Ebenezer Apr 2012 by SSMC

Ebenezer For Private Circulation Only

A Quarterly Newsletter of Sungai Way-Subang Methodist Church

Issue #1, April 2012

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. He is most pleased when God’s children fold their arms in apathy and indifference because then, he can continue on his rampage unhindered. We are most to be pitied if we have not used our weapons of warfare which are mighty in the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). We by Heather Liew need to ask God for our eyes to be e can never overemphasize the opened, our ears to hear the cries of lost importance of prayer. As John humanity and our hearts to burn with a passion to see God’s Name hallowed Wesley puts it, “God does and revered, His Kingdom come and nothing but by prayer and everything with it.” We began this year with a renewed emphasis on prayer, not because we have not been praying but because we need to pray persistently and so much more desperately. As we see the devil unleashing his fury knowing that his days are numbered, we cannot afford to keep silent. His mission is urgent because he knows that time is short! He is all out to steal, kill and destroy. He seeks to tear apart marriages and families – marriage and family being a wonderful plan instituted by God. Are we surprised by the dramatic increase in divorce and family breakdown amongst Christians in recent years? He wants to erase all semblance of order and beauty in relationships and in humankind that God has made in His very own image.

Transformation through

PRAYER

Ebenezer, April 2012

Colossians 4:2

His Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Personal transformation can only begin in the inner chamber – that sacred place of communion with God. Prayer begins with communication and deepens into communion. Prayer is essentially connecting with the divine source of life, love and power - God Himself. This communion takes place when our spirit unites with the spirit of God in intimacy. (Continue on page 5)

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e are happy to present our biggest bumper issue of Ebenezer all 32 pages of testimonies, reports and thought-provoking articles. Really, these are simply accounts of God @ Work in our midst and through the different ministries within SSMC.

’A S

Our Bishop Hwa Yung shared not one but two hard hitting messages over the pulpit in the span of a few months. Some of his thoughts are encapsulated in his article which we “borrowed” from Pelita Methodist. He made an impassionate call for Christians to commit to this country - a point which is picked up in an indepth article on “Christian & Migration”. The same topic will also be discussed at the newly formed Timothy Fellowship in April.

2012 will be a watershed year in many sense. Even as Christians around the world prayed for Malaysia during the World Day of Prayer in March 2012. we look forward to the fulfillment of the theme “Let Justice Prevail” in our country. As we usher in the Year of Quite a few pages are allocated for Jubilee on 16th September 2012 testimonies shared during our Watch when Malaysia celebrates its 50th Night Covenant Service, for the year as a country, let us declare this benefit of members who could not be the Year of Jubilee – the Year of the present. They have been edited for Lord’s favour! Let’s consecrate the brevity. So you really should have 50th year with prayer and been there to hear them “live” and repentance and proclaim liberty unabridged - do block your calendar throughout the land (Lev 25:10). next New Year’s Eve. Nonetheless, we hope that these simple accounts will be an encouragement to you FROM THE EDITOR even in your own personal situation Ebenezer is the pu lse beat of and circumstance. SSMC - a chronicle of God’s grace and His wo ndrous works There is a common thread running among His people. Its ultimate goal is to give glor through these pages - a focus on y to God. The contents are cont prayer and spiritual revival, in ributed by our members and frien keeping with our theme for 2012. In ds, and sourced, compiled , edited and addition, there are also a few indepth presented in a ea sily digestible and profound discussions on larger format to encour age our readers in their ow and current issues even as we ask n spiritual walk. It is certain God to transform the Church and ly not a platform to “pat ou rselves on nation. the back” or to pr omote man’s accomplishments. SUNGAI WAY-SUBANG As such, we encour age you to METHODIST CHURCH (SSMC) share your own sto ries, reflections, struggl Lot 1044 Jalan Cempaka, es and encounters with Go Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara d, so that it can be published Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling in future editions of Ebenez Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, er. Won’t you give this as your pr MALAYSIA aise offering to glorify Tel: +603-7726 9172 Fax: 7727 3036 God and bless others? Website: www.ssmc.com.my

1&5

Feature Article Transformation Through Prayer

Pastor Speaks

Praying for Revival

6-7

Greater is He... by Rev Hwa Yung

8-11

Christian & Migration

12-15

Watch Night

16-18 Youth Sound Bites 20-21 21-22

Youth Camp FB

Testimonies

(Chinese Church)

Who are the Chinese?

Timothy Fellowship

26-27

Star Architect

28-30

Satu Anak Satu Alkitab

31 32

CPC Iban Ministry

Children Ministry

Email : ssmethodist@gmail.com

Important Notice: The opinions expressed herein represent the views of the respective contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of SSMC or its leadership. This publication is for private circulation only, and no part of this may be reproduced in any form without the prior permission of the editorial team. Ebenezer, April 2012

PASTOR SPEAKS

ike a sprinter, 2012 raced off the starting block and is just passing the first quarter milestone. When you read this, we would have celebrated our Good Friday and Easter services. It seemed like only yesterday that I was sharing the Theme Verse for 2012 from Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”. As a Church, our theme for this year “Transformation Thru’ Prayer” is really a fleshing out of our Mission Statement of “Transforming Lives, Expanding His Kingdom”.

This we have faithfully been doing since Dec 2011. If you are keen to know more and desire to participate in any of the prayer initiatives, please contact any of the Leadership Team. Prayer Shield Over The Church.

Let me take this opportunity to share how the entire Church Family can be covered in prayer, if everyone does his or her part. As your Pastor, daily I uphold in prayer my own family members, all the Discipleship Group Shepherds (DGSs) and the Church Staff and their respective families. In turn, the Besides the “official” appointed DGSs uphold daily their respective times - church prayer meetings by Discipleship Group Leaders (DGLs) different groups on Sundays, and families, and the DGLs will pray Tuesdays and Thursdays - it is very daily for their DG members and encouraging to see the youth taking the initiative to spend 30 to 45mins in families. I assume each DG member prayer before their DGs on Saturday will remember to pray for his own family members daily. To complete afternoons. The Lord has also laid the cycle, the Chinese Prayer Group upon the Church Leadership to set that meets faithfully on Tuesday aside prolonged periods of time just mornings have committed to pray to focus on praying for the church. for Pastor and his family everyday. I and my family are truly thankful and grateful for this.

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“It is the desire of the Church Leadership that our members will grow in their prayer life as individuals, as families, as Discipleship Groups and as a

All of us will agree that prayer is important in our Christian life. Yet, for many, knowing and doing are 2 different realities. It is the desire of the Church Leadership that our members will grow in their prayer life – as individuals, as families, as Discipleship Groups and as a Church family.

Thankful and grateful for your prayers for me and my family

It is my hope and desire that we do not only ‘mechanically’ pray for our fellow DG members and others but also take an interest in their lives. For example, when someone is sick or has not been to DG or church for sometime, we will make the effort to phone or even visit him to extend God’s love. This is all part of body life in church.

As members of the family in Christ, we should care and uphold one another in prayer. A practical implementation of this is through our SMS prayer alerts, updates and reminders sent to the DGLs who in turn forward to their members. Many find this “chain of communication” useful and helpful. The potential “chink” in this prayer shield coverage are church members who have not linked up with any Discipleship Group. These “lone rangers” may fall through the crack as much of the body life ministry works through the small group or DG structure. My appeal is for them to link up with a DG even if they are unable to attend regularly. If you yourself are not or know of someone who is not attached to a DG, I would be happy to assign a DG upon request, so that everyone will be “covered” in prayer and also be connected to the SSMC Church Family. If everyone faithfully “play and pray their part” I believe that the church will become truly the Body of Christ, ministering to the many and varied needs of her members by utilizing their diverse gifts and talents.

L very little difference in lifestyles of believers and non-believers, it is time for the Church to repent. As we see that our programs and activities have done very little to change the moral climate of our nation, then we accept our desperate need for God to work in us individually first. We humble ourselves before Him and confess our sins and inadequacies.

Revival Praying By Dave Butts HERE is a hope spreading within the Church throughout the land. It is the hope of revival. Revival is an awakening of the Church to the presence of Christ in her midst. Arthur Wallis defined it this way: "Revival then is such a display of God's holiness and power that often human personalities are overshadowed and human programs abandoned. It is God breaking into the consciousness of men in majesty and glory." Here are some brief definitions of revival that will help us understand this growing hope in the Church. Revival is the Church falling love with Jesus all over again - Vance Havner Revival is a community saturated with God - Duncan Campbell

down through church history, God remains committed to waking up his people through seasons of special manifestations of His presence and power. As the Church today begins to be aware of our great need for revival, the question arises, "How does such a revival come?" One matter is clear: revival comes by the sovereign will of God and not because we have scheduled one. It doesn't even come because we want a revival and have asked God to send one. This time of refreshing is in the Lord's hand and comes when and in ways that only He determines Having said that, a study of the past reveals that there are things that God's people can do to prepare the way for revival. These things do not "force the hand" of God, but rather demonstrate that God is at work within us to prepare the way for another time of spiritual awakening that he is initiating.

Revival is God purifying His church - Erwin The Church's part in revival: Lutzer A true revival means nothing less than a revolution, casting out the spirit of worldliness and selfishness, and making God and His love triumph in the heart and lifeAndrew Murray Revival is ultimately Christ Himself, seen, felt, heard, living, active, moving in and through His Body on earth - Stephen Olford However you define it, it is clear that God has always worked through revival to bring new life to his people. Whether you look at the seven major revivals in the Old Testament or at the revivals Ebenezer, April 2012

A clear understanding of where the Church currently stands with God When we look at ourselves and see our worldliness and lack of commitment, we begin to understand the need for revival. When it is apparent that the Church is failing to impact or change our society, we begin to express our desperation for a fresh touch from God.

A movement of united prayer to seek the face of God begins - From our place of repentance and humility, Christians begin to gather together to pray and ask the Lord to revive us. A.T. Pierson said it this way, "From the day of Pentecost, there has been not one great spiritual awakening in any land which has not begun in a union of prayer, though only among two or three; no such outward, upward movement has continued after such prayer meetings have declined." Pierson indicates that united prayer gatherings help usher in revival and are essential to sustaining revival. Though we are trusting God for nationwide and even world-wide revival in the Church, we need to be a people who focus on preparing our own hearts and lives for a new move of God. We can gather groups in our own church who will humble themselves and pray and seek his face. There will be profound effects in our lives and churches as we place ourselves before the Lord, crying out for a fresh sense of the presence of Christ.

The following article is used by permission of Harvest Prayer Ministries which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing teaching and resources to encourage prayer, and was established by Dave and Kim Butts in 1993. This article can also be view at the following website http://www.harvestprayer.com

A repentant, humble attitude - This builds off of the first point. When every survey indicates that there is 4

(continue from page 1) When we commune with God we cannot but change. We begin to desire to please Him above all. In communion, we allow His life, His love and His power to flow into us to change us inside out. What I’m saying here is that prayer is not the end in itself. It is a means of transformation – transformation into the very likeness of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul declares in Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Phillip Yancey in his book, “Why Pray?” makes five observations on why we need to persist in prayer. Firstly, our persistence in prayer is a sign of our desire for change. Secondly, it brings God and me/us together. It changes us by helping us see the world, and our lives, through God’s eyes. As we pray, our own desires and plans gradually harmonize with God’s. Finally, it leads us into a new spiritual state for God to deal with. He says, “The real value of persistent prayer is not so much that we get what we want as that we become what we should be.”

