'Hearing Voices' - Connecting the Elderly to Christ

The EP family conference, ‘Hearing Voices’, was held at ARPC @ Tengah on 21 - 22 March.

To watch the full messages on Hearing the Voices of Elderly, Special needs individuals, Parents, and Youths, please access this link below

'Hearing Voices'

This article summarises the first session, titled 'Connecting the Elderly to Christ'

Rev. Dr Forest Koh from Glory Presbyterian Church presented a talk based on insights from his dissertation. He sought to understand the social and cultural barriers that prevented individuals aged 60 and above from following Jesus – that was before they eventually embraced the faith.

Among these barriers were tradition and religion. Some viewed Christianity as a foreign faith, perceiving its teaching — such as the concept of eating a man's body — as unfamiliar and strange. Others felt a deep sense of loyalty to their ancestors and wished to honor their parents’ faithfulness to their gods. Then there are those who made vows to deities they believed had saved them during times of crisis, making it difficult for them to turn to Christianity.

Another significant barrier was the lack of Christian witness. Many had never heard about Jesus simply because no one in their village had shared the gospel with them. Furthermore, work, family obligations, and social status—often deeply intertwined—posed obstacles to conversion. For instance, wives who married into large families were expected to conform to the family’s religious practices, leaving them little freedom to choose their own faith.

However, there were also key pathways that eventually led these elderly individuals to Christ. One such pathway was retirement. Freed from the busyness of work, retirees often found the time to listen and explore Bible teachings. Another common pathway was crisis, particularly illness, which led many to seek God in their time of need. Interestingly, the most frequent factor in their conversion was the witness of family members. One elderly individual specifically highlighted how a devoted and loving daughter-in-law influenced her decision to embrace Christ.

Rev Forest shared that he deeply enjoyed interviewing and listening to the elderly. He learned the importance of taking time to truly listen, ensuring that he never gave the impression of being inconvenienced. His lecturer’s words resonated with him: “When the elderly know you understand them by the tens of millions, they will risk opening their hearts to the God who understands them.” This principle guided his approach, reinforcing his conviction that listening is an essential and effective method of evangelizing the elderly.