who would give me suggestions for memes. If people were to submit their memes to @sotmemes2023 via DM, I’d credit them as well.
I run the account alone because I don’t want anyone else to get into trouble if I were to ever “cross the line” with a meme. Of course, that is never my intention.
What has kept you going for the last three months since you started the page?
That would definitely be the laughter and joy it brings. Sometimes, I would catch people talking about the latest meme and how funny it is. It makes me happy when others are happy. The account has also given me the opportunity to interact with people I don’t usually talk to personally. Some students would DM me occasionally or drop a comment on the posts, and I’d interact with them. I love it when people submit their memes to me too—there are many humorous people in SOT!
Has there been any negative feedback or criticisms so far?
I wouldn’t say it’s negative, but I’ve certainly gotten constructive feedback. Once, I created a meme that was not so edifying. It was about a pastor who was teaching us at that time. A team leader approached my friend and asked her to tell me that it wasn’t right. I immediately took it down after realising it was not edifying.
SOT also approached me via Instagram DM regarding SOTMemes’ original profile picture. It was initially my hand drawn picture of SOT’s logo with the word “memes” under it. They asked me to change it because they were afraid people would mistake it for an official SOT account. That’s why you now see a huge desk bell covering what was once the SOT logo. (I used a desk bell because it’s one of the most prominent object in SOT)!
Sometimes, I would create a meme and feel uneasy. I’d ask my friends what they think about it, and they’d tell me that it’s not edifying even though it may be funny. But the meme account has made me learn the importance of being mindful. I’ve made it a habit to make sure my memes are encouraging, edifying and/or entertaining. I created a meme about a classmate quite recently. Before I posted it, I DM’ed him using the meme account to seek his approval. He was a good sport and let me post it!
Are there plans to keep the account going after graduation?
I have no plans to continue after graduation. I get inspiration to create memes from lessons and from things that happen in school. So, when school ends, I’d lose the inspiration to create memes. I will definitely keep the account open, so that people can revisit it if they want to reminisce good times! Who knows, maybe someone in 2024 will create SOTmemes2024!
The admin’s personal favourite post
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Personally for me, the SOTMemes2023 account is a pictorial record of the highlights of our SOT lessons. They help me remember what was being taught in class, the funny and memorable moments, and they often have me bent over in laughter when I recall them. There are also the heartwarming posts where the admin would encourage the cohort to press on during mock cell group, preaching tests, exams and when assignment deadlines loom. The account unites us together as one student body, and I am grateful for that!
One very relatable post
What Team Leaders Say About @SOTMemes2023
Kimberly Goh, 21: “I think it’s the first time SOT has a meme page. Initially when I heard of it, I thought ‘Wah, the person got guts’. But SOTMemes spreads so much joy, laughter and encouragement! The posts are funny and creative. It also makes me think that the person managing the account has a lot of time! I’m waiting for the reveal.”
Gavin Png, 43: “Humans are generally creative. I am quite intrigued by how we can have such creativity in our midst! This meme account really breaks the mould on how we can be creative!”
Claire Tan, 33: “I feel it’s a very creative and humorous initiative! It’s like refreshing water amid all the stress we endure from assignments and exams. It’s a great platform for the younger generation to express their humour and I (the older generation 🤣) benefit from reading it. Whoever the creator is, they should consider a career in SGag 🤣!”
Esther Lim, 23: “I think besides the humour and the fun element of the meme account, it surprisingly helps me remember what was taught in the lesson better! For example, I will always remember the meme about the rock and his six packs in reference to when Pastor Junxian said that after SOT, we would be like musclemen, but spiritually.”
Jeremy Peh, 28: “It’s relatable, it brings what we see in SOT into real life. And sometimes we are just so excited to let people know of the unique and funny experiences we have with each other in SOT. SOTMemes also a platform for the us to communicate with each other, to encourage each other, and it spurs us on to do better together.”
Emelia Lau, 24: “I feel that this SOTMemes account somehow helps our SOT cohort to forge a closer bond with one another as we have a common topic to talk about. When I look at the posts, my thoughts are ‘This is exactly what I felt/thought.’ The posts assure me that I have a community that’s on this six-month journey with me. I enjoy the content a lot and am looking forward to more! I want to thank the creator of SOTMemes for their courage in creating this account and for bringing so much joy and comfort to me. Maybe you created the account out of fun, but I believe many like myself have been really blessed by your content.”
