KDN:PP3233/01/2010(023235) Volume 34, No. 11 & 12 • November & December 2009 A NewBeginning

hristmas season is upon us again. read the portents in the sky. In fact this through her. “May it be to me as you have Most of us look forward to it as the ‘great work of God’s salvation’ was birthed said.” (Luke 1:38) Cend of year celebrations. We enter through the consent of one girl, Mary, to be into its festivities, bright lights, shopping part of this work of God. When we look back on this year or forward and events to draw out the feel good desires to the next, in our personal life or the life before gearing ourselves for a new year. For Mary was a young girl, perhaps sixteen or of the nation, we may wonder if life can some there is much to be happy about the seventeen years, when the angel Gabriel really be different from what we have past year; for others they just want to leave came to her with the news that she will bear experienced, or if God can really bring a it all behind and hope for a better year. this baby who will be given the throne of real change. This advent season reminds us David and a kingdom that will never end. God has given the world the greatest gift Interestingly, in the church calendar the How much did Mary understand the full to meet its deepest longing. But it is also a advent season is the beginning of the extent of what that meant? Certainly she did story of God’s personal mindfulness of each church year. Christmas is celebrated as the not know the pain and sorrow that awaited of us, to whom He shows favor and grace. beginning of God’s blessing to the world her at the foot of the cross. through the giving / coming of His Son Like Mary, we can see what the Lord is Jesus Christ. It is a new beginning such as Yet Mary understood that God had chosen doing in our midst and consent to be part of the world has never known before in all her, shown His favor, was ‘mindful of this and allow Him to work through us. its history. Jesus’ birth was celebrated by her humble state’, and was going to do the company of the heavenly host saying, something that was not impossible with God. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth She realized that God was doing something Christopher Cheah peace to men on whom his favor rests.” tremendous for her people, fulfilling the (Luke 2:13-14) promises, the hopes and longings of the people for His presence and rule. And she But as momentous as Jesus’ birth was for understood that God was asking her to be the future of the world, God did not splash part of that work. it across the skies of Israel for all to see. The host of heaven appeared to shepherds in the Mary answered, “I am the Lord’s servant.” fields, and the news to wise men who could She consented to what God wanted to do

1 Rev Ting Daik Choung Retired A Faithful Servant of God after 43 Years

ev Ting Daik Choung and his wife Pastor Ling Shoung Ing have been Rserving God all their lives. Their faithfulness and their love for the Lord and people are examples to all who are in the ministerial service. On the last day of the 34th Session of SCAC, 20 November, an inspiring and meaningful ceremony was specially held to honour these two faithful servants of God.

Rev Ting became a -on-trial in 1967. He was ordained as an elder in 1971. Since then he has been serving God faithfully for 43 years. Rev Ting was a District Superintendent for two times (12 years) and served as the President of SCAC for two terms (8 years). He is an author and a poet. He and his wife have one son (also a pastor in USA) and two daughters. President Su (l) giving a token of love to Rev and Mrs Ting Daik Choung.

2 Contents A Gift For Jesus Page 4-6 Whole Gospel, Whole Church, Whole World A Global Conversation of the Lausanne They bowed down and worshipped him. Then they Movement Christopher J. H. Wright opened their treasures and presented him with gifts Page 7 TRAC Young Adults Convention of gold and of incense and of myrrh (Matthew 2:11).

Page 8 34th Session SIAC 60 Years of Iban Work Lord Jesus, Page 9 34th Session SCAC I give you my hands to do your work, Page 10 6th Session SPAC I give you my feet to go your way, Page 11 Methodist Theological School Graduation Agape Methodist Church - 10th Anniversary I give you my eyes to see as you do.

Page 12 Awards Aplenty I give you my tongue to speak your words, MCKL students win study awards I give you my mind that you may think in me, Page 14 CFM Press Statement on withheld Bibles Methodist Youth Council AGM I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.

Advertise with Pelita Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in Organizations and individuals are welcome to advertise me, your Father, and all mankind. in Pelita Methodist. Businesses, Churches, Conferences, events, personal greetings/messages can be considered. The I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, rates per issue are: so that it is you, Lord Jesus, who live and work and A4 Size Paper B/W Colour Full page RM600 RM1,000 pray in me. Half page RM300 RM600 Quarter page RM150 RM400 A discount of one issue is given for a year’s advertisement. I hand over to your care, Lord my soul and body, my Please contact the Pelita office. Tel: 03-7954 1811 mind and thoughts, my prayers and hopes, my health E-mail: [email protected] and my work, my life and my death, my parents and my family, my friends and my neighbours, my Pelita Methodist All correspondence and enquiries to be directed to: country and all men. Today and always. Publisher / Pelita Methodist Dr. Hwa Yung 69 Jalan 5/31, 46000 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan Chief Editor / Bishop Dr. Hwa Yung E-mail Lancelot Andrewes, Private Prayers • [email protected] Executive Editor Mr Christopher Cheah Website • www.methodistchurch.org.my Editorial Board / Taken from Christian Classics Day By Day, Rev Ling Heu Uh Designed by Creative Thumbprint Sdn. Bhd Rev Damat Mambang compiled by Robert Backhouse (London: Hodder 23, Jalan Radin 2 Rev Khon Weng Joo Bandar Baru Seri Petaling Mr Wong Meng Lei 57000 & Stoughton, 1995), p. 372. Mr Tung Kam Seng Printed by Ms Lily Ung Academe Art & Printing Services Sdn.Bhd. No.7, Jalan Rajawali 1A, Bandar Puchong Jaya, 47100 Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Contents 3 Whole Gospel, Whole Church, Whole World Christopher J. H. Wright

