With half the year gone, I found myself doing little thus far. I have to move at the pace of my co-workers for one, and need to consult other partners in the ministry. This has resulted in a slow moving pace for the Bahasa Bible School. Yes, I’m a bit frustrated. Not only with the hierarchical structure but the laid-back culture I’m encountering. I’m not born to relax.
A few things come to mind as I look at the June that was. I’m still impacted by the NECF Seminar where Philip Mantofa made the comment that “being a pastor is not about having a position; it is about having the anointing.” I suppose it struck a deep chord of comfort and assurance within me, especially when I observe “ministers” who seem to care more about securing a fanciful title and position, rather than actually doing the work of ministry. It’s all about the anointing and how true this is. Within my short years of serving in ministry, I’ve come across too many Christian ministers possessing a conduct that is so very “unchristian” to the shame of ministry. I think if God is ever going to visit our nation, He will first have to deal with these “rejects.”
July is pretty relaxing for me, with just one speaking engagement and two out-station trips; one to the PADERI conference in Cameron Highlands in the middle of the month (15-18July), another at the end of the month (31Jul-1Aug) with a weekend trip to the OA villages. August will also see two out-station trips to the Klang Valley at the start and end of the month. September also has 2 out-station trips. With a relaxing July will also mean a good opportunity to kick myself into concentrating on revising my research proposal. It is a minor revision this time and I hope to get it right nicely so I can proceed to the actual field research, something I very look forward to.
Been feeling lazy these days. I think it has a lot to do with the gloomy weather. I mean, the cooling rain is so welcoming after a super hot season. But the unpredictable weather also causes me to laze indoor rather than to be outdoor. These days, I find myself buying all the needed food for the day on my way to the office and stay put in the office till time to go home. And with 6 comfortable beds within easy reach, I often opted for a 30 minutes siesta during lunch hour!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Ministry Update June 2010
We are quickly approaching half the year. For me June began with a crazy trip down south. I took a bus to Ipoh and joined the rest of the team in an eleven-seater MPV travelling to JB, arriving at midnight. Half the following day was free, supposedly for us to rest and relax. But that half passed by swiftly. Later in the afternoon was the SAM Council Meeting followed by SAM Johor’s first graduation service and by 9.30pm we were in a van traveling back to Ipoh. We arrived at 4.30am. Rather, I arrived with a friend in his Gopeng home at 4.30am. Though it was a brief trip with a quick stop-ever in Gopeng, I managed to grab the famous honey roast chicken and ta-pao back for my mom.
I am looking forward to another crazy trip down south middle of the month. I am sure this one will be more exciting. Departing Penang at midnight for KL to attend a half day seminar and travel back after lunch. How much more exciting can it be? Just hope we don’t fall asleep during the seminar instead.
Besides a few speaking engagements, I will be focusing on developing the BM Bible School this month. We encountered a little hiccup as to where we should pursue our accreditation affiliation. Do join us in prayer for clarity of direction and unity in purpose and spirit for all of us in the council. I just submitted my second revised research proposal. Please join me to pray for a favorable reply. Can’t wait to go to the field for the actual research proper. Next trip to the jungles is end of July, unless something crops up before that. Anyone wanting to pass anything to any OA village, let me know before then. Please pray for me as I will be participating in a mission trip to Sabah in mid September. This is an interesting trip because I will be the only non-local in the team, we will be traveling almost round Sabah, and it is the first mission trip for the local church. You see, the OA churches in Sabah do not venture beyond what is familiar to them. But this church, Gereja Baptis Keningau is initiating the first mission venture for the local OA church. The pastor that captured the vision for mission was my student and yes, I’m very “proud” of this trip. GBK comes under KK Baptist Church but they are taking the responsibility to raise their own funds for this trip. Thus far, there’s almost 20 participants and we will travel through several towns, including Pitas, Lahad Datu, Tawau (Serudung Baru and Kalabakan). Pitas is the stronghold of the Tembunuo people, known to be fierce warriors. During WW II, the Japanese soldiers could not enter Pitas because it was strongly guarded by their warriors who would slaughter the Japs mercilessly, leaving one to return to camp to inform the rest of what happened. Kalabakan, the final stop is where we plan to feast ourselves on the famous Kalabakan huge prawns/mini lobsters. All these stops, the team will do children ministry (VBS), women ministry, youth ministry, etc and end with a revival concert. If God so move your hearts to support this trip, please pray for us and the fund raising effort that needs RM9000. Participants are not paying and all expenses are for the team’s travel (5 vehicles, inc vans and jeeps), food, etc. I will send a separate email to some of you with details. Hope you’ll respond ;)
Finally, thank you for your partnership in ministry.
