22 Oct 2026, 15:29Blandine Damtse, Jared Nietcho, edited by SM CommunicationsGlasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom
Glasgow Choir Member Turns Personal Prayer into Community Outreach
A Glasgow choir member's desire to serve her local community led to a heartwarming visit to a care home, where music brought joy and encouragement to residents and staff.
The Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir (GAGC) visited a local care home in Glasgow on Sunday, 27 September 2026, bringing music and encouragement to residents and staff as part of a community outreach initiative.
For choir member Jenely Jumawan, who works at the care home, the visit fulfilled a long-held desire. She had been praying for a way to serve her local community before her retirement, particularly the residents and staff she works with. Inviting the choir offered her a practical way to share God's love in her workplace through music.
Jenely's desire to serve stems from an experience more than a decade ago in Siquijor, Philippines. While working as a public health nurse, she was asked to organise an after-school programme to help children develop positive values and become responsible citizens. She took the opportunity to introduce Vacation Bible School (VBS) activities, teaching the children biblical values and how faith could shape their lives.
“I worked long shifts every weekday, yet still had the strength and courage to lead the VBS before going home in the evening. Teaching these children about God and helping them become good citizens was very dear to my heart,” she recalled.
During a recent visit to the Philippines, Jenely was delighted to learn that some of the parents and many of the children involved in the programme had since embraced the Christian faith, with a number having been baptised.
“I cried with joy,” she said.
This experience strengthened Jenely's conviction to seek opportunities to share God's love wherever she is. In Glasgow, the care-home outreach allowed her to put that conviction into action through music and service, trusting God with the seeds planted along the way.
During the visit, the choir performed a selection of songs conveying messages of hope, love and faith, creating an uplifting experience for residents and staff. Towards the end of the performance, one resident requested How Great Thou Art. As the choir sang the familiar hymn, residents and staff joined in, bringing the programme to a memorable close.
Mary, the senior activity coordinator, described the residents' enthusiastic response. “They were tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and some people were moving, so I know they enjoyed it,” she said. Describing the performance as “cheerful” and “bright”, she added that she would love to welcome the choir back.
For Nneka, a member of staff, the music brought back memories of home. “The last song took me back home. I felt so good,” she said.
The care home later featured a photograph of the choir as its Photo of the Month in the residents' newsletter and expressed enthusiasm for welcoming the group back during the Christmas season.
The care-home visit rounded off a busy weekend for GAGC, which had performed at the Scottish Mission Day of Fellowship the previous day. Reflecting on the choir's recent appearances at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Newbold College and the Glasgow care home, founder Pastor Claudiu emphasised that the venue matters less than the opportunity to serve. He expressed his joy at seeing young people and adults united in bringing music and encouragement to their communities.
A Glasgow choir member's desire to serve her local community led to a heartwarming visit to a care home, where music brought joy and encouragement to residents and staff.
The Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir (GAGC) visited a local care home in Glasgow on Sunday, 27 September 2026, bringing music and encouragement to residents and staff as part of a community outreach initiative.
For choir member Jenely Jumawan, who works at the care home, the visit fulfilled a long-held desire. She had been praying for a way to serve her local community before her retirement, particularly the residents and staff she works with. Inviting the choir offered her a practical way to share God's love in her workplace through music.
Jenely's desire to serve stems from an experience more than a decade ago in Siquijor, Philippines. While working as a public health nurse, she was asked to organise an after-school programme to help children develop positive values and become responsible citizens. She took the opportunity to introduce Vacation Bible School (VBS) activities, teaching the children biblical values and how faith could shape their lives.
“I worked long shifts every weekday, yet still had the strength and courage to lead the VBS before going home in the evening. Teaching these children about God and helping them become good citizens was very dear to my heart,” she recalled.
During a recent visit to the Philippines, Jenely was delighted to learn that some of the parents and many of the children involved in the programme had since embraced the Christian faith, with a number having been baptised.
“I cried with joy,” she said.
This experience strengthened Jenely's conviction to seek opportunities to share God's love wherever she is. In Glasgow, the care-home outreach allowed her to put that conviction into action through music and service, trusting God with the seeds planted along the way.
During the visit, the choir performed a selection of songs conveying messages of hope, love and faith, creating an uplifting experience for residents and staff. Towards the end of the performance, one resident requested How Great Thou Art. As the choir sang the familiar hymn, residents and staff joined in, bringing the programme to a memorable close.
Mary, the senior activity coordinator, described the residents' enthusiastic response. “They were tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and some people were moving, so I know they enjoyed it,” she said. Describing the performance as “cheerful” and “bright”, she added that she would love to welcome the choir back.
For Nneka, a member of staff, the music brought back memories of home. “The last song took me back home. I felt so good,” she said.
The care home later featured a photograph of the choir as its Photo of the Month in the residents' newsletter and expressed enthusiasm for welcoming the group back during the Christmas season.
The care-home visit rounded off a busy weekend for GAGC, which had performed at the Scottish Mission Day of Fellowship the previous day. Reflecting on the choir's recent appearances at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Newbold College and the Glasgow care home, founder Pastor Claudiu emphasised that the venue matters less than the opportunity to serve. He expressed his joy at seeing young people and adults united in bringing music and encouragement to their communities.