We must believe, live, and communicate all when much of mainline had lost confidence in that makes the Christian message staggeringly biblical faith, while also reclaiming social responsibility when comprehensive good news. many fundamentalists disdained justice as a “liberal” concern. (Read the Lausanne Covenant at Lausanne.org/covenant.) For 35 years one of the simplest ways to define evangelical Christianity has been to refer to the Lausanne Covenant, the In October 2010, the Lausanne Movement will convene document that emerged from the International Congress on World another congress, this time in Cape Town, South Africa. The Evangelization in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1974. Convened majority of participants will be from the Majority World, where by American evangelist (and Christianity Today founder) Billy is now thriving dramatically. For the next year, Graham and British clergyman John R. W. Stott, the congress Christianity Today, in partnership with the Lausanne Movement brought together 2,300 church and leaders from 150 and fellow Christian publications around the world, will address countries, including a substantial number of leaders from the then- some of the principal issues that confront the contemporary nascent evangelical communities of Africa, Latin America, and church as we seek to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel in all Asia. The Lausanne Covenant became a milestone in evangelical its historic depth and breadth. We are calling these articles the history, confidently proclaiming the continued need for evangelism Global Conversation.

4 As someone else has said, “It’s not that God has a mission for his church in the world, but that God has a church for his mission in the world.”

aking the gospel to the ends of the earth, and evil that the Bible in both testaments decidedly secondary one. God’s mission, Tin obedience to the Great Commission, portrays. And we must evangelistically in this view, is simply getting souls to is an inescapable imperative. A definition proclaim the glories of God’s redemptive heaven, not addressing society on earth. of world evangelization that has won achievement in the Cross and resurrection assent from Christians of all stripes was of Jesus of Nazareth—as God’s victory I find such a view of God and of mission memorably summarized in the Lausanne over evil in all its dimensions. There would to be unbiblical and unbelievable, if one Covenant—the document substantially be no gospel without the Cross. Indeed, takes the whole Bible as the trustworthy crafted by John R. W. Stott and affirmed all blessings of the gospel, from personal revelation of the identity, character, and by the Lausanne Congress on World salvation through Christ’s death in our mission of the living God. Evangelization in 1974: “Evangelization place to the reconciliation of all creation, requires the whole church to take the flow from the Cross. The Cross stands at The great Christ-centered, Cross-centered whole gospel to the whole world.” the heart of the Lausanne Movement; the redemptive truths of the New Testament key scriptural text for Cape Town 2010 is do not nullify, but rather complete, all The “three wholes” in this ringing phrase “God was in Christ reconciling the world that the Old Testament reveals about had been part of Christian discourse to himself” (2 Cor. 5:19). God’s comprehensive commitment to the for some years before Stott drafted wholeness of human life, God’s relentless the covenant. Indeed, they go back to If the whole gospel must be drawn from opposition to all that oppresses, spoils, the apostle Paul, if not to the patriarch the whole Bible, in both testaments, then and diminishes human well-being, and Abraham. But to keep the conversation we must ask what contribution the social, God’s ultimate mission of blessing the within living memory, a stirring statement economic, and political dimensions of the nations, destroying all forms of evil, and by the Dutch theologian Willem Adolf Old Testament make to Christian mission. redeeming his whole creation, for his own Visser’t Hooft makes the point: Century after century, the God of the supreme glory in Christ. Bible revealed his passionate concern for The command to witness to Christ is given social issues: political tyranny, economic The gospel as a whole, true to the Bible to every member of his church. It is a exploitation, judicial corruption, the commission given to the whole church to as a whole, shows us God’s heart for his suffering of the poor and oppressed, and broken, suffering, wicked world. For the take the whole gospel to the whole world. the evils of brutality and bloodshed. So When the church recognizes that it exists last and the least (socially, culturally, passionate, indeed, that the laws God gave and economically) as well as the lost for the world, there arises a passionate and the prophets God sent addressed these concern that the blessings of the gospel of (spiritually)—not that these can be matters more than any other issue except separated, since human beings are whole Christ should be brought to every land and idolatry (in fact, they regarded such things to every man and woman. persons. For those who are dying eternally as idolatry’s tangible manifestations). in their sins, but also for the causes of their Meanwhile, the psalmist regularly cried This quote is all the more striking since preventable premature dying in this world. out in songs of social protest and lament. Visser’t Hooft was writing in 1961 on For those who are without Christ, without behalf of the World Council of Churches. God, and without hope in the world, but Unfortunately, one can still detect a subtle Yet he seems to use the word whole who also suffer all kinds of other lacks— (or not so subtle) sense that somewhere primarily in a quantitative sense. For the landless and homeless, the loveless between Malachi and Matthew, all that Visser’t Hooft, the whole church means and limbless, the family-less and state- changed. Is it possible that such things “every member.” The whole world means less. For the creation itself, frustrated in no longer claim God’s attention or spark “every man and woman.” The whole its supreme goal of giving glory to its God’s anger? Or, if they do, that they are gospel means all “the blessings of the Creator, and groaning under the onslaught no longer our business? gospel.” That is surely better than some of human greed and violence. taking some blessings of The church condemned this disdain for the gospel to some people in some parts As gospel people we must believe, live, the Hebrew Scriptures in the second- of the world. But the three wholes have and communicate all that makes the gospel century heretic Marcion. It makes the more substantial, qualitative implications, staggeringly comprehensive good news. alleged God of the New Testament almost implications that are worthy of a global unrecognizable as the Holy One of Israel. conversation. This alleged God shed the passionate The whole church priorities of the Mosaic Law and jettisoned In a quantitative sense, of course, the The whole gospel the burden for justice that he had laid on expression the whole church insists that The phrase the whole gospel suggests his prophets at such cost to them. The mission is the task of all Christians, that some versions of the gospel are less implications for mission are dramatic. For not just of the clergy or professional than whole—partial, deficient, or (most if the pressing problems of human society missionaries, and that is a necessary important) not fully biblical. We must give are of no concern to God, they have no reminder. Mission is far too important full weight to all the dimensions of sin place in Christian mission—or at most a to be left to missionaries. But there are