I am looking forward to another crazy trip down south middle of the month. I am sure this one will be more exciting. Departing Penang at midnight for KL to attend a half day seminar and travel back after lunch. How much more exciting can it be? Just hope we don’t fall asleep during the seminar instead.
Besides a few speaking engagements, I will be focusing on developing the BM Bible School this month. We encountered a little hiccup as to where we should pursue our accreditation affiliation. Do join us in prayer for clarity of direction and unity in purpose and spirit for all of us in the council. I just submitted my second revised research proposal. Please join me to pray for a favorable reply. Can’t wait to go to the field for the actual research proper. Next trip to the jungles is end of July, unless something crops up before that. Anyone wanting to pass anything to any OA village, let me know before then. Please pray for me as I will be participating in a mission trip to Sabah in mid September. This is an interesting trip because I will be the only non-local in the team, we will be traveling almost round Sabah, and it is the first mission trip for the local church. You see, the OA churches in Sabah do not venture beyond what is familiar to them. But this church, Gereja Baptis Keningau is initiating the first mission venture for the local OA church. The pastor that captured the vision for mission was my student and yes, I’m very “proud” of this trip. GBK comes under KK Baptist Church but they are taking the responsibility to raise their own funds for this trip. Thus far, there’s almost 20 participants and we will travel through several towns, including Pitas, Lahad Datu, Tawau (Serudung Baru and Kalabakan). Pitas is the stronghold of the Tembunuo people, known to be fierce warriors. During WW II, the Japanese soldiers could not enter Pitas because it was strongly guarded by their warriors who would slaughter the Japs mercilessly, leaving one to return to camp to inform the rest of what happened. Kalabakan, the final stop is where we plan to feast ourselves on the famous Kalabakan huge prawns/mini lobsters. All these stops, the team will do children ministry (VBS), women ministry, youth ministry, etc and end with a revival concert. If God so move your hearts to support this trip, please pray for us and the fund raising effort that needs RM9000. Participants are not paying and all expenses are for the team’s travel (5 vehicles, inc vans and jeeps), food, etc. I will send a separate email to some of you with details. Hope you’ll respond ;)
Finally, thank you for your partnership in ministry.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Ministry Update May 2010
Time literally flies. What do you know? It’s already May, the fifth month of 2010. And entering into the fifth month of the year, I went for a short visit to the OA village, together with ST, before proceeding to Ipoh to attend the first class of a former student who was teaching for the first time. It was a fruitful trip for me. I finally managed to get the necessary details to complete my prospectus for the BM school. Please join me in prayer that this school will take shape in accordance to God’s will. The school is now called SAM-ITC BM (Sekolah Alkitab Malaysia – Ipoh Theological Center BM Track) ITC is STM’s (Seminari Teologi Malaysia) TEE branch campus in Ipoh. We are working on offering Certificate in Christian Ministry, Diploma in Christian Ministry, and probably also a BTh (Bachelor in Theology). Coming soon will be master courses (Master in Christian Studies and Master in Ministry). Our concern (which should not be, actually) is the finances involved because STM requires specific course fees to be paid directly to them.
I am very excited at the development and prospects of the school. In fact, I’m targeting it to go full swing by next year. I invite you to pray alongside with me in this exciting venture. I am also praying for further developments in partnership with Christian organizations/churches in both Sabah and Sarawak. There’s really vast potential in this ministry and the BM churches are rapidly growing. I know almost everywhere, there are demands for BM pastors, and quality training for BM pastors/leaders.
