Most of the time in The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS), I recall that the decision to plant a new church is usually made by an established church or an Annual Conference. The new congregation first begins as a preaching point before it becomes a local conference, i.e. an autonomous local church. In many ways, the decision is top-down.
But the founding of Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC) went against the “normal” practice. It was started from the ground, by a group of students of ACS in 1955.1 The Music Room at the old Oldham Hall was used as the worship venue. Ten boys gathered for the first worship service on 20 May 1956. A year later, with 24 young members, the church was constituted as BRMC.
The church, with a membership that has grown to nearly 3,000, now has a relatively large sanctuary and different halls and auditoriums in which members can gather for traditional and blended services in English and services in Chinese, Tagalog and Indonesian, as well as activities (when we are allowed to meet physically).
BRMC has been instrumental in giving birth to a number of other churches, among them, Covenant Community, Living Waters and Holland Village Methodist Churches. It also runs the Oasis BRMC Missions, a satellite outreach work at Bukit Batok that reaches out to heartlanders and oversees a learning centre offering tuition for children of migrant parents. These children are tutored in English and Mathematics to prepare them for enrolment into Singapore schools. BRMC is also very involved in overseas mission works and in other Christian social outreach works that care for the poor and elderly.
The mental health challenge
One current concern which has been widely aired in Singapore is the issue of mental health. The problem has been exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, which has threatened life and livelihood. Many businesses, including some well-established ones, have closed and a large number of people have lost their jobs in various industries. Measures introduced by the government in response to the pandemic has upset the daily routine and rhythm of families. Practices like working from home have added stress to those with young children and aged parents at home where the boundaries between home and office, family responsibility and work commitment are blurred.
In the past year, BRMC has tried a combination of ways to promote greater awareness of mental health. A series of four sermons, preached in the first quarter of 2021, focused on “Emotional Well-being”. Pre-recorded testimonies of some members who had struggled with emotional issues and overcome their predicaments were shared during worship time. The various Small Groups of BRMC were provided with study guides which are aligned with the sermon emphasis. The church started two direct WeCare lines for members to call for help 24/7. There is also a WeCare email contact which members can use for advice and prayer. BRMC website carries Prayer Bulletins, published every Wednesday and Saturday, which carry short devotions and prayer pointers to encourage prayer for one another and to assist those who need help to pray.2 Our Counselling Centre continues to provide care and counselling for those who need more specialised care.
BRMC has travelled through many rough roads to get to today. But God, who called this church into being, has continued to use her to preach the Gospel, bless life and be alert and responsive to the vexatious challenges of our unpredictable time. May God find us faithful, always shining as the Church on the Hill.
BARKER ROAD METHODIST CHURCH
Trinity Annual Conference
48 Barker Road S(309917)
6256-4298
1 According to the publication to celebrate BRMC’s 50th anniversary in 2006, p. 23.
Rev Dr Daniel Koh is a Pastor at Barker Road Methodist Church (BRMC). / Photo courtesy of BRMC