5 other dimensions of wholeness we need to much greater levels of mutual cooperation inheritance, the least we can do is to look include in the conversation. and partnership, north to south and east after it properly. Biblical responsibility to west. There is much listening to do, a for stewardship of the earth should have Missional church. First of all, we need to lot of learning and unlearning. Our task been an evangelical theme long before the see that biblically, mission is integral to the across borders and boundaries is, in Paul’s threat of climate change turned it into a existence of God’s people in the present words, to accept one another, counting matter of self-preservation. age. The church is “called out” in order to others better than ourselves and looking be “sent out,” as the Lausanne Covenant to their interests more than our own. The world of globalization and the public puts it. The vogue expression missional square. What kind of missional engagement church is really nothing new. What other The whole world should we have with globalized economic kind of church is there than the one that Of course, we can take the whole world trends and forces, massive migration, the God created for mission? A friend said in a purely geographical sense—meaning Internet and new technologies, and all that to me recently, “To me, missional church every corner of the planet—and that is still goes on in business, politics, education, sounds like talking about female women.’ urgently true. Nowhere is not the mission media, journalism, medicine, and the If it’s not missional, it’s not church.” As field, including our own countries. There whole of human work? someone else has said, “It’s not that God are still many unreached peoples, many has a mission for his church in the world, languages that have no portion of the The world of violence, war, and terrorism. but that God has a church for his mission Bible, many places where the name of We are surrounded by myths and in the world.” Christ has never been heard. These are still countermyths that generate violence and urgent priorities for Christian evangelistic justify violence in return. Apart from Scandalous lack of wholeness. Second, mission. The ends of the earth are still addressing the appalling scale of death we need to contrast the ideal of a whole waiting. And today the ends of the earth and destruction these idols produce, do we church with the rampant lack of wholeness may also be our next-door neighbor or the not have a responsibility to also challenge that fractures the church everywhere. migrant in our midst. and expose their falsity and ask what How can we bring the wholeness of the gospel reality Jesus implied when he said, gospel to our broken world unless we But we need to consider other dimensions “Blessed are the peacemakers”? demonstrate some of its healing power of our whole world that biblical mission among ourselves? Yet the church is torn must address: The world of human need and suffering. by conflict over race, caste, tribe, gender, If the gospel is good news in relation to material goods, and so many other things. The world story, as God tells it in the all that sin has turned into bad news, then Bible, of the world’s origins, history, the gospel must be big enough, and our There is a potentially serious mis- and ultimate destiny. According to Paul, mission wide enough, to include the power understanding in this Lausanne Covenant we are not going to be saved out of the of God to transform disease, hunger, sentence: “World evangelization requires created world, but along with it. But if brutality, human trafficking, slavery, the whole church to take the whole our Bibles begin at Genesis 3 and end at gender violence, poverty, injustice, ethnic gospel to the whole world.” Read without Revelation 20, we are in danger of missing cleansing, and all forms of tribal, caste, referring to what the covenant says about the point of God’s great story of the and ethnic hatreds and oppression. the church’s need to examine itself, this redemption of all creation. We will think sounds like the church is nothing more than only of saving fallen sinners from the final In such a world of need, the followers of the bearer of the message, like a postman judgment—not about living in the present Jesus are called to bring good news and to delivering a letter. It doesn’t really matter creation as those who, by being in Christ, be good news. No single one of us can be if the postman who delivered my letter already bring the transforming values and engaged in everything that a holistic mission this morning was committing adultery last prophetic truth of the new creation to the demands. The same thought doubtless night. So long as I get the letter, the moral here and now. occurred to God, which is why he created behavior of the carrier is irrelevant. the church with a multiplicity of gifts and The world of worldviews, philosophies, and callings, so that we can, as a whole church, But the church is not just the mechanism faiths. What are the gods that surround us, bear witness to the whole gospel in the delivering the gospel. It is also the product and what is the Christlike and neighbor- whole world. May this global conversation of the gospel, and is to be the living, visible loving response to those who worship generate more intelligent understanding proof of the ethically transforming power them? We must not confine this to thinking and more focused action as we participate of the gospel. So the failures and abuses only about the great mega-bloc “world with God in his global mission. in the worldwide evangelical community faiths.” The ideologies of secularism and are, in the literal New Testament sense of atheism need to be engaged, along with Christopher J. H. Wright is international the word, a massive scandal—a stumbling the idols of consumerism, patriotism, and director of the Langham Partnership block to the gospel being seen, heard, hedonism that are happily thriving on the International (John Stott Ministries in and accepted. For that, the only answer is worship of those who claim to be disciples the U.S.), chair of the Lausanne Theology repentance and reformation. It is vital that of Jesus Christ. Working Group, and author of the ct Cape Town 2010 gives space and voice to award-winning book The Mission of God: that need. The world of creation, and our Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative. responsibility to the earth God entrusted The global Christian community. That to us, which God has reconciled to Copyright The Lausanne Movement/ very repentance will require invoking a himself through the Cross (Col. 1:20). If Christianity Today. Printed with third sense of the whole church. We need the planet was created by Christ, sustained permission. the whole world church, working with by Christ, and belongs to Christ as his 6 TRAC Young Adults Convention 29-31 August 2009