Those of us who have been with SSMC long enough would know that prayer has always been integral to our church life. There were many milestones and different seasons of prayer that we journeyed through as a church and for this we are grateful to our past leaders and Prayer Ministry Leader. In the early years, God had already established His call upon SSMC to be “a house of prayer for all nations.”

Ebenezer, April 2012

Our past leaders laid the foundation upon which we must continue to build. May we be found faithful to His call! No great things ever happen to God’s people without first being bathed in fervent, persistent prayer and intercession. Historical examples of revival that transformed churches, societies and nations, as Bishop Hwa Yung pointed out in his sermon on March 11 2012, were preceded by fervent and sustained prayers over long periods of time.

nations, see your God is advancing His Kingdom and you shall be astounded. Now is the time to leave behind, to cut off, to severe every entanglement and burden that besets you from advancing with your God, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also. The Lord declares that His children are His treasured possession and He is advancing to embrace more treasures into His House. Where are your treasures?

As a body of Christ we have yet to fully comprehend the power of united, fervent prayers. When the priesthood of believers comes together in passionate and fervent cry for revival and restoration, God will move in amazing ways. God will come in His power when we acknowledge our desperation for Him, that unless He acts on our behalf we are doomed! For those who were at the 5 hour-prayer meeting on March 3, I pray that the Holy Spirit would have stirred something in our hearts leaving us longing for more of such times of prayer. May we pray that SSMC – children, youth and adults - will catch the fire of intercession and burn with a deep desperation for God. He wants to do so much more for our families, church and nation if only we allow Him to use us to pray. In Jeremiah 33:3, the Word of God says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

How would you know that His kingdom is amongst you? Where His presence is, there must be a turning around - the poor in spirit will be made rich, the sick made whole, the blind will see, the mute will speak and the lame will jump for joy praising the Almighty God. Don’t say the wait is still long and the bridegroom is still far off. Learn the parable of the wise virgins. Get your storehouses ready. Fill them up with treasures for when the bridegroom comes He will rejoice over you and declare, ‘You are my faithful servants. Enter into your rest.’ The church must be urgent. You, each one of you, need to be urgent. Tell the world that Jesus is Lord, the Risen and Coming King. He is the Judge of the living and the dead.” The trumpet has sounded. Those who have ears, let them hear!

Finally, allow me to share something that God impress upon my heart for SSMC. God declares that He is in the business of renewal, of making all things new! “Behold, I will do a new thing amongst you that even if you were told of it before, you would not have believed. Open your eyes and lift them up to the 5

Methodist. Social change and national reforms followed! Many Malaysians today are aware that we are a nation in crisis. Ethnic and religious tensions are at an all-time high. Never has there been so much politicking between the government and the opposition in our history. The culture of corruption has never run so deep, and distrust of the courts never so great. Despite the monotonous annual reports of students getting more and more lorry-loads of A’s in national examinations, everyone knows that our education standards continue to fall. And the list goes on!

age? Or, do we simply give up and say, Apa boleh buat?

Is change possible? Can anything be done to reverse the downward trends in our nation? On this, again, Wesley has something to say. Immorality was rife in 18th century England from the king down to the poorest masses, with a level of corruption far worse than most developing nations today. Gambling was the favourite pastime of the rich, as HE Who Is In You Is GREATER much as drunkenness through gin was THAN He Who Is In The World destroying the poor. Economic disparity By Bishop Hwa Yung was so great that even within the church, a bishop’s salary could be 200 he title of this times that of a pastor. Against this sermon comes from 1 background, Wesley’s stated goal, ‘To John 4:4. The Apostle More and more are leaving the country John writes concerning the as they see its continuing slide downhill. reform the nation, especially the church, and to spread scriptural holiness over battle against sin, heresies In the past, it was largely the nonthe land’ seems naïve at best, and and false prophets in the Malays who emigrated. Now even arrogant and stupid at worst! Christian life. Against this Malays are leaving! Many of our background, he assures Christians students continue to go overseas for Yet something happened in England, that God is far more powerful than studies. In one report, between March and by mid-19th century things had Satan, and, therefore, is able to give us 2008 to August 2009, 50,000 students completely turned around! Victorian victory against all the forces of evil went. But the writer asked, How many England was not only known for arrayed against us. will return? Behind that lies another integrity and virtues, but also became question: What future does Malaysia the most powerful nation on earth! In This message is relevant to us at both the have? describing this change, Professor Harold level of our personal spiritual conflict Perkins (The Origins of Modern English and growth, as well as that of the Like others, many Christians have left church’s wider responsibility in the also; and more will go. Others may stay, Society, 1969) said that, ‘between 1780 and 1850 the English ceased to be one of socio-political context of our time. It but will tell their children to go. Some the most aggressive, brutal, rowdy, speaks to the world of corruption in are trying to make a difference in our outspoken, riotous, cruel and public life, political chicanery, power nation, but they are a tiny minority. bloodthirsty nations in the world and abuse, economic exploitation, and social The majority just feel a sense of utter became one of the most inhibited, polite, evils of all kinds. Christians sometimes helplessness. Many have also taken the orderly, tender-minded, prudish and treat the Bible’s message as relevant only attitude of ‘If you can’t beat them, join hypocritical.’ Leaving aside Perkins’ to personal salvation and individual them!’ With the problem of corruption sarcasm and touch of cynicism, the point spiritual change. The result, running so deep in the corridors of is that something fundamental had unfortunately, is that we often talk about political and economic power, sadly changed! discipleship in church without any many Christians are caught up in the reference to Christian socio-political same cynical abuses, both in the public Historians have noted two keys responsibilities in the world. and the private sectors. Like Esau (Gen Christian influences that acted together 25: 29-34), some of us are selling our with others to bring this about. The first The church is called to be a blessing to birthrights for short-term monetary was the 18th century evangelical revival the world through her prayers, faithful gain! That is the level of the Christian under Wesley. This revival, which began witness, and holiness in believers’ lives. faith for many today. around 1740, impacted largely the poor. For Methodist in particular, we need to What then are we to make of Wesley’s remember that John Wesley and his coworkers explicitly stated that they were central theme was, ‘To reform the nation, especially the church, and to spread called, ‘To reform the nation, especially scriptural holiness over the land’? Does the church, and to spread scriptural God call Christians in this country, and holiness over the land.’ Consequently, Methodists in particular, to play a their ministry led to one of the greatest similar role today? If so, are we up to the revival in modern history, bringing task? Will the Malaysian church fulfil multitudes to Christ until almost 5% of God’s purpose for her in our day and England’s adult population became

Ebenezer, April 2012

Holiness lay at the heart of Wesley’s pastoral concern and class meetings, and through these the revival ‘spread scriptural holiness over the land.’ Two writers, Ronald Wraith and Edgar Simpkins (Corruption in Developing Countries) described the results as follows: ‘The Methodist movement and its aftermath coincided with the industrial revolution, and was more largely responsible than any other influence for the integrity … of a large section of the working class.’ And it was this that gave to the emerging labour movement in the 19th century Britain ‘its stability, its thrift and its incorruptibility.’

Leaders from all three parties suddenly could agree on a carefully worked out formula, thus ensuring that a new unity government could be formed and a bloody civil war averted. All these happened in the VIP room of a stadium in Durban, where 25,000 Christians were praying at the same time for national reconciliation at a Jesus Peace Rally! When news of the breakthrough was finally flashed throughout the world, the word that summed up headlines everywhere was MIRACLE! The church, through persistent believing prayer, had become God’s instrument of a miraculous healing for a deeply divided nation.

In summing up the impact of Wesley and Wilberforce, Wraith and Simpkins concluded: ‘Had not these religious currents flowed so strongly under the surface of national life during the nineteenth century, it is questionable whether corruption would have been virtually destroyed by the century’s end.’

Our nation is in turmoil. Corruption, misguided practices of affirmative action, self-seeking leadership and politicking have eaten away at the nation’s socio-economic growth. The rampant growth of interreligious and interethnic conflicts left unchecked will eventually destroy the delicate sociopolitical fabric of our country and any remaining confidence in it. The church is called to be an instrument of healing and reconciliation in the world (2 Cor 5:18f). But are we willing to embrace our Godgiven task? Do we have what it takes?

In more recent times, the South African church has another lesson to teach us. In 1994, the old era was finally coming to an end. The country was preparing for democratic elections for the first time, after decades of apartheid rule. Yet everything was not well, with racial tensions, having built up for centuries, finally ready to explode into a massive civil war! The three main political groups, the National Party, Inkatha Freedom Party and the ANC, representing the Afrikaans, the Zulus, and the majority of the blacks in the country respectively, could not agree to a formula for the transitional government. To find a way forward for reconciliation in the nation, two of the world’s most highly respected negotiators were brought in, namely Henry Kissinger and Lord Carrington. But by 14 April, the negotiations had collapsed and the international advisors flown off. South Africa was on the verge of imploding, with thousands or even millions of lives at stake! But some Christian leaders refused to give up and, instead, called on the whole country to pray. Then three days later there was a vital breakthrough. Ebenezer, April 2012

And when God finally opened his eyes, the servant could see ‘the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha’! As we look at our nation, Malaysia, what do we see? Do we see the powerful forces of evil all around us and Satan doing his level best to destroy this nation and the church? Or, do we see the angelic host all around us? Do we recognise that ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world’ (1 John 4:4)? If the Malaysian church is to become God’s instrument of redemption and healing for our nation, then several things must happen. First, our own lives must be put right before God. For ‘without holiness no one will see God’ (Heb 12:14)! Second, the Malaysian church must go on our knees and to pray with such earnestness and authority that the prevailing spiritual darkness over our nation will be decisively lifted and powerfully cast aside. This will usher in a revival that will sweep multitudes into the kingdom of God, and plant strong, vibrant and praying local churches up and down the country.

Third, as in the 18th century evangelical revival, we must teach Christians to live holy lives, both personal and social. For unless Christian lives are virtuous and clean, what right or moral authority do we have to attack the prevailing There is a well-known story in the Old corruption and evils around us? Testament (2 Kings 6:8-17) where one Fourthly, we must ask God to raise up day the prophet Elisha and his servant men and women of integrity to work for woke up in the city of Dothan and found reforms at every level of society. This themselves surrounded by enemy will open the way for lasting social and soldiers, sent by the Syrian king to nab culture change. Finally, do not expect the prophet. The servant’s reaction was, quick-fixes! They don’t last. Are we ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ prepared for the long haul? Elisha’s response is instructive: ‘Do not Reproduced with permission from Pelita be afraid, for those who with us are Methodist (Sept 2010). This sermon was more than those who are with them.’ preached at the 125th Anniversary Service of the Through eyes moulded by faith, he Methodist Church in Malaysia, 12 August 2010. could see the angelic host all around. 7

2. Opportunity, Security and Education The causes of talent migration can best be summarized into 3 major categories, namely, Education, Opportunity and Security and appear to be reflected in the responses of 30-odd interviewees by the StarEducation.

The Church As An Alternative Community – Talent Migration

(a) Opportunity and globalisation

Migration has always been a natural response to the human need to seek a better life although this phenomenon is not unique to Malaysia alone as many by Cheong Seng Gee young professionals in neighboring countries prefer to work in places like Introduction New York or Beijing as they feel these his article offers a more detailed places would give them more career discussion on the topic of “Talent opportunities or better work-life Migration or Migration in Disguise?” which balance. the author shared over the pulpit on 26th Feb 2012. We are reproducing this article to stimulate healthy and honest discussions and personal examination notwithstanding that this is a sensitive issue especially among middle and upper middle class Malaysian Christians. Our Bishop also touched on this in both his hardhitting Sunday sermons “I will build My Church” and he concluded with a challenge to Christians to “commit” to this country as a precursor to a spiritual revival. In the interest to keep the article succinct, the Sociological Dimension section has edited significantly. If you are interested, you may request for the full article from the author personally.

his paper seeks to debate on the current and challenging issue of Talent Migration from a Malaysian Christian perspective especially in the context of race, religion, politics and economics. The first part deals with the sociological dimension and the second part a biblical response.

