Ministry Update Dec16Jan17

Yes, I noticed. I missed out “one issue” of my monthly ministry update. So sorry for that. It was a busy time to generate annual reports and send to heads of churches/organizations and student sponsors. The reports gave an overview of SAM Northern Centers academic activities and students’ academic progresses. I know that academic materials may not be a very appealing read, but if you are interested to have a copy, kindly advice so I can email you the pdf reports.

Generally, the “major milestones” in 2016 were:

1.                  Partnering with a Christian publisher to publish a BM book in Biblical Interpretation

2.                  Three OA students graduated with their Certificate in Christian Ministry from STM in October

3.                  SAM forged partnership with STS to offer the Master in Ministry program in Ipoh

4.                  4 courses were conducted in SAM Penang in both Juru and SP; 3 diploma courses in Ipoh; 2 certificate/diploma courses in Ipoh; 3 certificate courses in Ipoh

Anticipated tasks for 2017:

1.                  Create a bank account for SAM Northern Centers. The process is on-going. Didn’t realize so super many red-tapes in the Anglican church! We are not registered as we do not want to “expose” the sensitive nature of our ministry. So, we are functioning under the coverage of the Anglican church. Therefore, we need a lot of “maneuvering” in this matter. Thus far, we are parking our funds in BJAC current account. We are now in the process of creating a new (second) account under the OA church with signatories from SAM committee. Several factors were considered as we decided to transfer the funds to an account that can be (independently) accessed by the SAM committee.

a.       The funds are collected for (theological) training purposes of the OA church they should rightfully have an access to it. Besides, I gave myself a 10-year span to surrender the leadership to the OA church

b.      As a diocesan staff, I am subject to transfer. Therefore, this matter should be looked into now rather than later. In fact, I am foreseeing a transfer in the next one/two years. It will be good to begin sharing/transferring more leadership responsibilities till I can fully relinquish the leadership reign to the OA church

c.       The mother church of BJAC is creating much fuss in our financial matters. But I suppose, it is just timely

2.                  The Master in Ministry program in partnership with STS requires a minimum of 10 committed students. We are launching the first module in June but thus far we only have 6. Do join us to pray for more students. This is probably the only master program conducted completely in BM on a modular approach. Finance is not a problem. Scholarship aids, church sponsors, and study grants are available

3.                  SAM Penang: the meeting place will move from Juru to Prai while the Sungai Petani center remains at Taman Lagenda. There are several enquiries from prospective students in Prai. Not sure yet if they will turn up for class and commit to the program. Currently we have a regular of 10 in Prai n 11 in SP

4.                  SAM Ipoh: pray for our new administrator, Riboni, who will take on the task to promote student participation and update student academic records. Pray also for the OA/BM church. While many have the heart to serve, many also do not have the “staying power” to discipline themselves to attend class, do assignments, n attend to ministry responsibilities at the same time. I have always stressed to my team that we cannot afford to lower the standard just to meet the needs of the students. Instead, it is the students that need to raise themselves. We do not want graduates who are “below the bar.” Regular students cannot be estimated but it was approximately 5-7 for diploma classes and 3-6 for certificate classes. Registered diploma students are 7 and certificate students are 16. Pray for Fione, our Ipoh coordinator. The Ipoh/Gopeng team needs wisdom to inspire the students to commitment and to promote the ministry of the school in Kinta Valley

5.                  BM book – commentary on the book of Philippians: on-going project. We hope to publish this in partnership with several seminaries in Malaysia. In the meantime, I am also translating my doctoral dissertation into BM so that it can be published to benefit the OA/BM church

6.                  Teaching team: will greatly appreciate continuous partnership of teachers who are qualified, available, and possessing a passion for this BM theological education ministry. Our team is working very hard and guest lecturers received a very small token of love gift. I am praying for SAM financial status to be stable enough to give more

7.                  Adjunct duties: I have recently accepted an additional responsibility to serve as an adjunct lecturer in STM. Thus far, I have not received any teaching schedule. However, as this is a secondment from the diocese, it will need to be prioritized over my adjunct commitment in SPECS teaching team

I take this opportunity to thank you for your partnership and prayers that have sustained this ministry, without which it cannot function. It is “lonely” but writing my monthly updates to you and knowing you are my partners encourages me to keep going. Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart. I wish you God’s richest blessings as we venture into another challenging year to labor for our God and King in this land.

