The church came together as a family to welcome about 80 of our brothers, their families and loved ones for a celebrative Christmas Outreach event on Saturday, 23 December. More than 40 volunteers from Wesley Prison Ministry (WPM), The Saturday Service (TSS), Creative Expression Ministry (CEM) and Wesley staff spared no expense to make everyone feel right at home, to experience the fellowship and warmth of the Christmas season at the Wesley Plaza Hall that afternoon. With volunteers from the different ministries coming together to host the guests, it was a wonderful opportunity to serve as a family in Christ.
The afternoon began with a sumptuous lunch buffet; volunteers from TSS joined the Wesley Prison Ministry to welcome, receive and befriend our guests from Prison Fellowship Singapore, The Helping Hand, HCSA Community Services and Wesley Connect Fellowship. When all were filled, the programme kicked off with the highlight for adults as well as children: the worship session led by Stephen Tan and the musicians from CEM! The energy was palpable, from the smiles, the singing in unison and the active participation of everyone given a shaker to be part of CEM worship. The separation between our brothers and church melted away when Stephen invited Brother Kay Aik to lead us in a familiar Chinese favourite, The Gift (yi jian li wu). It was an apt reminder that because of God’s love that came down this Christmas, He wiped away every one of our sins and we stand equally righteous and worthy in His presence.
Watching Brother Kay Aik lead everyone in singing The Gift was especially poignant. He was one of the worship leaders in our Incare chapel services, and when God touched him during his time in prison, he exemplified God’s servant heart by opening his heart to serve those afflicted with illness. He was able to look past his own circumstance and help those who were deemed least of the least. Indeed, among those who joined us with their families and loved ones, we saw many who faithfully sought the Lord during their incarceration; by God’s grace and love, they now live transformed lives and continue in their Christian journey. WPM is blessed to be used by God as part of that journey and is thankful to be given the privilege to witness God’s transformation power at work in the lives of those who were once lost but now found by Christ.
Brother Cary Lim from The Hiding Place encouraged everyone with his testimony on how God qualifies the unqualified like himself, and it was a fitting reminder of God first loving us even before we knew Him. Because of His Love, we are all made worthy. Cary shared the common tale of the insidious nature of drugs and the path of sin that it led him on. When he first took the pill called Ecstasy, he did not think it would have such a hold on his life. It was, after all, a small innocuous-looking pill. But its destructive footprint in his life loomed, to the extent that he stole from his own grandmother to feed his drug habit until he was caught and sentenced to prison, where God was waiting to meet him and bring him to true freedom.
In his darkest time in prison, God opened the doors for Cary to meet with Jesus during chapel service and changed his life. Now, Cary studies theology at a local seminary, ready to be used by God. But he knows it was God who reached out to rescue him and qualified him for the path he has now chosen. (Click here to read Cary’s full testimony)
Rev Adrian Ng, pastor in charge of Christian Outreach and Social Concerns (COSC) shared the Word for the day, reminding us of the real meaning of Christmas as we receive and give gifts to our friends and families. Jesus was born into this world to bring healing and restoration to all. God’s unconditional love awaits those who would receive His Son—whoever gets the Son gets it all. So, when we receive Jesus into our lives, we can fully experience the joy He brings.
While there are many lore and traditions that surround Christmas, which Pastor Adrian shared in his message, the true meaning of the Christmas season is unequivocal, testified by the experiences of the brothers who came with their families and friends: God’s love came down to us, to transform our lives so that we can have life, and life more abundantly. If not for God’s love for Brother Kay Aik, never ever could he imagine stepping into church and leading a family of believers in worship, nor could Brother Cary ever think he would go back to school to study the Word of God as he did not complete his primary school education.
In the same spirit of receiving and giving, it was only appropriate to end the event with the brothers exchanging words of love with their loved ones. Little cards with Scripture verses were given to them for writing their messages, which were then tied to stalks of flowers presented as tokens of love and appreciation to their family members. These seemingly small gestures were precious moments: we witnessed a brother on a wheelchair tearing up as he wrote his note to a loved one, and another brother who was distracted earlier intently read the words of encouragement and eagerly took snapshots of the message and flower he received.
The flow of God’s love, joy and hope at Christmas continued on a high note as all joined in the carolling and went around greeting one another with good cheer. Such a joy it was to see the volunteers, brothers and their family members coming together uninhibitedly to bless one another. Everyone went home with a takeaway message embroidered on a gift reminding all that “We love because Christ first loved us.”
All were invited to take photos at the Plaza atrium (foyer) where a photo booth was set up by TSS team. Whilst our guests waited in line to take photos, TSS extended their hospitality along with snacks and drinks for a time of fellowship.
We are thankful that the brothers and families were blessed, and we are also grateful to God for a meaningful outreach this Christmas where so many volunteers could come together to serve and to give of what the Lord has put in our hearts this Christmas.