A. The Sociological Dimension of Talent Migration 1. The Great Malaysian Brain Drain The official statistics say that around 700,000 Malaysians are currently living abroad; harsher critics claim the number is closer to 1 million, and appear to be an upward trend of 304k leaving Malaysia in 2007/8 from 140k in 2007.

(b) Security : Race and Religion A common thread running through the core of why the younger generation chooses to leave is that of identity and belonging. Opportunities and career progress are seen to be more race-driven and judged by conformance to religious expectations while true meritocracy remain elusive. In the overseas context, Malaysian professionals have become accustomed to being rewarded based on performance and merit. (c) Education The notion of “making it” overseas before being recognized locally is reflected in the tales of many young Malaysians who have benefited from tertiary education overseas while being denied or given limited places locally.

outflow of 17,000 “units of human capital” on average a month. Among the ethnic groups in Malaysia , the Chinese are the largest outflow and this group is experiencing the biggest change in demography from 45% (1957) to 22,6% (2010) and projected only 18.6% (by 2035). This demographic pressure is compounded by drop on the fertility of the Chinese from 4.6 children to 2.5 children between 1970 and 1997. People who have left have done so for a variety of reasons. Typically, there are three buckets. One is economic in terms of higher pay, the other is professional development where skills are best optimised and the third is broader macro-issues such as public transport, education for their children, race and religion. The writer strongly believes there is a strong proposition to Malaysia with the current government despite its perceived flaws and weaknesses especially with opportunities arising from the government transformation and economic transformation programmes and we are now in an exciting period of the country's history. There are exciting opportunities for top talent. Hence, it is in the church’s interest to see that the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) succeeds and that is in the form of top talents that stay or come back.

3. Demographics of Chinese in Malaysia – Another Nail? The sharp reduction of Chinese especially, as a population ratio is contrary to natural growth patterns and an anomaly due to, perhaps, institutionalized discrimination. “No greater love hath man and moms than they lay down their life savings for their children to study overseas and emigrate”. A review of statistics will help us to interpret this unique Made-inMalaysia export of roughly an Ebenezer, April 2012

suggests how one should approach the issue of immigration as serious Christians from a scriptural perspective. Some passages below are listed for consideration: Genesis 12:1-9 : A Larger Plan of God

B. A Biblical Response 1. How does the Malaysian Church wrestle with the Malaysian diaspora?

But on the part of Jacob, he made a move based a combination of a push and pull factor. Pull factor: desire to be reunited with his long-lost-and-thoughtdead beloved son; push factor: the famine was getting more and more severe. This combination of factors makes his decision to leave sensible. No one would question Jacob for impure motives. When God causes an emigration to fulfill His plan, people can see that it is a wise decision on godly, not worldly, terms. Ruth 1:1-5 : Personal Choice

Building a network with someone who has the potential to return or least can potentially contribute from afar will definitely be strengthened if it is done on a co-opted basis, more so, in Kingdom Building.

He also sees people leave their own country to live elsewhere because it was either by (a) force or exile,( b) by necessity (war, famine or persecution, Dr Leong has this to say on the larger where one's life is threatened"), and (c) plan of God :“This is the standard text by choice (various reasons). Strictly For example, a church leader or Christians use to support emigration. speaking "emigration" refers mainly to Christian professional overseas will But it must be recognized that the the third category only, and so we most probably want to talk to another emigration of Abraham from would exclude examples in the Bible leader or Christian professional who has Mesopotamia to Canaan is part of a that clearly belongs to (a) or (b). Under returned. One way is to partner with larger, non-repeatable, plan of God that category ( b) Dr Leong further added established individuals to reach out to includes the later emigration of Jacob that where one's life is not threatened by those people. and family to join Joseph in Egypt and famine and persecution but one’s 2. The Continuing Christian Debate on then the return of the nation of Israel lifestyle may be threatened, then there is from Egypt back to Canaan (Gen Immigration – Quo Imus Hinc? really no necessity to leave one's 15:12-14). So this example needs to be homeland. There seems to be a gray The debate on whether Christians used with care. With the larger picture in border separating (b) and (c) as to when should migrate or for that matter, talent mind, the emigration of Abraham was necessity ends and where choice begins. migrate, sometimes, strikes a raw nerve necessary in order to fulfill God's When it is more a choice which causes for many contemplating leaving this purpose for his life. Many people today one to leave due to "persecution" or country. There are strong views on both who emigrate are motivated by the "famine" (= economic recession or sides of the divide. Those who stay by "greener pasture" elsewhere but may depression), then it can be considered as choice or by circumstances may feel a also claim this as the reason for leaving emigration. sense of abandonment by those who go. the country of their birth, but in the case Those who go, cite either fear of of Abraham, God's purpose was spelled Noami and her family is a case in point. persecution, infringement of personal They left for greener pasture (more out very clearly to him. And his freedom, limiting opportunities and because of the push factor than the pull emigration did not make worldly sense even worse quote scriptures. There seem to worldly observers. And as Hwa Yung factor, unlike emigration to Western to be an unspoken judgmental attitude countries today which is really a pull would ask of Christians today who by those who stay on those who leave. factor). Did they make a wise choice? claim they emigrate to fulfill God's For this perspective, we need to examine calling, "Why always to a more scriptures on the issue of migration. developed country?" (a) Scriptural and Theological Arguments However, a moot point, is there a theological or scriptural basis for migration? Below are some scriptural views on Immigration as espoused by a leading Malaysian scholar, Dr Leong Tien Fock who is also with Campus Crusade for Christ, Malaysia. He

Ebenezer, April 2012

Gen 46 : 1-34 : The Push and Pull Factor According to Dr Leong, there is also the push and pull factor as in Jacob's emigration which was part of God's plan. It was God who ultimately put Joseph in Egypt and caused/allowed the famine so that Jacob would do what He had planned. So there are emigrations that is caused (not just allowed) by God.

Though it was a devastating experience for Naomi (wrong decision?), the story ended up well--the union of Ruth and Boaz led to David, Israel's greatest king, and ultimately to Jesus Christ (right decision?). But this by itself does not mean they did the right thing. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery (allowed, not caused, by God) and this led to his fulfilling God's purpose for him and for Israel and the story ended well for the brothers too. But was it right for them to sell Joseph into Egypt? It is a testimony of God's sovereignty ("You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good" as in Gen 50:20).

Note that there is no way to fit every possible case of emigration into neat categories. There are borderline cases within and beyond the gray border that Dr Leong mentioned above. For example, where does Lina Joy fit in, unless it is clear that her life is threatened?

2 Chron 11:13-17 : Political Separation

Settling in the West is no final solution

Dr Leong quotes the OT history of Israel, when Israel divided into two separate nations ("Israel" and Judah), the priests and the Levites from the north emigrated to the south. They did so because they could not fulfill their calling as priests and Levites if they had remained. Jeroboam had replaced them with others. There is a slight difference between this emigration compared to that of Abraham. In the case of Abraham, his calling could only be fulfilled outside of his homeland. In this case, their calling could not be fulfilled in their homeland. The emigration of the priests and Levites ("pastors") was followed by Israelites ("lay Christians") who "set their hearts on seeking the LORD God of Israel", not on seeking a greener pasture. It is interesting that, in contrast, today the Christians emigrate first and then they invite the pastors to join them there to pastor them. A careful study of this passage is a strong indictment of the massive emigration of Christians to Western countries today.

Bishop Rev Dr Hwa Yung is of the opinion that settling in the West does not necessarily provide an escape from all the problems we hope to leave behind. He raises the question, “Which country is safe these days? Is racism in the United Kingdom or Australia less ugly than its counterpart here? How would you like your children ogling at nude bodies making love on the TV screen and growing up desensitized to sexual immorality?”

Today, we see Christians having to move from Northern to Southern Sudan as a recent referendum in January 2011 declared the wishes of the people to have a new state in the South. How would we treat the movement of Christians from Khartoum to Juba?

(c ) A Vision for the Nation

This is not saying that God does not call some of us to emigrate. But would such calling appear to be the exception rather than the rule? These are interesting thought provoking questions confronting believers from time to time. (b) Is Immigration A Panacea?

“I Have A Dream”

Bishop Hwa Yung challenges us to ask God for the grace sufficient to grasp afresh a vision of God. He quotes Dr. Isabelo Magalit, a respected Christian leader in the Philippines who once wrote an article entitled, “I have a dream.” In it, he spoke of seeing, coming out from the Christian student world of this present generation in East Asia, men and women who truly know God and In the light of these questions, he urges his Word and whose lives are fully us to ask: “Is the West safer and more secure than here?” Western civilisation is yielded to him. From amongst such men and women, he sees many going into on the decline, and the influence of the full-time ministry as pastors, evangelists church in the West has also been and theologians, labouring to build marginalized in an increasingly God’s church in East Asia. Others pluralistic post-Christian society. The amongst them would enter the ‘war on terror’ has also made Western countries vulnerable to terrorist attacks. professional fields such as law, business, engineering, politics and government, As such, despite its superficial attractions, all is not well with the West. and journalism, and from within these professions exert a positive and Those seriously contemplating emigration should first take a good look powerful Christian influence in our society in Asia, and turn it towards a at where they are thinking of going. more righteous and just and godly Otherwise, they may find themselves direction. Then he sees Christian homes jumping out of the frying pan into the springing up all over the region shining fire! with the glory and beauty of the gospel in the dark world around them. Finally, he spoke of the pouring forth of the next wave of overseas missionaries from Asia into the entire world. Towards the end of Dr. Magalit’s paper, he said, “Share my dream. Take your place in it. Stand up and be counted for Jesus.” He pleads that this is the sort of vision we all need to recapture today.

Ebenezer, April 2012

(c) Malaysian Centric or Christ Centric? The common argument that many Western countries are highly secular and Dr Tan Soo Inn of Grace@Works had become mission fields in their own proposes that we should become less right. But it’s one thing to go because the Malaysia centric. Indeed he cautions Lord tells us to and it is another because against unbridled nationalistic jingoism. we think the grass is greener in another He suggests that our lives shouldn’t be country, and post rationalised our Malaysia centric or Singapore centric. decision. Instead our lives should be Christ centric. We are asked to seek first the We need to adopt a mature Christian Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and ethical outlook and earnestly seek the what that means in relation to where we Lord’s guidance, in the light of the make our home. He encourages us to situation in the country and that it is remember that Abraham, father of our always easier to curse the darkness than faith, gave flesh to his faith and to light a candle. “Do not be overcome obedience, by emigrating from Haran to by evil, but overcome evil with good. Canaan (note the same passage (Romans 12:21 NIV)” discussed earlier in a slightly different Another Perspective : Our Ultimate light). Confidence So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; (Genesis 12: 1-4a NIV)] Dr Tan says that those of us who are privileged to migrate should all the more be conscious of the fact that they are stewards of their lives and not owners. If we understand this then we know the first question we need to grapple with is not whether we should go or we should stay. The first question we need to ask is: “Lord what would you have me do?”