SB

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Ministry Update OctNov 2016

It has been an interesting month. As of now SAM is at the brink of closing its academic year for 2016. For the first time the module of Theology of Persecution and Discipleship (TOPAD) was conducted in BM with SAM students providing the “trial subjects.” It was unfortunate that a miscommunication resulted in just four students attending this very relevant course. We are now preparing course schedule for 2017. Before long year end reports need to be attended to.

The SAM team was in KK to meet with the leadership team of a local seminary there to initiate a partnership. It was an interesting trip. We were there about three years ago to initiate a similar partnership but it did not progress as expected. In January this year, a chance meeting with one of its staff “resurrected” the interest to pursue this partnership. Meetings were proposed but none materialized until Oct (26). This seminary was skeptical in our proposed partnership to offer a master degree through modular approach as their program is a full-time program. However, along the time both parties negotiated a suitable time to meet, other needs arose that the said seminary adopted the modular approach. It was truly divine timing. The principal even anticipated a lengthy meeting and allocated a whole two hours to discuss the necessary. On my end I was a bit “worried” as I do not know what I need to prepare for the meeting as it looked like as if I only need to be present. Within the first 30 minutes, the “deal was sealed.” What can I say? God prepared every heart involved in this matter!

It was also interesting to meet up with other partners in ministry and former students. In this meeting another partnership possibility was discussed. With God willing, SAM may establish another “branch” center in KK. A meet-up with a former second collegian brought further joy into the trip. It further opened another possibility of partnership. This is to partner a local church in their swiflet bird nest business. SAM considers this involvement/investment as it will provide an income-generating resource to finance our expenses without the need to constantly look for sponsors. Do pray with n for us that we will move in God’s wisdom.

Next month, the final certificate module in Ipoh will take place and I am scheduled to teach on the Gospels. The Theology 1 class in SP will also close in Nov. Then the reports will need to be generated. Christmas programs will begin to unfold. BJAC plans an outreach to the Holy Infant Jesus Home in Balik Pulau, a simple fellowship meal on the eve of Christmas after our service, n a thanksgiving service on NY eve. We are also being “ambitious” to plan for an all-night prayer meeting next year! Well, nothing is impossible because we serve a God who makes possible everything impossible!

Ministry Update Sept/Oct 2016

September was a “fun-filled” month with two visits to two different OA villages on weekends back-to-back.

The short school holidays in September was filled with public holidays too: the Raya Haji break n the Malaysia Day break. It was a much anticipated visit for a local Chinese church to visit this village, off Batu Gajah. Their medical team comprised of both western n eatern medicine complete with nurses. It was about four years ago since I visited this village. It was left off our radar as the pastor is a renal patient n we do not want to burden him with many missions team visits. It has changed. The route to the village was changed to another direction while the route I first took to the village is now almost bare. The palm oil trees that I knew providing a cooling shade was all gone making it scorching hot under the afternoon sun.

The following weekend I was “on the road” again bringing another team into another village. First we were disappointed that at the last minute, another Anglican church decided to visit that same village. The “gate-crashers” team interrupted an otherwise well-planned Friday. Yet, we made the best out of it n saw the brighter side of this incident. Saturday morning n we travelled to a “new outreach” a short distance away. The team did children n youth meetings followed by a simple lunch before returning to the base village. By Saturday afternoon, we had the place “to ourselves” n we were pretty relaxed. We savored the much anticipated delicacies, including the “atas pokok” meat. I am thrilled at the progress of the villagers in partnership with the visiting team who was there the second time. I am excited to observe the bond growing tight in the urban-rural partnership. This is an effort I m looking to establish for the other urban churches too, especially the one above (visit to village off Batu Gajah). Partnership should be focused with a clear objective. The OA villages – they are not locations of “tourism” to visit “touch n go,” instead they are our brothers n sisters together with us growing towards maturity of the Malaysian church as a whole

Please pray for our proposed cottage industry to market a snack product. I am in planning with the local villagers to look into mass producing buah perah n marketing it to the cities as a healthy snack. We plan to offer three flavors – original, spicy, n anchovies. Buah perah is a seasonal nut n we hv quite a bit of time to plan carefully before the next season arrives n production begins. So, what is buah perah as some of you may ask…when it is produced, come grab a pack from me!

