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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Monthly Ministry Update MayJune 2017

Well, it has been quite a month! May opened with an important meeting of the SAM Network. Is not often that we come together – is only on “special” occasions. The last time (my first time) attending such meetings was when I first entered the Anglican Church n “grafted” into SAM in 2010. So, it was a meeting to “rekindle” ministry bonds under the SAM name. We hv the northern centers (Penang n Ipoh), KL, n JB. As usual, after such meetings n collaborating on our strengths, plans were conceived n possibilities open doors for more ministry opportunities. Do pray for us n with us.

I had a holiday which I never thought will ever happen. After my first visit to London in 2015, I asked God to send me back there. Though I was never quite sure if I will visit again, in faith I started preparing for the trip. By the grace of God, I visited London again. To some it may be too short a trip but to me, it is sufficient – 8 days. An added bonus was a brief visit to Edinburgh, the capital city of bagpipes! I spent so much time researching n planning for the Edinburgh visit that I did not plan much for the rest of the time in London, except to visit an English friend base in Kent n a Malaysian couple who partner me closely in ministry who is staying with her daughter/son-in-law in Reading till July (well, they missed Malaysian food after 3 months in UK n we ended up in a Malaysian restaurant for lunch over char koay teow, nasi lemak, n roti canai!).  Besides that I volunteered for my nephew’s school fund-raising event – Party for the Planet. I can only thank God for making this wonderful visit possible. I was carefully budgeting my expenses as every price tag I mentally x5.5. However, after the trip I realized I spent less than GBP300! God is good. Somehow, everything is sufficient n adequate. One important lesson I learnt however, is Godly dependence. I remember preparing to rely on the internet to find my way around Edinburgh. I figured that once I arrived in London, I only need to get a local SIM card n rely on the internet to bring me to wherever I want to go. Suddenly, my handphone began giving problems (maybe jet-lag) n I couldn’t get online! I remember getting off the train from Edinburgh Waverly Station, stepping on the streets of Edinburgh n suddenly realized I don’t know where to go. But God’s Holy Spirit assured me n I relaxed in His presence n comfort. Even without getting online, being aligned to God is all that matters!

SAM Penang (Prai) is continuing its study in Cultural Anthropology while SAM Penang (SP) is continuing with its study in Discipleship. The first STS-SAM partnership to offer the MMin (BM) program will commence next month in Ipoh. Do pray for the 8 students attending n pray for more students to seize this opportunity to upgrade themselves with quality theological education at affordable rates while conveniently base in Peninsular. Next month I am traveling to Klang Valley to attend a meeting n perhaps begin preparing for next year’s course schedule. Please pray with n for our SAM Northern Centers team – both the admin n teaching team. Will appreciate your discernment with me if it is the right time to begin empowering our OA friends beyond the church. Do pray also for the proof-reading of our commentary (Phillipians) in BM where we are partnering other seminaries for publication. June also has several visits to the OA villages n possible partnerships between the urban-rural churches.

Thank you once again for your partnership n ministry.

Ministry Report Apr/May 2017

Entering into the second quarter, things are picking up. After all, the season for festivities has, sort of, ended. I’m in Ipoh for a two-week class in Cultural Anthropology. We meet in the evenings from Mon-Thurs and permit me to return Penang over the weekend in between. Holding classes of similar topics lessen me the time of preparations. As of today, the syllabus has concluded for the Ipoh certificate/diploma module and tonight is the final session where students will be sitting for the test. There are ten students in attendance: one certificate and nine diploma students. Two inactive diploma students came back to revive their academic journey. A total of two certificate graduates are upgrading to their diploma which means additional funding will need to be sourced for them (RM1500 x 1; RM1800 x 1 [one student upgrade from STM Certificate of Christian Ministry n one student upgrading from MBS Certificate in Bible Studies])

Elsewhere in Penang, class ended for the Discipleship course in Prai and SP just begun this class. The enrolment for SP class increased to 19 students.