The rest of May is slow moving. It is interesting for me to note that I always need three to four weeks to prepare a sermon. I always wonder how church pastors can churn out sermons week after week. In fact, I was pretty fearful taking up the role as the pastor of BJAC and having preaching duties at almost every Saturday. But the surprising development I observed was that God just enabled me to write/prepare messages in much shorter period. It is amazing, truly amazing…how God equip us as long as we avail ourselves.
Just this short update this time. Do join me in prayer for the BM Bible School, and yes, I’m joining everyone else to pray for our nation/Malaysian church. Also, remember to pray for my second revision of dissertation proposal. It’s moving pretty slowly. And thank you all for your partnership in ministry.
I am very excited at the development and prospects of the school. In fact, I’m targeting it to go full swing by next year. I invite you to pray alongside with me in this exciting venture. I am also praying for further developments in partnership with Christian organizations/churches in both Sabah and Sarawak. There’s really vast potential in this ministry and the BM churches are rapidly growing. I know almost everywhere, there are demands for BM pastors, and quality training for BM pastors/leaders.
The rest of May is slow moving. It is interesting for me to note that I always need three to four weeks to prepare a sermon. I always wonder how church pastors can churn out sermons week after week. In fact, I was pretty fearful taking up the role as the pastor of BJAC and having preaching duties at almost every Saturday. But the surprising development I observed was that God just enabled me to write/prepare messages in much shorter period. It is amazing, truly amazing…how God equip us as long as we avail ourselves.
Just this short update this time. Do join me in prayer for the BM Bible School, and yes, I’m joining everyone else to pray for our nation/Malaysian church. Also, remember to pray for my second revision of dissertation proposal. It’s moving pretty slowly. And thank you all for your partnership in ministry.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Ministry Update April 2010
It’s been a month as I slowly settle down in my new office, picking up the pieces and finding my way around. Last month was eventful with travels and adventures. This month, it’ll be a bit more “localized.” Good Friday/Easter weekend is just round the corner with services to attend. Besides the night classes in Prai on Monday nights and Thursday nights, and speaking engagements on almost all Saturdays, I have the weekdays to attend to all the necessary preparations besides putting things in place in my office. I’m a bit slow in getting the necessary office equipment, wanting to explore options for a good bargain.
The Bible School in Ipoh is taking shape slowly and sturdily. I’m glad of the progress. I am excited at how things are taking shape. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Lord is shaping the School. We have both teaching approaches of night classes and intensive classes taught by local and out-station teachers. We also have in our teaching team a few Orang Asli pastors. The first class of the year kicked off last month in Gopeng with ten registered students. I was teaching the class and stayed in the rural church. Little did I know that the church was infested with rats almost the size of a cat! The other option I have was to stay with the local OA pastor in the kampong. But I was not prepared for a kampong stay. There’s no electricity at night and water supply was inconsistent. And I needed to prepare the next day’s sessions, thus, I opted to stay in the rural church, a double story shop lot located within a row of shops in the old Gopeng town. The first night I could hardly sleep as there were strange noises almost everywhere. They were probably noises made by the rats. Well, I just believed them to be rats. The second night was pretty similar. I knew I had to catch some good night’s sleep to function well teaching the class the next day, so the smart me took a dose of piriton and I slept through the night soundly, disregarding the funny noises around. I was “rescued” from the church the following two nights where I stayed with some good friends in Ipoh. Good thing I brought my GPS. Helped me navigate my way around. But even with that, I took several wrong turns…
Do pray along side me for the Bible School. This is an exciting ministry. We are planning to offer certificate, diploma, and bachelor programs in two tracks: Christian Studies and Theology. Our team of teachers is mainly local teachers, including the OA pastors. We are planning two venues: night classes at YMCA Ipoh and intensive one week classes at a local church which has a complete education block. A fund from a foreign mission organization is available to enable us to run this ministry. God truly supply all our needs. Now we are waiting for better/more participation from other local churches around the nation once we publicize the school and its branches/extension centers. From the pastoral angle, I’m still surviving. Praise God for that.
