Last weekend was the soft launch of PLK Semenanjung. PLK, or, Pusat Latihan Kristian is a joint initiative to establish a training center for the indigenous community around the region of Cameron Highlands. It was birthed last year when I was chatting with a group of students and realized we share the same vision and passion to develop the indigenous community in a holistic manner. So, what is PLK? It is an organization to train Christian leaders to be credible individuals in the church and an effective Christian witness in the community. It will take a modular approach where students will come for a full day study. Upon completion of 12 modules, they will receive a certificate. A module will be offered once every two months and will cover three areas: Basic Bible Knowledge, Ministry Skills, and Living Skills. Last Saturday, we conducted a class on Christian leadership and the next module will be held in November for Church administration. 6 participants turned up. Although the number was lesser than anticipated, we are happy because those who were present were very hungry for training. We are also happy with the participation because we realized we failed to publicize the school adequately and planning should be better organized. The venue was at Hosana Church in Kampong Pawong and meals were prepared by church members. For the next module, we will hold it at an unused kindergarten belonging to the Methodist church in Gopeng town itself. Although this venue may incur some additional expenses, the facilities are better; there are classrooms, bedrooms, tables/chairs, etc.
The organizing committee of PLK includes me, 2 OA pastors from the Anglican Church, and 2 OA pastors from the Methodist Church. Our partners include individuals from various church denominations that share the conviction to minister in raising the OA community in Peninsular Malaysia. At present we are seeking a church/Christian organization to adopt our work so that we have an accountability in terms of spiritual coverage and financial assistance. We realized that for any effort to grow efficiently, we must have someone focusing on the effort on a full-time basis. I pray that I have the opportunity to fully work in this ministry. It will be the first of its kind in Malaysia where we are training Christians in a holistic manner that prepares them not only to be good Christians but also enable them to earn a living in an honest and profitable manner. The Malaysian church is indeed the responsible of Malaysian Christians.
Some time ago, I was asked why I want to invest in this ministry. After all, the training needed is only basic and I am pursuing a PhD. I was both upset and disappointed at such a question. Who decides which group of people deserves this and not that? Who decides but men ourselves? In God’s eyes we are all created equal and beautiful. Sure the OA community may not be as “intelligent” as we understand intelligent to be. But who are we to decide that they do not deserve something better? I know I can only lead people to where I have been. If I have the highest qualification, then that is as far as I can lead them to. And surely the OA community has the potential. They only need an opportunity and a little attention. Both of which our urban society failed to give them, because we consider them “not intelligent.” That is why we are starting this training center. The present training structures just do not minister to them and the curriculums offered are just not relevant. The approach of our center will have a two-tier training where pastors/senior pastors will be upgraded from their bachelor/diploma level to master level and they will be training the new candidates for a certificate/diploma level. At present, we seek the recognition of participating churches before we can actually acquire ATA accreditation which will need a lot of effort and a long journey. Better still if an existing Bible School can adopt us into their organization. Then, we can “ride” on their accreditation.
Please pray for us. Our Anglican partners will meet with their bishop with the proposal and pray with us for a favorable response to this ministry. Pray with us for the networking with other churches that have their own OA outreach in various places scattered throughout the region of Cameron Highlands. These include the Methodist, Lutheran, FGA, AOG, etc.
Pray with us for the next module in November. Also, please remember to pray for me and my role in this new, exciting ministry venture. There’s a lot of uncertainty but a lot of opportunity to grow in faith. If God gave me the passion and conviction for this work, He’s got to help me accomplish this task He’s given me. It is God-sized and a mere sinner like me is powerless to do anything apart from Him.
Please pray for me to make wise and Godly decisions with options available and also to have the faith to venture into unchartered waters for the glory of God in this nation, in this generation. I have a week of classes in MBTS in early October, PLK training module in November, a preaching engagement in November, a speaking engagement at a youth camp in December.
Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
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