Fathers

Today i visited a friend's church and had a really encouraging and inspiring sermon from this person called Jason Wong.

He's currently the director of Rehabilitation, Protection and Residential Services Division at MCYS. He shared his heart out about how God has called him and used him in his career. I've decided to blog it down so that i can constantly remind myself about it in future.

He began as a prisons officer and initially his career choice met with some doubts by his mum and then-girlfriend. However, as he prayed, God showed him clearly that his call is be in the prisons as God revealed a vision to him that said " trash of society". So he obeyed God and availed himself to his service and joined the Prisons.

As a scholar, he rose the ranks quickly and in 2001, he was no. 3 in the prisons as AD(Ops) and one day God spoke to him; asking him to wash the feet of the prisoners. He was initially adamant as it was quite tough for him and he brushed it aside. Then in 2006, he was DD prisons (no.2) and his subordinate actually told him about the chapel service and wanted to bring him a pail and water. That was a sign from God that he had to wash the feet of the prisoners.

He spoke with conviction that no social programme or counsellors can save the most hardcore of criminals (drug addicts and others) Only God can do it! Amen! So he decided to seek for confirmation and got it. He then obediently went to wash a prisoner's feet and hugged everyone of them, in a way it was a reconcillation between the officers and inmates. That passed on as the inmates felt touched by God and they even offered to wash the social volunteers' feet. Much to their surprise!

From there it passed on and the washing of feet was spread to other places because he obeyed. Then in 2004, he began the yellow ribbon project as it was all about forgiveness and 2nd chances. Just like how God forgave mankind and gave us a 2nd chance. Wow!~ this really hit me man. What a man can do for God in such a powerful position.

Subsequently, he left prisons for MCYS as director of Rehabilitation, Protection and Residential Services Division. There he is in charge of all the boys and girls home, juvenile deliquency and pregnancy. Beyond parental control cases. He realised so many children were abused by their parents(mostly fathers) and at this point he wept.. he was really desperate to save those children. At that point, it really struck a chord with me and tears welled up my eyes as i really know of kids that are suffering from abusive fathers or absent fathers.

He went on a trip to God's HQ at israel and there God spoke to him to claim Singapore's destiny as the children here need to fulfill their destiny and not be hindered. Then, he wanted to quit his job and go full-time into ministry and his subordinate scolded him saying: Sir cannot! Coz God has given you the legal key. You must use your position to influence for the greater good.

So he stayed on and God gave him a verse that was to help him pilot a project.

Malachi 4:5-6 : See, I will send to you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.

He knew what God's heartbeat is about; FATHERS have to play the central role in the family. Because God meant for fathers to be the head of the household. Both parents have to play their roles. But because some fathers are either too busy or cant be bothered. or are in prison or addicted to some vices. This has lead to children not fulfilling their destiny because they do not have the proper guidance.

So he referred to Nehemiah when he wanted to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, he went straight to the king and queen. Which by protocol is incorrect. But Mr Wong did exactly that and wrote an email to the minister requesting to see him. In his email he stated his heartfelt thoughts about the state of families in S'pore and wanted to pilot this project to save the families here.

Minister had a 45 minute breakfast with him and agreed to the project! God really works for those who love him! How awesome man! Think minister is also a christian..

So he is gonna set up this father's project to involve fathers more in the kids' lives by having fathers groups in schools as most PSGs consist mainly of women. Then he also suggested having more parenting courses for dads. After which he showed a video of kids from st hilda's primary asking them what they think of their dads and what they want or dont want their dad to do.

Mostly viewed their dads as their hero and wanted their dad to spend more time with the family. The wishes of these kids are actually very simple and its really up to the fathers to do it!
Wow.. awesome..

This whole sermon really inspired me as he also mentioned about fathering the fatherless. As a teacher i want to father all my students, to meet their needs and be there for them as they grow up. Really an inspiring message; I so wanna save the kids! God be my helper; Amen.