fter being ‘dormant’ for five years, Day 2: The day started with a worship world and being the ‘salt and light’ for Athe TRAC Young Adults made a session led by two sisters from Taman Jesus (Matthew 5:13-16). In the group comeback through a recent Convention Ujong Methodist Church. Subsequently, discussion, we talked on how to be a good from 29 to 31 August 2009 at Empress Dr Leong shared the message on witness and influencer in society without Hotel, Sepang. With the theme ‘In Christ, ‘Community in Christ’, where he succumbing to worldly ways. Together, Out There’, 62 participants discussed the concept of community as from 10 TRAC churches including our well as ways to cultivate an atmosphere Dr Samuel Ong led the forum and TRAC President, Rev Dr Ong Hwai Teik of faith, hope and love. summary session, ‘Moving Forward’ and Conference Lay Leader, Dr Samuel where he started us singing ‘Pops Got Ong, attended the Convention. Dr Leong Later on, all participants were divided a Head Like a Ping Pong Ball’ in parts Tien Fock from Campus Crusade for into groups for two workshop sessions. (the song is still playing in my mind as Christ was the invited speaker. The aim The groups discussed Dr Leong’s I am writing this). We discussed some of the Convention was to address the messages. Many shared their various practical ways in helping the young concerns of young adults in the TRAC struggles when faced with temptations adults to stay connected through related churches and help them in connecting and conflicts in their workplaces as well activities, forums or blogs, with the aim with one another. as in the community of faith. It was of building each other in faith. Many encouraging to see each group offering also agreed with the idea for pastors to their views on how to support each other be actively involved in spearheading the Day 1: The Convention started with during difficult times. young adult groups in the local churches. a welcome briefing and ice breakers Rev Dr Ong summarized the session cum ‘get-to-know-you-session’. Next, After a sumptuous buffet dinner, there was with the following words: that our Young Noel Jeyaratnam a.k.a. ‘the big brother’ Adults community in TRAC should shared a brief history on the organization the highlight of the night called ‘Chill Out’ session. Game masters - Noel, Connie strive to operate from the following basic and activities carried out by the national emphases: TRAC Young Adults group. Some of the and Monica, helped the participants play more ‘senior young adults’ seemed to be creative games like e-Bay sale, ‘Defend more excited about this Convention as it the Egg’ and ‘Make a Rod or Fish Me C - Connecting networks was like a reunion for them. Not’ which involved fishing for toys in the swimming pool. We had great fun G - Growth in all aspects trying to out-do each other in ways we In the evening, the Kampar Wesley group M - Ministry internal and external could never have imagined. The best part led in worship, followed by Dr Leong’s was all of us received a prize in the end. C - Community near and far message on ‘Identity in Christ’. He Lastly, the day ended with vespers by Dr discussed our identity in Christ and the Lai Thian Seong. Finally, we left the Convention renewed dilemma of young adults responding to with the word of God and a deeper sense God’s calling versus advancing their of belonging to our community of faith. careers. The day ended with vespers Day 3: The young adults from Of course, this is just the beginning of a led by Michael Gong where he made Canning Garden Methodist Church led spiritual revival for the young adults as everyone look at a bowl of apples and a the morning worship. After that, Dr Leong we stay united and connected. Thanks be bowl of coins. The passage for reflection shared the message on ‘Community in to God for this wonderful Convention! was on how to live by grace versus harsh the World’ which dealt on the unique laws. position of the church community in the Foong Pui Hing

News from TRAC 7 thth 3434 Session Iban Annual Conference has 4 districts: Sarikei, (e.g. the chicken head and feet) to their churches in 5 strategic places. They are SIAC Kapit, and Bintulu god while keeping the chicken body for Bintulu, Miri, Sibu Jaya, Johore Baru and with a total membership of 58,694. This themselves. God wants us to offer our Bintangor. The following are the estimates year, they had 396 adult baptisms and whole self to him. If we practice little for each project: 656 children baptisms. Two elders (Rev giving (time, talent, money, etc.) to God, Jatan ak Badi and Rev Albert Allan) and we will also receive little from him. We 1. Bintulu Town - land cost RM 80,000, two deacons (Rev Resa ak Nyalu and Rev should let go of the ideas of hoping to building cost RM 300,000, amount Jubin ak Jamat) were ordained by Bishop receive more from the church but learn to collected RM 40,000. Hwa Yung. Two pastors retired this year as give more.” well. They are Rev Jerry Rabbu and Rev 2. Miri Town - shop house cost RM Andrew Mangka. In his final remark at the 34th SIAC, 380,000, amount collected RM30,000. Bishop Hwa Yung said he was much The 34th session of SIAC was held on happier with the situation of SIAC this 3. Sibu Jaya - building cost RM 300,000, 13 -14 November 2009. A total of 140 year. He once again urged the participants amount collected RM 28,000. delegates and pastors participated in to catch the vision of mission and to the conference. At the closing service, extend their blessings to other indigenous 4. Johore Baru - shop house cost President Steward Damat preached from communities of Sarawak. RM90,000, amount collected RM 3,000. Romans 12:1-3 urging the participants to be a living sacrifice to God. Rev Damat Urgent Need to Build Churches 5. Bintangor Town - building cost said, “The old religious act gives little SIAC is in urgent need to build 5 RM 300,000, amount collected RM 70,000.

