A testimony of God’s goodness to our family church.
“I hope it’s going to be a good event,” I whispered to my husband and co-emcee, a few minutes before we kicked off our NHC Family Day event on November 19, 2022. “It’s going to be amazing,” he assured. “Look how many people came by early just to help out.”
And indeed, our first Family Day get-together since the pandemic was an absolute success. But more than that, it’s a testimony of God’s goodness from start to end. Being part of the event committee, it was easy to get caught up in the details during the planning. It was only after the dust had settled that I had time to reflect and really appreciate just how much God’s hand was present in everything.
Plan
Right from the beginning, things fell into place easily. The committee knew we needed an event that would appeal to, and facilitate bonding, across all ages. After all, we are a family church. We settled on the theme ‘Balik Kampung’ (meaning ‘come home’ in Malay), which aligned with the church’s wider ‘homecoming’ message to welcome members back to church after two years of virtual services.
Searching for a venue was one of the more daunting tasks. On a suggestion by our Senior Pastor Lawrence Koo, we checked out Kampung Siglap, a Life Skills Training & Retreat Centre set up by Ps Andrew Khoo of New Hope Community Services (NHCS) – and coincidentally, the father of one of our NHC church members. The venue, its social purpose and its name were perfect; thank God for His provision!
Play
On event day, what greeted us was a heartening sight which perfectly encapsulated what it means to be a family church. Young and old, new members and old timers, extended families and couples all gathered together for a time of fun and bonding.
Members of all ages banded together in their teams for some friendly competition over kampung games such as Chapteh, Zero Point and Five Stones. The room was filled with excitement, laughter and endless chatter; exactly what you’d expect a big family reunion to be like!
There was something for everyone. Besides the games, members also found time to catch up with one another over traditional snacks and ice-cream, or a round of basketball and soccer at the outdoor courts. When the sun set, we found ourselves blessed with a perfectly cool and breezy evening to complement our outdoor canteen-style dinner. It was a wholesome time of fellowship, made even better with an impromptu dance performance by one of our New Horizon teens and a prize presentation by Ps Lawrence.
Praise
All glory to God for this amazing event, particularly:
- A wonderful committee of individuals with a variety of skills and talents we could tap on to bring this event to fruition.
- The overwhelming response we received and the opportunity for everyone to bond as a family of God.
- Perfect weather – something we had been praying for. A morning downpour made way for a cool day that was perfect for outdoor activities and dining. It only began to drizzle again after everyone had left. It never ceases to amaze me how God listens to even the smallest, seemingly insignificant prayers.
- Safety of all members throughout the event, amidst all the excitement (and sometimes chaos!) during the games.
- The opportunity to strengthen family bonds across generations and forge friendships with newer members.
Praise God for a wonderful time of fellowship; may His household continue to grow in spirit and strength!
