Ministry Update July/Aug 2017

One student asked me recently, considering that I often “poke fun at the Anglican church” will I consider serving elsewhere. Actually, that question caught me by surprise. I didn’t realize it was that obvious that I’ve been “poking fun” or rather being critical of the Anglican Church. My reply? I told her, as long as God wants me here, I will be here till He instructs me elsewhere. Guess what? I was surprised at MY REPLY! I m still reflecting on why I am serving on the platform of the Anglican Church. It’s been seven years. It has ALWAYS been because of the OA ministry. But today I stand at a cross-road – spiritually. I hv been anticipating a change in ministry/spirituality since the start of this year n the waiting has not been easy. Recently, during one Sunday worship when I visited a local church, I was convicted to re-visit the discipline of fasting – huh? This is Penang leh...but I comply. Once a week till the Lord tells me to stop. And I hope He instructs me to stop soon. I so need a certainty of the direction of my ministry. So, why am I in the Anglican Church? I m still waiting – I’m sure it has to be more than the OA ministry. To learn conformity, perhaps? For a born rebel like me who is “obsessed” with doing things differently? But I’m certainly not learning my lesson.

July was a slow month. The class in SAM Pg Prai began with Theology II. The class in SAM Pg SP attempted the intensive approach with the TOPAD study. I “cut-short” my sessions from 5 to 4 days. SP was “boring” for whatever reason, I wasn’t able to work comfortably when not in class. It could be the type of music/environment in the malls where I took “work” to during the day. Food wasn’t as good too. Still have August to prepare September n October classes as it is going to be another pretty monotonous month.

The intensive diploma class in SAM Ipoh in July did not go well. Although 8 registered, only 4 turned up. Please pray for our team as we plan to meet with the OA students to find out what it is that is de-motivating them to commit. It’s been bothering me. In fact, been having  sleepless nights n hyper active thinking over it as I tossed n turned at most nights. To be honest, I’ve been asking the Lord if I’ve “lost it” n ought to consider doing something else. Or am I missing “some thing, some where...”? Is lonely here, terribly lonely...

A small-scale Bible School in Sabah (KK n Pitas) is considering partnering us. SAM South is still in planning. Do pray with us as we explore these two possibilities.

Greatly appreciate your partnership in prayer for us. Thanks

SB

Ministry Update June/July 2017

So we have officially entered into the second half of the year. Time just moved swiftly. There’s so much to do in ministry I don’t understand how some people can find time to meddle in “church politics” n internal strivings! Yea, that do happen...n within the Body of Christ. I’ve always emphasized this: a church that is not looking out will soon hv internal problems. Hey, how long can we tolerate the same environment repeatedly over n over, year after year? Human as we are, we seek “new thrills” n if we are confined to the four walls, sooner or later we find “fault” with each other! So, I lay my case for missions involvement...

June had passed by fast. Returning from the UK end of May got me still “reeling” over the wonders n fantastic weather of end Spring/early Summer. Still can’t quite get over the “coziness” of Edinburgh! Well, God...when You are “done” with me in the OA ministry here, send me to “re-evangelize” UK! ;)

There was a meeting in the SPECS office at the start of June n got the opportunity to meet some old friends n colleagues in ministry. It was a fruitful time to strengthen networks. Almost immediately was an exploratory visit to the OA village as this team wants to start preparing for their medical-themed visit in late August. Then we had our very first Master in Ministry class, in partnership with STS in YMCA, Ipoh. Total expenditure was a bit high but it is worth it to “invest” in the upgrading of our BM counter-parts. Besides, God will provide all the necessary. That...I am fully convinced. I was in Ipoh briefly to attend to the necessary n the students had a fruitful time of learning. We needed a minimum of 10 students but eight registered while three pulled out at the last minute. Please pray that God will bring a minimum of another five students or the program cannot continue as STS needs to justify their cost of sending their lecturer here. The current five students are committed n eager; it won’t be fair to deny them the opportunity to continue. Do pray with n for us in this.

The Raya break weekend saw a visit to the OA village. As always, visits to the OA villages are a super wonderful time to connect with nature, people, n of course...food! Different types of food. This trip, the spread covered wild boar, venison, n monkey meat besides my all time favourite of wild bamboo shoots.

As July began, so I need to begin preparing for the next classes. In Prai, the Anthropology class will be concluding soon. The next class will be Theology II. In SP, the Discipleship class concluded n the next class is a “trial run” of intensive module – two full weeks of daily night classes on TOPAD. The second week of July begins the class nightly Mon-Fri n continued on the fourth week, nightly Mon-Fri.

The final classes in SAM Penang will be “Academic Writing” in Prai n Theology II in SP for the fourth quarter to conclude the academic year of 2017. Elsewhere in Ipoh, we will hv an intensive 3-day classes, 9am-5pm on “Dangerous Faith” end of July; a two-weeks nightly intensive class in Biblical Interpretation in Aug; a two-weeks nightly intensive class in Academic Writing in September. And that conclude the academic year for 2017.

We will only hv two graduates this year – one from SAM Ipoh for Certificate in Christian Ministry n one from SAM Penang for Diploma in Christian Ministry. Do continue to pray with n for us in this ministry n thank you once again for your partnership.

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