Manna Bridge Report: Blessed to be a Blessing

Click the link “Blessed to be a blessing” for the lyrics of an interesting song which describes a nation blessed by God with abundance and freedom. I think that it relates well to us in Singapore.

While religious freedom, prosperity, and peace paint a beautiful picture, they come with a weighty responsibility. This nation isn’t blessed because it has earned some special favour. No, the blessings we enjoy flow from a grander purpose God has in store. We are called, not just to receive, but to become a blessing ourselves.

This echoes a call that has resonated throughout history. From Abraham to Paul, God has chosen people to share His love and fulfill His plan. Our purpose is to extend that message of love, reaching all people and glorifying Christ.

In Jurong Christian Church, “Blessed To Be A Blessing” is our continuing desire to reach out to people with physical and spiritual manna through our Goshen Initiative with different bridges (different links) to the community.

The Manna Bridge is one of the bridges which has been operating for several years since the Covid-19 pandemic. On 28^th April, we were glad to hear an update about the Manna Bridge ministry from our faithful servants of God, with their encouraging sharing of their experience.

Recent Activities and Impact

First to go, Wenwei and Jinfay, a devoted couple, detailed the Manna Bridge’s recent activities.

• Chinese New Year Outreach:

Volunteers visited residents in 4 HDB Blocks during the Chinese New Year season. They distributed mandarin oranges and coasters inscribed with the Chinese character “福” (meaning prosperity and blessings). They took up every opportunity to share their views on the importance of faith in achieving true fulfillment in life.

• Impact Stories:

The ministry has touched lives. Here are four inspiring stories:

• Sarah and Alice are Christians, but their church is far away. They have now found a new spiritual home in JCC, a supportive community closer to their residence.
• Mdm Ong, a woman, known for her helpfulness towards others, faced personal challenges caring for sick family members while battling her own health issues. She was visited by us about two years ago. Through this connection, she found comfort and strength in prayer and expressed a desire for a deeper spiritual connection. With support and prayers, she experienced a turning point in her faith and accepted Jesus Christ. Our commitment to her continues. We will facilitate her connection with the Dialect service.
• A resident, Mr Teo, facing health issues reconnected with his faith in Christ. If accessibility and time permit, he will come to church service to know more about Christ.
• An elderly woman we befriended attended our Chinese Easter Service in April 2023, and accepted Christ. She even considered baptism before peacefully passing away. Her story highlights the hidden struggles of seniors and the importance of offering them connection and the chance to explore faith before embarking on their next journey.

Cell Group Collaboration: Overcoming Challenges, Building Relationships

Jonathan Tan (Jnr) and his wife Shi Hui headed the S2S young adult cell group. With adorable kids in tow, they shared how the cell group partnered with Manna Bridge. They wanted to grow in outreach and found a good fit by supporting the existing Manna Bridge efforts.

• Challenges and Solutions:

S2S members initially felt uncomfortable approaching strangers and conversing with older generations, especially in dialect. The church addressed this by pairing them with another cell group, Taman Jurong CG, who served as role models.

• Impact:

S2S has been building relationships with residents through monthly food distributions and conversations. They even brought their young children along, who were welcomed by the community. One resident began attending services after being visited by S2S and Taman Jurong CG members.

A Call to Action: Sharing God’s Love in Jurong

Jonathan emphasized the importance of:

• Having a “soft heart” (compassion) and “hard feet” (perseverance) for serving others.
• Working together as a community to fulfill the Great Commission.

The Manna Bridge ministry seeks more volunteers.  Consider adopting a new HDB block to expand our reach.

The blessings bestowed upon a nation come with the responsibility to use them for the benefit of others and to spread God’s message.

John Lee