Ministry Update NovDec19

It has been a travel-ful quarter that began at the start of October. A week in Tapah, followed by Penang, to Langkawi, then back to Penang; a weekend in Kampar, then to Taiwan, followed by Langkawi, n year-end break in Penang. I just got back from an almost 2 weeks trip to Hsinchu, Taiwan, attending a “historical” first Asian Ecumenical Women’s Conference. Though the Assembly was just 6 days, I was among a smaller group invited to attend the pre-Assembly workshop 3 days prior to the Assembly. With travels, it’s a 10 days affair!

I must admit that I was initially reluctant to participate. I mean, Taiwan? I don’t speak their language. Perhaps I may be a little bias…after all, I’m a Chinese who is not really a Chinese. But friends tell me they speak the Hokkien dialect, pretty similar to the Penang version. And yes, that helped a bit! The pre-Assembly workshop (never mind the topic – I wasn’t paying attention half the time!) with a smaller number of participants allowed us to quickly build strong rapport n the small group dynamics kicked in pretty fast. The evenings availed time for informal activities that we used it to plan visits to the night market. Again, never mind that the night markets in Hsinchu was a disappointment. It was the fellowship, the friendship, n the partnership established during those informal, casual walks at night along the streets of Hsinchu that knitted a bond of sisterhood.

What I learned at the conference:

1.      At the pre-Assembly workshop

a.       There is a possible elimination of HIV in the very near future

b.      However, this may further encourage same sex unions

c.       Christian groups are active to provide support

d.      Christians are persuaded to accept LGBTIQ+ as an alternative acceptable lifestyle

2.      The Assembly thematic talks n panel presentations

a.       The injustice n inequality of women in many parts of Asia

b.      The abuse n violence encountered by women

c.       The hope n future for equality

d.      The call for unity n solidarity

e.       The danger of embracing a lifestyle contrary to biblical instructions

3.      The Bible Study n workshops

a.       A brief meditation on biblical foundation to the Assembly theme

b.      A sharing of women’s needs to be acknowledged as equals

That was quite a November. The best part was making new friends from places I don’t even know existed. But I am excited at the opportunity to learn new cultures n its similarities in Asia – well, I am a missiologist!

December – next week is a preaching engagement in Langkawi. It’s a short trip, though. Coming back, I hv another speaking engagement, a Christmas visit to the OA community nearby. Will be going with a local church group. Then, I will be on annual leave (need to “clear” my leaves). I’ll be in Penang for about 2 weeks n spending Christmas back home.

SAM schedules hv been planned for Prai, Ipoh/Gopeng, n Tapah centers for 2020. Do keep us in prayer for the teachers n students. The whole ministry depends upon the prayers of the church to keep it going. Thank you so much for your partnership

SB

281119

Also found here https://mailchi.mp/c84054e757e9/sam_northern_centers

Ministry Update OctNov 2019

30 July n 24 October – these two dates are barely 3 months apart. But both dates marked the return of two promising pastors in the BM ministry to the Lord. Both returned under similar circumstances – sudden n unexpected. Both were my students with promising ministry prospects ahead of them. I wanted to ask the Lord if He knew what He was doing – how foolish! Of course God knew! He knows best. While we grieve over our loss, God is orchestrating His beautiful plans for each one of us. Even as you read this, may I invite you to pause for a moment of silence in honor of Eduan Bah Chimpok n Simran Masangkir…thanks

October was eventful. First week I was in Tapah for a 3-day intensive classes in the interior. Coming back to Seremban, I unpacked n repacked for the next stop in Penang for the Synod. Of course I travelled earlier to spend a few short days with family n friends (not forgetting the good food). Returning from Penang, it was busy time in campus as we geared up for the convocation events. With a short breather, it was on to the consultation meetings. Then packing to Langkawi for the faculty/staff retreat. I didn’t realize that today is actually a public holiday, a replacement from yesterday’s deepavali. Anyway, it’s another repacking to Penang tomorrow. I hv 3 annual leave break before attending to an official function n coming back I’ll need to start preparing for next year’s classes.

I’m in the midst of compiling reports for SAM ministry partners. Then Nov opens with another list of travels, teaching, n meetings. I hv to replace a colleague over a weekend in Kampar for a TEE class, then a major SAM meeting. There several maters I need to attend to as I prepare for the 10 days trip to attend the CCA meeting in Hsinchu, Taiwan. The following week after return, I’m off to Langkawi for a speaking engagement.

Kindly pray for the SAM as we are initiating some major changes to better serve the OA community. Pray for better network n sharing of resources. Will update further but I’m excited at the direction we are pursuing. On the cards is the major proposal to start a mission training school for BM speaking candidates to specially equip them for mission ministry. Join us in prayer. Exciting times are ahead n we need prayer partners to pray for n with us 

TSB

281019

Ministry Update SeptOct 2019

Is it October already? Gosh! Why are the days passing so fast? I just reminded myself the need to write and update my prayer partners soon but lost track that today we have entered October and into the final quarter of the year.

 September was pretty “relaxing” in a sense. So relax that I felt “sick.” Yeah, really, too free can make me sick. Not really “free” actually. My regular classes concluded by the mid of the month n there were papers to grade n lessons to be planned besides articles to be written. There was a Women’s Seminar where I taught n some preaching engagements besides loads of long weekends due to public holidays in September.