October will conclude SAM Taman Pelangi academic year when the current class in Church Admin ends. Elsewhere in SP, the academic year only concludes in Nov when the current Theology 1 class ends. In Ipoh, the diploma module concludes the year after our study in the topic of Theology of Persecution n Discipleship in mid Oct. The certificate module still has another class in Nov before it concludes for this year. We have three graduates in Certificate of Christian Ministry this year. This is perhaps the smallest team, even participating family/friends make up less than 10 in our entourage to Seremban for the Convocation service on 15Oct.

Please pray for SAM Committee team visit to Seminari Theologi Sabah end of Oct. We are exploring partnership to offer MMin program in the Peninsular from SAM Ipoh. You may ask why as we are already in partnership with MEC for the same program. STS shares the same accreditation as STM (ATESEA: Association of Theological Education South East Asia) while MEC receives accreditation from ATA (Asia Theological Association). We want to standardize n streamline our curriculum to be more focused. Besides, our MMin students are now “on-hold” in their studies as requested by MEC who claims they need to iron out a little hiccup – something which I do not know how long it will take!

Join us in prayer too for our next year’s schedule that is in planning. Pray for our regular teaching team – for wisdom, time, n passion – to continue in this ministry. Pray that funds will permit us to attempt related activities for our students to enhance their learning experience. Once again, I thank you for your partnership in this ministry

SB

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Ministry Update: Aug/Sept 16

It was a historical mile stone for the Anglican DWM when we had the first Regional Assembly to begin the move to divide the West Malaysia diocese into three regions: North, Central-East, n South. Apart from that historical significance was also the start to debate/discuss issues of women ordination for the conservative Anglicans. With many clergy from the Indian community, their deeply rooted cultural perspectives object to the proposal to ordain women. Yet, they never admit to it n tried to hide behind their reasonings of theology. I m amused actually – how do we derive our theology in the first place? Anyway, I’m not bothered with ordination or not. After all, God’s calling n God’s enablement is enough to equip us to serve without the need to have “fanciful titles.”

August had been a very interesting month. The highlight of it was the mini reunion of Second Collegians of Univ. Malaya, the meeting of old friends that shaped n colored the start of my adult life!

The mini reunion in KK was very much anticipated when it was first mooted in June. Although we tried to persuade more collegians to come along, I guess it was just three “curious monkeys” that made it to the land beneath the wind to meet with another three collegians. Arriving from the south, central, n north of the Peninsular, we greeted each other with much joy n excitement at KK airport n spent the short weekend indulging in the exotic local food, the highlight of which was the Kadazandusun traditional dishes.

Returning from Borneo, work resume with classes in SP n Juru. With the class in SP concluding today, I can focus on the class in Juru – both r exploring Church Administration approaches. September will begin the class on Theology in SP. These are concluding classes for SAM Penang – the SP center n the Juru center.

Lower south, for the Ipoh center, they concluded an intensive module in the study on the Book of Ephesus in early August. September is a break for them. Another MMin/Dip module is scheduled for mid October after graduation in STM. We will hv 4 graduates this year in Certificate of Christian Ministry. The MMin/Dip module is on the study of Theology of Persecution n Discipleship. Please pray for n with us as we attempt the course in BM for the first time.

While SAM Penang is wrapping up with its academic year (Church Admin in Juru; Theology 1 in SP), SAM Ipoh will offer its final class in the study of the Gospels for the certificate students in Nov. Please remember us in prayer.

In September, there will be two trips to the OA villages: a medical mission to Kampong Air Denak over the weekend prior to the Hari Raya Haji; a follow-up trip to Kampong Sungai Poh over the Malaysia Day weekend. Again, will very much appreciate your prayer support.

Another area I am forwarding a prayer request is in regard to wisdom in exploring options on how SAM can create our own banking facility to manage our funds. We hv several options n are praying for the best. Pray also for our partnership with other Seminaries, especially in the quest to offer the master programs – MEC in Sarawak n STS in Sabah. Do pray for n with us as we iron out the conditions/hiccups, etc.