President Steward Damat of SIAC receiving a love gift of RM 50,000 from Senior and retired SIAC pastors sharing great memories of the early struggle Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC). SIAC also received RM 3,000 during the 60th Anniversary Dinner. L-R: Mrs. Jawan, Mrs. Joshua, Rev Jawan, from Sabah Provisional Annual Conference (SPAC) and RM 10,000 from Trinity Rev Joshua Annual Conference (TRAC), Singapore. SIAC 60th Anniversary n 14 November 2009, the Sarawak conference. Do not say our church is poor; sarawakibanmethodist.org. OIban Annual Conference (SIAC) our pastors have no degrees, there are no celebrated its 60th anniversary with doctoral degree among us. Remember you The Humble Beginning 60 Years Ago joy and thanksgiving. Bishop Hwa are God’s precious children; walk with The Methodist mission to the Ibans first Yung encouraged the Conference to see your head held up.” Bishop Hwa Yung said began in 1912 through a Batak missionary, themselves in the eyes of God, to know this during the thanksgiving service held at Willie Galung. Two years later, William nothing except Christ and His cross the Methodist Iban Centre at Fong, Sibu. Shellabear reported two Iban boys being because “God chose the foolish things of The Bishop further said in his sermon that baptised. After that there was not much the world to shame the wise; God chose he rejoiced to see the work God has done progress. In 1939, two other missionaries the weak things of the world to shame the among the Ibans in Sarawak. He reminded were sent, P. S. Schmucker and Lucius strong. He chose the lowly things of this them to obey God, to lead a holy life in Mamora. However, the work was world and the despised things - and the Christ and God will bless their church and again interrupted by the Second World things that are not - to nullify the things make it strong. War. Finally, after years of sowing, the that are, so that no one will boast before breakthrough came in 1949. On Christmas him. (I Cor. 1:27-29).” Towards the end of the service, Day, 29 Ibans were baptized in Kapit. there was the launching of the SIAC This marks the official growth of the Iban “Do not look down on yourself as the homepage. Their address is: http://www. Methodist Church.

8 News from SIAC Commissioning Service Family of Five Going to Africa

his year SCAC commissioned Rev while she was still training as a nurse, TSia Bik Sing and his family to be the she attended a missions camp and was overseas missionaries to Africa and Wong very touched by the needs of Africa. Hia Ching (Elise) to Ulu Belaga to work She prayed to God to allow her to go with the Penans. there to serve and as years went by, she got married and began to raise a family. Bishop Hwa Yung and President Su Rev Sia thanked the Methodist Church However, she and her husband have never commissioning Rev. Sia Bik Sing and Tan for moulding him, using him and forgotten the calling of God. While Rev Seow Ping. accepting him as who he is and give him Sia's burden is to work with the Chinese opportunity to serve in different aspects. people, Seow Ping's burden is Africa. Sia said, "I ended my pastoral ministry And the Lord has miraculously combined in the Methodist Church here and I shall these two together and even their children start my introductory paragraph on my are willing to go. new chapter of life, my journey to Africa. I am thankful for all the people who have Another missionary to be commissioned Wong Hia Ching sharing her thoughts at the impacted me in one way or another." was Wong Hia Ching. Wong will be service. working with the Penans in Ulu Belaga. Together with his wife (Tan Seow Ping, She is the first person who responded to a registered nurse) and three children the call and Ulu Belaga needs a total of 12 (Joseph, Eunice and Stephen), Rev Sia missionaries to work there. They are still will go to Singapore for 3 months’ cross in need of 10 more full time missionaries. cultural training next year. After that, they Wong said that God gave her the promise will enter into the mission field. of being with her and she was not afraid. She urged all the participants to pray at Rev. Sia Bik Sing and his family. Wong Hia Tan Seow Ping shared during the least once a month for the work of the Ching at the far left. Commissioning Service that in 1992, Penans.

34th SCAC Ordination Service Rev Ting: Dare to Take Up the Responsibility

ev Ting Daik Choung, former "We need to follow the example of We should strive to be above reproach: Rpresident of Sarawak Chinese Jesus. Jesus knew that it was a difficult do your best to stay away from sins, do Annual Conference (SCAC) said that journey but he boldly entered Jerusalem your best to do good works and do your as pastors we need to dare to take even to face crucifixion at the end. In best to obey the laws and ordinances of up the responsibility, be willing to Acts 20: 17-21, Paul gave his farewell God." take it up and be joyful to accept it speech to the elders of the Ephesians. once we entered into the covenant Paul said that the Holy Spirit has warned Bishop Hwa Yung ordained 7 elders and of the itinerary ministry. Rev Ting him that there would be hardships and 13 deacons during the service. More said this in the Ordination Service of prison waiting for him in every city, but ordination photos can be found inside. the 34th session of SCAC held on 18 Paul moved forward." Ting urged all the Nov in Masland Church, Sibu. He ordained pastors to take up the charge. further explained, "Itinerary system is a strategic system. Every pastor is Ting added that character plays an Winnie Tie being appointed or selected to serve important role in a person's life. If a Editor of Connection accordingly in a local church, a mission pastor has great talents and gifts but field or other ministerial area. The needs tarnished character, no one will respect of the Connectional church should be this person. "We should see sin as great the premise. The personal desires and shame because sins bring shame to the needs of the individual pastors are to name of God, to the name of the Church put as second." and to the name of a ministerial role.

