Sports has a unique ability to transcend differences and bring people together.
Whether it is the thrill of competition, the joy of shared activity, or the camaraderie of teamwork, sports can create a common ground where connections can flourish. Wesley Methodist Church’s Sports and Wellness Ministry leverages the unifying power of sports to connect with the community. Recognising the inherent ability of sports to foster camaraderie and shared experiences, the ministry, as part of its Witness and Evangelism efforts, utilises a diverse range of activities – from cycling and dragon boat to pickleball and futsal – as a means of outreach and relationship building. By providing opportunities for individuals from all walks of life to participate together, Wesley Sports and Wellness cultivates friendships, builds a supportive community and creates a welcoming environment for all.
Building Community through Sports
Whether it is through the inclusive spirit of pickleball, the camaraderie of cycling, or the energy of futsal, Wesley Sports and Wellness strives to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and connected, by the grace and love of Christ.
“The sports activities are a great way for Wesleyans to welcome friends and family to our church community,” said Angele Lee, the chairperson of Wesley Sports and Wellness. “They provide a relaxed, welcoming environment in which to build relationships and spark curiosity about what holds such a diverse group of people together.”
Faith, Fun and Fitness in an Inclusive Sport
One of the latest sports additions at Wesley is pickleball. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Played on a badminton-sized court with a low net, players use solid paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball.
Imagine 15-year-olds playing a paddle sport with their 70-year-old grandparents and losing to them. Or an able-bodied person playing a paddle game with someone in a wheelchair. This is the inclusivity of pickleball.
Dr Agnes Wong, chairperson of Wesley AGAPE Pickleball, says the sport’s popularity comes from its unique blend of fun, social interaction and exercise, making it appealing to a wide range of people. “It’s easy to learn, great exercise and incredibly social,” says Dr Wong. “Our tagline ‘AGAPE Pickleball: Where Love is the Score’ reflects our dedication to sharing God’s love on and off the courts.”
Launched in April 2024, Agape Pickleball has quickly grown into a vibrant intergenerational community of over 30 members, ranging in age from 9 to the mid-70s. The group welcomes players of all backgrounds and abilities, including those who are neurodivergent and hearing impaired.
Lau Lee Fang’s son, Caleb, who has autism, thrives on routine and struggles socially. Joining AGAPE Pickleball was initially a challenge. “He wanted to quit after the first session,” Lee Fang shared. But something remarkable happened. Caleb, who once resisted change, now eagerly prepares for his weekly games. AGAPE Pickleball has become more than just exercise. “He’s found a kind audience for his dinosaur obsessions,” Lee Fang explained. “The uncles, aunties, kor kor (big brothers) and mei mei (younger sisters) embrace him with patience and encouragement.” Lee Fang expressed her gratitude for this unexpected community. “AGAPE Pickleball has become a safe place for Caleb, a community where he feels loved.”
“Everyone is welcome at AGAPE Pickleball, from seasoned athletes to complete beginners,” said Caryn Lim, a dedicated committee member who helps organise court play. “AGAPE Pickleball is more than just a game, it’s a small community.” Fellow committee member Mandy Phua added: “It’s a welcoming and supportive environment. We’re about building connections.”
Do Good Through Fun, Fitness and Fellowship
AGAPE Pickleball is also committed to outreach and is partnering with Dayspring*, a charity supporting at-risk girls who have experienced trauma and are on their healing journey. “We believe we can share God’s love through pickleball,” says Gabrielle Pek, who leads this initiative with her husband, Vincent Khoo. “It’s an accessible sport that builds confidence and teamwork. AGAPE Pickleball is excited to play regularly with the Dayspring residents.”
Besides fostering social interaction and connection, engaging in sports also offers a wealth of benefits for well-being. Beyond the physical advantages, sports can have a profound impact on our spiritual, emotional and psychological health. It also helps in resilience building.
Sports can involve setbacks and challenges, teaching us valuable lessons in patience, resilience and perseverance. Learning to overcome obstacles and bounce back from defeats builds mental toughness and equips individuals to handle life’s challenges with greater fortitude. It is also important to remind ourselves that God’s grace can be reflected in the way we handle defeat and victories in sports.
Sports Embody Spiritual Values
Rev Adrian Ng, the pastor in charge of Witness and Evangelism, who enjoys running and cycling himself, explained that the Bible does use sports to describe the Christian faith: “In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Apostle Paul uses runners training their bodies to win a race to describe the need for self-discipline in our Christian faith! A true disciple works hard and strives competitively to be a better version of oneself daily as a follower of Christ. Paul also mentions that one must do so in a way that does not disqualify oneself from the prize (2 Timothy 1:5). The Christian walk is all about integrity, good sportsmanship, honesty, partnership, teamwork, discipline, perseverance, etc., all of which are central to sports.”
The Wesley Sports and Wellness works to integrate these values into all their fitness activities.
So, step onto the gym, field, court or track, and let your faith be your guide, your sportsmanship, your testimony and your fuel to ignite a fire in others, leading them towards the ultimate victory – a life transformed by the love of Christ!
Join the Fun and Fellowship!
Wherever your sporting interest lies, there is a place for you in Wesley Sports and Wellness! We invite you to join us to lead a group to let others experience the joy of connecting through sports.
To learn more about AGAPE Pickleball, cycling, dragon boat, football, futsal, kayaking, Pilates, trampoline or other sports and wellness activities, please email wefriends@wesleymc.org.
CYCLING
Sign up at https://wesley.sg/TFOTRRF
FUTSAL
Sign up at https://wesley.sg/Futsalforfun
KAYAKING
Sign up at https://wesley.sg/SPlash
PICKLEBALL
Sign up at https://wesley.sg/pickleball
Share Your Love of Pickleball with Young Women at Dayspring
Are you a pickleball player? AGAPE Pickleball invites you to join our team of volunteers! Spend time playing pickleball with girls at Dayspring, building connections and offering encouragement. If you’re interested in this rewarding opportunity, please email wefriends@wesleymc.org. Note: MSF (Ministry of Social and Family Development) volunteer form submission is required.
About Dayspring*
The Dayspring Residential Treatment Centre (DRTC) by HCSA Highpoint Community Services is Singapore’s first small-group residential treatment facility that offers a caring, safe and therapeutic environment to help teenage girls who have suffered the complex trauma of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, to give them a higher probability of recovery and leading normal lives. HCSA Community Services started operations in 1996 as a halfway house for recovering drug addicts and ex-offenders. Today, their work has expanded to include ex-offenders, teenage girls who have experienced the complex trauma of repeated abuse and profound neglect, single-parent families with limited support, and other at-risk groups in the community. Visit Dayspring by HCSA Community Services for more information.
Photos courtesy of Wesley AGAPE Pickleball
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