Perhaps the best safeguard against narcissism is to have a missionary heart for God in whatever one does. Jeremiah 29:11 has this to say, “For I know the He counted amongst his many friends, a plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to medical specialist, a pastor, an harm you, plans to give you hope and a economist and a speech therapist. They future”. Underpinning this missionary had all done graduate studies abroad heart is to discover God’s plans for our and were highly accomplished in their lives in the context of where we live and fields. These were folks who could that means exercising the deepest trust emigrate to any number of more in Him despite and in spite whatever comfortable countries. Yet here they our circumstances may be. This is most were back in Malaysia contributing to nation building in their respective fields beautifully illustrated in Jeremiah 32 whereby Jeremiah was instructed by with no illusions about the difficulties God to purchase a field in Anatoth facing them in Malaysia. But they were which belonged to his cousin Hanamel. back because of one reason --- they Note that Anatoth was already under believed that this is what the Lord Babylonian control and Jerusalem was wanted them to do. They were not the next to fall. Yet Jeremiah obediently Malaysia centric. They were Christ purchased the plot but turned to the centric. God of Israel in his perplexity over this (d) ”The West Needs Evangelisation instruction. How does it all square? Yet Too” God says that for a season Judah is to be punished but after that “buying and Many Malaysian churches, including selling of land” will take place. What SSMC could conceivably “plant” a Jeremiah did was to see beyond the Malaysian chapter in Melbourne, frightening and dark circumstances of considering the number of their church Judah to the time when God will fully members, including some of the restore the glory of Israel. He learned potential leaders, had emigrated there. Ebenezer, April 2012

that behind what is a pending national calamity is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Can we echo the faith of Jeremiah in spite and despite the Malaysian circumstances we are in and especially the “foreboding dark clouds” we seem to see in our society? Is there the possibility of seeing things from God’s perspective? 4. Conclusion The issue of talent migration in particular and immigration in general has always been a hotly debated one with cogent reasons being offered on both sides of the divide. What really is needed is a Christian worldview interacting with the Malaysian context of talent management and economic growth. Despite traditional and common perceptions of race, economics and politics, Malaysia is on the road towards a developed nation status, albeit not without bumps and potholes. Historically there has been many national crisis and critical threats from within and without, but somehow, the nation has manage to overcome and recover. Perhaps there is a true Malaysian spirit interwoven in its societal fabric, strengthened by the diversity in our cultural tapestry and united in a hopes for the future. As a Christian, we must believe this is because God is still in control and He has not abandon Malaysia. This perhaps could serve as a counter balance to the looming threats of Islamisation and Malay nationalism. Herein lies the challenge for the Malaysian church to respond to such challenges. Will the Malaysian church help the nation beyond this critical juncture or vote with its feet?

Watch Night Service @ SSMC ew Year’s Eve is often marked by a great time of feasting and partying as revelers countdown to the New Year and sign the traditional Auld Lang Syne. Many “happening” locations even try to outdo each other with tremendous firework displays at the stroke of midnight. The Watch Night Service at SSMC may not be accompanied by exploding pyrotechnics but it is always a heart warming experience and a special event in our church calendar. Even as it marks the end of one year and the beginning of a new year, it is an opportune time to reflect on God’s goodness and grace in His dealings with us in the past year. Truly, many were encouraged by the wonderful testimonies of God at work in our midst! The following pages chronicle some of the real life stories (edited for brevity) shared on 31st December 2011. Moving forward, we continue to seek His guidance in the year ahead. Last year it was called the Covenant Watch Night Service as we were challenged to think and ponder about our promises to the Lord. Each person was asked to fill a Covenant Form as a “personal covenant” with God. The form was then sealed and will only be returned to the person at the end of 2012. Come and join us in the next Covenant Watch Night Service and watch God’s fireworks light up the heavenlies and in the lives of His children. To borrow a verse from a Katy Perry song, “Baby, you're a firework, Come on, let your colors burst just gotta ignite the light, And let it shine...”

enveloped us. In the fury of the wind and pelting rain, and without warning, we heard a loud crash. Oblivious initially, we then realised to our horror that a big tree had fallen on our car, covering the windscreen, body of the car God Grants Sleep To those He and the boot. I was stunned and shocked motionless at first. Then panic Loves by Cheng Hoe swept over while my sons screamed at the back of the car. We were stuck and What was initially a doctor’s visit for couldn’t get out from the car. My sons Debbie’s (my wife) throat infection, acknowledged that they were not hurt through God’s divine intervention, although shards of glass were turned into a diagnosis of a condition everywhere. Some men ran over to help called sleep apnea. The doctor who us lift the tree a little and managed to treated Debbie, upon seeing me, thought that I was the one who was sick get us out and another young man took us into his car to shelter us from the and requiring treatment. Doubting his rain. We were rescued and safe. Passersobservation, we researched “sleep by said, “You’re the one? Lucky nothing apnea” online and found out through happened ah!” Another lady said “Car sleep tests later that I indeed suffered damaged nevermind, life important”. I from that condition. The following day, after the confirmed diagnosis, Rev. Colin said, “Syukur pada Tuhan”. All three of Hurt preached from Psalms 127:2– “God my sons and I came out of it without a scratch. I’m really thankful to God for Grants Sleep To those He Loves”. Indeed God loves me and He intervened protecting our lives. to reveal that I have this problem. God affirms that He loves me and is interested in my life. All honour and glory to Him.

God Protects

by Allison Chew

I was in the car with my three young sons, rushing to church for Easter rehearsals when a sudden storm Ebenezer, April 2012

God’s Healing Grace

God’s Leading To SSMC

by Leong Pook Seong

by R’deen Phillips

I would like to thank God for bringing us to SSMC. We had visited the church 2-3 times and we decided in January that we would make this our church. We attended service faithfully and decided to plunge right away into a Discipleship Group. I’m also thankful I became part of the Ladies Bible Study Group. We’ve been enjoying ourselves here and feel A few things I want to thank the Lord very much part of the Church Family. for. This is my 5th year of remission I’m also thankful to hear what God is from cancer. I thank God for His healing doing in the youth. We wanted to be in a grace. What else can I ask for? Each day place where our kids could be part of a for me is a very special day, a bonus group where they would be from the Lord. I thank God for the strengthened and influenced by the right church that has shown warmth and love. type of people and, hopefully, they will I have been in this church for a long time do the same for their peers. Thank you and my prayer is for us to raise the next so much for welcoming us and making generation of leaders. Most of us have us part of SSMC. served and been in the mission field for a long time. It’s time to train the next generation of leaders.

Human Impossibilities Are God’s Possibilities by John Lai On Christmas day last Sunday, something impossible happened. My father of 76 years became a Christian. Honestly, I felt it was almost impossible to believe he would become a Christian one day. He is an ex-police officer, and to sum up, a tough nut to crack. Despite my mother becoming a Christian 5 years ago, he was always opposed to Christianity because of his Taoist and ancestral worship background,. As you know the Bible says salvation is a gift from God. So I thank God for giving this gift to my parents and other family members. I’d like to encourage those whose family members are not Christians yet. Don’t give up! Pray!

Ebenezer, April 2012

God Provides

by Kok Weng

I’m fairly new to the church after moving from Cheras back to PJ. I appreciate the different ones who have welcomed me and my family back to church as I have not been attending church for long while. I want to thank God for all that He has provided us, not only this church but also my job and new purpose and vision in life. I know that with every new challenge I face, God has a purpose in my life.

God is my refuge and strength, my ever present help… by Cynde Chong

I want to give thanks to God for He saw me through 2 surgeries over 4 months. laparotomy in July and hysterectomy in December. No one likes to be operated on, especially over a short span of 4 months. And I must admit I was afraid, but held on to God’s promises – “I look to the hills, where does my help come from, my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth”, God is my refuge and strength my ever present help in times of trouble”. There were times when I was discouraged but I trusted that all things work for good to those who love Him. God didn’t promise me a bed of roses but He promised to be with me or in the words of Beth Moore (our LBS study) “your God has good things for you – not painless things, good things for you. Throughout the whole procedure I could feel the hands of God upon me. When I was sedated for epidural before general anaesthesia my doctor told me I had said “I am calm, I am assured”. And I know I was calm because the Holy Spirit was with me throughout the time and assuring me. I praise God that through the two surgeries the histopath results were good and there was no malignancy. Praise God also for the two real lessons I learnt from this experience of my life: 1) there are interruptions in life 2) when we are faced with a crisis, having a personal God makes all the difference. I thank my awesome God, He is the strength of my heart. Who have I, but Him, the Author and Perfecter of my faith! 13

God. That morning Pastor Swee Ming and Kok Moi prayed for me and I went by Aunty Cheong through the procedure with peace in my heart and the results were good. The test After ending on a spiritual high from a results showed that my cyst was not Retreat in Frasers Hill, I experienced cancerous but the doctor advised several obstacles that caused me to surgery. I’m usually a panicky sort of question God’s purpose. Firstly, right after the Retreat I couldn’t drive home as person but every time I prayed or someone prayed for me I found peace. I I couldn’t start my car. It took several want to thank God for His goodness and hours of trying various options such as for the DG members for praying for me AAM and getting help from a guy who I had a fall and was taken to the also. Without God I don’t think I can emergency ward, and the x-ray showed was delayed by a fallen tree. I had promised my wife that I would be home sleep at night. a crack on my right hip. I was in so to accompany her to see the doctor much pain that I actually forgot about about a lump in her neck and every God for three days. When they put me situation seemed to delay me, including Return To Ministry in a ward I was thinking in the night the rain. Halfway through my eventual “Lord I will sing some songs to you. Whatever song that comes to my mind, I journey home, my wife called to say that by Tai Lee Nah will honour God”. On Wednesday night my son had a car accident. I want to give thanks to God for just as I was dozing I felt a soft and bringing me back to the worship Thankfully, he was not injured. gentle touch on my shoulder. I thought Although I believed God works for good ministry this year. I was in the the nurse was waking me up to give me to those who love Him, I wondered why worship ministry for 10 years, medicine but all was quiet. So I went my spiritual mountain top experience playing keyboard and bass. I was the back to sleep. Later at about 5 am I felt a came down so suddenly with a thud. only female bass guitarist in the second touch, soft and gentle. I woke up Eventually, I had the opportunity of church for many years. I stepped thinking the nurse wanted to sponge me spending a good 2 hours with the tow down when I was pregnant with but again there was no one and it was truck guy who later shared that he was Abigail in 2004. I found commitment quiet. I thought it was rather strange at the crossroads as to whether to and went back to sleep. and time difficult with two children worship idols like his father (who had and finally stopped DG leadership recently died) or to follow his mother, a That morning some church ladies came and my involvement in the youth to visit me and I shared with them. They born Catholic. It dawned on me then ministry also. It was a step of faith to that through all these, it was really said, “Did you ask if it is God?” I had return to ministry when Uncle Swee God’s divine appointment for me to indeed forgotten. I came to realise, “Ya Ming approached me to lead a DG meet this young man, and an the Lord had come to visit me”. I asked again. Finally, I also returned to the Him for forgiveness and started singing opportunity to share Christ with him. Worship Ministry to play the bass. hymns again. On the day of my operation I felt no pain at all. The nurse With so many young people around, wanted to give me some painkillers but I why would God need an “old” refused the injection saying, “No, I person like me to play? But God won’t suffer pain, my God will heal called me to serve. I want to me”. However, the sudden feeling of encourage those parents with young pain did come and I cried, “Lord please kids to consider serving the Lord in take away my pain” and it went away. any way possible also. Two days later, the nurses warned me that I had to exercise and it would be painful. I was praying to God that I would not suffer any pain. I thank God that every time the feeling of pain came I “Without God I Don’t Think I Can Sleep At Night” by Kwai Me could sing to Him and would not feel the pain. I really thank God for taking All within 3 months I had a blood test away my pain. that showed blood in my urine and a discovery of a cyst on my neck. I didn’t know what to do and was very fearful of the bladder scope the doctor said I had to do and the tests on the cyst. I had focused so much on my problems and was in such fear that I had lost focus on

A Visitation From The Lord

God has a purpose in every situation by Chui You Chee

Ebenezer, April 2012

God’s Hand In Charlene’s life by Henry Wong

God Can Do The Impossible by Evelyn Kheng My sister was a leader of a Japanese religion and her husband worshipped any idol that would bring him wealth. We could sense the lack of peace in their family and prayed for their salvation for many years, trusting God to do the impossible. Pride was the obstacle. But God had worked in my late mother’s life and I trusted he would again. In the middle of the year, my sister suddenly decided to find out more about Christianity and requested a Bible. In eagerness, she came with many questions about our God. We explained to her and she gave her life to Jesus. I didn’t do much, just prayed faithfully. God moved. She has been faithful since and attends church regularly. I pray that she’ll grow spiritually strong in Christ. Do not give up, keep praying for your loved ones, He can transform hardened hearts and do the impossible when you least expect it.