News from SCAC 9 6th Session Sabah Provisional Annual Conference. Visiting the former Chinese workers and singing praises together with them.

6th Session Sabah Provisional Annual Conference 6-7 November 2009

nder the leadership of President Be Still in Him, Renew to Serve membership. Offering to SPAC also ULing Heu Uh, SPAC has seen steady 2010 is the Year of Reformation for SPAC. increase by 13.72%. growth. In his presidential address, Rev The main theme of 2010 is "Be Still in Him, Ling said that although SPAC might Renew to Serve". The vision of SPAC is to Bishop Hwa Yung Ordains be a small annual conference, it carries be upgraded as a full annual conference in 6 Elders, 1 Deacon the responsibilities to minister in three 2016. The goal is to have 10% growth in Bishop Hwa Yung ordained six elders and languages, that is, Chinese, English, and the number of church members per year. one deacon during the 6th session of Sabah Malay. He reminded all to preserve unity Its priority is to make disciples and rebuild Provisional Annual Conference (SPAC). and see each other as brothers and sisters life. Church planting should be in strategic in Christ despite the differences. and potential areas. The six newly ordained elders are Rev Sia Pei Lian, Rev Xia How Ling, Rev Sia Slim Down the Structure Chinese Ministry How Ding, Rev Markus Sigar, Rev Cecelia President Ling said that as a whole, SPAC has a special ministry reaching Ukang, and Rev Jaraning Sampani. And churches have many activities and out to the Chinese workers and Chinese the one newly ordained deacon is Rev Lim meetings. This takes up a lot of time of students in Sabah. There are about 110 Yee Ping. church members and as a result, church Chinese students studying in University members are busy and limit themselves Sabah . This year SPAC arranged SPAC welcomed three new pastors this to the church, neglecting the possibility a missions trip to China to visit those who year joining the conference. They were of outreach ministry. Rev Ling said have gone back home. The mission team graduates from Methodist Theological that since SPAC does not need to carry visited seven churches, a Bible School and School (MTS), Sibu and they are Peter traditional baggage, they should consider 23 former workers and their families. This Woo, Ten Fook Seong, and Wong Chung re-organizing and "slimming down" the played a significant role in strengthening Yiing (Worship and Music Program). structure. According to the strengths of the their faith. SPAC has a total of 24 ministers - one individual church, the ministries should be retired pastor: Rev. Siew Chiew Huo, 11 focused and simplified. It is to allow people Attendance Drops, Offering Increases Elders, six Deacons, three Ministers-on- to have more space and time to make an As a whole, SPAC has 13 churches and Trial, and three newly accepted pastors. impact in families and society. He gave an preaching centres. This year there was a example of the possibility of combining drop in the number of Sunday worshippers, prayer meeting, small group gathering, from 1,934 in 2008 to 1,733 in 2009. disciple course and even outreach into one Sunday school attendance also dropped Winnie Tie night's event. He also suggested another from 405 to 353. But prayer meeting example of one church concentrating on attendance has a slight improvement, Winnie Tie is the editor of Connection, the one ministry like children or youth or even from 319 to 322. There were 2 child English station of the Chinese Methodist community service. baptisms, 61 adult baptisms, and 51 new Message published by SCAC.

News from SPAC Building Up Godly Men and Women with Virtues MTS 11th Graduation cum 55th Anniversary

Thanksgiving Service Long Anak Sanggau receiving her Bachelor of Theology total of 29 students received their He concluded that in ministry, the most from the Principal of MTS, Rev Tie King Tai. Adegrees and diplomas at the 11th important is character and a life totally Graduation Ceremony cum 55th Anniversary surrendered to God. It is a heart issue and 30 Oct at Blue Splendor Restaurant. More Thanksgiving Service of Methodist we must consistently seek God's work than 800 people including church leaders, Theological School (MTS), Sibu on 31 Oct in our lives. Bishop Hwa said the goal of family members of the graduates, friends in Masland Methodist Church Sibu. Bishop ministerial training is not to train leaders but and well-wishers attended the night of Hwa Yung was invited to give the address to train godly men and women. "When God thanksgiving. during the graduation ceremony. raises up godly people among us, we will rejoice to see effective leaders." Winnie Tie The Bishop started with a question for From Connection the audience: What is the ultimate goal of President Su Chii Ann, of SCAC, gave 15 November 2009 ministerial formation? A leader or a servant his charge to the graduates in three points: leader? Using the text from I Tim. 4:7-8, 1. Exercise your body 11-12, 25-26, the Bishop reminded the regularly. 2. Increase graduates to strive to be a servant leader and your wisdom by studying train themselves in godliness. God's word even harder. 3. Increase our love to God. He said, "Godliness involves the worship of the one true God, living a virtuous life, The graduation dinner living a life according to the word of God. cum 55th anniversary Inwardly we live a life that fears God and thanksgiving dinner was outwardly a life with virtues and character." held on the previous night,

Cutting the 55th anniversary cake. From left to right: Rev Steward Damat, President of SIAC, Rev Dato’ Dr Su Chii Ann, President of SCAC, Rev Dr Tie King Tai, Principal of MTS, Bishop Hwa Yung of Malaysia, Rev Ling Heu Uh, President of SPAC.

