Ministry Update AprMay19

So I’m into drinking “adult beverages”? It was a cheeky post on my FB wall, a picture of a 3-inch souvenir bottle of whisky from my tour of a distillery in Scotland two years ago. The responses told me who actually drink (hard liquor) and how many actually “know me.” I have deleted that post. Apparently, it’s “insensitive,” whatever that means.

April saw several movements. It began with a roadshow in JB/Pasir Gudang for the BM stream. Then there was a brief visit back Penang during the Good Friday weekend for mommy related matters. Coming back was a 4-day intensive class for some students requesting it n last Sunday was AGM in church.

I m looking forward to May. It began with a simple PG outing of JJCM (Jalan-jalan Cari Makan) then LPI certification training which will take 2 full-days in PJ. Semester 1 will conclude by end of next week n my team will fly 3.5 hours to Makassar for a mission trip. We will spend about a week there, ministering in both urban n rural contexts. Do remember us in prayer. There will be 5 of us in the team: myself n 4 students. Pray also for the local team that we will mutually bless each other along the one week we are there. It will be a quiet campus when we come back as it will be the first semester break till first week of June. But I hv a ministry engagement in JB last weekend of May. The BM class retreat is planned during the Raya holidays n we will be in PD for some “we time.”

SAM Penang in Prai is wrapping its first course n the next course will begin sometime in July I think. We will hold one intensive 1-week course as a trial-run. SAM Ipoh…I hv no idea what’s going on there with its participants a bit on the “unmotivated” mode. A few are joining the Tapah center but even that, not all of them are interested to submit the course requirements. Please pray with me for them. In particular the leaders as motivation should come from the top. The next class in Tapah is scheduled for mid May. It will take place during the time I’ll be away in Makassar, thus, I hv to give this one a miss. The local coordinator will attend to all its logistics. Pray that the 50 over participants who attended the module in early March will come again n motivated to complete the program.

Kindly join me to pray for the BM theological education ministry. The prospects are huge but few are capturing the passion n the vision. I invite you to be a part of this exciting ministry. Get acquainted with us because “tak kenal, maka tak cinta.”

Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry

SBTAN

010519

Ministry Update MarApr 2019

April Fool joke came early yesterday when the guest of honor forgot to turn up at an auspicious occasion in church!!! Well, it was the church’s silver anniversary and the VVIP forgot…

Well, March was pretty busy with SAM’s inaugural class in Tapah the day after STM’s BM TEE class in Kampar. Though tiring, it was encouraging to see OA church leaders possessing a hunger for God’s Word. There were 51 students from Tapah region n 7 from Gopeng area. What moved me further was a pregnant mother calculating that she can attend the class before delivery but her baby came early. She asked her pastor if she can still attend while in confinement! Even if I have to “work” myself to the grave, I think such hunger for God’s Word can resurrect me back to a full life to continue serving the OA church.

There was a semi-guided unscheduled class held in the middle of the month to cater to TEE students who needed this core subject in NT Survey to graduate later this year. Cramping our schedules, we were able to allocate 3 days n classes stretched till night time. It was really intensive with a 9 to 9, 12 hour class (of course with breaks in between!) But I was so blessed by the creativity of the OA students. I threw them a challenge to present the NT books and its theme to their target audience n some came up with extremely creative n practical ways – complete with charts, drawings, n (sand) play.

Then, when the school break began, we were at Bukit Gambang Resort City in Kuantan for the DWM Clergy Retreat. The schedule was so packed we didn’t even hv time to touch the water in the swimming pool we walked passed so often between our rooms n the meeting room. The only relaxing time we had was dinner beside a glass-enclosed cage of two white lions – but they did nothing more than sleeping! Then we were ushered to watch two live shows – fire show n acrobatic comedy. Ok, I shall not comment on these “shows.”

Returning from Kuantan, I quickly have to get ready for another appointment – a speaking engagement at the Lenten Retreat organized by the Ladies’ Fellowship of a church in PJ at a hotel near the church. It was a small group of about 20 participants but I hv so much fun with them. They are such wonderful people n I found myself so richly blessed. It was a Fri-Sat retreat, so I returned campus by Sat evening n got ready to travel to Cheras the next morning for my church anniversary do…and the unexpected occurred when the VVIP didn’t turn up. However, the event proceeded well n everyone was blessed by the programs that were planned.

