Ministry Update Mar/Apr 2016

It was a lazy Saturday morning in the office when I received a phone call from an acquaintance. “Are you still in that small church? Why aren’t you requesting to be transferred to a ‘bigger’ church, given your years of service?” I was surprised with that question. But knowing who it came from, I can understand his perspective. People tend to equate ministry success to pastoring “big” churches. After all, that is how secular mentality had groomed us to think – you worked your years and ought to be rewarded with significant positions. So, I tried to explain to this friend that it is not important to be based in a “big” church but more importantly is that I am found faithful in serving God. Besides, I am happy working with my OA friends in the training ministry, which in some sense, running “under radar” of active ministry.

That short conversation reminds me the state of our church today. Instead of being the salt that influences the world, it has become influenced by the world. Significance appears to come from visible increase of quantity, regardless of quality. In some churches, it has turned to be so corporate that leaders function more as managers, not leaders; they hurt sheep instead of healing wounds. I cringe when I read that “judgment will begin from the house of God,” fearful of the impending judgment upon so-called “fellow pastors” some of whom I know entered ministry for all the wrong reasons.

March was a month of preparations. As the first quarter concluded, the SAM Penang classes in Taman Pelangi and Sungai Petani concluded. Next week will begin the second quarter where I switch location to teach a class in Theology in Taman Pelangi while the other teacher will repeat his class in Sungai Petani. 3^rd/4^th week of April is the one n half week of intensive class for certificate/diploma students in Ipoh.

Will greatly appreciate your partnership in prayer as I “juggle” between three teaching centers in three different locations in three different states: Sungai Petani, Kedah; Taman Pelangi in Juru Auto City Prai, Penang; Ipoh, Perak. We will be initiating partnership with yet another Seminary in Malaysia while forging close ties with STM in Seremban n MEC in Miri

SB

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^{PHP 1:3} I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Ministry Update Feb/Mar2016

Sorry for the delay in updating you the progress of ministry. There are so many class preparations and student assignments to grade. Besides that is the juggling of schedule among 3 teachers in 2 SAM Penang centers in Prai and Sungai Petani to ensure it both do not clash and also meet the schedule of each individual teacher. The classes in Ipoh are pretty straight-forward as it involve intensive one-week or one-and a half-week of classes. The Penang centers are weekly classes that also need to consider students working on shifts, especially the Sungai Petani center where many are Indonesian contract workers in the factories. Additionally, there is a request to increase the load of the courses from 2 to 3 credits so that the program can be completed sooner. It is in consideration of the contract workers who have limited time here in Malaysia.

Additionally, being in the team to teach TOPAD at various other Bible Schools, I also need to juggle other teaching engagements. Thus far, the scheduling alone had taken so much time that I hardly have time to translate my dissertation into BM beyond chapter one!

Student assignments are slow to come in and some do not meet the required standard when they attempt the short cut approach to “cut n paste” from internet articles. Here we are, assuming Bible School students are church leaders and pastors who ought to know better in matters of honesty and integrity. If the “cut n paste” comes with referencing or footnote it is not as serious. But, in these few cases, there were no such referencing whatsoever. It is both frustrating and upsetting that church leaders/pastors can resort to that!

I hv also begun grading assignments for our first batch of master program students. The application procedure finally began with them submitting the necessary documents to MEC for acceptance into the program. Even at this initial stage, the prospective students were slow in submitting the necessary documents while exhibiting a lack of responsibility in expediting the necessary documents from the right individuals. There’s just so much I can help and in fact, I am beginning to wonder if these prospective master program students are really master-material! I am questioning myself if I am moving too fast for my OA friends to catch up, or have over-estimated their readiness??!!?? The first master-level assignment I received was not at all master-level quality. It was just diploma level but lengthened.

I seek your prayer support for Godly wisdom. Truly I believe, it is only by God’s grace that I can hold all things together. March consists of regular teaching classes in SP besides getting ready for Good Friday/Easter. BJAC, for the first time will hold a Good Friday Devotional service, participated fully by our own members. April will continue with teaching schedules in both SAM Penang and Ipoh.

