Colour of Time: Reuniting Over Lunch: Praise Kids Old-Time Volunteers

These days, whenever invitations from old friends arrive, whether for a simple meal or an informal get-together, we are far more inclined to accept them. As the years pass, such gatherings take on added significance, becoming precious opportunities to reconnect, remember and reflect on a shared past.

So, when friends who once served as teachers and helpers in our church’s Praise Kids ministry invited us to lunch at Hoola Hoop Cafe on 15.12.2025, we did not hesitate to join them.

Before this gathering, the last time some of these former teachers and helpers came together was at Kerry Lo’s home on 09.04.2023, where we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner. Each reunion, separated by years rather than months, serves as a gentle reminder of the passage of time and the enduring bonds forged through years of service.

It is only natural that, on such occasions, conversations turn to memories of our days in Praise Kids, formerly known as Children Sunday School and renamed as Praise Kids Celebration in 1999. Those years were not merely programmes or weekly routines, but a formative period marked by dedication, sacrifice and a shared sense of purpose.

The transition from Children Sunday School to Praise Kids Celebration represented an important chapter in the ministry’s history. It signalled a shift in vision and approach, accompanied by significant changes in manpower mobilisation, deployment and involvement. What had once been a largely church-based teaching ministry expanded into a broader outreach, intentionally drawing in children beyond the church community. Over time, activities and events were held in various venues, including halls and church buildings, and on one memorable occasion, at the auditorium of Wisma Berjaya - later acquired by SESB.

The ministry also became a place where young people were nurtured into service. Many teenagers, including our two sons, Samuel and Paul along with their peers, schoolmates and friends, were roped in to assist during major events. Among the most fondly remembered was the Super Space Party in the early 2000s, which brought together enthusiastic volunteers whose youthful energy added life and colour to the ministry.

The most recent get-together of former and current teachers and helpers on 15.12.2025.

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An earlier gathering at Kerry's residence on 09.04.2023.

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As with any reunion, it was only natural that old photographs were taken out, shared and fondly revisited with those who once laboured together in the ministry. Each image stirred memories of laughter, dedication and shared purpose. Yet woven into these moments of remembrance was a quiet sadness, for some among us have since departed and are now present only in memory.

Pastor Dannie Lee, the key motivator and guiding force during the pioneering years of Praise Kids in 1999 to 2001, was called home on 14.02.2019. Her encouragement and commitment laid a strong foundation for the ministry and left an enduring mark on all who served alongside her.

We also remembered Chio Cheng Leng, one of the two male teachers who faithfully served in those early days until early 2020s when illness prevented him from further service. He passed away on 10.03.2023. His presence, dedication to the children, and willingness to serve steadfastly are still fondly remembered by many.

Group photo of the whole team of teachers, helpers and volunteers after the Outer Space Party.

Photo of my wife taken with Pastor Dannie Lee at the Outer Space Party.

A young boy who asked to have a photo taken with the "magician".

Final briefing just before the commencement of Outer Space Party.

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The major shift from the traditional children’s Sunday School format to the Praise Kids Celebration lay in a renewed emphasis on teaching through object lessons and creative presentation. Lessons were no longer confined to the classroom alone. Instead, they were brought to life through narratives, dramatizations and performances that enlivened special occasions while gently imparting values and faith-based teachings. Together, these creative expressions marked a significant transformation in the ministry, reflecting a deliberate effort to make learning joyful, impactful, and memorable, while remaining rooted in visual, interactive and engaging approaches that left a lasting impression on young hearts and minds.

Teachers would sometimes dress up in costumes that complemented the theme of the lesson, transforming themselves into characters that vividly illustrated biblical truths in a lively and relatable manner. These visual cues not only captured the children’s attention but also helped make the messages easier to understand and remember.

Magic shows were occasionally incorporated as another creative teaching approach, not for mere entertainment, but as a meaningful tool to illustrate spiritual principles in ways that resonated with young minds. Out of necessity, I volunteered and stepped into the role of a magician, using simple illusions to convey timeless lessons. To this day, some of those children, now grown, still greet me fondly as “The Magician” whenever we meet - a reminder of how deeply those moments stayed with them.

Puppet shows were also held from time to time, serving both as an effective storytelling medium and as an outreach effort to draw in new children. Through humour, dialogue and simple yet engaging performances, biblical truths and moral lessons were conveyed in a way that was easily understood and warmly received by young audiences, while remaining firmly rooted in their spiritual purpose.

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Year 2000 Christmas celebration at Basel Hall.

Pastor Dannie Lee.

Chio Cheng Leng and Alfred Lee, the only two male teachers in this ministry.

Object lesson through magic show.

Puppets show.

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In 2002 during the Harvest Festival holidays at the end of May and early June, the Praise Kids ministry’s outreach extended beyond the city when an out-of-town trip was organised to Nabawan, with a stop at BCCM, Keningau. Looking back today, these moments stand as milestones in the history of Praise Kids, memories of a season when faith, friendship and service intersected, leaving an enduring legacy in the lives of all who were part of it.