PS: to some of my friends who are a bit confused – I AM still staying in Green Lane. It is my office that is in town. I moved into the office which is a room in a single story bungalow that will serve as a mission house for visiting pastors/missionaries
The Bible School in Ipoh is taking shape slowly and sturdily. I’m glad of the progress. I am excited at how things are taking shape. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Lord is shaping the School. We have both teaching approaches of night classes and intensive classes taught by local and out-station teachers. We also have in our teaching team a few Orang Asli pastors. The first class of the year kicked off last month in Gopeng with ten registered students. I was teaching the class and stayed in the rural church. Little did I know that the church was infested with rats almost the size of a cat! The other option I have was to stay with the local OA pastor in the kampong. But I was not prepared for a kampong stay. There’s no electricity at night and water supply was inconsistent. And I needed to prepare the next day’s sessions, thus, I opted to stay in the rural church, a double story shop lot located within a row of shops in the old Gopeng town. The first night I could hardly sleep as there were strange noises almost everywhere. They were probably noises made by the rats. Well, I just believed them to be rats. The second night was pretty similar. I knew I had to catch some good night’s sleep to function well teaching the class the next day, so the smart me took a dose of piriton and I slept through the night soundly, disregarding the funny noises around. I was “rescued” from the church the following two nights where I stayed with some good friends in Ipoh. Good thing I brought my GPS. Helped me navigate my way around. But even with that, I took several wrong turns…
Do pray along side me for the Bible School. This is an exciting ministry. We are planning to offer certificate, diploma, and bachelor programs in two tracks: Christian Studies and Theology. Our team of teachers is mainly local teachers, including the OA pastors. We are planning two venues: night classes at YMCA Ipoh and intensive one week classes at a local church which has a complete education block. A fund from a foreign mission organization is available to enable us to run this ministry. God truly supply all our needs. Now we are waiting for better/more participation from other local churches around the nation once we publicize the school and its branches/extension centers. From the pastoral angle, I’m still surviving. Praise God for that.
PS: to some of my friends who are a bit confused – I AM still staying in Green Lane. It is my office that is in town. I moved into the office which is a room in a single story bungalow that will serve as a mission house for visiting pastors/missionaries
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Ministry Update March 2010
I am now writing this update as an Anglican pastor. Hahaha…humorous, isn’t it? And our God is indeed a humorous God. Never did I ever imagine myself to be associated with a traditional, conservative religious organization. But God has His plans, in His way, in His time. I have moved in to the parsonage which was newly renovated a few months ago in anticipation of a resident pastor. Now, as I settle down I need to fill the basic furnishings with things that will make the place more conducive. Not sure how I’m going to do that. After all, I’ve always enjoy the mission field and used to the very basic of living conditions which make this place pretty much a “luxury.” It’s a single story bungalow with three rooms. One room has been converted to the office while the other two is available to house guests/visitors. Each has 3 beds and both have air-con and fan. However, there’s just one bathroom available which may cause a little hassle for big groups visiting. Utensils are available at the very basic/minimal for the moment. Do drop by for a visit. It’s pretty lonely here.
My primary ministry is still the OA community in Perak and I’ll be traveling frequently there. I’m still exploring how to comfortably leave my mom home alone during my travels away from Penang. Kindly advice if you have any suggestions. I’m considering getting a maid. The training ministry in Perak is progressing slowly. Initially, it was planned that PLK will run in parallel with SAM but there’s a proposal to merge these two to form a more holistic feeder school for ITC. Please pray as this school slowly takes shape. There’re available facilities ready in a local church in Ipoh, in anticipation of the establishment of a school. Looks like the Lord has been preparing the way for the ministries within my portfolio. We will pioneer the BM track for ITC and will need about two years before we can be directly linked to a local Seminary. Please pray for us.