Thank you, Jesus, for reminding us at this year’s Christmas Outreach that we can love only because You first loved us!
Reflections on the WPM Christmas Outreach @ Wesley:
That fateful night of Jesus’ birth sounded forlorn and desperate: “And in a manger cold and dark, Mary’s little boy was born.” Despite the situation, there was great anticipation for salvation. “Let everyone know, there is hope for all to find peace.” The Christmas Outreach event aimed to bring this same message of hope and joy to our brothers and their families, during the festive season, no matter their circumstances. We gave by being present. We were also blessed by being present. Guess what, being present for each other turned out to be the most meaningful Christmas present of all!
– Joy Quah, Volunteer, WPM
This is a first time for us serving at WPM Christmas Outreach and also a first time celebrating Christmas with people outside of our families.
We saw for ourselves how each volunteer plays a part as a body of Christ and how everything comes together. Our role was in the distribution of vouchers. We also befriended some people at the event and we were particularly glad to meet two not very able-bodied persons who came to the event by themselves. One was in a wheelchair, and another could not walk very well and was almost too late for the buffet lunch spread by the time he arrived. But God provided: there was enough left for him.
We found this event fulfilling as we came out of our busyness (an often-used excuse) to spread some love during the Christmas season. Love comes down on Christmas, and we prayed that our guests had a glimpse of this love.
– Arthur Quay & Beng See, Volunteers, WPM
Wow! What a meaningful and heartwarming experience serving at the WPM’s Christmas party!
Celebrating with our fellow brothers who had faced challenges in the past, and seeing them come together with their families, reinforces the importance of second chances and God’s abundant grace. Recognising that we are all one big family, irrespective of our past, can be a powerful reminder of the common bonds that connect us as human beings. It’s moments like these that highlight the significance of compassion, understanding, and God’s grace in the positive transformations in people’s lives.
Praise God indeed for His love and mercy!
– Stella Chua, Volunteer, CEM
Christmas is always a time for family, especially since this year in church, we were considering our spiritual family. Serving at this event made me consider how we ought to include people and the depth of relationships that should exist in family.
For me, seeing the flowers-gifting is a reminder that small acts in the family brings smiles and showing gratitude humbles us to see that we are not alone. God has given us people around us to lift us up.
Christmas is about an individual giving everyone everything, so as an individual, it was also a time for me to recommit to giving my all for Christ beyond this season.
– Leroy Tan, Volunteer, WPM, Christmas Outreach 2023 Lead
It was a special Christmas for me serving in the WPM Christmas Outreach. It was a great reminder that we are all loved by God, whatever we have gone through.
What does hospitality mean to me? How should I best show my hospitality to this group of guests while feeling uncertain as to how to interact with them? When Suzanne invited me to be one of the ushers at the event, I had all these questions on my mind.
On the day of the event, I came to realise that in fact, we are all no different. We are all sinners and have our own burdens. We were all at a point in time prisoners of our past. But we are all loved and accepted by God unconditionally. To me, hospitality is my testimony of God’s love for me. He loves me and welcomes me to His home. That’s how I learn to be hospitable to people around me. I just need to be the same to every guest because God loves and accepts us all.
The genuine smiles of our guests did warm my heart. I thank God for the event and it gave me this opportunity to reflect on my serving!
– Annie Yam, Volunteer, TSS
I was full of emotions after the WPM Christmas event. Mainly very thankful for the different ministries that came to bless our guests and to God for raising faithful volunteers to walk with these brothers.
What we don’t see are the many years spent by our volunteers walking with each brother in and out of their past and still walking with them today. To me, it was a clear reminder of how Jesus’ love can be shared through ministry volunteers. I thank God for this ministry.
Matthew 25:36 (ESV): “I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
– Jeany Wee, Staff, COSC, WPM
ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN SERVE WITH WESLEY PRISON MINISTRY?
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO JOURNEY WITH THOSE IN PRISON, RELEASED PERSONS & THEIR FAMILIES
Wesley Prison Ministry is looking for members of the Wesley village to serve in any of these roles/scope:
• In-care prison chapel service
– Sharing of the Word, prayer & befriending
• After-care support, fellowship, mentoring
– Sharing the Word in action & befriending in small/large groups
– Attending Church service & fellowship at Wesley
– Following-up & mentoring ex-offenders in recovery
• Family care support
– Home visits & support to families of the incarcerated
• Care Club for children of those in prison
– Volunteer drivers to and from Wesley to homes of children
Please prayerfully consider exploring the various serving opportunities with the Wesley Prison Ministry. Feel free to take the next step by indicating your interest in an email to jeanyw@wesleymc.org. We will follow up with a chat to explore serving together.
Photos by William Choo and Leslie Chew
More WPM Christmas Outreach photos are available here.
Read also: Celebrating Christmas at Berseh
