Easter Outreach 2024
Various members of GBC have been visiting blocks in the MacPherson neighbourhood to get to know the residents there. Pastor Oliver and Steven share about the recent block visits and Easter Outreach.
"Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)
In Luke 15:1-10, Jesus tells two parables of lost things: "The Parable of the Lost Sheep" and the "Parable of the Lost Coin." He tells these parables to the Pharisees and Scribes, who grumbled that Jesus was spending time together with tax collectors and sinners. Why did Jesus spend time with tax collectors and sinners? Why did Jesus tell these parables to the Pharisees and Scribes? Bible commentator Darrell Bock writes:
"These parables are among the simplest stories of Jesus, communicating both truth and emotion. God wants servants who understand his heart to restore sinners. In both cases, the search takes work. In both cases what is searched for seems, on the surface, to be a modest object. In fact, the search becomes a priority. Yet in both cases, the recovery of what was lost leads to rejoicing with others. This imagery underscores God's desire for disciples to share the goal of winning the lost back to him" (Darrell Bock, 1996. Emphasis mine).
As we build friendships with our neighbours, we hope to share the good news of what our greatest friend, Jesus, has accomplished for us — saving the lost.
The Outreach Ministry at Grace Baptist Church wants to allow church members to grow in sharing the goal of winning the lost for Jesus for our joy. To this end, we want to show neighbourly care and extend friendship and kindness in our outreach to our neighbours. As we build our friendships, we hope to share the good news of what our greatest friend, Jesus, has accomplished for us — saving the lost. We want to do good for the common good, but the joy of winning the lost back to God motivates what we do.
We visited the HDB blocks in the MacPherson area in November and December 2023, and some came to our Christmas Brunch on 16 December 2023. The goal of Easter Outreach 2024 was to revisit and invite residents to attend the Easter Service and Brunch on 31 March 2024. We visited the blocks in the MacPherson and Circuit Road areaover two Sunday afternoons in March, gave these households an Easter Gift Pack, and invited them to our Easter Service. These residents either had attended last year's Christmas event or had indicated interest.
The visitation team comprised Khee Peng, Philip, Joel, Gideon, Joshua, Steven, and Ollie. Though we were fewer in numbers for this round of visits, the Lord is gracious and good. Some residents even remembered familiar faces and welcomed us warmly to their houses. We had good conversations with some of them and even shared the story of Easter, namely Jesus' death and resurrection.
Initially, eleven households indicated their intention to attend our Easter service and the brunch we hosted. Eventually, seven of our neighbours participated in the service, and six stayed for brunch. In addition, two elderly persons attended the Chinese service. We praised God for touching the hearts of those who attended and trust that the seed of the Gospel was sown.
We also gave away two Bibles: one to one senior and another to a younger man who came with his two sons. We had a chance to engage this younger man, who was intrigued by the Bible and began asking questions about Jesus. Philip and Joel, our members, were able to point them to John 3:16, and had him read the whole verse. Philip then explained this verse and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us continue to pray for more such opportunities to share, read and explain God’s word.
We must be faithful to evangelise, and God will give the fruit.
We thank God for drawing visitors to Grace Baptist Church on Resurrection Sunday and showing us how He works in unexpected ways. We must be faithful to evangelise, and God will give the fruit. Please consider joining us when we revisit the blocks in November and December to invite our friends to celebrate Christmas! To God be the glory!