“What is it like to minister in Singapore?” “What are some of the challenges you face ministering in Singapore?” “How many religions and faiths are practiced in Singapore?” These are some of the frequently asked questions by family and friends back home in the States. This month we want to take a little time to share with you the spiritual landscape of this beautiful island country through our constantly learning eyes and listening ears. Singapore is the home of 4 major religions. Hinduism and Islam have a strong presence alongside what are called the “Traditional Chinese Religions” - Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Christianity and its many branches are widely represented, too. We have been told that there are approximately 500 “Christian churches” in Singapore.
The challenge to share the Gospel and nurture mature disciples of Jesus Christ is great. There are laws against openly evangelizing people of different faiths. It is the government’s way of promoting national diversity, unity, and harmony. These laws are a far cry from those in other places, but they are here. More daunting than the laws against evangelizing, is the great emphasis on materialism and prosperity. Multitudes spend most of their time and resources in pursuit of achieving economic success and accumulating material goods. Add to this potentially fatal concoction the growing chasm between an aging Christian population and emerging generations of young people who have little or no interest in God. There are also others who only have a superficial knowledge of God. Not unlike many other parts of the world, all of these factors make ministry in Singapore a lot like trying to swim against a strong current.
“What are we doing at GBC in terms of ministry and how are we doing?” We praise the Lord that we can report we are doing well. We are doing all we can to meet the needs of the church and community around us. Effie and I have been here almost 3 months, now. We have been blessed by getting to know people more personally. We have been taking advantage of every opportunity inside and outside the church to show people we care about them. We have opened our home for Care Groups, couples, and individuals to spend time with us. Also, with the gracious permission of the Pastoral Staff, I have preached every Sunday, except one, since we arrived. I preach in 2 English services – one more traditional and the other a little more contemporary. In all, the 2 English services together average just over 400 and the Chinese service average just over 200.
Also, we have invested a lot of time and energy in visitation and pastoral care – even observing the Lord’s Supper to those who are confined to their homes due to illness or age. And, we have spent a lot of time trying to figure out the needs of major ministries in the church, i.e. from those who serve in Junior Worship and Children’s Sunday School, Care Group Leaders, etc. To help meet those needs, the Lord has provided small ministry teams to help us with these major ministry areas. These folks have been great. These team members have been dedicated and devoted to the Lord and to the GBC family. We praise God for each and every one of them. It has been a fascinating time of listening, learning, and serving together.
The church has many outreach programs to the community, i.e. reading, tutoring, ministry to troubled teens. In fact, in August there will be a fair on the church grounds. We are inviting the surrounding community to help come celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the church.
If you would like more information about Grace Baptist Church you can visit the church website at http://www.gracebap.org.sg/.
“What are we doing at GBC in terms of ministry and how are we doing?” We praise the Lord that we can report we are doing well. We are doing all we can to meet the needs of the church and community around us. Effie and I have been here almost 3 months, now. We have been blessed by getting to know people more personally. We have been taking advantage of every opportunity inside and outside the church to show people we care about them. We have opened our home for Care Groups, couples, and individuals to spend time with us. Also, with the gracious permission of the Pastoral Staff, I have preached every Sunday, except one, since we arrived. I preach in 2 English services – one more traditional and the other a little more contemporary. In all, the 2 English services together average just over 400 and the Chinese service average just over 200.
Also, we have invested a lot of time and energy in visitation and pastoral care – even observing the Lord’s Supper to those who are confined to their homes due to illness or age. And, we have spent a lot of time trying to figure out the needs of major ministries in the church, i.e. from those who serve in Junior Worship and Children’s Sunday School, Care Group Leaders, etc. To help meet those needs, the Lord has provided small ministry teams to help us with these major ministry areas. These folks have been great. These team members have been dedicated and devoted to the Lord and to the GBC family. We praise God for each and every one of them. It has been a fascinating time of listening, learning, and serving together.
The church has many outreach programs to the community, i.e. reading, tutoring, ministry to troubled teens. In fact, in August there will be a fair on the church grounds. We are inviting the surrounding community to help come celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the church.
If you would like more information about Grace Baptist Church you can visit the church website at http://www.gracebap.org.sg/.
Soon, I hope to present to the Elders a direction for the English Congregation and some ideas to help us move in that direction. We treasure your prayers. Pray especially for spiritual discernment and wisdom, and for a spiritual sense of timing. We need overflowing amounts of both.
Effie and I are praying that along with the pictures we have provided, you will have a better sense of what we are doing here in Singapore and the huge challenge before us.
We would love to hear from you.
Love and Blessings,
Arnold and Effie
Email: arnoldjwong@gmail.com Texas Phone #: 1-469-277-2487
Address: Blk. 46B, Toh Tuck Road
#05-07
Signature Park
Singapore 596748
Home Phone: (65) 66930247
Cell Phone: (65) 91818227
Effie and I are praying that along with the pictures we have provided, you will have a better sense of what we are doing here in Singapore and the huge challenge before us.
We would love to hear from you.
Love and Blessings,
Arnold and Effie
Email: arnoldjwong@gmail.com Texas Phone #: 1-469-277-2487
Address: Blk. 46B, Toh Tuck Road
#05-07
Signature Park
Singapore 596748
Home Phone: (65) 66930247
Cell Phone: (65) 91818227
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