Ministry Update 2: November 2010

Mid November…and MBTS graduation just over. I had the chance to meet some (ex)students who graduated with their diploma and bachelor degrees. There are no words to adequately describe completion of a long journey of effort sealed with a few mere words on a piece of paper. But there was the joy of accomplishment, a joy of completion. I am still working on my study program, at the research stage after my research proposal had been approved. I am the only Malaysian and the only lady in the PhD program in MBTS and I strive to create another historical entry to be the first PhD graduate from MBTS. The first history was in 2007 when I became the first ThM (Missiology) graduate. But as I observed the graduates and the “aftermath” of the graduation ceremony, the Lord pricked my thoughts to think of something much deeper.

My motivation to achieve a PhD is simply to take the people I lead to higher level. After all, a leader can only lead his/her followers to where he/she had been. Having the highest academic qualification will mean I can take my people higher and further in their academic pursuance. I believe I need to remove the glass ceiling over our indigenous brothers and sisters and empower them to grow as much as God has ordained for them. But recently I realized I had wrongly “adopted” an unhealthy culture of selfishly wanting to create that historical entry, probably for my own pride and satisfaction. It was wrong and I need to re-focus and re-evaluate. The goal of Christian education is transformation of lives, not to churn out degree holders that only take pride in the papers they hold in their hands. We have been too influenced by the world in this manner.

I recall an advice, a warning rather, by my denomination leader to be cautious in running the BM Bible School. That the goal should always be transformation of lives; not a degree mill that churn out degree holders that are no different before and after their education.

It is a good sign when we see an increasing number of graduates each year; whether it is from the religious “industry” or the secular sector. But I really do wonder, (especially for Christian education because this is my main concern) whether as Christian educators we will maintain the standard and quality of education deliverance to the students. Whether the student had adequately learned or merely the teacher had taught. Whether as educators we have adequately contextualize teaching curriculum in such a manner that our students can adequately apply its principles effectively and not merely to copy what was taught in the classroom into their ministry field.

There are some changes to my November schedule. Will be joining a team to Ulu Groh on Tuesday, 16Nov night and returning Wednesday night after a day-long seminar. The next trip to the OA settlements will be with a team from an Ipoh church in early December. I’m still working on the preparations needed as SAM progress in her partnership with STM. There are so many dynamics involved, not to mention complicated “human factors.” In the meantime, Christmas is slowly approaching. It was just last year when I missed being in a pastoral capacity during the busy celebrative season. But suddenly, I am back in this very capacity. I do not know if I will experience any “nostalgic encounters” but I certainly look forward to spending Christmas season with old friends from a church that launched me into active ministry.

Ministry Update November 2010

Since when did “farmasi” become “apotik” in Penang? I was in Medan recently and saw a lot of “apotik” shops and I did not know what “apotik” was. My local hosts explained to me that it is pharmacy. I took my mom for a check-up in LWE. There were 2 pharmacies nearby. What do you know? Below the word pharmacy or the malay version “farmasi” was huge letters A-P-O-T-I-K. Goodness…I thought. Invasion of Indonesia into Malaysian vocabularies. We may be similar but still different. Although I have been to North Sumatra (Medan & Banda Aceh) several times, each visit taught me many new things. This trip, I learnt to sleep with lights on and I don’t mean the regular dim sleeping lights. It’s bright fluorescent lamp! I also learnt to eat rice with instant noodles as its dish together with fried bee-hoon! Goodness me, as I discovered that the local Indonesians must have rice for every meal, regardless of whether it was a super early breakfast or a super late supper. Somehow the rice just appear!

Last month was also the SAM Penang’s first graduation service. It went well despite the small turn-up. True to its principle to be near the students, SAM will set up 2 new centers in Gua Musang, Kelantan to service the east coast and Ulu Tiram/Sri Alam in Johore to service the southern region. Ipoh will remain the strongest center, enjoying a ready supply of prospective students from the OA communities nearby. Penang, on the other hand, will remain the most unstable. The population of BM churches here consists of either East Malaysian students or Indonesian contract workers with a maximum stay of 5 years in Penang. Thus, it is crucial to network with other Bible Schools in East Malaysia/Medan for continuity for the students. This is in progress. Please join me to pray for a strong network.

I was in STM recently for a meeting regarding the partnership of SAM-STM. It went well. It was a culture shock of sorts for me actually, having been accustomed to MBTS’ way that provides a lot flexibility. Suddenly, I discovered I need to spell out everything as detail as possible. Well, a lot of work for me as we embark on this partnership, but I am very looking forward to the challenges ahead. It’s going to be a learning process and the resubmission of the new SAM-ITC BM prospectus will be like another round of me submitting my research proposal…hahaha.

Middle of the month is a trip to the OA village as I join a few BM pastors to a conference for women and family. Following that, at the end of the month is a BM Bible translation workshop in Klang Valley stretching till early Dec. There are exciting times ahead. In ministry and for our nation. Do join me in prayer as we press on to see God exalted here in Malaysia.