One of the co-founders of SAM will be in town next month. The entire SAM network will try to meet each time he is in this part of the world. Thus, there will be a meeting in Cameron Highlands early next month for this purpose – update of SAM ministry. Besides us, SAM Northern Centers, there are SAM networks in Klang Valley and JB.

In the meantime, SAM Northern Centers has been consulted in a proposal to begin SAM Southern Centers. Further details have yet to be finalized. We are also in the process of proof-reading of a commentary where its completion will see the joint publication with other seminaries in Malaysia. A big thank you to our sponsors who share the burden to develop the BM theological education ministry in Malaysia.

In June, we will launch the first Master in Ministry module in partnership with Seminari Teologi Sabah (STS). STS will be sending their lecturer to teach our students, consisting of BM pastors base in Peninsular. While some are able to claim their course fees from their sending churches, we have a small pool of funds for a few who need scholarship. However, we do welcome more contribution to ease the pastors’ expenses as they seek to upgrade theologically. Classes will be held in Ipoh at St Peter’s Church. Thus far we have eight students but still short of two as STS requested a minimum of ten students to justify the cost of sending their lecturers here. Do pray with us for BM pastors/church leaders to be convicted in this capacity. This STS-SAM partnership will greatly reduce time/expenses while ensuring quality theological education to our BM counterparts.

Apart from classroom activities, we are also seeking partnership between urban and rural churches. Thus far, we have two possible partnerships and both (Chinese) churches in Penang have planned their visit to the rural locations for further exposure, understanding, and planning. We hope to establish more long-term partnerships. Do join us to pray for more such partnerships. I am exploring one possibility with a church in Ipoh. Let me know if you’d like more details on this matter.

Again, I greatly appreciate your partnership in this exciting ministry. There are huge challenges but they appear small because I am confident of God’s hand upon us through each one of you who prays for us, encourages us, and supports us. Should you need further information to be more involved, feel free to drop me a line or two.

SB 270417

Ministry Report Mar/Apr 2017

Everything seems to move fast n I even lost track that the end of the month has arrived, needing another report to my ministry partners.

March went by swiftly, similar to February. SAM Penang class in SP center concluded. Their next class with commence in April in Christian Discipleship. We are exploring an attempt to offer TOPAD through two-week intensive classes in July for this center. Elsewhere, SAM Penang Prai center continued with their class in Christian Discipleship which will conclude in April before the Anthropology class begins in early May.

SAM Ipoh has no classes scheduled in March. The next class will be the Anthropology class in April after Easter for two-week nightly classes.

We are still praying for more students to participate in the Master in Ministry (MMin) program in partnership with Sabah Theological Seminary (STS). The first module is scheduled for June. Will greatly appreciate your sharing with (BM) pastors needing further theological extension training about this program. Classes will be held in Ipoh.

Praise the Lord that SAM received from a sponsor quite a substantial amount to form our publication fund. In progress is a commentary (Philippians) being proof-read. With this publication budget, we can give a love gift to our proof-reader n pay for (our share of) printing costs in partnership with STS.

Meanwhile, it’s a big headache for us here in BJAC: cloudy future n an unreasonable auditor that kept harping on some past wrong entry. Morale is at an all time low in BJAC now. Will appreciate your prayers as we begin to enter into the Holy Week/Easter season

Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry

SB

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Ministry Update FebMar 2017

So we have quickly flew past two months into this “new” year. I think many of us are still reeling from New Year or Chinese New Year. Now, entering into the Lent season, churches are gearing up for Easter preparations.

February was pretty busy. With the CNY festivity end Jan/start Feb, the festivity in the air breathes “laziness” into most of us. The ASOD team went into the villages n it was a refreshing “break” for me to commune with the “jungle” at the start of this “new” year. Then we had the Northern Clergy Retreat at a beach hotel in Penang. It was good to be “pampered” in comfort. Getting in touch, networking, n fellowship with fellow ministry workers was refreshing. After the retreat came loads of work!

SAM Penang SP is continuing their first course of the year in Cultural Anthropology. I seized the opportunity to stay at a nearby hotel when the class was held on the eve of the Thaipusam break. Well, it was boring. SP has nothing much to offer. The budget hotel I stayed at was pretty unique actually. Its deco carries the Middle Eastern theme but the wi-fi speed was so slow I didn’t manage to get into the internet at all. Classes will conclude at the close of March.

