Ministry Update July-August 2019

So, July is concluding. It’s been a pretty busy month but just a precursor to a much busier August. But, possessing a “work-oriented” temperament, it certainly made me “alive.”

July quickly concluded after starting with a forum on “Theological Education at the Cross-road.” It is an interesting forum – raising issues we failed to pause to consider. Especially on issues we realized but never quite give it a thorough thought. In particular is the issue of Asian education venturing beyond Western frame-work. Another highlight of the month was the doctoral class I facilitated. It was an enriching opportunity to learn through the interactions n class discussions from participants who are leaders in their own ministry fields. I had to forego my plan to attend the Mount Murud Prayer Conference as it clashed with the doctoral class. Was very disappointed but I believe in God’s timing. Next year, the conference will be held in the valley instead of the mountain top. Perhaps, I should attend next year’s valley experience to build up the momentum to the mountain top experience the following year…

August will be another month with a jump-start. My pastoral group will be “playing hard and working hard” in Cameron Highlands. In the schedule are play, eat, n ministry. Coming back from CH, I will fly to Sibu for a week-long intensive class. I’m especially excited of this trip – will be meeting an old seminary course-mate, someone I’ve not met (except through FB) for, like 20 years?!

I will hv the opportunity to be a “student” in class later in the month. I will be observing a class on missions taught by a foreign lecturer. He wanted a local lecturer to sit-in so that the class can be repeated by a local person. So, missions…is me – new n flexible. The week will conclude with my first preaching engagement in my assigned-church! Yes, I’ve been moving here n there n finally preaching for the first time this year. Then, the next weekend will be a speaking engagement with the ladies in a PJ church. August will lead to a series of long weekends but that I will update next month.

In the meantime, the night classes in SAM Penang (Prai) should be concluding soon. Next class will be on children ministry. Elsewhere in SAM Ipoh (Tapah), the next intensive class is scheduled for September. The report I received from SAM Ipoh (Gopeng) is there were just 4 students in the recent class in Evangelism. Do join us in prayer. The proposed SAM national get-together had been called off due to conflicting schedules of all involved. Originally, it was planned for one of the long weekends in September.

As we prepare for the rest of the year, I invite your prayer partnership – the BM stream in STM; the SAM centers in Penang (Prai), Ipoh (Gopeng/Ipoh/Tapah); related OA work (partnership with urban churches). All ministries stand on the foundation of prayer. Kindly remember us in your prayers. Thank you

Blessings,

SBTan

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