Entering into October, I’m preparing for an intensive class in the interior of Tapah. Will be travelling this Sunday and classes will commence from Mon-Wed. Travelling back on Thurs with a break on Fri before travelling to Penang for a weekend “break” before the DWM Synod Mon-Wed. Then travelling back Seremban on Wed evening n a “break” on Thurs before the hectic Fri/Sat of convocation events. With a short Sunday “breather” Monday begins with a 2 full intensive days of faculty consultation meetings. Early Wed is off to Langkawi for the faculty-staff retreat. Coming back on Sat, a 2 day “breather” then off again to Penang for a 3-day “leave clearing” break before attending a seminary’s 65^th Ann n Convo dinner. Returning on Sat, it’s forward to attend cousin’s eldest son’s wedding. Phew…that has taken me into early Nov. I’m not sure if I can hv 2 weeks in Nov to prepare next year’s classes but I’ll be off to attend the first Asia Ecumenical Women’s Assembly. That takes 10 days off my Nov and the following week is another trip to Langkawi for a 3-day working holiday.

SAM Penang (Prai) was not able to offer a third course this year due to some “technical hiccups.” In the meantime, the third class scheduled in SAM Ipoh (Tapah) was also almost called off. That was the reason why I had to go to Tapah – to fill in for a prospective teacher who failed to fulfil his commitment. Do pray for this ministry, especially for young leaders/teachers to continue this ministry. I really can’t do it alone. Especially now in STM, my time is literally confined n only able to attend to SAM matters on limited time. Will greatly appreciate your prayers with n for us as we allow the Lord to lead us in this BM theological education ministry

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

Ministry Update August-September 2019

August began filled with activities. Our pastoral group (PG) went for a retreat in the Cameron Highlands. It was “play hard, eat hard, and work hard” time. Leaving campus on Fri afternoon, we arrived the famous waterfall along the Cameron Highlands road from Tapah. Though it was already evening and it was getting dark, the guys went for a swim. As the day grew dark, we were forced to pack. First stop-over was at an OA homestay, a relative of one of our PG team member. The next morning we proceeded to Brinchang. The weather was cold n refreshing. We spent the night in an apartment. The night half was eat n shop. But the next day was working hard day where we did STM Sunday in an Anglican Church in the morning half and a SIB church in the evening half. The third night was spent in the village church. It was almost like a blink of the eye and our 4-day 3 nights retreat was over.

Coming back to Seremban, I re-pack the necessary and prepare to travel to Sibu very early the next morning. It was to be a 4 full day of classes in Sibu n I had a very wonderful time there with a very fantastic group of pastors/church leaders. Saturday was a day of rest before Sunday with two services to preach at n I was quickly ushered to the airport to catch the flight back KL.

Catching my breathe for awhile, I had a preaching engagement in my “home” church in Cheras n the next weekend a speaking engagement in PJ. This week I can “relax” a bit as I’ve been given the assignment to be an observer in an apologetics/evangelism class.

This weekend will begin the first of 3 consecutive long weekends. So, it’s a pretty “lazy” month. Speaking engagement is only towards the end of the month. But activities pick up in October with many activities one after another. And that will be my update for next month. Kindly pray for the SAM Northern Centers. We have one graduate from Penang center who will be graduating with his certificate in Christian Ministry. In the meantime, I am exploring availability of teachers n begun drafting course schedules for next year. I hope to recruit new teachers – most importantly, local teachers.

Thank you for your partnership in ministry

TSB 290819

Ministry Update July-August 2019

So, July is concluding. It’s been a pretty busy month but just a precursor to a much busier August. But, possessing a “work-oriented” temperament, it certainly made me “alive.”

July quickly concluded after starting with a forum on “Theological Education at the Cross-road.” It is an interesting forum – raising issues we failed to pause to consider. Especially on issues we realized but never quite give it a thorough thought. In particular is the issue of Asian education venturing beyond Western frame-work. Another highlight of the month was the doctoral class I facilitated. It was an enriching opportunity to learn through the interactions n class discussions from participants who are leaders in their own ministry fields. I had to forego my plan to attend the Mount Murud Prayer Conference as it clashed with the doctoral class. Was very disappointed but I believe in God’s timing. Next year, the conference will be held in the valley instead of the mountain top. Perhaps, I should attend next year’s valley experience to build up the momentum to the mountain top experience the following year…

August will be another month with a jump-start. My pastoral group will be “playing hard and working hard” in Cameron Highlands. In the schedule are play, eat, n ministry. Coming back from CH, I will fly to Sibu for a week-long intensive class. I’m especially excited of this trip – will be meeting an old seminary course-mate, someone I’ve not met (except through FB) for, like 20 years?!

I will hv the opportunity to be a “student” in class later in the month. I will be observing a class on missions taught by a foreign lecturer. He wanted a local lecturer to sit-in so that the class can be repeated by a local person. So, missions…is me – new n flexible. The week will conclude with my first preaching engagement in my assigned-church! Yes, I’ve been moving here n there n finally preaching for the first time this year. Then, the next weekend will be a speaking engagement with the ladies in a PJ church. August will lead to a series of long weekends but that I will update next month.

In the meantime, the night classes in SAM Penang (Prai) should be concluding soon. Next class will be on children ministry. Elsewhere in SAM Ipoh (Tapah), the next intensive class is scheduled for September. The report I received from SAM Ipoh (Gopeng) is there were just 4 students in the recent class in Evangelism. Do join us in prayer. The proposed SAM national get-together had been called off due to conflicting schedules of all involved. Originally, it was planned for one of the long weekends in September.

As we prepare for the rest of the year, I invite your prayer partnership – the BM stream in STM; the SAM centers in Penang (Prai), Ipoh (Gopeng/Ipoh/Tapah); related OA work (partnership with urban churches). All ministries stand on the foundation of prayer. Kindly remember us in your prayers. Thank you

Blessings,

SBTan

300719