Sabah Agape Methodist Church 10th Anniversary To Build a Church with 600 Members by 2010 Installation of LCEC (Local Church Executive Committee) 2009-2010.

n the late 1980s, a few English speaking On 10 October Agape Methodist Church Agape's vision 2010 is to build a church Imembers from Shern En Methodist celebrated its 10th anniversary in Shern having a 600 strong congregation, with 50% (Sabah) Chinese speaking congregation En Church. "Like Joshua, what we did was church members participating in the weekly mulled the idea of forming an English merely to seize the moment and rise to the prayer meeting. Agape aims to become a Fellowship to provide for the spiritual occasion when duty called. We marched missionary sending and multiplying church growth of English educated members. By forward a step at a time, remembering God's having at least one missionary to a foreign 1990, the members desired to grow from a promises and claimed them by faith," said country and 10 members joining the short fellowship group into a full fledged English Rev Dr Hii Kong Hock during the service. term missions. Agape also aims to have at speaking church. The Sabah Methodist "We at Agape must always remember two least 60 baptisms and 30 confirmations per English Preaching Centre was formed in things: God's word and unity. We must trust year and become a church of loving and 1997 and a church building committee in God's word and his leadership. Let God caring, teaching and equipping. The church in 1998 to spearhead the development go before us to lead and not vice versa." also works towards being a church of small of their own place of worship. Sabah groups. Methodist English Preaching Centre Rev Hii continued to point out that the Lord Dedication service was held on 11 April will do amazing things and lead the church Winnie Tie 1999. By 2001 it was upgraded as the into a new journey. "Let our service be not From Connection Agape Methodist Church. merely an instance of zeal but a lifetime 15 November 2009 journey of faith, hope and love.” 11 Awards by Tan Ee Loo Students from a small institution prove Aplenty they have the credentials to attract study awards from a large number of organisations.

Ashley says that the scholarships will help in pursuing her undergraduate studies in Biology.

Teo Shu Wen The awards that she received were Wesson “My ambition is to become a successful ASHLEY was thrilled High Honours Scholarship, Early Action chemical engineer. I would like to when she won not one but six scholarship Award, Leadership Merit Award, Colby- contribute back to the society by awards to pursue her tertiary education in Sawyer College Award and AMCHAM- improving the quality of their everyday the United States. MACEE Scholarship 2009. She was also life,” he said. given the Opportunity Grant Award by Feeling excited and relieved, the former Malaysian-American Commission on He said MCKL had prepared him well for student of Methodist College Kuala Educational Exchange (MACEE), that his tertiary education. Lumpur (MCKL) said the awards covered the upfront costs before leaving would help her achieve her ambition of for the US. “The lecturers are experienced and they becoming of a stem cell researcher. look after the students’ welfare. The Former MCKL student Julian Leong Se college is small in ‘quantity’ (the number Ashley, whose father is a retired Yang was another lucky one who was of students) but big on ‘quality’. headmaster in Bintulu, was a social awarded scholarships to pursue tertiary worker with the Malaysian Care and education abroad. “MCKL is a campus with the small college Malaysian Association For the Blind, atmosphere, but has the credentials and as well as an active volunteer of World He received three scholarships — reputation of much larger institution. Vision during her college years. the University of Alberta Malaysia With the help of the faculty members Partnership Scholarship, University of and the staff, I was able to develop “My parents had to work hard to support Alberta Academic Excellence Scholarship the knowledge and skills needed for a the family. Therefore, the scholarships and Faculty Engineering Academic smooth transition from college to studies would help me strive towards my goal Excellence Scholarship — to study abroad,” added Ashley. by pursuing my undergraduate studies chemical engineering at the University of in Biology,” said Ashley, a freshman Alberta, Canada. To ensure an all-rounded development, at Colby-Sawyer College in New Moey said extra-curricular activities Hampshire, United States (US). “The scholarships helped relieve the were an important aspect at MCKL. financial burden of my parents who “Our lecturers ensure that the students MCKL chief executive officer Moey also have to support my other siblings. know what is required of them in the Yoke Lai described Ashley as “a very It also enabled me to study abroad and syllabus of each subject. intelligent student”. experience the Western culture,” he said. Julian, 19, was active in extra-curricular “There is a no-nonsense approach to “We opened a window of opportunity for activities in high school. studies,” she said. this young lady from Bintulu to the world of higher education. Ashley will reach for He was involved in the St John’s The feature above appeared in The Star the stars and get what she wants in her Association, English Language Society, Malaysia on 1 November 2009 in the career,” she said. tennis club, and the prefect board. Education Section.

12 Devotional time to start the day. A test of our ingenuity and hand skills. Outing in the afternoon. Methodist HQ Staff Retreat taff from the Methodist HQ took time out for fellowship The last time staff went away together was three years ago. So Sover the weekend of 25 – 27 September. Not everyone could this was a good time to spend with each other outside of the make it but nine of us from the office and two from the Council office setting, enjoy the food and surroundings, and to have some of Education went up to the Methodist Bungalow in Fraser’s fun in friendly games and outing around Fraser’s Hill. Hill on the Friday afternoon. Bishop Hwa Yung joined us on Saturday morning.

Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC), The Methodist Church in Malaysia is looking for suitably qualified people for the following positions: TRAC Missions Director working relationships with Pastors and Churches • Good communication skills A committed Christian who is a highly motivated individual who • Team work ability possess a genuine interest in local and global missions. • Good command of English • Computer-literacy Primary Task To assist the Board of Missions to strategize, develop, mobilize Salary and remuneration will be based on the TRAC Schedule for and coordinate the work of Missions within TRAC. ministry workers and will be adjusted according to qualification and experience. Specific duties: • Be an ex-offcio member of the Missions Board Team Assistant • Be accountable to the TRAC President’s Office and the Chairman of the Board of Missions Job Description: • Be present at relevant meetings and consultations. To perform general and administrative duties for the Directors • Attend meetings of mission bodies that TRAC may be of ICM (Institute of Christian Ministry), Missions and Prayer. affiliated to or is a member of when required. • Attend to the development of Missions Strategy in consultation Requirements with the Missions Board and the coordination, training and • STPM, Diploma or its equivalent implementation required. • 3 years working experience • Plan and coordinate training programs. • Possess organizational skills and able to work independently • Visit local churches of TRAC throughout the country for • Proficient in English, good communication and further networking mobilization and training purposes, to interpersonal skills enhance the ministry of missions in TRAC • Possess a mature attitude and a good team player • Help set up a resource and information network to enhance the • Computer-literacy; MSOFFICE ministry of missions in TRAC. • Carry out related duties as directed by the President or the Salary will be based on qualification and working experience Board of Missions Interested applicants for positions 1 & 2 can write in, enclosing If you are to be considered you must possess the following: a resume to: • Possess a degree or its equivalent. Theological education will be an advantage Office Administrator • Leadership skills and Qualities TRAC • Independent and confident to network and establish good 2, Jalan 5/39, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

13 CFM Calls For Immediate Release Of 15,000 Bibles he Christian Federation of Malaysia and has never been the cause of any The government and CFM have exchanged T(CFM) calls for the immediate public disorder. letters on this matter previously and we release of the 15,000 Bibles in Bahasa have a written agreement in December Malaysia currently being withheld by the Since the 1970s and in consonance with 2005 that Bahasa Malaysia Bibles can authorities. the government’s policies in education be distributed so long as the symbol of and the national language, Christians in the cross and the words “A Christian To withhold the use of the Bahasa Malaysia Malaysia have received their education publication” are printed on the front page. Bibles is an infringement of Article 11 in Bahasa Malaysia. To deny the same of the Federal Constitution which gives Christians in Malaysia the right to read We call on the government to walk the every Malaysian the right to profess his/ and study the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia is talk of its 1Malaysia policy and vision her faith as well as to practice it. thus ridiculous and offensive. In fact, it is and not to curtail or impose conditions on this action by the authorities themselves the freedom of citizens to worship, pray This constitutional right is rendered which is an affront to good public order. and read the Holy Scriptures in Bahasa illusory if Christians in Malaysia are Malaysia. How can the first pillar of the denied access to Bibles in a language We call on the relevant government Rukunegara i.e. Belief In God, be made with which they are familiar. officials who have neither the authority a living reality in the lives of Malaysians nor the right to act in this unconscionable if the government imposes restrictions This action of withholding the Bahasa manner to explain their action to the and conditions on the constitutional and Malaysia Bibles deprives Christians in church leaders and to the public. fundamental right of citizens to freedom Sabah, Sarawak , and in Semenanjung, of religion? a large majority of whom use Bahasa Church leaders and the Executive Malaysia, the right to use the Holy Committee of the CFM in “An Affirmation We ask that the relevant authorities Scriptures in Bahasa Malaysia, to practice to the Churches in Malaysia” (6-8 Sept resolve this matter promptly and release and profess their faith and, to nourish 1989, the Kuching consultation) and then these Bibles for the use of Christians themselves spiritually. later in “A Declaration to Churches in without any further delay or excuse. Malaysia” (30 January 2008) have stood It is baseless to withhold the Bibles in on their commitment to Bahasa Malaysia Bishop Ng Moon Hing, Bahasa Malaysia on the ground that they as our national language and have used Chairman and the Executive Committee, are “prejudicial to public order”. Bibles and continue to use Bahasa Malaysia in The Christian Federation of Malaysia in Bahasa Malaysia have been used since the life and witness of our Churches and Dated : 4 Nov 2009 before the independence of our country Christian organizations.

Methodist Youth Council AGM n the 20th October 2009, representatives from the Youth Ofellowships of the General Conference of the Methodist Church in Malaysia met at the Methodist Headquarters to hold their inaugural Annual General Meeting to elect Council members to the Persaudaraan Belia Methodist Malaysia (PBMM). These members would take over from the Pro-tem committee that was in place to register the fellowship with the Registrar of Youth Societies, Malaysia. The newly elected members are as follows:

President Mr Ong Jen Tak Vice President I Mr Edwin Selvanesan S. Amidst all the discussions and relationship building that the Vice President II Mr Tang Yew Hwang council members need to do, they have also planned to hold the Secretary I Mr. Julian John following projects in the near future: Young Leaders Conference, Secretary II Ms Samantha Tan Youth in Prayer Conference, and a Survey of Youth Ministry in our Methodist Conferences. The PBMM Council is also in the Treasurer Mr. James Ong midst of launching its website on www.methodistyouth.org.my. Advisor I Mr Ronald Yap Stay tuned for future updates.

Advisor II Rev Jonathan Jesudas Ronald Yap Advisor III Pastor Chieng Yu Hoo Wesley Methodist Church Kuala Lumpur 14