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

Ministry Update January/February 2016

Woohoo…entering into the second month already! And what hv I accomplished or learnt during the first month of the year?! Don’t put to tomorrow what you can do today. The year opened with tragic news, perhaps an indication of how gloomy the year (s) will be like ahead of us. Tragic fatal motor accidents costing innocent lives, drastic drop in crude oil per barrel, call to get a second job to survive, expected 5-figure unemployment, etc. It sure looks gloomy. But I’d like to believe God is in control. For me, I often find it hard to reconcile what the head knows with how the heart feels. But sure enough is this fact: God is watchful over every event that unfolds n He awaits the right time to put His plans to work.

^{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. ^{ISA 55:10} As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, ^{ISA 55:11} so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isn’t that Isaiah passage a comfort we need in times like now? It comforts me for sure.

First week of January I was in Klang for a 3-day intensive trainers’ training. Was quite an experience staying in the hotel my host put us up. Fanciful name n posh contemporary deco complete with hi-tech security. During the 2 nights stay I moved into 3 rooms! First it was the bathroom door that got jammed (my sister was locked in for 40mins before maintenance came after 3 intercoms); then the second room had water disruption; n the third room has shower options of just super hot n super cold with nothing in between! That aside, the training was an eye-opener n enriching – thanks to J&P.

Second week of January I was in Port Dickson. No, it was not sunshine in the beach. It was a diocesan retreat. I wonder why there weren’t any team-building activities n I observed how cliques formed according to ethnicity. The teaching sessions were basic n I noticed many participants not paying attention – me included. But this one thing I discovered – I now realized how “titles” make a difference. Previously, many fellow colleagues treated me as a “newbie” which indeed I was in the Anglican diocese. Suddenly with a Dr, it’s a different treatment. I was even added into the whatsapp chat group that consists of “high flyers” of the Anglican church! The way people talk to me n acknowledge my presence changed. This one person who used to call me, “hey SB,” now calls me, “doctor,” complete with a respectful nod. Wahloa! No wonder people everywhere seek after “titles.” It really makes a difference!

I seemed to recall another incident (no, this time not the Anglican community) I was introduced as Dr Swee Bee to a group n I immediately responded, “just call me Swee Bee.” The next respond I received was, “oh, that’s very humble of you.” WHAT?!Humble? Me? I am being humble? Well, rather…I am being CHRISTIAN! Hello…? I tend to believe this instead – a deaconess (Dss) title will NOT make me any holier; a doctor (Dr) title will NOT make me any smarter. I am the same person as before n prone to sin as anyone else. And I need partnership from fellow Christian brothers n sisters along this spiritual pilgrimage n transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ. It looks like “worldly culture” has so permeated into the church n crawling its way to the top leadership, thus influencing them to “impart” worldly-tainted perspectives to the rest of the church!

Third week of January the SAM class in Sungai Petani “branch” started its academic term. I am teaching the Intro to OT class. This is a different crowd with mostly Indonesian contract workers n Indonesians married to local Malaysians. It is interesting that the composition of students in Taman Pelangi (Prai), Sungai Petani (Kedah), n Ipoh are all different n it gives me vast opportunities to learn from the students. Thank you, Lord! The once-a-week class in SP will hv 8 sessions with breaks for CNY n my Feb class in Ipoh. CNY is right around the corner n deco n drumming music is already in the malls. After CNY is a week-long class in Evangelism n Discipleship in Ipoh. This is the first time I am teaching this course n hv to spend more time in its various preparations.

The week after CNY, SAM in Taman Pelangi starts it academic term with a course in Biblical Interpretation. A Korean missionary is teaching this class. In the meantime, I am working with a Christian publisher to publish a “Bible-school worthy” BM book – Basic Guide in Bible Interpretation: Playing by the Rules (or something like that). This book is somewhat a “classic” n hopefully the printed copies can roll out the press before class begins.

Thank you for praying with us n thank you for your partnership in this exciting ministry of vast potential. I pray that for the days ahead in this year, we join our hearts to pray for God’s intervention in our nation, in our world, in this generation so that people everywhere see the glory of Him who loves us all!

Ministry Update Dec15/Jan16

A very blessed New Year to all of you! Thank you for your partnership in ministry that enabled another year of serving God in this challenging nation and time.