God Chastised Me by Vincent Wan I have been attending SSMC for 15 years but for the last 10 years I have been here only physically, not mentally and spiritually. To the point where 2 years ago it was common for me to sit in my car screaming to Ebenezer, April 2012

God in despair. My alcoholism was deep set and was destroying everything in my life. God started answering my cries in my car 18 months ago. He put me through H1N1, then through severe panic attacks and depression. At one point I couldn’t even drive my car. I recovered with much support of my DG and Pastor but I slowly slipped back to my old ways.

God continued to work in my heart and finally delivered me from my alcoholism. I’m still a work in progress for God because I’m stubborn. But it is written, “if God does not chastise you then you are not His but the child of the evil one for God chastises His children for their own good”. I thank God for restoring my family life.

Most of you would know our family went through a traumatic experience around Christmas. Charlene is married to Kevin and they live in US. They had been through a difficult time recently: both were diagnosed with sleep apnea and Kevin was passed over for a job he thought was his. The job was given to a lady called Pam who was younger and less experienced. A couple of weeks before Christmas, Kevin had floater and blood vision, bouts of giddiness and numbness in left limbs. Visits to the Othamologist , Neurologist and an MRI revealed a brain tumour on the right side of the brain. It was a real bombshell. However, eventually a lot of good things came out of it. Pam recommended one of the top five surgeons in Columbia University who happened to be on the company insurance list. The sleep apnea was diagnosed in time for Kevin to advise the anaesthetist. The surgery went well and Kevin was discharged 3 days after the operation and was able to spend Christmas at home, and the prognosis is that the tumour is most likely benign. They were quite distraught throughout this process. But the one good thing that came out was they managed to link up with a church called Vineyard Church, although quite a bit of a drive away. “People go to a church that is dearest and not necessarily the nearest”. The ladies from the church came to pray for them. As a result, both of them have started their quiet time with the Lord, and are beginning to see the hand of God in all this.

T S

H T

YOUTH

O N

N I

SOUND BITES

Collection of Testimonies from Watch Night Service 31st Dec 2012

Nicholas Kwek

Amanda Fan

At the Youth Camp one of the things we spoke about was to be thankful for little things God has given us. I had the opportunity to go to the US on an exchange program for 6 months this year. I praise God that he gave me good friends and protected me.

Last year for SPM I felt

Chien Aun

I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do my best.

I had been feeling jaded with Christianity after coming back from my studies in Australia. I felt spiritually broken. I thank God for Philip and Su-Kim for giving me the chance to serve in the youth camp and the youth for giving me the joy and hope in serving God.

This year I studied like crazy and I want to thank God for good results. Most of the time when I study I was thinking about how I can give glory to God with my results.

Darren Ong At the Youth Camp, God spoke to me and said that as Ezra is the oldest DG I have to be a role model for the younger youths

Ebenezer, April 2012

SOUND BITES Youth Mission Statement >> Intimately encounter Christ, >> Be deep-rooted in the Word, >> Be empowered with the Holy Spirit, >> Remain faithful Disciples, and >> Be trustworthy witnesses for CHRIST. We are members of the Youth Discipleship Groups in SSMC, who meet on Saturday afternoons. If you are between 13-21 and not part of a Youth DG, come join us!

Egbert Nah At the beginning of this year I dedicated my life to serve God in any way possible. I have this thought that I might be a youth leader in future for SSMC. We are praying that this year we can start a small prayer meeting. I was really encouraged to see a huge turnout at today’s prayer meeting.

Darren Thean I have been the kind of person who would just “follow my friends”. Praise God that at the Youth Camp, when we had the opportunity to pray for ourselves, I committed everything to God and feel like a brand new man now. I made a commitment to attend youth regularly and promised to commit my

Rachel Nhanam I thank God for good UPSR results. I’ll be in Form 1 and felt quite fearful about entering Sekolah Menengah because my sister had told me stories that scared me about peer pressure and temptations. I shared about this with my DG members during my first youth camp. While I shared I felt a new boldness that I can stand firm when I see temptation face to face. I thank God for that. Ebenezer, April 2012

whole Sunday to God and family.

Earnest Oh Thank God for Youth Camp and a renewed commitment to Him

Michael Wong I learnt that God will lift me up when I am very weak. Stephen Wong Over the year I got better in my studies. I give praise to God 17

Rebecca Nhanam

Jane Chai

John Chai

Last year I committed to God that I want to do devotion almost every day. It started quite well, but I had neglected it for Manga. I found myself quite addicted to anime. At youth camp I was touched by God, I was crying because I had failed my commitment for devotion time. That night God told me that as He died on the cross and rose again, I have been forgiven because I am His beloved child. This year again I wrote in the commitment paper I want to do my devotion time more and be faithful to God.

I attended Jeremiah School this year and it has transformed my life. I thank God that He has affirmed me of His love for me and rescued me from being a stray sheep in the wilderness.

2011 was very challenging. I was in a new school and struggled to make friends. I asked God “I don’t know why You sent me to this school”. I’m glad that through the months He has led me to find new friends many Malay friends, and opportunities to share the gospel. This year I also attended DNA and God answered my “Why?s” with “there’s always a purpose for where you are”. Even as I helped in VBS God spoke to me that God listens to me and He’s always there and is going to guide me through my SPM next year. Praying that God will help me through 2012 with Him beside me.

Oon Ee Leading a youth DG, I have seen great changes this year. I believe God has wonderful things to do in our youths and in SSMC

Joy Lam From last youth camp I felt that God was calling me to invite my friends to church. I thank God for showing me that when I pray for friends their hearts can be opened really fast. 18

Ebenezer, April 2012

SSMC’S MEMBERS SURVEY

Thankful For God’s Provisions by Josephine

Do you have a regular devotional time? 100%

God Has Been Marvelous

90%

by Kwee Ling

80% 70%

76%

60% 50%

58%

40% 30% 20% 10%

2011

2012

Are you attached to any DG? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60%

71%

74%

50% 40% 30% 20% 10%

2011

2012

I have been attending SSMC for 18 years. God has been marvelous and has seen us through many ups and downs all these years. I’d like to thank God for a few things. Firstly, glory to God for my son’s surgery and complete recovery despite a ruptured appendix. Secondly, my son got into Wesley Methodist KL this year and my daughter just had her orientation this morning. I praise God for allowing my two children to study in this school. We choose this school not because of academic achievements but because it’s a school with good discipline and a Methodist school with Bible Study subject. Thirdly, I give thanks to God for journey mercies between Banting and KL the last 15 years. It’s very tiring sometimes - 67 kilometres! We don’t know where He will lead us but thanks to God for strengthening us in our weakness and providing for us.

Are you currently involved in at least ONE church based or Christian Ministry? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60%

62%

50%

63%

40% 30% 20% 10%

2011

2012

More survey results on page 25 Ebenezer, April 2012

J!rney

Mercies

This year I wasn’t planning to share but a few weeks ago Kok Moi shared about “someone in our lives to be thankful for”. I remembered the time when I had complications carrying the twins, and Dr. Swee Ming came and prayed with us in the morning of the surgery. I really appreciate pastor and his family. Stephen’s DG leader, Oon-Yow always has a kind word for him and says he has got great potential. We know he has always been a “rascal”, but it is such a reassurance and comfort to us as parents, to have someone speak positive words into his life. We moved into a new home after extended renovation. We thank God that this is a home that God has provided. We’ve been looking for a new house for many years as our previous house was very old and difficult to renovate. We wanted an end lot with a bit of space but one that is not too expensive. One morning, I was really feeling exasperated but the Holy Spirit reminded me I’ve been doing this by myself and had not committed this to God. So I put down my coffee and confessed to God, about not involving Him in this matter. A few days later, we got this house at a really good deal which even surprised the property agent till this day. I keep reminding my kids that God has given us this. I am thankful to God for my children, who have become so independent, that I sometimes feel like they’re the parent especially in showing concern for me when I’m stressed.

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hese are actual postings on Facebook by our youth after attending the Youth Camp (with the theme “Pop Culture”) in Dec 2011.

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they heard, saw, felt and thought. Many had powerful and personal encounters with God during the camp. They laughed, cried, played, prayed, shared their hearts out...

We pray that these precious moments of truth will continue to be their guideposts as they travel on life’s journeys and help them to chose the “narrow” but true Their “uncensored” comments reflect their first- paths when the easy roads beckons to them with fame and fortune. hand experiences and impressions as to what

Ebenezer, April 2012

我头顶的 “红毛楼 ”

断，也没头晕，可以马上爬起来。第

我要与他同在，我要搭救他，并使他

二天清早，我自己驾车去医院照X-

尊贵。”感谢主无比的大爱。

李淑清

光。感谢主，头部没有积血，四肢也

一个

无恙。医生说，像我这

上，当我听完了布道会，从大

七老八十的

礼堂步出时，有个朋友从后面呼唤

老太婆跌倒，很少不折断手脚的。他

我，我很快地转身而失去了重心，整

说我很幸运，而我却知道我的帮助是

个人四脚朝天跌了下去。脑先着地，从耶和华而来，因为他托着我的脚，不花钱起了一间“大红毛楼“（广东语）。大

也淤青了，辛好手脚没折

为丈夫的祷告罗秀云亲爱的天父，主啊！感谢你在新的一年刚

始，就给我收到一份不是用金

钱买得到的大礼物。

不让我的脚

在石头上，他说: “他若

求告我，我就应允他，他在急难中，

不了家庭破裂，真想放弃成为神的儿

一起到教堂，我好羡慕，我祷告神

女。我不住的祷告，代祷会的姐妹们

使我的梦想实现，现在我的梦想已经

也为我祷告，求主与我同在。神的力

成真，感谢主的信实和大能。我们的

量真伟大，他能把一个很刚硬，不听

神真伟大。

劝告的人，慢慢地变得顺服。神

始

动工，丈夫愿意在主日载我去教堂崇

我丈夫接受了住，使我家成为基督之

拜，但他始终不肯进去敬拜和听道。

家，

有一次在教堂前遇到黄牧师，牧师邀

耀归给主。

记得我刚接受主，我受到很大的压力和

迫，我丈夫

力反对。有一个

上我到教堂聚会，他锁上

，不让我

请他到中文堂听他讲道，感谢主，我丈夫很高时，他

地去听，慢慢在主日崇拜始和我一起踏进教堂。

进屋，他甚至提到离婚。那时我接受

感谢主，以前我看见弟兄姐妹有夫妇

神给的一颗心

我听了医生所讲的话就很担心，很害

有时候我在想，为什么还有这么多人

怕，从那时

始，我就每天祷告，祈

不认识神，太可惜了，祈求神来帮助

求神帮助我，医治我。幸好我的儿子

这些人，求神彰显大能来触摸他们的

和媳妇也很

心我，他们叫我不要害

心，让他们受感动而认识神。我们的

怕，也不要担心，只要依靠神，儿子

神是有大能大爱的，他爱世人，他是

媳妇的

救世主，只要依靠他，相信他，他就

朱友妹耶和华，我感谢赞美你，你是一位慈爱又有怜悯心的神，感谢你时常与我同在，感谢你不离弃我，不让我跌

心和爱护使我很安慰。

倒，也不让我受伤害，感谢主。日期到了，我就去医院做angiogram, 以前我的身体不好，经历过大小的病痛，你都把我的病医治好，有一次，我的心脏有问题，呼吸困难，去看医生，医生用仪器帮我检查过，他说我的血管有二条阻塞，要帮我做 angiogram, 打通血管的阻塞，如果打