March is pretty busy with the task of settling down in this new office. I have a speaking engagement at a youth group in a Methodist church on the first Sunday. The second week I’ll be joining the team of BM pastors from another church for a worship retreat at BHOP in Penang Hill, followed by a trip to Simpang Pulai for a weekend retreat with lay leaders with some BM pastors. That leaves week three pretty free to attempt a lot of desk work for the class in Intro to Christian Missions in Gopeng on week four. Following this will be preparations for Good Friday/Easter weekend and welcoming month four of the year.
Join me in prayer as we anticipate greater things that the Lord has for our nation. Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
My primary ministry is still the OA community in Perak and I’ll be traveling frequently there. I’m still exploring how to comfortably leave my mom home alone during my travels away from Penang. Kindly advice if you have any suggestions. I’m considering getting a maid. The training ministry in Perak is progressing slowly. Initially, it was planned that PLK will run in parallel with SAM but there’s a proposal to merge these two to form a more holistic feeder school for ITC. Please pray as this school slowly takes shape. There’re available facilities ready in a local church in Ipoh, in anticipation of the establishment of a school. Looks like the Lord has been preparing the way for the ministries within my portfolio. We will pioneer the BM track for ITC and will need about two years before we can be directly linked to a local Seminary. Please pray for us.
March is pretty busy with the task of settling down in this new office. I have a speaking engagement at a youth group in a Methodist church on the first Sunday. The second week I’ll be joining the team of BM pastors from another church for a worship retreat at BHOP in Penang Hill, followed by a trip to Simpang Pulai for a weekend retreat with lay leaders with some BM pastors. That leaves week three pretty free to attempt a lot of desk work for the class in Intro to Christian Missions in Gopeng on week four. Following this will be preparations for Good Friday/Easter weekend and welcoming month four of the year.
Join me in prayer as we anticipate greater things that the Lord has for our nation. Thank you for your partnership in ministry.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Ministry Update February 2010
February arrived swiftly enough but I have no complaints. I’m too eager to get started on active ministry. And February kick-started it with a meeting with OA church leaders in Gopeng. It was a fruitful meeting but still requires follow-up with other denominational reps. I have been to Gopeng several times and traveling there is no problem as I am familiar with the route. But I have planned visits to friends in Ipoh and Taiping. For the first time, I was driving alone along unfamiliar roads with nothing but a GPS to take me to my destinations. I do admit that I was both anxious and nervous. Just how much can I trust the GPS anyway? Besides, what if I suddenly lost satellite signal? But it was an experience epitomizing my spiritual journey right now.
I do not consider myself a spiritual giant. Instead, I lack so much faith to attempt what the Lord impressed upon my heart. So, this step of faith that I’ve taken to walk on uncharted waters, into a ministry of vast potential and huge challenges, I’m not hiding the fact that I’m entering it with much fear and trembling. And I have nothing except the voice of God to take me to its destinations. I have nothing except the prompting of God’s Holy Spirit to direct me at each step.
Sometimes I still wonder if I’ve made the right decision. After all, uncertainties are still lurking in the corners. I wanted so much to take the offer to serve as missions pastor with a vibrant church. I mean, I’ve been with the traditional church for so long. But ministry is not about what I want, it’s about what He wants. And considering the ministry, I took the option to serve from the platform of a traditional church. In fact, the three main traditional denominations form the largest group of the OA community I’m serving. It’s only logical to start a training ministry along the established groups.
February is a month of festivities. I mean, hey, CNY mood is in the air. My mom had put up CNY deco everywhere in the house. The shopping malls and streets are exhaling festivities into the atmosphere. People are slowing down as they gear towards CNY. Later this week will see a lot of travels and for a whole next week, CNY theme will dominate almost every aspect of our lifestyle.
For me, I only have a full calendar for the first and last week of February. The two weeks in between is CNY. I submitted my revised research proposal last week. It will take some time before my supervisor return it for further revision. In the meantime, I can indulge in Facebook (again). Pray for me as I juggle with several hats: the training ministry among the OA, pastoral ministry in BJAC, PhD student. But these are roles I very much look forward to with much excitement and anticipation. For most of you who know me well enough, my strength is in teaching and not pastoral. So, it’s going to be quite a challenge to pull off the pastoral aspect of my portfolio. Do remember me in prayer and thank you for your partnership in ministry. A very Kong Xi Fa Cai to all of you and God’s richest blessings for a prosperous new year.
