In 2023, the Jurong English Seventh-day Adventist Church and Jurong Chinese Seventh-day Adventist Church made a bold and missional decision: to unite to form a single, cohesive community known as Jurong Seventh-day Adventist Church. Offering services in both English and Chinese, this merger was more than just an administrative move—it was a declaration of their new vision, "Share Jesus, Flourish Together." This vision reflects a commitment to bringing the love of Jesus to the broader Jurong East community.
The Mission of Discipleship at the Heart of Singapore
Central to this vision is the concept of discipleship, a mission that involves intentionally following Jesus Christ’s teachings and reflecting His love in daily life. The members of Jurong Seventh-day Adventist Church are dedicated to living out Christ’s values and fostering meaningful connections that embody His love and compassion. By bringing Jesus into their everyday interactions, they aim to build relationships that mirror His care.
Remarkable Growth Amid Challenges
This unified vision has borne fruit. In 2022, the church’s average attendance was 269, but by 2024, it had grown to 347, marking a significant 29% increase. This growth is especially remarkable in Singapore, where a 2020 Institute of Policy Studies survey revealed that many struggle to find belonging in traditional religious settings. Jurong Adventist Church’s rise in attendance reflects a broader trend—people are seeking meaningful spiritual and relational connections.
A Community in Action Caring Through Connection
On August 17, 2024, Jurong Adventist Church held its first combined baptism since the merger, welcoming 23 new members into the fold. Among them was Kwee Mee, the wife of Mr. Wong Heng, a retiree who had initially visited the church out of curiosity. Despite health challenges that kept him from attending in-person services, the church’s consistent care through visits, calls, and messages fostered a sense of belonging for both him and his wife. Their story illustrates the mission-driven commitment of Jurong Adventist Church members to live out Jesus' teachings daily, ensuring that "life meaningfully connects with life."
Financial Blessings Empower Ministry
The church’s mission impact extends beyond spiritual growth; it has also seen significant financial improvement. In 2022, Jurong Adventist Church faced challenges in meeting operational costs, but by 2024, offerings had increased by 50%. This financial boost has enabled the church to expand its community outreach, including initiatives at the Adventist Schoolhouse and Adventist Active Center at Golden Peony estate. These efforts have allowed the church to build relationships with the local community, fostering deep connections in the spaces where people live and work.
Living Out Christ’s Teachings through Community Outreach
One of the church’s key outreach efforts was reaching out to 1,000 homes in the Jurong neighborhood with a National Day gift and an invitation to the National Day Carnival. This event, which coincided with the combined baptism, welcomed over 100 guests and symbolized the church’s mission of discipleship. Through these initiatives, Jurong Adventist Church is not just inviting people to know Jesus but actively bringing Jesus into their everyday lives, building meaningful, lasting connections.
In addition to these efforts, the church holds annual "Pay It Forward" events, providing practical support to those in need. These initiatives aim not only to meet immediate needs but also to cultivate long-term relationships within the community.
The Power of Prayer
Much of the church’s growth can be attributed to a deliberate focus on prayer. Acts 2 has motivated Jurong Adventist Church to go beyond simply discussing prayer and actually create spaces for it. Weekly prayer walks, gatherings at local housing blocks, and dedicated prayer times at the church have become central to the members’ spiritual lives. Their commitment to prayer brings depth to their mission and drives their efforts to serve the community.
Stories of Transformation
The impact of these prayerful efforts is evident in the lives of members like Shao Qing, a retiree who found friendship with the church’s Teochew-speaking members, and Theresa, a teenager who found a sense of belonging through friendships formed at church events. These stories reflect the church’s dedication to discipleship, fostering relationships that lead to spiritual growth.
Then there is Vincent, a parent from the Adventist Schoolhouse, who deepened his faith through Bible study. At the same time, Sui Choo, a resident at Golden Peony, joined the church through a profession of faith after experiencing the members’ care and hospitality.
As their relationship grew more serious, Celine introduced Joash, a young adult dating a church member, to the congregation. His connection to the church deepened through his friendships in the care group Celine introduced him to. Their relationship, rooted in a shared faith, is leading Joash toward baptism at the end of 2024.
The story of Leong Chee, an 86-year-old baptized at the combined service, is a powerful example of transformation. A lifelong smoker, Leong quit cold turkey after nearly 76 years, following a heartfelt prayer. The tranquility he experienced at the funeral of his Christian wife served as his inspiration for converting to Christianity. His story highlights the church’s mission to create intentional, life-changing connections.
Ivan, another church member, found his way back to faith through a different kind of connection. A former student of Pastor Fam Saw Ching, Ivan was curious about his former teacher’s career change from chemistry to ministry. When Pastor Fam invited him to attend a service, Ivan was welcomed into a community that provided a sense of belonging and offered the opportunity to serve. Now, Ivan is actively involved in the worship music team and the Myanmar fellowship, showing how discipleship can bring people together across generations and backgrounds, connecting life to life in meaningful ways.
For those interested in learning more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Singapore, there are numerous ways to get involved, from signing up for their mailing list to connecting via social media. Jurong Adventist Church remains focused on its mission of bringing Christ’s values into the community, fostering deep, meaningful, and life-changing relationships.
The original article appeared on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.