GETTING OUR MUSCLES READY FOR MISSIONS
The 2025 Outreach Conference kicked off with an engaging keynote from Pastor Benny Ho, titled “Why a Missional Disciple? What Does It Look Like?”
Pastor Benny, who now spends time at the gym to stay vibrant and healthy, often observes dedicated gym-goers building muscle. His curiosity about why people emphasise physical strength led to a pivotal moment during a slightly awkward flight experience.
Sitting next to a muscular passenger, Pastor Benny struggled with opening a bottle, but the passenger easily succeeded.
That humorous moment made him realise how vital strength really is. He used it as a metaphor: just as opening a bottle requires strength, so does impactful outreach — attending conferences about outreach gives us power, skills and connections needed to make a meaningful difference.
PRACTICAL WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN MISSIONS
Pastor Benny pointed out a sobering reality: the number of gospel workers is limited and few are willing to commit time and effort.
He reminded us that Jesus travelled tirelessly through towns, driven by compassion for the suffering of people. He challenged us not to sit passively in pews but to actively engage.
He suggested four practical ways to share the gospel with non-believers:
• Speak blessings — offer words of blessings and goodwill, like saying “shalom” when visiting non-believers’ homes
• Foster fellowship — share meals or enjoy activities like golf, coffee, line dancing or other interests to build genuine relationships
• Pray together — ask for opportunities to pray and intercede for others, emphasising that many non-believers are open to prayer and even appreciate it
• Share the Good News — use personal interactions to introduce others to God’s love
Peggie Chan, an attendee, shared: “The conference delivered a powerful, distinct revelation that completely redefined my approach to missions. Pastor Benny Ho offered a foundational truth: Missions 101 begins with blessing the lost. His reasoning — that this act directly removes the spiritual curses over them — was a powerful wake-up call that shifted my entire spiritual and practical focus.”
He also highlighted how Jesus accepted sinners without judgment, exemplified in His approach to Zacchaeus, the disliked tax collector in Jericho. Jesus’ acceptance and invitation to Zacchaeus’s home showed understanding and emotional sensitivity — vital traits in outreach.
Finally, Pastor Benny encouraged us to look for opportunities in our communities and workplaces to pray for others — believing that God’s power is at work when we step out in faith.
DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE IN MISSIONS
Conference attendees had the opportunity to attend one of five thematic workshops, each designed to equip and inspire in different areas of outreach:
1. Everyday Outreach by Fu Yu Da – focused on integrating missional living into daily routines and interactions. Read a participant’s reflection here.
2. Love Your Neighbour in Crisis by Dr Adrian Tan – explored compassionate responses and practical care during times of crisis. Read notes on Workshop here.
3. Befriending & Reaching Out – Helping Seniors Age-in-Place by Dr Lai Junxu – addressed the importance of relational outreach to seniors within their communities. Read a participant’s reflection here.
4. Creative Missions by Ling Zi – showcased the power of art and creative expression in sharing the Gospel. Read participants’ reflections here.
5. Digital Outreach in the City by John Knox – examined how technology and social media can be harnessed for urban evangelism. Read a participant’s reflection here.
These workshops provided practical insights and tools, allowing participants to explore outreach methods that resonate with their personal callings and contexts.
During the lively conference lunch and tea breaks, attendees engaged in vibrant conversations and explored various outreach opportunities at the booths hosted by church ministries and Wesley’s partner agencies.
Wesley Christian Outreach & Social Concerns (COSC) introduced its sub-ministries, including the Wesley Youth Centre (WYC) and Wesley Prison Fellowship, explaining areas where the ministries’ activities impact lives
The Wesley Witness & Evangelism (W&E) Ministry showcased six engaging sub-ministries, featuring dynamic photos of sports and wellness activities that create a warm, welcoming atmosphere for newcomers.
The Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) highlighted compassionate programmes supporting seniors’ health and social needs, from caring home services to respectful end-of-life support.
Representatives from organisations such as the Methodist Missions Society (MMS), Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF), CRU Singapore, Wesley Missions and Singapore Youth for Christ (SYFC) shared inspiring stories of both local initiatives and international outreach efforts.
Care Channels International (CCI) described its vital mission to support the poor and marginalised across Asia, aiming to break the cycle of poverty with dignity and empowerment.
