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Decentralised Evangelistic Christmas

A joint collaboration between the Care Groups Ministry and the Evangelism Team, the idea for a decentralised evangelistic Christmas (DEC) celebration was borne in a small meeting room at GBC’s temporary church office along Tannery Lane. The intention was to bring care groups (CG) out of their usual meeting place to mingle with members from other CGs, and to provide an avenue for church members to invite friends and family to experience the true spirit of Christmas amongst followers of Jesus.

Together, both ministry teams came up with a booklet of chosen carols with lyrics that present the gospel and love of Jesus Christ when sung in between Scripture readings. Four care groups committed to hosting the DEC at one of their members’ homes. The leaders of these care groups met together with the ministry teams on the first Sunday of December to discuss and pray about God’s hand in the events to come.

Over two weekends, a group of carollers moved from house to house with violin and keyboard, singing their hearts out in harmony while crowded into warm homes, filling it with music comparable in sentiment to the day Jesus was born into this world.

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One of the CGs that hosted a big gathering was the GST (Growing Spiritually Together) CG led by Thian Chye. Held at Kuan Yew and Carol’s home, the CG members prepared delicious food and served guests who were from other CGs, or who had brought their friends and family. They had been praying for them to bring pre-believing friends and family weeks before the actual day.

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Thian Chye reminding everyone of the reason for celebrating Christmas – that it was all about Jesus.

TGIF (Thank God it’s Friday) CG led by Esther Wong and Kwang Yew had a similar gathering a week earlier. GBC members in and out of care groups came, as well as friends from other churches, or pre-believing friends. It was also a great time to catch up with people who were back for the season, like Victor who is studying in Australia and Jane who has moved to India for work.

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An ice-breaking game led by Eunice warmed the atmosphere and by the time the night ended, everyone was huddled close singing carols of Jesus’ coming and its significance to human hearts.

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The third stanza from the hymn “O Holy Night” perfectly describes the DEC gatherings at the four homes of CG members:

"Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!"