PLMC Stories
Serving with Excellence by Geraldine Yeo
October was when Paya Lebar Methodist Church celebrated the ministry of lay Christians, who are answering our Lord Jesus’ call for His followers to serve, just as He Himself did.
Festivities kicked off on October 6, with the Children’s Ministry presenting a rendition of the all-time favourite, Jesus Loves Me, during the Celebration Services, in praise of whom we serve. Fun and games awaited the little ones at the Haven. The Youth Ministry played games and invited members to share words of wisdom as a blessing for the next generation.
The Ministry to Young Adults set up a coffee and chat corner while our Filipino family blessed us with song and dance. The Prophetic Art exhibition drew a steady stream of visitors who were blessed by the works that married prophetic wisdom and creative expression. Members also lent strong support to the Purple Parade and its message of inclusiveness, snapping up carnival tickets and limited-edition merchandise.
On October 13, the Worship & Music Ministry took centre stage, with The Psalters Choir and worship team leading us in deeper praise and adoration of our Lord during the Celebration Services. The Audio team and His Media were out in force to share opportunities to serve, while Communications team recorded content for upcoming social media posts. The Cell Ministry and Men’s Ministry shared about their programmes while blessing congregants with a variety of delectable snacks and balloons.
The third week was largely about Missions, with the soft launch of the Year of Expansion during the service. Worshippers received globe savings banks so they could be reminded to pray for missions and save up for mission trips. Country-specific prayer cards and snacks were also shared with congregants. Also showcased were the courses offered by Discipleship & Nurture as well as Pastoral Care & Spiritual Formation. Both ministries also shared their need for course facilitators and members to visit home visits.
Bringing Laity Month to a rousing close were the Ukulele and Line Dance teams from the Glowing Years Ministry who thrilled onlookers with their presentation. The Outreach Ministry and the ladies of the Women’s Society of Christian Service shared opportunities for worshippers to be a blessing to the less fortunate, while Family Life Ministry showcased its programmes to strengthen marriages and families to impact the next generation.
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to PLMC, enabling us to grow our ministries and going with us as we seek to bless the community within and outside our four walls. May we continue to be faithful in love and good works for His glory!
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
Men in Engagement Retreat 2024 By Marcus Ang, Chairman of Organising Committee
The Men’s Ministry Retreat 2024 was held on the 31 Aug 2024 at the Jordan Hall. The event drew 60 participants and was well-received. The theme of the retreat was Men in Engagement.
The event was under the cool and engaging control of James Tham as our poised host/ He was also heavily involved in the planning and execution of the retreat. Kicking us off with the opening address and prayer was Chong Soon Fook. We were then spiritually led into worship by our worship team of Ezekiel Ang, Emmanuel Ang and Michael Aw Yong.
The first speaker was our beloved Director of Outreach Eugene Cheong. He spoke on Men in Engagement, and we were all enlightened on how we as men have gifts to reach out in Power and Love. Our next speaker was Jason Wong, founder of Dads for Life and the Yellow Ribbon Project. Jason pointed us to the tip of the iceberg as he spoke on ‘Men and the Family’. He challenged us men to be in tune with God and to receive forgiveness, healing and restoration from the tree of life (the cross).
The speakers rounded up the evening with a fireside chat where questions and feedback was gathered and addressed with Slido. The Q&A session was engaging and many of us wished we had more time for it. Phototaking was then followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner.
The retreat offered us a glimpse of the wonder of how we as men could influence our loved ones and community to be all that God intended for us to be. We are blessed, so may we bless. To God be the Glory!
Special thanks to Cell Ministry Director Samuel, Senior Executive Justin Hu and the organising committee.
God Sees and Heals by Tina Ho
At the 9am English service on 1 September 2024, Brother Kwang Meng was giving the Word of knowledge when he mentioned someone has a growth on the right side of the neck. I was shocked to hear it and said to myself, “ Wow! Spot on!”
I had gone for a heart MRI in July. The doctor said my heart is beating well and strong. The only thing was that they had found that my right thyroid was enlarged. The doctor referred me to the Ear, Nose and Throat department and ordered a scan before my appointment there. On Monday right after the service (2 September), I was told that the scan results were clear. The growth was nothing but soft tissue which can go off by itself and there was nothing to worry about. I was curious and asked the doctor, “How sure are you?”
