This Easter, CHC’s JAMs ministry taught their members that dreams can be achieved if they believe.
CN PHOTOS: Albert Soh & Gib Lam.
Greetings and high-fives were exchanged as members from City Harvest’s JAMs ministry arrived at CHC’s Jurong West premise. The volunteers had been waiting to welcome them for the annual Easter Celebration. JAMs, which stands for Jesus for All Minds, is a ministry in CHC that reaches the intellectually challenged.
“I can’t explain how I happy I feel now just to see these students,” a volunteer told City News as she ushered the students into the hall. It was her first time serving with JAMs. “This is just amazing,” she added.
The service started with five performers from O School presenting a dance titled “Brave”. Their graceful dance movements captivated the JAMs members who clapped and cheered; some even stood up in their seats and joined in.
Following the performance, the JAMs members were split into two teams for a time of games. Both teams participated enthusiastically in the Bunny Hunt, Egg-Citing Pass and Crack’It. Screams of “Power!” and “Super!” filled the hall as the teams cheered in support of their teams. “Jia you, jia you, jia you! (which means “go for it” in Mandarin”) was the favorite chant.
Endearing voices filled the hall during the praise and worship session. A JAMs member was seen holding up his pen like a microphone, another lifted up his hands up like a superhero and many others danced to the melodies. Indeed, as the song went, it was a Happy Day. Their zeal was very touching.
As they sang “Friend Of God”, their declaration that God cared for them was one of pure faith and trust. Their child-like faith and innocent love for God made one reflect how simple life and love can really be. During worship, some JAMs members went all the way to the front, some swayed to the music, and some knelt down while others lift up their hands, all giving thanks to their risen Savior.
First-time visitors, whom the JAMs Church addressed as VIPs, were warmly welcomed with applause and a Kinder Surprise chocolate egg.
After praise and worship came a drama, which told the story of Jerome, the target of bullies in school. Even at home, the bullying continued–his mother did not believe in his talent and even tore his art pieces up. He felt accused and nobody understood him. He cried to God in his down moments. Eventually, Jerome was blessed with a scholarship for arts to fulfill his dreams.
Lily Yong, pastor in charge of JAMs ministry, gave an Easter message to encourage the congregation and taught them to dream–not just to daydream, but to have an ambition. Using the acronyms D.R.E.A.M, Yong taught that to dream is:
- D- Daring to dream
- R- Relying on God
- E – Expecting the best from God
- A – Acting on the Word of God
- M – Moving out in faith
She gave the example of Abraham who thought his dream had died. God, however, restored his dream and gave him more than he could think or imagine.
“Do you have a dream?” Yong asked in closing. “Jesus is waiting for you here.” With that, she gave an altar call for salvation and 107 people walked up to the altar with tears in their eyes to give their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ.
Indeed it was a day worth celebrating, and the service ended with the JAMs members jumping in rhythm, the very picture of joy in the Lord.
