Ministry Update

Dear partners in ministry,

Thank you for your partnership in the ministry. Thank you that your friendship & fellowship has been a blessing to me. Some of you may be like me, who suddenly realized it's already the fifth month of 2008! I've been pretty relaxed lately, in fact, so relaxed since I completed my thesis in early September 2007 & I'm getting pretty bored. Thus, I really look forward to the coming STCM (School of Trans-Cultural Missions) which is just around the corner. There are many activities lined up: teaching, traveling, mission trips.

End of last month, I went on a field trip with the BM Dept to Perlis. It was the launch of our attempt in networking with the BM churches throughout Peninsular Malaysia. There will be many more such weekend field trips throughout the year & its frequency will increase next year. Besides that, STCM will also see several weekend field trips for the STCM/audit students. I was told we will have many students coming in from Singapore this year. Then the BM module in July - I already have an average of 40 students for the BM classes. This year the BM Dept will host the closing ceremony of STCM where the students are preparing to present East Malaysian cultures in dances, exhibitions, and even food!

It's going to be a busy time & I'm pretty excited to greet the next term. After the one-week teaching, I have a weekend to pack & travel to North Sumatra for a 10-day mission trip. The next interesting month will be October when i have a back-to-back teaching schedule in Tawau, then Kuching. And after returning, the following weekend is another weekend field trip.

End of November is a colleague's wedding in Alor Star followed by our staff retreat in Langkawi. Looks like later half of the year is more interesting than the slow moving first half. Well, I'm also getting my hands into two huge, challenging assignments (1) a new (BM) extension center & (2) upgrading of an extension center to a partner Bible school. I'm excited at how the Lord is moving in the BM ministry - both in MBTS & the BM churches across Malaysia. And truly, it is a privilege to partner the Lord in His work.

I look forward to continue my studies next year and also the opportunity for a longer missions exposure. Besides Indonesia, Phillipines is a new promising option to consider.

Finally, thank you for your partnership. Once again I'm quoting Phillipians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you
or
Aku mengucap syukur kepada Allahku setiap kali aku mengingat kamu

SB

Another Step Forward

It's another new month and time seems to progress so fast, as if with a blink of an eye we are already entering the fifth month of the year. Although life still goes on despite the many changes around us, I believe many Malaysians are still abuzz with the change of our political landscape. I, for one, have suddenly embraced an interest in Malaysian politics, and a renewed hope & passion for my nation.

Last weekend I attended the silver jubilee of a local church. I was so impressed at the large turn-out. Despite just 25 years, this church has aggressively grown - even surpassing older churches with notable number of opportunities for growth. So, what is so spectacular? I suppose it's the leadership, strategy, and boldness. Many factors may be involved but the most important I suppose is still dependant upon the leadership.

STCM is right around the corner. The slow pace of campus happenings should be stirred pretty soon. I look forward to this and the many other activities later in the year. Mostly are the travels and ministry opportunities. A work-oriented person will still look forward to work opportunities for excitement!

SB

Isaiah 40:31

It's amazing how the first 4 months of the year has swiftly flew by. I've been pretty relaxed since completing my thesis in early September last year. Things have not paced up. And honestly, I'm pretty bored being so relaxed. A little here & there will probably keep many satisfied but not me. I must see loads of task to be satisfied. Last weekend was the first field trip for the BM. Dept. We went to Perlis and it was a wonderful trip. Most important was the opportunity to know the students better. Several other field trips are planned for the year. The next small-scale one is in October. Next term, the missions term, will see many trips to various locations. And I'm travelling with a team to Northern Sumatra.

I read the Isaiah verse this morning and it sort of reminded me again of how we find strength in the Lord. Remembering this verse & observing the uphill task for a spiritual awakening refreshes my soul to persevere. I thank God that He always speaks at the right moment & knows just how to "revitalize" the weary. I want to keep pressing on for my beloved country, Malaysia. God will visit us & Penang will be His gateway to touch the nation.

Isa 40:31 But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.

I'm Accesible, I'm not

It pretty much amaze me how some people who are in ministry, or at least they claim to be, can be so selfish. Perhaps it's the time I spent as a pastor that instill in me that ministers must be accessible to those we minister. What bothers me is to know that our newly elected ADUNs and MPs are publishing their contacts even in the papers but there are "so-called" Christian ministers who selfishly refuse to avail themselves to those they minister. Don't email me, don't call/sms my handphone, don't call my home...unreachable beyond office hours? Wow! Need to make sure any problem cropping up must happen during office hours. What breed of ministers is emerging these days? Seem to be like dead bolders that prevent mobilisation of the church!

I think Malaysians are still very caught up with political developments. I know I am. I've never been so interested in politics before, although I did a course in "Politics in Anthropology and Sociology" during my undergraduate years. The developments in the political arena has somehow affected every aspect of the Malaysian lifestyle. It somehow reveals to us that God's Spirit is moving in a "tangible" manner. I'm glad I have the opportunity to be living in Malaysia in such a time as now to witness "these." And I invite fellow Christians to keep pressing on.