She mentioned that the images of the scan are different from that of cancer. She added: “I don’t need to see you again. You are discharged!”
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! He is always with me and beside me. He is greatly to be praised.
Thank God for sending the message through Brother Kwang Meng and thank you all, my church family, for your prayers.
Building a Legacy of Faith in Families
The D6 Family Ministry Conference is an annual event focusing on generational discipleship in churches and homes. It aims to equip families and churches to pass on a spiritual legacy to future generations.
Co-founded by Ron Hunter Jr. and Randall House Publications, the conference is based on the principles of Deuteronomy 6. The Singapore edition of this international conference has been organised by The Bible Society of Singapore since 2016.
PLMC hosted this year’s conference, which was held on 26 and 27 July. We witnessed a significant increase in participation from PLMC, with 60 participants and volunteers compared to just 10 in previous years. It is also heartening to see more young parents participating. This is due in no small part to the active collaboration between Family Life Ministry and Children’s Ministry in the organising and publicity of this event.
The conference featured keynote speaker Dr. Scott Turansky, with workshops conducted by Carol Loi, BP Kuan Kim Seng, Tim and Patsy Tan, and Derek Altom. The panel sessions included Daniel Lim, Dr. Calvin Chong, and Janice Teo.
The plenary sessions by Dr Turansky focused on the mandate to reach families for Christ as well as a heart-based approach that can change our perspective. Workshop topics ranged from equipping children to self-regulate emotions and raising leaders through obedience and correction, to grandparenting digital kids and parenting the parents of children and teens. Two worshops were dedicated to unleashing the power of marriage and the married team. A panel of expert speakers also discussed what is at stake for our children in postmodern culture and progressive Christianity.
“D6 conference opened my eyes to being very intentional in raising my children. From navigating the world of truths and almost truths to understanding the bent of my children. There is so much more to learn!”
“We are in a season of seeking God's will for our family. Together with other participants – grandparents, parents and spiritual parents – we learnt that parenting is "heart" work, as it often involves the deconstruction of our desires, emotions and beliefs.”
PLMC member Marcus Ang, who is married with two young daugthers, said, “D6 conference opened my eyes to being very intentional in raising my children. From navigating the world of truths and almost truths to understanding the bent of my children. There is so much more to learn!”
He added, “Moving forward, I would like my communication with them to be driven by being ‘understood’ rather than by being ‘heard’ and hope they pick up the same. I would also be actively seeking to understand their bent and nurture them in their God given gifts.”
Another PLMC worshipper Lin Xin, volunteered as an usher with her husband Troy, They have a young daughter and another child on the way. She shared, “We are in a season of seeking God’s will for our family. Together with other participants – grandparents, parents and spiritual parents – we learnt that parenting is “heart” work, as it often involves the deconstruction of our desires, emotions and beliefs.”
She added, “If marriage was about a lifetime of growing closer with God at the apex of the relationship, parenting pushes us to see God all around, to allow His presence to fill our homes, our conversations and activities. One practical insight shared by the keynote speaker Dr Scott Turansky was on building lasting relationships with our children. He posits that parents have a sacred responsibility of forming healthy relationships with our children, which then becomes an open door for us to instruct and guide them lovingly through scriptural truths.
“Indeed, D6 has inspired us to raise a generation that fights on their knees, who will worship God with their whole hearts and turn others to Christ!”