I apologize to some of you durian lovers out there that this year, the harvest was not as good as two years ago n I only managed to bring limited fruits to a few of you. In certain parts of Gopeng, it is still in season. For those of you who hv tasted the fruit from the OA kampongs, you’ll know how God loves them bcoz the fruit of their harvest is simply the best! As much as possible, I will bring “jungle produce” to share with you, our partners in ministry as a token of our appreciation. And I believe that as you taste how good these “jungle produce” are, you will be similarly convinced of God’s favor upon the OA church today.

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

SB

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Ministry Update July/Aug 2016

Ministry Update July/Aug 2016

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It was quite a “stunt” travelling to spend four nights in four different cities one after another. Well, that was fun with one night in PJ, the next in Senawang, the next back in Penang, n the next in SP. July was full of public holidays. But holidays somehow are no longer “appealing” when your work-hours seemed to be pretty “inconsistent.”

There were teaching engagements n regular preaching sessions in July. One significant event in this month came just last night when BJAC opened our chapel for a healing service. The place was filled to the brim – literally! It was an atmosphere of holy anticipation. God worked marvelously. It has been quite awhile since the last time I was attending such meetings n I am grateful for the opportunity to “share” in such a blessed occasion. Later today, I’m bringing a team of foreign (I think all of them r China Chinese student pastors/pastors) students into the OA villages for the weekend. Hopefully there’ll be another “dose” of monkey meat. The aunties in this village are fantastic cooks n I hv no doubt at all that the monkey meat they serve will be A+++ quality in taste. Someone told me that their “secret” of cooking such delicious food is that they “cook from the heart.”

August is another month of endless activities n I m so looking forward to it. No, not looking forward to the ridiculous new Act restricting us in the guise of national security but looking forward to our 2^nd RC “mini reunion” in KK. But before that there’ll be several travels n I realized all my August weekends r filled. Anyway, who wouldn’t be excited at meeting friends that shaped your adult-life after…25 years?! Yes, it has been that long n thanks to FB n whatsapp we re-connected. 

In August, SAM Ipoh will hv an intensive module for certificate n diploma students. SAM Penang SP center will conclude its current course end of the month while Tmn Pelangi center will begin its next course, the final one for this academic year..

September will be another busy month of travels into the interior with two church teams visiting the villages one weekend after another; well, it’s a month of holidays too!

Do continue to pray with n for us. Thank you for your partnership in ministry.

Ministry Update June/July 2016

We are wrapping up the first half of the year with the conclusion of June 2016. It has been a month of many significant incidents. From the end of the previous month, my (third) aunt was ill and in the ICU. At the first visit, I had a bad feeling of her condition. She was the only Christian among her siblings. I remember that I was suddenly unable to pray for her, overcame by a strong wave of emotion – seeing a glimpse of my mother in her. My aunt went home to be with the Lord early in the morning on Friday 17^th June. The funeral was on Tuesday, 22 June. The whole day I was disappointed with how the pastor conducting the funeral failed to seize the opportunity to deliver a strong evangelistic message to our unbelieving relatives. I was upset at his wrong theology n poor understanding of the Bible. The thought kept reeling in my mind. Even late into the night driving back from a class I visited in Juru. I stopped by a nearby petrol station to get a full fill of petrol n was all set for my class in SP the next day. My mind was pre-occupied n I let down guard. When I reached home, I drove my car into the compound n turned behind to see the auto-gate shut. Just then, a man wearing black jacket n a full-faced helmet rushed in. I immediately pressed on the horn while he started to smash my car window at the passenger side. Then he rushed out just before the auto-gate shut. Turning behind to see him leave, I saw another accomplish running out from my right. Gosh! There was another robber at my right, probably trying to open my side of car door! It was pretty traumatic for me. But praise God for caring CG members who came to calm n advice me. The next day, police report lodged n window repaired. Thank God also for a caring Christian who offered to pay for the repairs. Incident behind but the traumatic healing is still progressing. Nevertheless, I praise n thank God I was not harmed n nothing was lost.

Ministry-wise: there was a brief trip to the OA village with SAM Penang students at the start of the month. Then there was a trip to Seremban to teach in a Seminary there on behalf of SPECS. I had the opportunity to spend some short but precious time with an old friend from 2^nd RC, UM. Next, was an over the weekend trip to OA villages in Kampar with a group of China Chinese pastors from MBTS. I was pretty disappointed that my colleague planned most of the activities to take place in his town church in Kampar itself. We only went for short visits to two different homes in the outskirts.