SB

Outstaying our usefulness

Every Malaysian is still very caught up with the unexpected change of political landscape. Rumors abound and talks of uncertainty are the main topics of discussion practically everywhere. One important lesson that we should all learn is not to overstay in our positions. It is true that some individual possess outstanding abilities and we want them to stay on a long time. But we should remember that no one is indispensable. I believe the task for all of us is to recruit replacements. What I mean is, we should always have the goal of raising new potentials and then move on. The problem with staying where we are for too long is the danger of complacency, laziness, comfort, and being too rooted that our perspectives/opinions become too narrow. My problem is for those who stay in the same position 20, 30 years. I mean, move on. Raise people and move on – that’s the real test of capability. However good you are in your area of expertise, it will amount to nothing if you fail to raise a successor. People are always afraid to loose control/power when they give away authority but as John Maxwell mentioned in one of his books, the opposite is true. I believe it is true because the more authority you give out, the more effective you’ll be. The illustration is a bar of soap. It is more useful when it is used. The more it is used, the more effective it is in fulfilling its purpose.

I think the church needs to learn this too. The church needs to adopt the vision to raise successors. No one can turn into an expert over-night. Even from this very day, we need to raise successor. We need to source potentials and invest in them to take over the rein as the next generation emerge. I pray that more will catch this vision. Old things must past. This is a spiritual pilgrimage – we journey through a life that is temporal on earth. There should always be the pilgrim’s mindset. May we all learn to be spiritually discerned to understand the times.

A Cloud of Uncertainty

The General Election is just around the corner. I know many who are like me – politically ignorant. Besides that, we ask ourselves how to cast our votes wisely? We hardly know the candidates who claim to represent us. In fact, we seldom see even the shadow of them at any other times besides the few short days prior to election. The danger here is the emotional high preceding every election and human as we are, tend to be influenced by those emotions.

Uncertainty is one thing that most if not all of us are confronted with each moment. We live in the present with no certainty of what the next moment may bring. As Christians, we have a hope in the future and it is this hope that is keeping us focused; that gives us purpose and meaning; that gives us a faith to persevere the present.

For me, each time I feel discouraged or faced with some uncertainty, I turn to God’s word. In particular, I listen again to the prophecies proclaimed over my life. After all, it is these promises that had kept me going through the tough times of ministry. Yet, there still are times I question God; there are times I got angry at God; there are times I doubt God – all because I am limited within my perspective & not able to see the big picture of how God is putting things in place. Just a little while ago, I asked the Lord whether He has forgotten me. He gave me a promise but it seems like He has forgotten all about it & left me alone in a stagnant environment. I cannot understand & I feel frustrated, not willing to be comforted. Sure the head has all the right answers but the heart still refuses to accept them.

Actually, I’m pretty bored. I am someone some people would label as “workaholic.” Challenging tasks give me excitement & fulfillment. So right now, having completed my ThM, being asked to take a year’s break before proceeding to PhD, confronted with tasks I’m accustomed to for about 3 years now…I’m bored. I’m too relaxed and that’s the reason for the boredom. I’m not a person who can relax, lay back & “take it easy.” Honestly, I just do not know how to adapt to such a relaxing lifestyle. It’s just not me. Thus, I’ve been praying hard for more opportunities of challenging ministries. Pray together with me. After all, we are made to work (Gen. 2:15).

Here comes Mickey Mouse…

Chinese New Year is fast approaching & I’m still able to claim my right to receive “ang-pow.” Somehow, that excitement is fast fading as I grow older. I stopped counting my age after my 33^rd birthday assuming that the following years are bonuses for me because my Lord died at 33 years of age when He hung from a cross in Calvary. Well, I’m approaching 40 and as it has been said, “Life begins at 40.” I’m waiting to see if it really does.

The Intercessory Prayer meeting in campus is progressing well thus far. We have over 10 participants so far with a few regular & some intermittent participants. But it’s good to know that God brought intercessors into campus with a burden to see a spiritual revival happening here. It’s about time we awake from spiritual slumber! I can’t wait as I anticipate the opportunity to ride upon the wings of God’s Spirit as He comes visiting our nation. I’ve had my share of “spiritual attacks” lately. Maybe it’s a good sign that the Intercessory Prayer meet is a threat to the enemy. Maybe it’s because I “activated” my spiritual gift of prophecy. While I can say

^{ECC 3:11} He has made everything beautiful in its time.

…it’s still no fun when you are in the midst of the “attack.” Yet, I am comforted with the promises of God,

^{ISA 54:17} no weapon forged against you will prevail,

and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

and this is their vindication from me,"

declares the LORD.

…and His wisdom,

^{ISA 55:8} "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the LORD.

^{ISA 55:9} "As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

After the CNY break, it’s back to work. For a start, there’s the Adult Bible Class in church. Then, there are several books (in BM) due for publications; there’s a preaching engagement end of April; teaching assignments in July & October. I have sometimes quietly wish that God would let me pastor a small, closely knitted church in some sub-urb but I know that is not my calling. I can’t say that I don’t like what I’m doing which in fact, I’m having fun here dealing with Christian leaders of various denominations and missions organizations all around Asia. Yet, there’s some silent wish for a more “quieter ministry,” maybe that’s a sign of aging…where you wish for something more subtle, less turbulent, and easy-going. Because of that when I was asked to consider a part-time pastorate in a church located in the main land, I cannot just brush it aside. Instead, I did some considerations over it. Yet, the truth is, I know…my calling is to serve the universal church of God. Everything else at the local church level is the side line.

Some weeks ago, I was preaching at a church that comprises mostly of members of a church where I was a youth pastor. I’m glad of this “re-connecting” network. More glad is to know that they are still keen on missions.

So, as we welcome Mickey Mouse in this Chinese New Year I’d like to greet everyone of you, my prayer partners & friends a very Kong Xi Fa Cai.