The ordinary void deck of Block 803, King George’s Avenue, was transformed into an extraordinary space of laughter and connection on 28 May 2025. Wesley Church staff, fuelled by hearts ready to serve, orchestrated the inaugural Jalan Besar block party, bringing a vibrant wave of joy and fellowship to the beloved seniors there, proving that even the Singaporean heat wave could not dampen spirits poured out in love.
“Despite the intense heat, we were well-prepared, not just in our attire but in our hearts. We went ready to serve and bring joy to the community,” said Rebecca Zaccheus, a staff from the Missions Ministry.
The day started with a gathering of over 110 staff members and pastors at Wesley Plaza Hall, where we united in worship and prayer within our devotion groups.
In his short devotion, Pastor-in-Charge, Rev Raymond Fong shared: “Jesus reminds us to invite the least and last to the banquet, even though they cannot repay us (Luke 14:13-14). The seniors we invite and serve at this party will never be able to repay us, but it doesn’t matter. They are honoured guests of God, and we are blessed because He repays us on their behalf. What a privilege it is to serve God’s guests. What a blessing it is to experience God’s heart for them. They are truly so precious to Him. May our hospitality and kindness bring them a step closer to God’s heart.”
This spiritual preparation set the tone for the day, reminding us that “unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1).
Months of preparation had gone into planning, organising the logistics and training the staff to interact with the seniors. This included workshops on wheelchair handling, learning to sing golden oldies in dialects, Mandarin and Malay, and conversing in dialects and Mandarin.
The church’s theme for the year, Discipleship in the Society, was beautifully reflected in this event as the staff brought the church to the community, reaching out to the underserved and often forgotten.
As the time neared 2 pm, around 118 valued guests slowly streamed into the venue, smiles lighting up their faces. They arrived with walking aids or in wheelchairs, ready to enjoy the festivities. The seniors were treated to snacks, karaoke, games like Passing the Parcel and the all-time favourite, Bingo. Each guest also had a photo taken with a mobile backdrop of a nostalgic coffee shop, complete with cut-out boards of iconic Singaporean breakfasts like kaya toast and coffee in a plastic bag, adding fun to the photo-booth experience.
Caleb Sim, staff from the Wesley Glowing Years Ministry (Wesley GYM), reflected that seeing the joy on the seniors’ faces and knowing the team from Wesley Methodist Church had made a difference was incredibly rewarding: “This block party is the first I have ever attended. Initially, it was quite daunting to go out into the community to serve. Even though I serve in the Wesley GYM and should be quite familiar with how to communicate with the elderly, my fear was in the different environment. However, through this experience, I saw what the Lord can do when we bring joy to the community. For me, He wanted me to see that ministry transcends the church and also encompasses the community.”
Wendy Voon, staff from the Information System Ministry, also experienced her first block party and shared: “I went in feeling anxious about the noise, heat and strangers, but I left with a completely different perspective. The party brought me great joy, especially seeing the happiness it brought to the seniors and their helpers. It was just one day, but it was filled with positive experiences, fond memories and new discoveries about my colleagues and brothers- and sisters-in-Christ. Now I know who has which gifts!”
As the day concluded, our guests departed with bento dinners and hearts brimming with joy, and our staff were showered with hugs and words of thanks.
(Photo: Chow Yuen Peng)
We give thanks to the Lord for the success of the block party, celebrating the opportunity to bring joy to the seniors of Jalan Besar. More than just a gathering, the block party concluded as a powerful encounter with God’s grace, leaving everyone touched and thankful for the privilege to serve. Our experience at the Jalan Besar block party was a beautiful demonstration of His heart for the vulnerable and a stirring call to action to embody His love through compassionate service. The journey of this meaningful experience will continue on 4 June as the staff come together for celebration, reflection and Examen to complete this meaningful experience.
“This event was a beautiful reminder of God’s heart for the underserved and vulnerable,” said Loke Ai Mei, Director of Christian Outreach & Social Concerns. “May this event ignite within us an even greater passion to continually serve our communities beyond Wesley with joy and in His boundless love and grace.”
Photos by Gaius Ho
Read also: Finding Joy through Serving at COSC’s Inaugural Block Party
