4 minute read
MISSION CONFERENCE declared
from Harvest Force 2021 issue 2
by MMS1
This article was jointly written by Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng and Rev Henry Yeo. Col Quek is the MMS Area Director (Thailand & Vietnam). He is also the Field & Church Engagement Director. He worships at Charis Methodist Church. Rev Yeo is the MMS Country Director of Thailand and District Superintendent in Thailand.
At its 16th Annual Meeting held on 16 March 2021, the Thai Mission of the Methodist Church in Singapore, also known as the Mettakij Church Association (MCA), was officially declared by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong to be a Mission Conference!
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This event marks a historical milestone in the journey of the Methodist Church in Thailand. The Methodist Church in Singapore (MCS) established the Thai Mission in 1994. And on 19 March 2005, upon the recommendation of MMS, the Thai Mission became an Annual Meeting in accordance with the decision of the Presiding Bishop and the Council of Presidents of MCS. This led to the official formation of the MCA.
The plan was to declare MCA a Mission Conference in March 2020. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, we had to defer it. This was the first time that the Annual Meeting was conducted on a virtual platform with delegates from MCS, MMS and representatives from the partner Methodist churches participating online from Singapore. We thank God that most of our MCA members could meet at Shineforth Methodist Church, Chiang Mai and participate in the Annual Meeting.
Rev Derrick Lau was instrumental in establishing MCA as a Missions Conference. In his address as our Mission Superintendent, he praised God for His sovereignty and grace in enabling MCA to fulfil His mandate in Thailand. He was heartened to learn of the many encouraging reports of progress made by our fellow Thai Leaders and MMS Missionaries.
He placed on record his deepest thanks and appreciation to one and all who have contributed and committed their services. These included our national leaders, both clergy and laity, the many volunteers who are serving in the School Boards, the management of infrastructure projects, our missionaries, and the Home Team and volunteers supporting the operational, financial, personnel, training and education needs of our ministry in Thailand. They have all been exemplary in their passion and commitment in supporting and working with our Thai team.
Pastor Training
Group photo
Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting
It is an opportune time to acknowledge with appreciation, the support and prayers from our Singapore partner churches. They have contributed immensely in our various initiatives and projects and have been a divine blessing to MCA. And as MCA continues her journey, we will undoubtedly continue to engage our valued partners and look to build new partnerships with other Singapore Methodist churches through our Church Engagement efforts.
We praise and thank God for the partnership with our Thai brothers and sisters who are labouring conscientiously for the mission of Christ. We are deeply thankful to God for the giving of their time, talents, and resources. We pray that God will bless them and their families as we serve together in the ‘unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’.
Significantly, as we celebrate the establishment of the Mission Conference, we continue our efforts toward achieving our vision of attaining a Provisional Annual Conference status by 2024. We now have the pre-requisite number of Elders that would meet the requirements stipulated in the Book of Discipline. However, we will need to have a physical Ordination Service for our Elders-Elect when travel can be resumed when the COVID-19 situation improves.
To support the Mission Conference, the following were established:
a. Provisional Board of Ordained Ministry (PBOM)
b. Discipline Drafting Committee (DDC)
c. Provisional Judiciary
Annual Meeting
As part of efforts towards developing and equipping our missionaries and national leaders, we conducted a three-day training program immediately after the Annual Meeting. The programme included broadening our Pastors’ understanding on Methodism, the theological aspects of Salvation, Holy Communion & Child Baptism, and Family & Social Concerns. This will equip and enable them to impart the knowledge gained to their members, building for the future.
Finally, the Mission Conference of MCA would like to thank MCS for establishing the Thai Mission in 1994 through the efforts of the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim. He was dearly missed at this historical event. MCA looks forward to the episcopal leadership of Bishop Dr Gordon Wong. MCA also would like to express their thankfulness and appreciation to Bishop Emeritus Dr Chong Chin Chung for his active participation and inspiring leadership in the last quadrennium.
To God be the Glory!