PS:
Robert & Ruth: thanks for a wonderful time in Ipoh. More so for your fellowship, friendship, and partnership in ministry. I do believe the Lord is preparing you both for a greater purpose
Lynette: thanks for being a wonderful friend all these years; especially those times in 2nd RC, UM “harassing” me to attend church. At a time when I was prompted to stray, the Lord brought you to make sure I stay true to Him so that He can make me who I am for such a time as now to fulfill His purpose
PHP 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
I do not consider myself a spiritual giant. Instead, I lack so much faith to attempt what the Lord impressed upon my heart. So, this step of faith that I’ve taken to walk on uncharted waters, into a ministry of vast potential and huge challenges, I’m not hiding the fact that I’m entering it with much fear and trembling. And I have nothing except the voice of God to take me to its destinations. I have nothing except the prompting of God’s Holy Spirit to direct me at each step.
Sometimes I still wonder if I’ve made the right decision. After all, uncertainties are still lurking in the corners. I wanted so much to take the offer to serve as missions pastor with a vibrant church. I mean, I’ve been with the traditional church for so long. But ministry is not about what I want, it’s about what He wants. And considering the ministry, I took the option to serve from the platform of a traditional church. In fact, the three main traditional denominations form the largest group of the OA community I’m serving. It’s only logical to start a training ministry along the established groups.
February is a month of festivities. I mean, hey, CNY mood is in the air. My mom had put up CNY deco everywhere in the house. The shopping malls and streets are exhaling festivities into the atmosphere. People are slowing down as they gear towards CNY. Later this week will see a lot of travels and for a whole next week, CNY theme will dominate almost every aspect of our lifestyle.
For me, I only have a full calendar for the first and last week of February. The two weeks in between is CNY. I submitted my revised research proposal last week. It will take some time before my supervisor return it for further revision. In the meantime, I can indulge in Facebook (again). Pray for me as I juggle with several hats: the training ministry among the OA, pastoral ministry in BJAC, PhD student. But these are roles I very much look forward to with much excitement and anticipation. For most of you who know me well enough, my strength is in teaching and not pastoral. So, it’s going to be quite a challenge to pull off the pastoral aspect of my portfolio. Do remember me in prayer and thank you for your partnership in ministry. A very Kong Xi Fa Cai to all of you and God’s richest blessings for a prosperous new year.
PS:
Robert & Ruth: thanks for a wonderful time in Ipoh. More so for your fellowship, friendship, and partnership in ministry. I do believe the Lord is preparing you both for a greater purpose
Lynette: thanks for being a wonderful friend all these years; especially those times in 2nd RC, UM “harassing” me to attend church. At a time when I was prompted to stray, the Lord brought you to make sure I stay true to Him so that He can make me who I am for such a time as now to fulfill His purpose
PHP 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Ministry Update January 2010
Ah, I finally got down to pen a few updates…It’s been a relaxing, smooth ride into the new year, at least for me. Christmas was a blast. I had a wonderful time spending Christmas morning in an English service of a Lutheran church, the church that launched me into active ministry and hence, the start of yet another nostalgic moment for me. On Christmas afternoon, I was with a Bahasa church in Bukit Mertajam, being ushered in into a community of closely knitted fellowship of tribal hospitality. Christmas brought a love so deep and divine that I was a bit reluctant to go to PJ to spend New Year with my family there. Yet I know I have to. If not, taking up my new ministry commitments, I will have to be in church for all Christmas/New Year to come. And it was a wonderful time with my nephews. They grow so fast…
I came back to Penang on the 7th Jan. My nephew asked me why I need to go home so soon and I have to simplify a reply that there are people in Penang paying to hear me talk (I have a preaching engagement). Anyway, it has been a wonderful, fantastic, and fulfilling week as the Lord enabled me to minister across denominations. On 10jan I was ministering in the Lutheran Church, on 13jan I was with the FGA BM pastors, on 16jan I was with the youth in a Methodist church, and on 17jan I was sharing about the OA work with the Brethrens. Amazing isn’t it? That’s beside the in between fellowship with fellow believers from the Baptist, Anglican, etc…I think this is what I really enjoy most, ministering to the universal church of God, where the wall of denomination does not exist.