Compassion International works to end child poverty by connecting vulnerable children with local churches who care for them by fighting malnutrition, delivering medical care and sharing the hope of the gospel, which changes everything.
The Wesley Methodist Crisis Relief (CRW) booth featured its recent Crisis Relief Training, held at Care Channels, Inc. in July 2025, which equipped volunteers with the essential skills to respond effectively to future disasters.
Wesley BookNook offered a selection of faith-based books, including inspiring mission-related literature, inviting attendees to explore and delve deeper into their faith journey.
TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH
Throughout the day, our hearts were stirred with a fiery inspiration to take bold, daring steps, to step out of our comfort zone and seize opportunities to serve in the mission field.
We were deeply moved by heartfelt personal stories shared during an energising panel discussion led by Rev Adrian Ng.
Eloise Wong, a first-year NTU undergraduate, signed up for a mission trip thinking it would be fun, but she ended up having a profoundly transformative experience that reshaped her view of missions.
Joshua Yong passionately works with the migrant community, while Pamela Toh dedicates herself to marketplace ministry and Alpha. Both panellists shared that they wrestled with feelings of inadequacy when called to serve.
Still, they discovered a compelling truth: when God calls you, it’s not about your strength — it’s about trusting Him wholeheartedly to handle the outcomes.
Dr Adrian Tan’s own journey in missions began at a young age. Over time, he sensed a strong divine call to do as much as he can as a missioner.
His experiences in crisis relief have equipped him to participate in this impactful ministry with purpose and passion.
PERSONAL JOURNEYS AND EXPERIENCES
Rev Raymond Fong led a panel discussion where each panel speaker shared heartfelt stories and struggles about their personal journey of faith in missions, revealing how their trust in God has deepened over time.
Doreen Soh from COSC encouraged us to serve with our best efforts. She shared instances when she brought her “five loaves and two fishes”. She was amazed to see how God uses these humble resources to impact the WYC community she serves.
Christina Phung described stepping out of her comfort zone as she helms CRW projects, learning lessons of relinquishing control and trusting God’s plan.
Dr Caleb Seet shared how surrendering worries over safety and closed doors during mission trips led to witnessing God’s power in extraordinary ways.
Pastor Benny Ho shared how God helped him overcome the trap of people-pleasing, which had clouded his view of God’s true priorities. The key was learning to express God’s guidance with clarity.
Andrew Fung offered lessons from his own faith journey during his facilitation of Alpha classes, emphasising the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit, praying for others and remaining still to allow God’s work to unfold in people’s lives.
The panel session left attendees inspired to trust, listen and surrender to God’s guiding hand in missions.
Joycelyn Ong, another attendee, reflected: “The world demands that we accomplish one million tasks per day to be productive, but this Outreach Conference reminds us that we are tasked with the Great Commission. Everyone we meet is a potential brother or sister in Christ. Let us carve time for people around us.”
THE COMMISSIONING — SENDING US OUT
“Outreach is not something we do for God; it’s something we do WITH Him” — this profound thought was the launch point for Pastor Raymond’s commissioning, which brought our recent conference to a stirring close.
This idea radically redefines our role, shifting the focus from dutiful service to a partnership with the divine. As Pastor Adrian reminded us, “Outreach Conference is really about Wesleyans inspiring one another on how God moves when we partner Him in reaching out to those beyond our church walls. It’s God’s call for every Christian to become missional disciples — so let’s go, Wesleyans!”
When we fully embrace this perspective, “Something happens to your life, your posture, the way you look at the world, at people, when you simply step out and offer your five loaves and two fish.” Stepping into this partnership is a transformational journey in itself.
Our prayer, then, must be fiercely focused: for the fulfillment of His Purpose, for the infusion of His Passion for humanity, and for the sheer Perseverance to complete the task.
Let the essential prayer become our anthem: “Lord of the harvest, give me your burdens.”
This call is rooted in love. “He loves us enough to invite us to the Great Commission. He loves us enough to call us to a transformational journey as a missionary disciple.” Let God’s fierce love for the least, the last, and the lost become our own heartbeat, driving us immediately into a transformational life as missional disciples.
(Photos by CJ Goh, Desmond Yiong and Elaine Tan)
View and download more Outreach Conference photos here.
Read also: A Church Without Walls: Reaching the Deaf in Cambodia
