2004 Bring HOPE to Punggol
The soft strains of worship songs drifted gently across Edgefield Plains on a tranquil Sunday morning. It was 22 February 2004, the first Sunday that the members of Hope Mission were gathering in homes in Punggol for their house celebrations.
Quietly, but steadfastly, the members of HOPE (our community said blessing venture in Punggol) are working to bring the Lord's presence to this neighbourhood in the northeast of Singapore. The group of about 50 members will hold their house celebrations on every third Sunday of the month, and every fortnightly in their Cell Groups. On the other Sundays, they will come together for a combined Sunday service at PLMC.
This is the third year since HOPE stepped out to be a mission outpost in the new estate of Punggol. Our vision is to transform the community by “salting” and “lighting” the land. The group has covenanted to “use every gift and every opportunity given by the Spirit to sow, to plant, to touch and to win the people into the Kingdom of God”.
HOPE plans to reach out to the residents of Punggol through “Ultimate Frisbee” (sports ministry). A game is held every Sunday afternoon at 4.30 pm at the open field next to Edgefield Primary School. They will soon wear specially designed T-shirts to be more visible to the community and plan to “turn professional with proper training and by forming an Ultimate Frisbee League to bring the game up to competitive levels.
To reach this unique population, HOPE plans to organize programmes and activities that are family orientated, with particular emphasis on children's ministry and parenting skills.
In April, HOPE will be launching the ALPHA course to reach out to their family, friends, colleagues and Punggol residents. The course will be conducted in Cells over a period of three to four months, and end with a “graduation" celebration for those who have completed the course or who have received Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
“We need the support of our church members, in terms of February 2004, the first Sunday that the members of HOPE your prayers and even your participation in our activities. We are also praying for more homes in Punggol to be opened for prayer meetings, Cell meetings andHouse Church meetings.. Even if you are not worshipping at HOPE, it would help us if you can offer your home for our gatherings and activities,” said Rev Sng Chong Hui, pastor of HOPE.
Let us continue to support this small army of HOPE as they seek to fulfil their mission of taking Punggol for Christ.