Our Intern Writes - #2
On 16 June 2024, I had the pleasure to take part in Prison Fellowship Singapore’s (PFS) Deputation which was held in Geylang Evangelical Free Church (GEFC). Along with a few colleagues, to raise awareness for our cause – explaining what we do and what we hope to achieve – to the wider church community and to raise funds through donations for items on sale such as books and merchandise hand-crafted by our beneficiaries.
From L to R: Winston (Partnerships & Communications Lead), Hsin Yeong (Intern), Ai Hong (Finance & Administration Lead), Kok Wan (Executive Director) and Yiu Way (PFS Volunteer)
By definition, deputation means a group of people sent to speak or act on behalf of a larger group. The purpose of our visit was not just to raise awareness, but to inspire action on behalf of PFS. Thus, a key aspect is our call to action, to urge the church to serve the broken within our society in any capacity, as a volunteer and/or donor.
Chua Kok Wan, our Executive Director, led the outreach through his Father’s Day sermon, showing us how fatherly love and the work done in PFS have more in common to the church than one might think. Our mission is to be the bridge between the prison gate and the church door.
The parable of the Prodigal Son perfectly encapsulates the love of the Father, and the sermon on Luke 15:20 focuses on the mercy, compassion and love the father showed to his wayward son who finally returned home. The poignant questions in the message prompted introspection among fathers on the fatherly love and compassion they show to their children, while simultaneously inviting the broader congregation to reflect on their personal journey of faith with the Lord, encouraging contemplation on our trust in Him as our Father.
Apart from preaching about the need for fatherly love, Kok Wan also brought to light the sobering issue of the lack of this love in many of our beneficiaries’ lives. “No one wakes up in the morning and plans to go to prison.” They end up there because of the lack of proper support throughout life, the lack of love and guidance. Furthermore, many are fathers themselves. Their incarceration means the loss of a pillar of support and fatherly love for their children, causing a ripple effect and gravely hurting families.
PFS thus aims to fill the relational and familial gaps through the Incare, Aftercare and Family Care Ministries. Incare and Aftercare provide support and guidance for beneficiaries in prison and after their release, walking with them every step of the way to lead a fulfilling and Christ-centred life. Family Care aims to provide support for families, helping them cope with the absence of a key breadwinner through provision of groceries, coupons, tuition, among other initiatives.
“No one wakes up in the morning and plans to go to prison.” They end up there because of the lack of proper support throughout life, the lack of love and guidance. Furthermore, many are fathers themselves. Their incarceration means the loss of a pillar of support and fatherly love for their children, causing a ripple effect and gravely hurting families. ”
Though Father’s Day may be over, the regular and steady presence of a father or father figure is priceless in every family. As fathers and believers alike learn to love like our heavenly Father, we should not forget those who have been deprived of their fathers and fathers who are unable to carry out their own fatherly duties due to incarceration. Let us not just stop at grief and empathy, but continue to hope and work towards the successful rehabilitation of inmates; their reintegration into society and reconciliation with their families.
Just as the Prodigal Son returned to his father, those who are lost can “come to their senses”, return and be reconciled to their families. Is this not the same mission of the church today?