SAM Ipoh Dip/MMin one-week intensive module is on-going now in Ipoh during this last week of June. Elsewhere, SAM Penang in Taman Pelangi had started their third class of the year with the study on New Testament Survey beginning 2^nd June and will conclude sometime end of July. In the meantime, SAM Penang in Sungai Petani will begin its third class in Church Admin on 29^th June and will continue till end August.

Next month, July will see many public holidays. But in the field I am in, it makes no difference whether it is a work day or public holiday. For me the major difference is the traffic on the road. After the “holiday season” in July, I hv another class to teach in Seremban. Then, another trip to the OA villages with MBTS team. This time, we will visit Gopeng. Please pray for the church in Ulu Groh. We planned to visit this village then, but last week I was told a huge storm struck n a tree was uprooted, falling right on the church, destroying a major portion.

Please pray for SAM administrative wisdom. Our funds were parked in my church (BJAC) accounts all these years but this year our mother church strongly suggested for SAM to move our funds out. We are seeking our Archbishop’s advice to move the funds somewhere that we can be placed under the covering of the Diocese. I will advice all of you once the new account has been created n its details. It will be a joint account consisting of all four SAM Northern Centers committee members.

I am very looking forward to August – in particular a short over the weekend trip to KK for a mini reunion of 2^nd RC collegians. It has been about 25 years since our college days n we are meeting for the first time to see each other, 25 years later!

Thank you for your continuous support and partnership in ministry.

SB

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Ministry Update MayJune 2016

It has been a busy month and several times when I woke up in the morning, I was not sure what day it was!

There was no break for “labor’s day” for me. In fact, I kind of “lost track” it was a public holidays. No, I’m not THAT busy. Is just that I’m trying to manage time the best possible with the increasing tasks I need to pay attention to.

I praise God for the three days training in the 4square church in Ipoh. They are very nice people and I’m glad to have established network with this denomination. It was a good time of mutual learning; one of those super few times I teach in English…gosh, there was an instant I actually asked the class for the English version of a BM word!

The class in Taman Pelangi concluded their study of a 3-credit Theology course. At the same time, Sungai Petani also concluded their study in Biblical Interpretation. On 31 May – 1 June, the SAM Penang – Taman Pelangi and Sungai Petani – have jointly organized a visit to the OA village of Ulu Kampar for practical ministry. Do pray for us – for journey mercy, good time of fellowship (SAM Ipoh – SAM Penang and villagers), being a blessing, and being blessed.

June will open with the study of NT Survey in Taman Pelangi and Church Administration in Sungai Petani. Join us again in praying for a time of mutual learning and encouragement.

I am also partnering with several Christian training institutions to jointly publish a BM book. The commentary on the Epistle to the Philippian church was translated years ago but it never got published due to “exhaustion” of funds for the BM department. Well, I was serving on the platform of an institution that has no passion for the BM ministry. Anyway, I initiated this effort realizing the extreme shortage of BM resources that can cater to students at Bible School/Seminary level. I had previously partnered a Christian publisher to publish the book in Biblical Interpretation. There was only 500 copies printed with 200 copies sent to us, SAM, while the rest have been shipped to Sabah/Sarawak for the “market” there.

I am now partnering STS in Sabah and we have roped in MBTS. Now we are waiting STM to come aboard. SAM Northern Centers, actually has no fund/budget for this publication work. However, I am stepping out in faith, trusting the fund will come in somehow. Partnering with these seminaries, it will reduce the publication cost besides giving wider credibility to the book.

At a recent Anglican function, the Diocesan Women’s Conference, I somehow felt led to stand up at our dinner table and spoke to those at the table, consisting of Anglican pastors from various Anglican churches – challenging them to partner me through SAM in this effort to publish this book. I praise God, someone responded positively. This I will follow-up. I just hope many more will share the passion in response to our Archbishop’s call for the church to “wake up” in these challenging times in Malaysia.

Do pray for us and with us in the OA/BM ministry. There are so many needs and many of it requires financial assistance. Two OA evangelists are serving without any allowance. Though I have found two sponsors, both are committing to provide half of our request. Please continue to pray for further aid for them. All of our ministries need your prayer support. Remember us during your quiet times as you bring your petitions to God. We are only able to do great exploits for God because you have been praying for us.

Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry

SB

29May2016