“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” — Psalm 95:1–2
Worship is at the very heart of who we are as a church family. It is our collective response of praise, gratitude and reverence to a faithful God.
Every weekend, even before the Wesley Hall doors are opened to worshippers for the Prayer & Praise (P&P) services at 9.30am and 11.30am on Sundays and 5.00pm on Saturdays, a quiet orchestration takes place in Wesley Hall, across its stage, control room and sound booth.
Have you ever wondered what it truly takes to create a seamless space for worship?
Long before the first song begins and the sanctuary fills each weekend, an unseen movement of preparation, prayer and partnership is already underway.
Every weekend, a unified body of believers moves into action.
In the control rooms and front of house booths, the technical crew team, comprising video directors, the livestream team, online hosts, camera, lights, sound and stage teams, faithfully labours behind the scenes, adjusting lights, balancing audio and synchronising lyrics on screen.
On stage, the worship team, including musicians, singers and worship leaders, uplifts the congregation with their instruments and voices.
Though operating in different spaces, both groups function as one team with a single goal: creating a distraction-free worship environment where the church body can encounter God.
Long before the first song begins and the sanctuary fills each weekend, an unseen movement of preparation, prayer and partnership is already underway.
A SHARED VISION FOR A DIVERSE MINISTRY
Managing a vibrant team of 88 behind-the-scenes AV volunteers and 129 Music Ministry volunteers requires more than technical precision and careful scheduling. It requires a deep, unifying conviction.
As Pastoral Team Member of P&P Matthew Peter shares, the foundation rests on a clear, shared vision: “In every service, we seek to encounter God, inspire faith and build a culture of love and welcome. When everyone understands we’re here to serve a purpose bigger than ourselves, it gives us a common direction regardless of our role, age or experience.”
This unity is anchored in four core values: being God-centred, pursuing excellence as an offering rather than a performance, practising hospitality and cultivating oneness.
Whether serving on stage or operating a camera, every volunteer contributes to a singular purpose.
As Matthew notes, “We pursue excellence not for performance or perfection, but because we want to offer God our very best. Above all, we cultivate oneness, recognising that while we have different gifts and responsibilities, we are one body serving one Lord.”
“When everyone understands we’re here to serve a purpose bigger than ourselves, it gives us a common direction regardless of our role, age or experience.”
GENERATIONS SERVING SIDE BY SIDE
One of the most remarkable aspects of this collective team is its multigenerational heart. Volunteers spanning a wide range of ages serve side by side, from young children operating technical equipment to seasoned adults offering years of experience.
“One of the greatest joys is seeing the church expressed as a true family,” Matthew reflects. “Young people bring fresh passion and creativity, while older generations offer wisdom and perspective shaped by years of walking with God. When generations serve together, faith is naturally modelled.”
The youngest volunteer serving with the technical crew during a NextGen service is a Primary 3 student.
A LIVING PICTURE OF NEXT-GEN FAITH
Nine-year-old Dylan Ang exemplifies the P&P volunteer spirit of teamwork across generations.
Serving behind the scenes in the video ministry alongside adult volunteers, Dylan operates Cam 2, the main camera positioned in front of the sound booth.
“The first time, I felt excited and anxious because I was afraid I might mess up,” Dylan shares. “But the adults were really encouraging and taught me patiently how to do this and that. The director also makes sure I can hear clearly during sound checks.”
During high-energy songs, when communication can be challenging, Dylan stays calm, guided by older volunteers who offer practical tips and support. For Dylan, the takeaway is simple: “Age is just a number.”
For his father, Jonathan, a keyboardist in the Music Ministry, seeing Dylan step up to serve is a proud milestone.
As a neurodivergent child, staying focused throughout a service takes immense energy. “I believe it’s important for him to start serving young, using the talents that align with his interests,” Jonathan reflects.
“Now that he’s serving in his own way, I hope it grounds him in church and leads to a personal encounter with Jesus.”
DISCIPLESHIP OVER PERFORMANCE
Because both technical AV roles and stage leadership can feel intimidating, the combined ministries prioritise personal growth over flawless execution.
“We constantly prioritise discipleship over performance,” Matthew explains. “We celebrate faithfulness more than perfection. When people know they are valued for who they are in Christ rather than what they do, they’re willing to step out in faith and grow.”
This posture resonates across the ministry.
P&P Service Committee, Music Ministry Representative and Worship Leader Elliot Chiam finds strength in intentional rest and stewardship, while Worship Leader Grace Sek recalls overcoming early feelings of inadequacy through grace: “Serving is not about being qualified, but about responding faithfully to God’s call.”
“We celebrate faithfulness more than perfection. When people know they are valued for who they are in Christ rather than what they do, they’re willing to step out in faith and grow.”
Behind every clear voice, lyric slide, light and chord is a community stewarding its gifts together. Through their collective effort, our 88 technical team volunteers and 127 Music Ministry volunteers in P&P remind us that regardless of age, expertise or role, every contribution offered in one accord becomes a powerful act of worship.
Rev Lilian Ang, who oversees the worship ministries of our church including P&P, expresses her heartfelt appreciation to all our worship servants.
Expressing her appreciation to the technical teams and Music Ministry volunteers who serve faithfully and wholeheartedly, both behind the scenes and on the platform, Pastor Lilian says: “From setting up the sound and managing the slides to tuning instruments and leading us in song, our volunteers serve with one purpose: to ensure that nothing distracts us from Jesus.”
“Through their dedication, they create a welcoming space where we can encounter God’s presence, enter into prayer and praise and draw closer to Him. We are deeply grateful for every one of them and for the countless ways they serve to build up the worship life of our church,” she adds.
(Photos courtesy of Prayer & Praise Ministry)
Read also: Never Too Young to Be Called By God: Answering God’s Call at 18