SAM is ready with a challenging schedule to serve through equipping workers in the BM ministry. We are in partnership with various Christian organizations to be better in this new year in a holistic manner; expecting new vibrant students and an exciting journey ahead. The Penang centers will begin its academic term in January for the SP center and in February for its Prai center. Down south in Ipoh, we are starting night classes for the certificate class in January itself while the combined diploma/MMin class will kick off the academic year after CNY in February. With partners like STM (for certificate and diploma) and MEC (for MMin) it is sure a challenge to balance the demands of standard that both ATESEA and ATA require of these programs. I am charting ahead for SAM to be better recognized and positioning it as the premier BM Bible School in Peninsular Malaysia that is both relevant and contemporary for its targeted students. Do pray with us and for us as we seek the Lord to go further with our teaching team and students. Also, we greatly appreciate your prayer partnership to “recruit” more volunteers/workers to play a role so that we can impact and grow further. As it is, we lack a lot of materials (print or oral) in our local Bahasa Malaysia – our “national” language.  

(Note: Association for Theological Education South East Asia (ATESEA) is the accreditation body for STM and Asia Theological Association (ATA) is the accreditation body for MEC. These are the two accreditation agencies for theological education in Asia)

For the whole of this year, I hope to fully focus on developing this ministry while waiting on the Lord to make certain the next phase of equipping after completing the Doctor of Missiology program last October/November. There’s going to be quite a bit of travels starting from next week where I’ll be attending the trainers’ training in Open Doors (M) office in Klang Valley. This is quickly followed by the compulsory diocesan retreat the next week in Port Dickson. I’m still working on class notes/material for the dip/MMin class in Feb., being the first time teaching the class in Evangelism & Discipleship. Somehow, the festivity does have an effect to make us lazy, huh?! In order to break the “mental block” I hv gone to watch the latest Star Wars movie. If I encounter another mental block (due to the festivities) maybe I’ll go watch Peanuts!? Yes, just blame it on the festivities when the head says “work,” but the heart says “play.”

Once again I wish you an exciting year of ministry in 2016. It may not look too bright here in Malaysia but I am confident that as the Light of God shines through each of us, the brightness of the Hope will prevail in this nation. Thank you for your partnership in ministry.

Ministry Update Nov/Dec 2015

In two weeks, I was “granted” two “titles” I don’t want to use. It amused me why some people take much delight in “exhibiting” fanciful titles before n (abbreviations) after their names. But that is the way of the world; that is the way people are. So, I amused myself with the “white robe” n the “black robe” dilemma.

End of Oct I was commissioned as a deaconess in the Anglican DWM and mid of Nov I “graduated” with the Doctor of Missiology degree. At least, one testimony I can claim is that this “stupid kid” hv got her doctorate! Ok, ok, I may exaggerate a little bit but I still keep my secondary school report book as proof that I was never a straight A’s student n was a bit below average as how teachers would “classify” someone like me.

Nov closed excitingly with a day trip to the OA village with a CG group from GBC. It was fun, as how all visits to the OA villages are.

Dec will open soon n I m getting anxious to prepare all the needed annual/year end reports. I need to wait for data from my colleagues n they need some (much) “pushing” before I can acquire the needed details which is pretty frustrating, actually. But Dec is also a month to sort-of “relax” a bit with the festivities. BJAC will again go out for their Christmas outreach. This year to another Old Folks Home. Do pray for us.

SAM 2016 schedule is almost complete; just missing the certificate part. Plz pray for us as we embark on another year to equip our OA friends towards acquiring their formal theological training at certificate, diploma, n master levels. Students upgrading n new students recruited will mean additional funds needed. But I am confident that God will provide sufficiently n adequately. Another aspect that needs funding is the publication of Bible-school-worthy type of BM books. I am partnering with Wawasan Penabur to publish a BM book on biblical interpretation. RM4000 is required n thus far I hv raised RM1000 with another RM3000 to go. If any of you would like to help towards this effort, kindly contact me. BM books/material are extremely, extremely limited. Please help us to produce more of them. People like me, teaching in the BM Bible School hv to be fluent in both English n BM bcoz we prepare our materials from English material n then translate them into BM. Reference books are very, very limited. Most reading references hv to be translated too before being made available to the students. Or, we use books from Indonesia. But this is one option we would like NOT to resort to as much as possible. I look forward to your further partnership.

