Help Wanted: Member Care
Hewlett Chew, our deacon for Member Care shares some areas of need and practical ways we can help out as a church.
In the last few years, the church has not only grown in number but also in needs. More of our members are in their senior years and have various difficulties; some families have limited to no local support (e.g. those from overseas, unbelieving families), especially those with young children or family members with other care needs.
Many of our new members have expressed their willingness to serve others, but they may not know what needs there are or how they can help. At this year's church camp, we saw a beautiful example of people stepping forward to serve when there was a need — caregivers got some respite as church members helped care for or accompany their family members.
The Members Care ministry is currently trying to build a list of people who'd be willing to say "here I am, send me!", to step forward and help out where there are needs. There are three areas of need in mind:
Transport
We have a few elderly church members who are unable to make it to church on their own, for various reasons (e.g. limited mobility). We are looking for members that can offer to give these members a lift to church, and send them home after church. The car ride would also be a good opportunity to get to know these members better.Help with caregiving or errands
Caregiving is a tiring, 24/7 job. Sometimes, they need a break for a few hours or just need to run some errands where it might not be feasible or convenient to bring their loved ones along.Providing temporary lodging
Members may be unable to stay with their families for various reasons for a period of time, e.g. due to persecution, safety reasons. Sometimes, visiting missionaries or pastors may also benefit from a local host, to relieve them of additional cost of hotel accommodation. We are looking for members that can show hospitality in this way.
The Member Care ministry invites you to contact us if you are willing and able to help out! Even if you are not sure if you are able to commit, do contact us and chat with us anyway.
If you also know of a church member who has needs in any of the above areas, or perhaps has need of financial assistance, please reach out to me (Hewlett) or Pastor Thian Chye and we can arrange to meet them and see how we can bring in support for them. You can find us in church, call us, or email us at membercare@gracebaptistchurch.sg.
It is our prayer that we will stir each other up toward love and good deeds, as we are exhorted to do in Hebrews 10:24-25.