医生为我检查了很久，都找不到血管有阻塞，后来医生对我说：“你的心

会帮助你。只要信，就能得到医治，就能得到永生，感谢赞美主，一切耀都归给主。

脏没有问题，血管也没有阻塞。”感谢主，这是神的恩典，神已经把我的血管打通了，把我医治好了，感谢赞美主，

耀归于主。

不通，就要做吹balloon的手术，也定了日期做治疗。 22

(translations of these testimonies are on the next page) Ebenezer, April 2012

My husband received the Lord! Now my whole family belongs to God. All glory to Him! When I first became a Christian, I suffered great pressure and Banga-Low On My Head persecution due to my husband’s by Mrs Moy strong opposition. One night after a church gathering, he even locked One night after an evangelistic up the house and refused to let me meeting, as I was walking out of the in. He also mentioned divorce. I was hall, I heard a friend calling me from not able to bear the agony of the behind. I quickly turned around but breaking up of my family and I lost my balance. Falling flat on the nearly wanted to give up. floor, I hit my head. However, I continued praying and Without paying a cent I had an the sisters from the Intercession instant big “bungalow” on my head. Group also prayed for me. We asked My thigh was also bruised. God’s presence to be with me Fortunately, there were no fractures always. God is great! He started and no giddiness and I could get up working in my husband’s life, immediately. changing his stubbornness. Eventually, he was even willing to Early next morning, I drove to the drive me to church on Sundays! hospital for an X-ray. There was no internal bleeding and no fractures. However, he would still refused to Praise God! The doctor told me that I go into the church. One day, he met was very fortunate as few in their Pastor Ng in front of the church. seventies can fall without incurring a Pastor invited him to Chinese fracture. Church as he was preaching. Thank God, my husband gladly went in. I knew my help came from the Gradually, he started coming to LORD as He lifted me up in His church with me. hands, so that I did not strike my foot against a stone. He says, “He Praise God! I was always so envious will call on me, and I will answer when I saw couples coming to him; I will be with him in trouble, I church together. I prayed and now will deliver him and honor him.” my dream has come true. Praise God for His faithfulness and mighty I thank God for His great and power! Our God indeed is great! incomparable love.

Praying For My Husband by Mrs Lai “Dear Heavenly Father , I thank you that at the beginning of this new year, You gave a great gift that cannot be purchased with money”. Ebenezer, April 2012

by Choo Yew Moi “LORD! I thank and praise You. You are a loving and merciful God who is with me always. Thank you for not forsaking me, for neither letting me fall nor be harmed. You constantly heal me amidst my ill health.” I had some heart problem and encountered breathing difficulties. Subsequently, I was diagnosed with 2 blockages in my heart. The doctor fixed an appointment for an angioplasty to clear the blockage. I was anxious and fearful. I started praying daily, asking God to help and heal me. My son and daughterin-law encouraged me to depend on God totally. Their care and love comforted me greatly. During my medical appointment, the doctor examined me for a long while but could not find any blockage. He declared I had no heart problem at all. Thank God for His grace as He had cleared all the blockages. I was totally healed! All glory to God. I always wonder why there are so many people who have yet to know God. What a pity! May God touch their hearts, so that they may know Him personally. We serve a God who is so loving and powerful. As long as we depend on Him and trust Him, He will help and heal us and give us eternal life. Praise the Lord! All glory to my Lord!

he recently released DVD was an instant bestseller at SSMC when it was sold over the Chinese New Year period. This documentary, shot in 6 different locations - China, Singapore, London, Paris, Melbourne and Malaysia, is a result of a 10-year research into the past of the Chinese by Reggie Lee, a licensed minister based in UK, and author of several books and a cultural researcher.

ancient forms of the pictographic Chinese writing, they discovered elements of the Genesis narrative which are still evident today in the Chinese character-writing. Encrypted in these ideograms, Believing that many Chinese have lost an which date back understanding of their illustrious history thousands of and deep rooted culture, he attempts to years, is the entire bring this alive through a film tracing the story of creation, early roots of the Chinese to the present the temptation, day. “In the year 2000, I read the and fall of man Scriptures from Acts 17:24-30. These into sin, and God’s Scriptures spoke of the God of heaven sacrifice for sin who does not live in temples, the Creator which point to the of all living beings, as well as claims by coming Savior, poets of other people groups. This Jesus Christ. compelled me to question whether the God of the Bible has actually spoke The video (and about the Chinese. It gave me the the book) reveals motivation to find out.” some startling the Hebrews often did, realities about the Chinese culture and the ancestors of today’s Some of the background material behind written language, pointing to a common Chinese wandered off the documentary came from the book past for the human race which we can after false gods; the “God’s Promise to the Chinese” Richard trace to the Tower of Babel, before they memory of who their Broadberry - the co author, related a were dispersed all over the earth. Like original God was dimmed with time. pivotal moment when he was living in Taiwan. He was sharing his faith with a young man who retorted, ‘We Chinese have 5000 years of history, how can it The featured DVD is an excellent tool to engage with family members or friends who have “resisted” the gospel because of all be wrong’. That epiphanic episode their perception of Christianity as a foreigner’s religion and started him on a journey to find an the apparent incompatibility with their Chinese culture. This is answer to the young man’s dilemma and compounded by the association of Christianity with foreign that of many traditional Chinese. missionaries. For many traditional Chinese, becoming a Christian means turning their backs on their historical, Through their research, the authors cultural and even family roots. Now, we are able to assure our have found much evidence that point to Chinese friends that believing in Jesus is actually the fulfillment of what our ancestors had believed in many the ancient Chinese beliefs in and the thousands of years ago. worship of the one true God (ShangDi) The Mandarin Version DVD has just been released and is the same God of Abraham, Isaac and available for sale in SSMC and Christian bookstores. Jacob. As they analyzed the most 24

Ebenezer, April 2012

SSMC’S MEMBERS

’

Mindset And Becoming Transforming Agent

100% 90% 80% 70%

71%

60%

68%

50% 40% 30% 20% 10%

2011

2012

Is exercising responsible Christian stewardship (time, money, talents, etc) a part of your lifestyle? 100% 90% 80% 70%

85%

60%

82%

50% 40%

2011

2012

30% 20% 10% 0%

Note : These are the results of the survey done among SSMC’s members, showing the comparison between 2011 and 2012. A total of 482 responses were received in 2011 and 472 in 2012. Ebenezer, April 2012

Timothy Fellowship

(Cont’d from Developing A Christian page 19)

In the past 1 year, have you shared your faith with anyone?

e live in an increasingly complex world full of conflicts, issues, paradoxes and conundrums that can often provoke a wide range of reactions, even from Christians. We can choose to ignore, flee, compromise, conform or make a stand and challenge the norm. How can we then develop a Christian mindset and be transforming agents with a strong Biblical world view? It is against this backdrop and challenges that the Timothy Fellowship was formed with the objective of bringing together younger men in their 20's to early 40's for fellowship and open discussion on contemporary, faith and ethical issues. Through this, it is hoped that we can stimulate and develop critical Christian thinking and research and articulate issues from the Word of God.

and speak out against injustice wherever they see the authorities abandon the mandate given by God. While there are issues close to our heart that the Church should fight for such as the Alkitab, restrictions on Christian publications, violation of worship places, church permits and burial lands, the Church has to expand its sphere of influence. There is a need to address and get involved in wider nationbuilding interests like good governance, free and fair election, equality, justice for all and the fight against corruption. Only then will we fulfill our mandate to be the salt of the earth and light to the world.Otherwise, we will be in danger of being relegated to a footnote in the history of the nation and become irrelevant. If you fit the profile, join one of the monthly Timothy Fellowship Saturday Breakfast Meetings. Upcoming topics such as Christian & Migration and Christian & Homosexuality, promise to be equally controversial and hotly debated. Check www.ssmc.com.my for more details.

In the first meeting on March 10th, the very current topic of Christian Dissension particularly in the political arena, was discussed. Inevitably, Christians have different opinions on how to respond to what is happening in this nation. Some would argue that ‘politics’, God and Church do not mix. Whist most would concur that we are called to pray, still many would steer clear from any form of activism. Furthermore, it is argued the Bible commands Christians to submit to authorities and pray for our leaders. Some churches have admonished their members to “support” the incumbent authority based on the understanding that it is God who has established that government. So then, is there a place for Christian dissension especially on issues of justice, truth and righteousness? While Christians can still take positions on both sides of the political divide, it became increasingly clear that the Church must engage with the powers that be

Star architect leaves it all to build homes for the poor By Yam Phui Yee @ GoodTimes.my

Yon Kyle is 26 and an aspiring “starchitect” (star architect) who had it when one of his clients wanted to build a ski lodge and set aside a few million Australian dollars for a gold-plated flag pole, so that a flag could be raised to announce his arrival. “It just didn’t make sense to me anymore! The industry has been so skewed to luxury and extravagance. To me, there has to be more meaning than being profitable!” E said. He went back to university, studied aboriginal housing and renovated a house for aborigines in Darwin. These communities lived in tin sheds, in the desert, where temperatures can go up to a blistering 45 degrees Celsius in the afternoons. That was E’s “light bulb” moment. He knew what he wanted to do! He would use his professional skills to improve the lives of others -- give them the basics and build homes for the homeless. So, in the next semester, he studied bush fire recovery and helped the people of Marysville, Australia rebuild their lives after the Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009. The series of bushfires razed over 4,500 square kilometres of land and killed nearly 180 people -- the highest loss of lives in a bushfire there! E … the industry’s so skewed to luxury and extravagance. There has to be more meaning than being profitable. Then, he had a stint in Mexico, where he also contributed to a community of garbage collectors who lived in the

Ebenezer, April 2012

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slums and go around Monterrey -Mexico’s business and industrial powerhouse city -- on their “carretoneros”, or horse drawn carriages.

