Perhaps you have noticed the sense of community radiating from Salem Chapel. Salem Chapel is not just a place of worship. It is a place of fellowship. It is a haven for those seeking connection and support.
Salem Chapel is an intergenerational church. Finnish Pentecostal missionaries started it in 1967. Church planting is in Salem Chapel’s DNA.
One of Salem Chapel’s most heartwarming initiatives is its dementia ministry. This ministry embodies the church’s commitment to serving the vulnerable. It also highlights the profound truth that spirituality remains even when cognitive abilities fade.
Koh Weng Kin noticed many people in his congregations suffering from dementia. They started dropping out of church. He decided to do something about it.
In 2019, Koh Weng Kin helped start D’Fellowship at Salem Chapel. D’Fellowship is a ministry for people with dementia. It is conducted in Mandarin and Hokkien.
The aim is simple. Salem Chapel wants them to continue to fellowship and remember the Lord. Even if they forget everything else, Salem Chapel hopes they will keep their faith.
D’Fellowship meets every last Thursday of the month except December. The sessions run from 10am to 12noon.
Each session includes familiar worship songs and a short exhortation. The exhortation highlights a simple biblical truth. Light exercise follows. The exercise incorporates faith elements. Seniors might raise their hands to praise the Lord. They may stretch their arms to reach out to God.
The ministry also includes handicraft and games. These activities help with memory and hand-eye coordination. The session ends with prayer.
The positive impact on the seniors is clear. They become energised and animated during the singing. One gentleman even started dancing.
Salem Chapel’s dementia ministry also provides support for caregivers. Caregivers need encouragement. They need to know God loves them. The person they care for is not a non-person. They can continue to flourish. A healthy caregiver is better equipped to provide love and care.
Salem Chapel is a safe space. It is a place where people with dementia and their caregivers are surrounded with love. The church becomes ministers of kindness. They become ministers of shalom.
So, as you stand before Salem Chapel, remember its mission. Salem Chapel welcomes everyone. It makes every life count.