“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
John 15:8, ESV
What started as a group of Wesleyans meeting regularly for Bible study in Tampines in 1989 is now Living Hope Methodist Church (LHMC), a Disciple-Making Cell Church.
Our mission at LHMC is to bear fruit for Christ in bringing hope to the community and nations.
Unlike urban churches, LHMC seeks to meet the practical needs of the neighbourhood. Our activities thus need to be simple and within reach in terms of time and cost.
Within the community, our outreach is to East Spring Primary School, St. Luke’s ElderCare (Changkat Centre) and Changi Prison; through praying for the sick and through Block Adoption around the church.
For example, in Block Adoption, five committed cell groups have been befriending residents from blocks in the area with the distribution of flyers inviting them to movie nights, concerts, parents’ night and so forth. Through these activities – usually held on Fridays and Saturdays – several neighbours have come to recognise us and have attended our services.
Mr Yeo Pee Hock, Chairman of the Local Church Executive Committee, said: “Most of us participated in the distribution of flyers. There were several residents who responded in a friendly manner. One even wished us: ‘Have a good day… and cheers!’ A gentleman whom we befriended is now attending our Sunday service and his son is in our children’s cluster, ‘Mighty Archers’. Praise the Lord!”
Chief Usher Melissa Ho shares, “When the little ones came to watch the animated biblical movies, their reactions was ones of such spontaneous and eager joy. Truly how Jesus loves these little ones – ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’ (Mark 10:14)”
Our vision is that God will be glorified through discipleship. The call is to know and to follow Christ, to bear fruit in showing His love to others.
The vision of Discipleship through cells groups is seen through:
a. Gathering – to bring new people in and to integrate them into the church through cell groups where there is pastoral care, nurture and mentoring.
b. Grounding – to establish a sure foundation in the teaching of the Word of God. This includes discussions from sermon questions.
c. Growing – to equip members within the body with ministry skills to lead and minister as “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).
d. Going – to multiply as disciples discipling disciples.
Mr Peter Toi recalls when he was new to the church. “Being new then, it was through our warm and friendly cell group that we became part of the family in LHMC. The dedication of the cell members inspired us to serve. The cell meetings have deepened our knowledge of God’s Word and understanding of His will in our lives. Through the discussions in the Sunday sermon’s questions, there is the transforming power of the Word in our work and family.”
We are now debt-free, and we give thanks to God for His faithfulness. This has affirmed and encouraged us in our calling to bring hope to the community and nations. We thank all donors for their generous support.
We look forward to our Church Dedication Service in October this year. Our challenge now is to grow the church in spiritual maturity and to achieve financial independence. Our prayer? To “bear fruit – fruit that will last”. (John 15:16)
PRAY * for Living Hope Methodist Church * in their outreach to the community * to grow as a Disciple-Making Cell Church * to bear lasting spiritual fruit
Photo of church courtesy of Living Hope Methodist Church
The Rev Peter Koh has been a pastor since the year 2000, and was appointed as Pastor-in-Charge of Living Hope Methodist Church since 2010. He is married and has two adult children, 22 and 24 years old.