EPIC Homes is run by nine core members, all aged below 27. It is part of Extraordinary People Impacting Community (EPIC), founded by 24-yearold John-son Oei to inspire, mobilise and empower people to contribute toward Together with architecture students from society. the local university, Tecnologico de Monterrey, E and his classmates built a E spearheads the home building community centre and a few programme. The aim is not just to build playgrounds, using tyres and telephone structures, but also to foster meaningful poles provided by the municipal hall. relationships with the Temuans who live there. Soon, they hope to improve basic They adopted the “urban acupuncture” infrastructure there too, like water and strategy -- a new design concept by electricity supply. Finnish architect Marco Casagrande -that revitalises “sick” areas with E says that the focus is always on scattered, small scale projects and working with the people to build homes, targeted points, which benefit a not just houses. Building a house or community more than a single mega repairing a dilapidated veranda for the structure. Orang Asli is just one means of bonding with the villagers and engaging them in “Football was a huge thing and it was building suitable homes. amazing. We watched the World Cup in the slums,” E reminisced. “If we look at the urban society today, a lot of people are driven by their own He wrote a thesis on incremental goals, which is not entirely wrong, but housing in Mexico -- an architecture to a certain point, it becomes concept that converts temporary purposeless. Many people ask, ‘why am housing, like sheds in the slums, to I working nine-to-five? To pay off a car?’ simple homes that allow for “add-ons” There’s more to life: you can impact and later, based on need and affordability. change lives,” said E, a graduate from This strategy transforms the slum zone, the University of Melbourne, Australia. without relocating families that have been living together for generations. By EPIC Homes started in 2010 and its then, he was longing to return to volunteers have built two homes and a Malaysia. gigantic veranda for three different families. Volunteers benefit along the “It would be hypocritical to learn all way, from learning construction skills these and not do it in Malaysia,” he said. and interacting with the villagers. They E was aware of the brain drain problem realise that they can improve someone else’s life. back home and knew that he had to be part of the change he desired to see. “Coming back was one of the best decisions I’ve made,” he said. “Out of all the Malaysians in my class, I’m the only one who came back. Some of them are serving coffee or working in photostat shops… I said, ‘why don’t you come back?’ and they said, ‘life back home is bad!’ I said, ‘What are you talking about? I have a great job and I’m doing all this!’ I get really frustrated when I hear these kinds of comments,” said E, who works at Seksan Design -- a notable landscape architecture company in Kuala Lumpur. He now enjoys building free abodes for Orang Asli villagers, in his spare time. He is a volunteer with EPIC Homes -- a youth led group that builds homes for Orang Asli villagers at Kampung Ulu Tamu in Hulu Selangor.

EPIC Homes is never short of volunteers. A team of 20 go onsite -usually ranging from students to engineers, writers and auditors, who take time out to be “part time superheroes”. They return with something more. The beauty of Kampung Ulu Tamu’s mountains, its bamboo homes and the Temuans’ simple lifestyle has left an impact on E. “It’s not dirty. It’s not like the slums. They live by the river and plant their own food. If they need money, they sell bamboo, and fruits like durians. There are durians everywhere!” he said. EPIC Homes work with the Tok Batin, or headman, to decide on which family to help. They are devising a list of criteria, which currently includes the extent of damage on the house, space availability, 26

safety and whether it can fit more children, if the couple is young. Their next recipient is a man with a wife and three children, who automatically qualified. The family is seeking shelter at a relative’s home, because they do not have a home to call their own. After the selection is done, the team conducts a few design workshops to find out the family’s needs, how they want their new home to look like and what colour should the walls be. “They get a say. It’s very important, because it’s going to be their house,” E said. This dignified option is a stark difference from your usual government sponsored, low cost housing, where everything is built according to the planner’s ideas, while desperate applicants have to just take it or leave it. E knows the relevance of this consultation and listening process, because in remote Australia, for example, aborigines have thrown out fire pits built in tin sheds for public housing, because they cook with wood. The Orang Asli Welfare Department is aware of the EPIC Homes’ initiatives. E says that although provision of

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proper housing should be the government’s job, it is also good to involve the rakyat and the private sector. Although it received a grant from Dana Belia 1Malaysia, EPIC Homes is looking for continuous funds for future homes in Kampung Ulu Tamu. Each home costs below RM20,000. Generous suppliers offered to give them building materials for free, but these youths refused to accept them. “We want a sustainable work relationship with companies: either give us at cost or cheaper. We just want to make sure (that) the guy doesn’t lose while supporting us. It also gives us a more realistic costing of the project,” E explained.

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anytime’. It was like, relationship built -- checked!” E exclaimed. *Find out how you can be a volunteer or contribute funds and materials to EPIC Homes, by logging on to www.epichome.org. Yam Phui Yee is a feature writer with www.goodtimes.my and can be reached at yam@goodtimes.my.) Kyle E worships at SSMC and is active in the Youth Ministry

EPIC Homes is working on a syllabus for corporate teambuilding and social responsibility projects. Volunteers, especially city folks, will enjoy the scenic landscape of the village, while flexing their muscles to build a house from scratch. For E, the highlight is the final debrief at a nearby hot spring after each project, soaking away all the tiredness and listening to each other’s stories in the quaint village. He vividly remembers the time when a volunteer was about to hammer the last nail into a new home for a Temuan grandmother, called Ibu Biah. Everyone watched, as a spotlight shone on the volunteer while the evening fell.

Engaging the people … E explaining a house model to the villagers.

“Ibu Biah said, ‘You are all my children now. You can come back

Celebration … volunteers rejoicing with Ibu Biah after completing her house.

Children matter … E discussing ideas on community change with the village children.

Teamwork … Volunteers putting together a steel structure for a new home.

Ebenezer, April 2012

Satu Anak Satu Alkitab - 1M 100K Initiative our Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4 & Luke 4:4, Deut 8:3) We are constantly reminded that we must be nourished by God’s Word. As described in Hebrews 5:12-14, our spiritual diet first starts with milk which represents the elementary truths of God’s word and we then proceed to solid food as we mature in our Christian walk and become trained in righteousness. Most of us who are reading this article will undoubtedly have a few copies of the Bible - with different translations and possibly both in hardcopy and electronic versions. It is hard for us to appreciate that 500,000 Christian children in Malaysia have no access to Bibles and therefore are spiritually “malnourished” . These are the Bahasaspeaking Christian children who may be raised in Christian families and even attend church. Yet most of them may not have read or even held a Bible!

generations of Christians are built up in the word of God. Without the Alkitab the Bible in their mother language - their faith would be vulnerable. No Alkitab means no sword to fight the good fight. The spiritual war is raging where enemy forces are battling for and appear to be winning many of our young people’s As the majority of the Christian population in Malaysia are in the Bahasa minds and hearts. The challenge is especially acute among indigenous speaking church, it is not an Christians in the wake of aggressive understatement to say that the future and strength of Christianity in Malaysia Islamization, modernization and massive demographic changes. are very much dependent on the indigenous Christians. Unfortunately, Indeed, there is a great hunger for the many mainline churches in West Word of God among the BahasaMalaysia are still caught up with our speaking children and youths. If we do own mundane issues and are either nothing, there will be a great famine of ignorant or myopic about the greater the Word and future generations of threats and challenges facing the Christians will lost. “Where there is no Malaysian Church at large. vision, the people perish: but he that By God’s grace, some Christian leaders and members from across all denominations have caught the vision and feel the burden to respond to this urgent challenge. One of the key initiative is the “Alkitab Kanak Kanak” which aim to ensure that the future 28

of people across denominations (Methodist, PCS, SIB, Catholic, etc), as well many East Malaysian Christian Bumiputeras. While the first phase of Alkitab Kanak Kanak has been completed with the printing and publishing of the Children’s Bible in Bahasa, the next phase is just as critical.

keeps the law, happy is he”. (Prov 29:18) The Alkitab Kanak-Kanak project was birthed out of the concern that Bahasaspeaking Christian children were growing up without access to the Word of God. This project involves a number

Ebenezer, April 2012

The “Satu Anak Satu Alkitab” Campaign the words of William Carey who once aims to make Alkitab Kanak Kanak said, “Attempt great things for God, accessible and affordable to each Bahasa expect great things from God.” speaking child. Even as we pray and ask the Lord of the At the launching of “Satu Anak Satu harvest to send more laborers (Luke Alkitab” (SASA) Campaign, Bishop 10:2), the Lord is looking at you and me Hwa Yung concluded his message by and all the resources that He has blest us saying, “As I was entering this room, I with. To this end, Wawasan Penabur has asked God, ‘God - what is it that You want launched another initiative, the “1M me to speak today?’ and I sensed that God is 100K Initiative”. Wawasan Penabur is saying, ‘This is My project. I Am in it. I will boldly asking the Lord of the Harvest glorify My Name through it’. So it is a for 100,000 Alkitab Kanak-Kanak to be challenge to us to give our support to this printed and distributed in the interiors project. What is God saying to us today? If of Sabah and Sarawak in 2012. We are we do not take serious action in the next 10 asking in faith for RM 1 million for this years, the Church will be in a very different initiative to cover the cost of printing, state from what we see today. May the Lord distribution and royalty. grant us what we are called to do, so that the work of the Gospel may continue to advance, Now each and every Christian can become a partner in this great that the Church continues to have the undertaking and be God’s co-laborer. freedom, and that this nation of Malaysia For every RM10 donated, Wawasan will can be greatly blessed.” be able to make the Alkitab KanakWithin 3 months (as of January 2012) Kanak available at RM 5 per copy to the after its publication in October 2012, readers in the hinterland. At this price, 17,500 copies of Alkitab Kanak-Kanak many can now afford a copy. We can have found their way to Orang Asli only imagine the impact of 100,000 villages, and to the interior of Sabah and copies of Alkitab Kanak-Kanak in places Sarawak. where, for the first time, children (and

youths, and even adults!) will have the Word of God in their hands, reading it for themselves. Beyond giving, we encourge you or your church to plan short-term mission trips to Sabah and Sarawak to help transform lives and expand His kingdom there. Even as you go, do consider taking along with you copies of the Alkitab Kanak-Kanak to bless the children. The Word of God is a gift that is living and active. We claim the promise in Isaiah 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.” For more information on how to be part of this mission, please contact Wawasan at: wawasan.penabur@gmail.com Article is a compilation of articles from Berita Rakan Penabur, a Quarterly Newsletter Linking Christian Bahasa Writers, Publishers, Bahasa Churches and Ministry Workers Around Malaysia

In Sabah, they have been distributed to the heartland of Sabah in the Penangah, Tongod, Telupid and Kinabatangan areas; among the Orang Sungai in Gana and Lingkabau area, the Muruts in the interior of Nabawan, the Rungus and Kimaragang in Pitas and Kota Maruduliterally all over Sabah from Kudat to Tawau, from Labuan to Sandakan. In Sarawak, Alkitab Kanak-Kanak also found its way from Lawas to the highlands of Ba Kelalan and Bario, from Miri to the Penans in the hinterland and to the Iban long houses and the Bidayuhs in the Ulu Bengoh area. In Bengoh, they read the Alkitab in the dim light with torch lights. Many of the children were reading the Alkitab for the first time. And the adults enjoyed them too as the Bible is now becoming clearer with all the illustrations and colours! All this has been possible only because God is in this undertaking. Yet He is reminding us that there is still much to be done and what lies ahead remains an uphill task. We are encouraged by Ebenezer, April 2012

Satu Anak Satu Alkitab - 1M 100K “Firman-Mu itu pelita bagi kakiku, dan terang bagi jalanku.” (Mazmur 119:105) ita selalu diingatkan bahawa Firman Tuhan harus menjadi pusat bagi kehidupan kita. Kita semua tahu perjalanan rohani kita tidak akan lengkap tanpa Firman Tuhan. Firman-Nya itulah yang mengungkap Allah dan Kristus kepada kita, serta menuntun jalan kita. Tanpa Firman Tuhan, kita tidak akan mengenali Allah, diri kita, apa lagi berkongsi berita baik tentang Yesus kepada orang lain. Dan ketika kebanyakan kita dapat membeli Alkitab atau membaca Firman Allah dengan mengetik butang di komputer, ada sekitar 500,000 orang kanak-kanak Kristian di Malaysia yang tidak berpeluang untuk mencapai Alkitab. Mereka mungkin lahir dan membesar dalam keluarga Kristian, serta pergi ke gereja. Tapi mereka mungkin belum pernah menyentuh sebuah Alkitab lagi!

