Welcoming All in the Name of Jesus
The work of welcoming at GBC is not done by the Welcome Ministry alone but is a church-wide effort involving various teams as well as the congregation as a whole, i.e. you and me. We share what it looks like and how we can all play a part!
“To all who are weary, struggling and burdened, we welcome you in the name of Jesus Christ.”
You will notice the above invitation in our ministry guide and one of the pre-service slides during our worship services. It is at the heart of welcoming people at GBC – we desire to be a church that welcomes all in the name of Jesus Christ, whether it is a stranger or a regular member of GBC.
The work of welcoming at GBC is not done by the Welcome Ministry alone but is a church-wide effort involving various teams as well as the congregation as a whole, i.e. you and me. Below, we share what it looks like and how we can all play a part to welcome one another in the name of Jesus!
As we can see, there are many ways all of us can do to welcome one another and it also does not start and stop on a Sunday morning, and even small acts such as sitting more to the front or centre is an act of welcoming and loving another.
We know that welcoming does not come naturally to many of us, even for the most outgoing. There are many things that naturally stand in the way and a common refrain is anxiety about starting a conversation with someone whom we do not know. We wonder what we can talk about beyond introducing ourselves and shun at the awkward silence thereafter. But our sermons on Ephesians have been reminding us time and again that Jesus has made us one and “His love for us is the glue that binds us together”, and so we can and should similarly focus our eyes on Jesus as we get to know one another. Sharing about the gospel or how we came to know and put our trust and faith in Christ or reflection on the sermons are very rich and mutually encouraging conversations that we can have with someone who has come to worship. The first few conversations you initiate might seem to require a lot of effort but it will get easier with practice. Over the last few years, we have been heartened and encouraged by many who took such initiatives to pursue and know one another.
Joining the Welcome Ministry is also a good way to practise welcoming one another! In February 2026, we restarted the setting up of a hospitality table in the Fellowship Hall. This provides a simple space for visitors to come by for a cup of coffee or to get to know others. We recognise that it can be overwhelming – even intimidating – for a visitor to head down to the Fellowship Hall on their own after a service, especially without a clear focal point or someone to approach, hence the setting up of the Hospitality Table.
We are looking to form a team of 10–20 members who can take turns to host the Hospitality Table for about half an hour after each service once every 2 months. You do not need to feel confident or experienced – simply a willingness to be present and approachable. There’s nothing to prepare except to welcome any visitors who might come by the table. And you just need to stay for about half an hour after service. If you are available, contact Siang Teck or Sze Gar at welcome@gracebaptistchurch.sg.
As we’ve shared, we have a common identity in Christ and there’s plenty we can share and encourage one another with if we focus on Christ. God has also given us His Spirit to enable us to love one another, so let’s welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed us (Rom 15:7)!