THANK YOU

Ministry Update Oct/Nov 2015

It has been an “eventful” month. Started with the final class of the year in Ipoh, the Dip/MMin class of Indigenous Christian Leadership. It was an interesting class of mutual learning. Following that was a missions conference in Chiangmai. The weather was good there – no haze. I learnt pretty much n would hv enjoyed it a lot if not for some over-rigid team mates that functioned like my personal CCTV! I had to miss the STM Convocation service this year. Moving around so much n an aging mother who is growing dependant meant I need to be more selective of my travels. This is also my worry as ministry is expanding n requiring more n frequent travels. I did not hv much time to prepare for my oral exam that came with a short notice but thanks to someone who had experienced presenting his dissertation, his advices were extremely helpful. So, I finally wrapped up my studies. Though I initially do not plan to attend the convocation, I was strongly persuaded to do so. Therefore, I will again attend yet another graduation mid of next month!

So I hv finally wrapped up my doctoral studies…sent it for another round of proof-reading before submitting the final version n inserting a page I just can’t wait to do: dedicating it to the OA church in Malaysia! Been waiting so long to execute this “prophetic act” that it is almost sur-real. Already there are two Semai leaders in the master program n I m a step closer to “working myself out of my job.”

Tmr, 30 Oct is the Ordination/commissioning Service in Taiping n I will don the white robe, attempting to look “angelic” while in another two weeks, will don the black robe, attempting to look darkly cynical!

Just got back from a weekend in the OA villages. Brought an English lady who intends to teach English to the OA villagers. Over the weekend of getting to know her a bit, I m beginning to have some doubts of her commitment. Perhaps I m a bit “too protective” of my OA friends. Just do not want them to be treated as “a safari of wild people in their natural habitat.”

November n December should be more relaxed…I just realized that I’ve been on a plane once a month since August: to London in August; to Miri in September; to Chiangmai in October; to KL at the start of November. No wonder the air steward in MH commented that I look like a “seasoned traveler.” November n December are also months to prepare endless reports.

Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry

SweeBee

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Ministry Update Aug/Sept/Oct

Yes, I am aware that I did not post an update last month. There were official travels one after another and before I knew it, it was almost middle of the month! But August was fun, at least the part where I spent 10 days in London. It was truly the Lord’s blessing that I could travel so far for the first time and traveling alone. Well, when I reached Heathrow and waiting in line to pass immigration, I really thought the plane mistakenly landed in India!

Most of the time I was in London, I roamed its narrow streets alone. I pray I have another opportunity to visit this place. One visit is just not enough. I must say, I simply loved the weather – it was between 13-19C most of the time and when it drizzled, the rain was icy cold. The “hottest” day was 21C. Both my nephews were quick to warn me that I will not like winter!

In the midst of my visit, my mother had a fall. Praise God, it was nothing serious. However, she has grown very dependant and I suppose all those who have had an experience living/caring for old people can understand my situation. I have to cut down on my out-station trips so that my mother can be “more secure.” We are still searching for regular (paid) help. Someone who can stay at home to accompany my mom each time I have to go out-station for ministry matters (any other conditions/suggestions are negotiable).

September moved quickly. After the many movements in July/August, I didn’t realize that my three full weeks in Penang is wrapping up. Next week, I have a class in Ipoh. Following that is a short trip to Chiangmai for a missions conference. I have called off the plan to bring our OA graduating students to Seremban for their convocation so I can be home after being away for pretty long. There’s still another trip to the OA villages, probably over a weekend end of Oct before attending the ordination/commissioning service on 30 Oct at All Saints’ Church, Taiping.

Regarding SAM Penang, the “branch” in Sungai Petani had concluded its first class. Because this center began “mid-stream” the next class will only commence at the start of next year. The Prai class is on-going and scheduled to conclude end of October. SAM Ipoh (dip/MMin) module will conclude after next week’s class while I believe the certificate module has another class in November before they wrap up for the year. Then the season for reports will commence…This year we have 5 graduating students: 1 diploma graduate from Penang and 4 certificate graduates from Ipoh.

Once again, I thank you for your partnership in ministry.

SB

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