SAM Ipoh held two classes in February. At the start of the month was a two-weeks nightly class for certificate students n towards the end of the month was the intensive one-week day classes for diploma students.

SAM Penang Prai will begin their academic year with the study on Christian Discipleship tonight (27Feb).

Elsewhere, our signed MoU with STS to offer the Master in Ministry program in BM, also begins our planning towards the first module to be offered in June in Ipoh. Do pray for us as we need a minimum count of 10 students for the class to commence n thus far we hv 7 with a few undecided/pending inquiries.

Prayer items:

1.         Expansion of partnership/networking with other churches/Christian organizations in areas of finance, training, ministry, etc

2.         Expediting process of creating a new bank account accessible by SAM central committee for a more efficient responses in financial matters

3.         SAM leadership: unity, wisdom, perseverance in ministry

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

Ministry Update JanFeb 2017

Festivities, though very much toned down this year, still have an effect to cause laziness in many of us. I am one of those affected. January had been a fast-paced month. It moved so fast n suddenly we have arrived at the close of the first month of the year.

SAM Penang academic year began with a class in the Sungai Petani center. I am teaching there for this first slot. We are studying Cultural Anthropology, which is a subject close to my heart. Why? Because I majored in Anthropology & Sociology for my undergraduate study; graduated without fully understand what anthropology really is; finally in Seminary discovered those undergraduate years were “foundation” years to my current major in Missiology! God orchestrated everything beautifully, as always. As the class in SP is at night, I usually spent the night “camping” in the church n only drive back Penang early the next morning. However, from the start of class this year, a student managed to persuade me to spend the night in her home. Well, it sure is more comfortable – proper bed n no noisy “mickey mouse football match on the roof” or clattering of utensils at odd hours as neighboring shops begin preparing for the next day’s business. Praise God for His providence!

SAM Penang Prai center will only begin its academic year with its first class in Discipleship end of February. I hope the earlier enquiries will translate into actual attendance as majority of the current students will be ready for graduation by end of this year. They may miss this year’s convocation and I am still looking at options and possibilities to enable the accumulation of enough academic credits so they can make it before deadline to graduate this year.

Elsewhere, SAM Ipoh will open with a certificate course of intensive 2-weeks nightly classes at the start of February and an intensive one-week day classes towards the end of February. The courses offered will be “Church Growth” and “Corinthian Letters” respectively. We are also anticipating some new students for the certificate modules this year.

Prayer requests:

1.         Teaching team: travels, preparations, good health

2.         Students: dedicated, teachable, committed

3.         Administrative team: well organized, attentive, focused

4.         Financial matters: task of “transferring” SAM fund from Bagan Jermal Anglican Church Penang into a new bank account that can be easier accessed by other SAM committee in Ipoh/Gopeng. This is on-going n please pray for St Peter’s admin team assisting us in this with the required paper works n liaising with various parties

5.         More OA to thirst to be well-equipped to serve effectively n willing to “sacrifice” comfort, time, convenience to attend classes n complete assignments

6.         This weekend, 3-5Feb, the Anglican School of Disciples (ASOD) participants will be visiting the OA villages. Pray for the participants to learn, enjoy, n be “bitten by the ministry bug” to carry the burden for OA work. Join us to pray for journey mercy, good weather, n fruitful time of ministry in Kampong Sungai Poh/Kampong Kepayang, Kampong Ulu Kampar, and Gereja Shalom Gopeng. Pray that it will be an “eye-opener” for the participants as they experience a different lifestyle from that of urban context

7.         The first class of Bishop Certificate of Ministry for Upper North Archdeaconry to prepare candidates to serve officially as lay ministers in the Anglican Diocese. I’ll be teaching the first module in “Bible Overview” over the 18-19 Feb weekend

8.         The Northern Clergy Retreat in Penang 20-22 Feb: that it will truly be a time to “relax” and fellowship with fellow workers in ministry

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

SBTan