God aligned our hearts and minds to His as we came together to share His unconditional love with people at the ‘Christmas Carnival @ Nee Soon South’ in December 2017. Looking back, we recognise that our Father God led us on a faith journey where we saw His providence and faithfulness, as we stepped out to run this Carnival with a mere $7,000 budget, but ended up having close to $120,000 to utilise.
In the process, Yishun Methodist Mission (YMM) has been enriched and encouraged by partnerships from churches including Evangel Family Church, Lutheran Christian Church, Victory Family Centre, Wesley Methodist Church, Charis Methodist Church, Grace Methodist Church, Toa Payoh Methodist Church, and Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church.
Observed Mr Sherman Yeo: “The Christmas Carnival brought the community together for a time of celebration and thanksgiving. This inaugural event is significant as it leveraged on the different strengths of the cell groups and the resulting teamwork is vital as we seek to advance the Kingdom of God as One Body.”
The Christmas Carnival marked the end of our five-year plan to bless the community in Yishun. A 635-strong group of carollers (breaking the local record set in the Singapore Book of Records) was on hand to fill the air with the truth of Christmas. A 10-metre-tall Christmas tree, with its star shining brightly from 16-28 Dec 2017, also served to remind passers-by of Jesus, the Light of the World.
Shared Neo Yushan: “As I stood under the 10-metre-tall Christmas tree, I was in awe and my heart was filled with thanksgiving, as I realised it was only through the grace of God that this Christmas carnival could take place. I witnessed abundant blessings from our Father God! My prayer is that His name continues to be lifted high in Yishun.”
The Carnival was indeed a day of positive experiences felt by many as we tangibly sowed seeds of love through actions – embodying the tagline of the event: “Yishun Cares, Yishun Shares, I Love Yishun.”
Said Ms Pamela Soh: “For me, the event was not so much about showcasing my face-painting, but really to show God’s love to the people of Yishun in creative and concrete ways. I feel that’s what sharing the joy of Christmas is about – sharing God’s love with no strings attached, to show people the non-commercialised reason for Christmas.”
Ms Simonne Hu agreed: “This carnival was an avenue for YMM to manifest God’s love and care to the neighbourhood, and to attract them to Jesus Christ.”
Sherman added: “The Christmas Carnival left a positive impression on members of the public, with several of them commenting, ‘Good job; well done,’ and asking if there will be another carnival the following year!”
Yvonne Huang –
is a member of Yishun Methodist Mission. This article was submitted by the Chinese Annual Conference President’s Office.
Top photo courtesy of Yishun Methodist Mission; bottom photo by Moses Goh