This weekend is a roadshow to Johor while Easter is around the corner. April is pretty packed too with a brief trip back Penang for mommy-related matters. Then there’s another unscheduled intensive one-week class for students who intending to graduate this year with a missing core subject. But I am excited for our mission trip to Makassar. Kindly uphold us in your prayers. I’m leading a small team (5 inc. myself) to Makassar for both urban and rural ministry. This will be in May for a week, immediately after our first semester breaks.

Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry.

Ministry Update FebMar19

CNY swiftly passed by. It was a disappointment that many hawker stalls were closed for 3 consecutive days and I “lost” 3 days of opportunity to savour Penang delicacies. But what was cherished were the fellowship and partnership of the church family and relations (appreciate those ang-pow blessings). The festive mood continued back to campus after the one-week break n there were eating sprees one after another. It wasn’t long before “work” came a calling n like it or not, back to the “grind.”

Last weekend n this weekend is the STM BM TEE class in Kampar. I’m teaching Basic Christian Doctrines. Never quite understand the rationale of its curriculum requiring courses in Basic Christian Doctrines 1 n 2, then Christian Doctrines 1 n 2. Those in the undergraduate program hv to continue specific doctrines – a repetition of similar syllabus…

The SAM Tapah center will launch with its first class in Intro to OT this weekend. Due to its late planning, we can only afford 3 classes this year. After the weekend class in Kampar, I will proceed to Tapah for its 3-days intensive class for the 2-credit course. Thus far, I was told we hv 50 participants in Tapah. Kindly uphold us in prayer that those who begin will persevere to the end. I’m slotting the class next week as it’s our reading week n there’s no class on. I hope to convey information to the other teachers in the team so they are aware what n how to expect the class, the condition, n situation of the class, students, n facilities. The (denomination) head office is planning to include the leaders in their Pahang outreach into the Tapah center. When that happens, we may hv something like 70-80 students! As such, I seek your prayer support to manage this wisely n efficiently.

Elsewhere in Ipoh, SAM Ipoh will merge with Tapah center for 3 classes while planning another 2 additional classes taught by local teachers. In Penang, SAM Prai has started its class in OT Survey. We hv planned 3 night classes n 1 intensive class

Coming back from Tapah, I’m finally able to attend the archdeaconry meeting after missing every of its meeting the whole of last year. Other happenings in March will include a meeting to discuss launching of the Anglican Institute of Ministry (AIM) for the BM & OA Board; the Diocesan clergy Retreat in Kuantan; and a speaking engagement for ladies’ fellowship in an Anglican church in PJ.

Will greatly appreciate your prayer support. Once again, thank you for your partnership in ministry.

TSB 260219

Ministry Update JanuaryFebruary 2019

Suddenly, the first month has reached its end n CNY is just around the corner. Events are unfolding one after another so fast. Then again, there really are so many events coming up…one after another!

So there was a meeting in Petaling Jaya recently and the route passed by a famous landmark…the famous archway of Universiti Malaya. It’s almost 28 years ago when I left UM and can still vividly recall orientation week at the last week of June almost 31 years ago! That first year in campus…away from home for the very first time, meeting new friends, n adopting to college life/study. It brings back memories of that one evening after dinner when I was walking along Tasik Varsiti, the still small voice prompting my heart to pursue a route I thought I’ll never consider. The voice prompted me to pursue a master degree – at a time when I thought I am done with formal education after I graduate with an under graduate degree. I mean, I’m not a studious person; I’m not the “academic” type; it’s just not me! Three years passed too fast n trying to go my way always had a tugging feeling that pulled me to a certain direction. And there’s always the echo of that still small voice that spoke to my heart on that one fine evening beside Tasik Varsiti. I explored various options for a master degree. Honestly, I was never serious to pursue further studies. I’m done with formal education n that’s it. Five years on n I could no longer brush off that tugging feeling and it was also the time the Seminary in Penang launched its first part-time master program. The rest…as they say, is history. There were a total of 17 years of pursuing four seminary degrees.