The next D6 Family Ministry Conference is scheduled for 25-26 July 2025. The keynote speaker is Dr Timothy Paul Jones, Professor of Christian Family Ministry at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information and early bird registration, please visit d6family.sg
Photo credit: Bible Society of Singapore
顺服上帝的医治 – 王荣弟弟兄见证
前年到去年我不断感觉头晕，看了好几个有关的专科，却一直找不出原因。去年年中，我在洗澡时，我感觉上帝叫我去检查我的眼睛。我当时心里觉得很奇怪，每年我都会去检查我的眼睛，为什么上帝又叫我去检查呢？但我选择顺服神，于是安排去做检查。
医生检查后说我有青光眼，也有一些白内障的症状。其实轻微的白内障不需要动手术，但因着青光眼的缘故，我必须尽快动手术来减轻眼睛的压力。虽然我信主很多年了，可当我要做手术时，我仍感到担心。但我相信上帝的应许，于是，请教会的弟兄姐妹为我祷告后，我就去动了手术。感谢主！去年9月和10月，两次手术都非常顺利地完成，我也不需要戴眼镜了。不过，我心里还是带着遗憾，因为医生说青光眼不能被治愈。只会隨着年龄的增长而恶化，眼睛最终会失明。这听起来好可怕！
今年7月11日，当我去复诊时，医生说我的眼睛康复得很好，青光眼也没了。我感到很吃惊。医生解释说，因为我及时发现并尽快动了手术，所以现在没有青光眼了。哈利路亚，感谢赞美主！
我回想起之前发生的一切，深切体会到上帝真的很奇妙。祂是真神！祂是活着的！祂对我说话，叫我去检查我的眼睛，并藉此使我的眼睛得到完全的医治！申命记3:16说：“你们要坚强勇敢；不要害怕，也不要因他们畏惧，因为耶和华你的 神与你同去；他决不撇下你，也不离弃你。”我深知道我背后的靠山是上帝，所以每当我作决定的时候，我选择倚靠祂。上帝也用诗篇46:1向我肯定祂给我的应许：“ 神是我们的避难所，是我们的力量， 是我们在患难中随时都可得到的帮助。”
我把一切的荣耀归于我们在天上的主！
Setting the Fires of Revival Aflame By Joseph Mok, Chris Cardano, Calvin Ng, and Rianna Cardano
After a five-year hiatus, Paya Lebar Methodist Church Camp was back. A total of 824 members gathered for the camp, which was held from 9-12 June 2024 at Hatten Hotel Malacca, Malaysia. Some 78% attended the English track, while the Mandarin track and Children’s Program each saw 11% of attendees. Most of the camp participants (65%) were working adults.
With the theme “Fires of Revival, Lord Do it Again!”, Pastor Philip Lyn, Pastor Eunice Choo and David & Cynthia Leong shared Spirit-filled and heart-transforming messages during the respective English and Mandarin sessions as well as the Children’s Program. Many were blessed by their messages and teaching.
It was a time set aside by the church family for the Holy Spirit to fan the flame in our hearts. The congregation lifted songs of praise from the beginning until the end of camp. Many campers came with hearts of surrender and witnessed the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. We thank God for many responsive hearts during altar calls and testimonies of miracle healings. Such was the hunger for the Lord that even the Sunrise Worship & Prayer attracted more than 100 campers, a turn-out that had not been seen since the bi-annual Ohana Camp started in 2009. To God be the glory!
This year’s camp also introduced new workshops such as Blessing Cast in Stones, Flagging, Prophetic Arts, In Rhythm In Scriptures (IRIS) and Missions talks, where we had the pride and joy in witnessing youths and young adults, our next generation, stepping up to lead. In each of the activities, God revealed prophecies and the works that PLMC would continue to do as a church. The attendees had a great time learning about spiritual gifts and the Giver.
One of the highlights of camp was Gala Night on Day 3, where we gathered in our athletic costumes for the theme: OLYMPICS. It was an amazing dinner program led by our energetic youths with games, videos and performances. Of course, there were also awards for the ‘Best Dressed’ of the night and other notable campers!
From games to great food, we had a jubilant time as one family, watching different generations showcase their talents and gifts. It has been the heart cry of the Camp Committee to mentor and raise up the next generation of leaders in PLMC to take the church to greater heights and glory in the expansion of God’s kingdom here on earth, and the Lord heard our prayers!
As the camp drew to a close, we took part in the Holy Communion, and honoured the Hatten Hotel staff and volunteers. Finally, we recognised our lovely and hard-working Committee Members who helped put this camp together. Fun fact: Did you know that the camp committee spent over 21 months planning every detail of the camp? We give thanks to the Lord for their hard and heart work!
We thank the Lord for a blessed and safe time before, during and after camp. We’re excited to see how God is continually on the move, bringing revival upon PLMC again and again. Indeed, Lord, Do It Again in Jesus’ Name!
“Will You not Yourself revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” – Psalm 85:6
