In light of Singapore’s family structures, which emphasize family ties, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the region recently seized an opportunity to strengthen family bonds. The Family Ministries Department of the Singapore Conference hosted a special banquet for fathers and daughters on March 9 at the YWCA in Fort Canning.
The event sought to nurture relationships within the framework of Christian values, thus aligning with the cultural emphasis on familial ties in Singapore.
In a fast-paced pressure cooker environment, intimate heart-to-heart conversations between parents and children are often neglected, regional church leaders explained. With fathers busy with work and children bogged down by the pressures of school, it can be challenging for them to connect. “Research has shown that a father’s love and involvement in his daughter’s life will help her develop healthy, positive romantic relationships in the future,” family ministry leaders said.
The event sought to provide an opportunity for the fathers to intentionally spend time with their daughters and get to know them better, making memories that will last a lifetime. It was specifically targeted at daughters ages 8 to 16, leaders said.
Eighteen families gathered for an evening filled with specially curated activities aimed at fostering bonding and mutual discovery between fathers and daughters. Participants expressed thorough enjoyment of the event, even though some commented that the experience felt too short.
Singapore Conference family ministries director Debbie Saul-Chan shared some suggestions to strengthen family bonds.
“We strongly encourage families to have regular family worships at home and to bond with other families through family days, family camps, socials, and family care groups organized by the local churches,” Saul-Chan said. “These will help strengthen family relationships, as well as [help them] connect with other families and learn to be better parents.”
Saul-Chan said that she received such a positive response from this event that her department has decided to host it as an annual event. “We are also planning a mother-son program, as well as a program for couples,” she added.
In addition to the fellowship, the event featured a range of engaging activities designed to enhance the bond between fathers and daughters. From learning to tie neckties to sharing “getting to know you” questionnaires, expressions of appreciation, and meaningful conversations, the evening was filled with memorable moments. The program concluded with a touching commitment from fathers to their daughters, adding, according to organizers, a moving moment to an already unforgettable event.
Participants said they look forward to more activities like this one and gave suggestions for other initiatives with the potential of promoting family bonding.
The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.