I stepped into 2019 with much anticipation. I was in a “hiatus” the whole of 2018 adapting to my new environment, ministry, and community. And truly God paved the way. The number of students is dwindling in Ipoh; the number of students in Penang is pretty stagnant – Prai is ongoing while SP is temporarily closed. Ipoh center had an average of 3 students from Ipoh/Gopeng last year. I really don’t know how to split my time between STM n SAM. I don’t know how to give it a boost to jumpstart again the SAM ministry. And God opened a door. In fact, He opened more than just one door: in Tapah, Sibu, n JB. As my position holds two interests – STM n SAM – I hv to present both options to my prospects. In Tapah, the SIOA wants to adopt the SAM route n the latest figure I hv on the number of students who hv registered to pursue a program is 50. Please pray for and with us. Our first class is in March, followed by May, and September. For next year, we will plan 4 classes – one in each quarter of the year.

STM Roadshow in JB in April will also feature meetings with BM churches to explore the necessary to launch a BM center there. Then a “trial” class in July in Sibu is planned.

In the meantime, my doctoral dissertation which had been translated to BM will be published. SAM is investing from its publication fund into this publication which will be the third feather in its cap. SAM in the past had also partnered with other organizations to publish a book on biblical interpretation, then a commentary on a Pauline epistle. Yes, SAM may be small but we don’t hv to be big to start significant contributions.

As we celebrate CNY, I pray for God’s richest blessings for you n your family. Thank you for your prayer support and partnership in ministry.

TSB 300119

Ministry Update Dec18Jan19

So it’s the time of the year again…to reflect upon the year that was. Well, for one, today (27Dec) is the first anniversary of my move from North to South. Yes, it’s been a year…a whole year of adjusting to sub-standard food n yes, it’s making me appreciate Penang food even more. The culinary skills of southerners are really questionable n the few good ones? Well, you can easily tell by the long queues at their stalls/restaurants. That is probably just a hand-full of them. Even the “once upon a time” good stuff failed to maintain its standard. Like the cendul I had earlier today which was supposed to be the best in town. If it is really the best, then the taste buds of the people here are questionable. It tasted nothing more than evaporated milk with diluted brown sugar!

Ok, enough of food. One thing is for certain – Penang has the best! Well, December started fun with almost two back-to-back teaching/preaching engagements in Ipoh, then to Langkawi. In between I managed to send out SAM Northern Centers annual reports. Originally planned to spend Christmas in Penang, I decided to stay put in Seremban instead as there appeared to be an increase in traffic volume along the highways. No, I wasn’t planning to drive back but traffic jams seem to have a negative effect on impatient people like me. I decided to spend my leave (19-27Dec) in Seremban instead – to explore this little town beyond the little confine I have grown used to. However, I ended up…spending most of my leave in my office! And I’m getting pretty bored that I can’t proceed with work because hardly anyone is in campus. Hello…semester break is for students (only). Can say that I can’t wait for term to start n very looking forward to next week – closing of the year n the opening of the new.

For a start, SAM Ipoh may be temporarily closed. In its place SAM Ipoh (Tapah) will be established with students from the Gospel Hall OA church or the Sidang Injil Orang Asli (SIOA). They are requesting a center to train their pastors from Tapah n Temerloh. SAM Penang (Prai) will proceed with three courses conducted twice a week at night and one intensive course for 2019. SAM Penang (SP) is also temporarily closed.

From STM front, two prospective extension centers are in view – JB n Sibu. Will greatly appreciate your prayer support. Also, plz pray with n for us: first full-fledge mission trip to Makassar in May n also in the cards, sending a team to participate in the Prayer Conference in Mount Murud in July. It’s going to be an exciting year. And (finally) I get to teach one mission class in first semester in BM n another one in second semester in English (yippee!!!)

Next week, orientation starts on Wednesday till Saturday, then STM community retreat in PD the next Mon-Wed. Following which, the “show begins” as first semester in the academic year starts. Well, next year is “supposed” to be special for STM – celebrating its 40^th Anniversary on 6^th Jan. So, it’s going be a busy start.

To all my prayer n ministry partners, thank you for your tremendous prayer support n encouragements. It is your contribution – however small it may be – that allowed us to sail through 2018. I pray that you join us for another exciting year in 2019. Happy n Blessed New Year to you!

Blessings,

SB

271218