Kristian yang membesar tanpa mempunyai peluang untuk mencapai Firman Allah. Pencerobohan agama Para uskup, senior pastor & ahli teologia dominan telah melemahkan Gereja yang berpandangan jauh tahu kekuatan dengan melahirkan ketidak-percayaan terhadap iman kepercayaan kita. Kristian di Malaysia terletak dalam tangan Gereja BM. Alkitab Kanak Kanak Projek ini melibatkan banyak orang dari memainkan peranan penting dalam lintas denominasi (Methodist, PCS, SIB, menangani cabaran ini. Tidak ada Katolik, dan lain lain lagi), dan diwakili Alkitab bermaksud tidak ada oleh suku-suku Bumiputera Kristian pemuridan. Tanpa pemuridan, dari Sabah & Sarawak. bagaimana mereka dapat berdiri teguh dalam iman? Apa lagi dengan usaha Di pelancaran Kempen “Satu Anak Satu pengislaman yang agresif, cabaran era Alkitab” (SASA), Bishop Hwa Yung modenisasi dan perubahan demografi menutup mesejnya dengan berkata, yang mempengaruhi Bumiputera “Ketika saya masuk ke ruang ini, saya Kristian dewasa kini. bertanya kepada Tuhan, ‘Tuhan apa yang Engkau mahu saya kongsikan Ladang sudah menguning. Ada pada hari ini?’ dan saya dapat merasa kelaparan besar akan Firman Tuhan di Tuhan berbicara, ‘Ini adalah projek Aku. kalangan anak-anak & muda-mudi Aku ada di dalamnya. Aku akan Kristian. Kita tidak boleh membiarkan memuliakan NamaKu melaluinya’. Jadi kebuluran ini berterusan hanya kerana kita harus mendukung projek ini. Apa kita gagal melakukan sesuatu untuk yang Allah katakan kepada kita hari ini? membolehkan Alkitab sampai ke tangan Jika kita tidak serius, Gereja akan sangat mereka, terutamanya generasi pelapis berlainan 10 tahun dari sekarang. Gereja BM. Semoga Tuhan memberi kita kekuatan agar pekerjaan Projek Alkitab Kanak-Kanak lahir dari keprihatinan bahawa ramai kanak2 30

Dalam tempoh 3 bulan (Januari 2012) selepas penerbitannya di Oktober 2012, 17,500 naskah Alkitab Kanak-Kanak telah disebarkan ke kampung2 Orang Asli, dan pedalaman Sabah dan Sarawak. Di Sabah, buku-buku telah disebarkan ke kawasan Penangah, Tongod, Telupid and Kinabatangan; di kalangan Orang Sungai di Gana dan Lingkabau; Murut di pedalaman Nabawan; Rungus dan Kimaragang di Pitas dan Kota Marudu – hampir ke seluruh pelusuk sabah dari Kudat ke Tawau, dan dari Labuan ke Sandakan. Di Sarawak, Alkitab Kanak-Kanak juga dibawa dari Lawas ke tanah tinggi Ba Kelalan; dari Miri ke Bario dan kampung2 Penan; di kampung2 Bidayuh di Ulu Bengoh dan rumah2 panjang Iban. Di Bengoh yang tidak ada letrik, kanak-kanak membaca Alkitab dengan berbekalkan lampu suluh! Kebanyakan mereka membaca Alkitab untuk pertama kali. Bahkan orang dewasa juga senang membaca kerana Alkitab kini menjadi lebih jelas dengan ilustrasi dan warna!

Ebenezer, April 2012

2011 diakhiri dengan Badan Penasihat & Pengurus Wawasan Penabur merancang untuk 2012 di Pangkor. Ia juga adalah masa untuk mengeratkan hubungan dengan disertai oleh keluarga masing2. Tantangan besar di tahun2 mendatang dapat disimpulkan dengan kata-kata dari William Carey, “Cuba hal-hal besar untuk Tuhan, dan mengharapkan sesuatu yang hebat dari Tuhan.” Kita semua mempunyai tugas dalam memuridkan bangsa ini – dari memberi, menghantar, berdoa sampailah melakukan. Bila kita berdoa dan meminta Tuhan Empunya Tuaian (Lukas 10:2) untuk menghantar pekerja, Dia sedang melihat anda dan saya, kerana kita mempunyai semua sumber yang diperlukan untuk penuaian. Sebab itulah, untuk menjayakan Kempen “Satu Anak Satu Alkitab”, Wawasan Penabur melancarkan satu lagi inisiatif, “1M 100K” pada tahun ini. Wawasan Penabur dengan berani meminta Tuhan Empunya Tuaian 100,000 Alkitab KanakKanak untuk dicetak dan disebar ke pedalaman Sabah & Sarawak. Dalam iman kami meminta RM 1 juta untuk menutupi kos pencetakan, penghantaran dan royalti buku supaya Alkitab Kanak-Kanak dapat diedar dengan harga RM 5 kepada pembaca di pedalaman. Dengan harga begini, semua orang boleh memilki Alkitab. Kita dapat meletakkan Alkitab di tangan mereka dengan hanya memberi serendah RM 10. Mahukah anda memberi ? Lain kali jika anda dan gereja anda membuat kunjungan misi ke Sabah & Sarawak, bawalah bersama Alkitab Kanak-Kanak bagi memberkati kanakkanak di sana. Mahukan anda menghantar? Sumbangan terkecil hanyalah RM10. Tapi mempunyai potensi dan impak transformasi sepanjang hayat. Firman Allah ialah satu hadiah yang terus memberi. Dan kita berkongsi hadiah ini dengan mereka yang dekat di hati Tuhan Yesus: kanak-kanak. Jika anda tergerak untuk merebut peluang untuk memberkati, atau terkilan dengan cabaran yang dihadapi oleh Gereja BM, maka kami merayu agar anda mula memberi. Untuk maklumat lanjut, hubungi: wawasan.penabur@gmail.com Ebenezer, April 2012

Church Planting Center For Ketua Rumah Panjang & Ketua Sembahyang Training Programme

he Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) is the "Englishspeaking conference" of the Methodist Church in Malaysia. Together with the other conferences (Chinese, Tamil, Sengoi, Sarawak Chinese, Sarawak Iban, Sabah provisional), we form the Methodist Church in Malaysia. In view of the challenges facing the East Malaysian church as highlighted in the preceding article, TRAC and SIAC (Sarawak Iban Annual Conference) collaborated on a “Church Planting Center For Ketua Rumah Panjang & Ketua Sembahyang Training Programme”. Through this programme, TRAC will provide Facilitators / Trainers for all the Modules & Sessions. In particular, SSMC has been tasked to formulate the broad syllabus for all the modules and proposed lesson plans. A total of 6 Training Modules have been planned with the focus on Worship, Word, Body Life, Children and Youth Ministry. Training will be conducted at the Korean Training Center, in the outskirts of Sibu - a building sponsored by a Korean church. While SSMC is anchoring the programme, other TRAC Churches will also mobilise their members to coteach. Through this programme, it is hoped that about 100 participants (20 from

each of the 5 districts) , will be better equipped to assist their local congregation in worshipping, praying and growing in the Word. These participants are the Iban longhouse leaders - Tuai Rumah and Tuai Sembahyang (head man and lay leaders). Some of the main reference materials will be drawn from 101 Cerita Cerita dari Alkitab and Alkitab Kanak Kanak During the First Module from 16th to 19th February, the “pioneer” Team brought in resource materials for the Ibans... weighing close to 200 kg! Among these were 70 pieces of Bible Time Line banners, translated and printed in Bahasa Iban, and 4 boxes of Devotional Booklets in Iban. 500 copies of 101 Bible Stories in BM and Alkitab Kanak-Kanak were transported by land from different towns in Sarawak . A total of 60+ "students" with age ranging from teenagers to 60+ years participated representing 2 out of the 4 districts in the SAIC. Some those from the longhouses that Rev Peter Shin reached out to and is pastoring. The training went well with the "students" generally attentive despite the LONG hours. The day started at 6.30am with morning prayers, and proceeded right through to 10.30pm! The team only returned around 11pm after the teaching sessions and evaluation time. (Con’t on page 32) 31

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greeted us warmly, although the shy ones stood at the back. A curious sight caught our eyes - a big pile of school bags right in the middle of the circle. When we asked Rev Peter Shin, the Korean missionary working among the Ibans, about this, he answered, “They want you to bless the school bags….”

School Bags? by Pastor Ng Kok Moi

e alighted from our van, and started to walk towards the longhouse along the 150 meter-mud path which was lined with plants that provide food for the Ibans…. brinjals, ladies fingers, sayur manis. We walked past a few lady folks who were getting ready some home grown vegetables for dinner, as it was around 5.30pm. As we stepped into the verandah of the long house, a group of around 40 Ibans - young and old,

This completely took us by surprise and placed us in a quandary as we did not want to “bless” inanimate objects. The folks in this longhouse came to the Lord just 6 months ago from an animistic background. Understandably they still held on to much of their past belief system and practices.

encouragement to study hard, different team members laid hands on each of the children and youths and prayed God’s blessings upon them. We are thankful to God for His direction for us to turn a potentially no-win situation - either committing a cultural faux pas or reinforcing a superstitious practice - into one that glorifed Him. As we were leaving the longhouse, we remarked in jest that had we not waited upon the Lord’s wisdom and direction and handled the situation correctly, we might be asked to bless the rice pot and the oil jug during our next visit…All glory and praise to God!

What am I to do in this situation? As I prayed, the Lord placed upon my heart His strategy. When Rev Shin asked me to address the group, I requested all the schoolgoing children and youths to come to the center of the circle, and each of them place their school bags on their backs. After a brief explanation and

(cont’d from page 31)

ur Kindergarten - Pusat Penyayang Kanak-Kanak (PPKK) held its monthly “Parents’ Morning Tea Talk” on 23March 2012. The special speaker was none other than Mr Phua Seng Tiong (Tokoh Guru Kebangsaan). Mr Phua shared his views on parenting and provided some principles on bringing up children. It was an engaging, enlightening and inspiring time for all the parents as they listened and dialogued with an experienced 32

educator in their midst! PP-KK is a thematic-based kindergarten that uses phonics in its reading system for English and Bahasa Malaysia. There are also Mandarin classes. The Kindergarten incorporates play with hands-on and first-hand experiences in its teaching methodology, as well as the use of computer technology. Are you keen to participate in the activities/ ministry of our kindergarten? Contact the supervisor, Ms Serene Anthony.

During the course of the day, the team members spent time chatting and building relationships with the participants, trying to understand the Iban culture and their local situation, especially the spiritual "temperature" of the Iban congregations. In the evenings, the team had opportunity to visit long houses. On Thursday, the team managed to visit a more “affluent” Tuai Rumah's house (which they call pintu) and was pleasantly surprise with its modern amenities such as air-conditioning. The next day, they visited a long house which was a start contrast - dilapidated and run down. An offshoot of this CPC, is the Sibu Iban Longhouse Missions is being considered where Discipleship Groups can be involved. For more information, check with the church office. Ebenezer, April 2012