I am also glad that the last couple of days/weeks, I had the opportunity to meet long lost friends in Facebook. Schoolmates, classmates, collegians, course mates…and catching up on old times like what old people usually do. Ah…the joy of walking down memory lane, recalling those sweet, innocent moments. Unfortunately, I seem to have some corrupted memory files in my head disk drive and that made me missed out on some old adventures.
I realized I’m a bit addicted to Facebook and I forced myself to quit all games (except Mafia Wars). I’ve been sitting on my research proposal for about three months and I need to discipline myself back to my studies. And yes, quitting those games does help a bit. I’m revising a large portion to date. Stuck on a section which needs a little input from my supervisor, so, waiting for his reply will give me an excuse to indulge in Facebook for awhile.
Ministry is progressing well, slowly. A meeting is planned for various church leaders this 1st Feb. Please pray for us. We will meet to discuss how to plan/develop the training/teaching ministry to lay leaders in the interior, and also the possibility of community development and church partnership for various projects. We hope to share resources and save time/effort while being able to bless all concern. In the meantime, I’m being anglicanized, so that I serve from the platform of the Anglican church, ministering to the OA community. Please pray also for the advance training we are planning to establish in Ipoh town. We will work with a local seminary to offer degree/advance degree programs.
CNY is right around the corner, so, allow me to be the first few to greet you with a very happy and blessed Chinese New Year. Kong Xi Fa Cai…
I came back to Penang on the 7th Jan. My nephew asked me why I need to go home so soon and I have to simplify a reply that there are people in Penang paying to hear me talk (I have a preaching engagement). Anyway, it has been a wonderful, fantastic, and fulfilling week as the Lord enabled me to minister across denominations. On 10jan I was ministering in the Lutheran Church, on 13jan I was with the FGA BM pastors, on 16jan I was with the youth in a Methodist church, and on 17jan I was sharing about the OA work with the Brethrens. Amazing isn’t it? That’s beside the in between fellowship with fellow believers from the Baptist, Anglican, etc…I think this is what I really enjoy most, ministering to the universal church of God, where the wall of denomination does not exist.
I am also glad that the last couple of days/weeks, I had the opportunity to meet long lost friends in Facebook. Schoolmates, classmates, collegians, course mates…and catching up on old times like what old people usually do. Ah…the joy of walking down memory lane, recalling those sweet, innocent moments. Unfortunately, I seem to have some corrupted memory files in my head disk drive and that made me missed out on some old adventures.
I realized I’m a bit addicted to Facebook and I forced myself to quit all games (except Mafia Wars). I’ve been sitting on my research proposal for about three months and I need to discipline myself back to my studies. And yes, quitting those games does help a bit. I’m revising a large portion to date. Stuck on a section which needs a little input from my supervisor, so, waiting for his reply will give me an excuse to indulge in Facebook for awhile.
Ministry is progressing well, slowly. A meeting is planned for various church leaders this 1st Feb. Please pray for us. We will meet to discuss how to plan/develop the training/teaching ministry to lay leaders in the interior, and also the possibility of community development and church partnership for various projects. We hope to share resources and save time/effort while being able to bless all concern. In the meantime, I’m being anglicanized, so that I serve from the platform of the Anglican church, ministering to the OA community. Please pray also for the advance training we are planning to establish in Ipoh town. We will work with a local seminary to offer degree/advance degree programs.
CNY is right around the corner, so, allow me to be the first few to greet you with a very happy and blessed Chinese New Year. Kong Xi Fa Cai…
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