ONE MOMENT IN TIME

Col (Ret) Quek Koh Eng, MMS Field & Church Engagement Director. He served as the Area Director of Nepal from 2008 to 2019.

Although there are many significant events during my many years of ministry with MMS, I can only describe them as my “One Moment in Time” experiences. Humbly, I acknowledge the hand of God working to shape my ministry as I am privileged to work together with groups of faithful men and women who have committed their lives to serving our Lord. These were indeed journeys of extraordinary, supernatural experiences and close encounters with God.

The ancient Greek word for such a defining moment is Kairos, meaning the opportune or critical moment. In the New Testament, Kairos is used to describe the appointed time or the God-ordained time.

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6, NIV

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15, NIV

Indeed, there are God-given moments such as the time when Jesus walked this earth. For many Christians, there is not one moment in time that can be compared to the time when we received salvation and confessed Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. We need to recognise the God-appointed times when His times intersect with ours. That will always be our most memorable “One Moment in Time”.

During my time in MMS, I have been blessed with opportunities to serve in all our mission fields. I especially remember the initial years of establishing our Nepal ministry, and seeing it grew from strength to strength. 13 years of great personal experiences and defining moments that I describe as “One Moment in Time”.

Our Nepal ministry started when Rev Erick Tan and his wife Shanti heeded the call of God to be missionaries in Nepal after graduating from Trinity Theological College. By faith, they ventured into East Nepal and struggled for three years before starting their first ministry in Kathmandu. God provided two anointed servants (a pastor from India and a Nepali Campus Crusade for Christ-trained pastor from East Nepal) to work with MMS. After three barren years, the ministry of Nepal was birthed.

My first trip to Nepal in 2006 was very significant. Together with MMS leadership, Rev Dr Norman Wong and Andrew Tay, we visited East Nepal, Kathmandu, and Phulbari in Kavre District. Seeing the needs for our ministry, we purchased the land next to Mahimit Methodist Church where a temporary bamboo shed was used as a Bible school. Later on, a new building was built for Caleb Bible Institute (CBI). Over the years, CBI has trained and graduated over 150 pastors and local church leaders for the Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN) and other Nepali churches.

Koh Eng with some pioneer leaders in Nepal

Whilst worshipping in a mud house church in Phulbari with a group of 15 believers, God released a word to my inner spirit that He would build His church at this exact site. Immediately after the service, Andrew announced that his church would sponsor the building of Phulbari church. Later, the church has been rebuilt as the 2015 earthquake affected the building. The steadfast love of God never ceases as Phulbari Methodist Church grew in maturity and strength. Today, it has over 80 regular worshippers. To God be the glory.

The new Phulbari Methodist Church building

We then focused on training our pastors and church planters to grow multiplying and disciplemaking churches. We prepared our national pastors and leaders through discipleship and equipping training, including Growing Healthy Church (GHC), Equipping The Saints (ETS), and T-NET. These training programmes provided a strong foundation, aligning Methodist teachings and disciplines with the Church Planting (CP) movement. Today, CP has grown and matured with the increasing participation of youths and women. With the foundation established, our Nepal ministry was officially recognised as the Nepal Annual Meeting of the Mission in 2008.

Students from Caleb Bible Institute in 2017

I was fortunate to work with a very dedicated and committed team of missionaries in Nepal who contributed immensely to the growth and development of MCN. Together with them, we experienced faith, perseverance, and providence.

Today, MCN has seven Churches, five Preaching Points, and eight Outreach Points, including CBI and Sophia’s Home ministry.

Annual Meeting and Ordination in 2010

MCN’s ministry has been through periods of national crises. In 2015, the devastating earthquake resulted in the loss of more than 8000 lives and massive destruction of homes and properties. Together with MCN, MMS responded and provided funds to rebuild the homes of our members and the community, and to repair our churches and Sophia’s Home. Food and other essentials were also provided to the affected families. In early 2020, disaster struck again with the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Again, we were able to respond promptly by providing relief packages to 372 families and sharing God’s love with the community. By God’s grace and providence, MCN will tide over this pandemic and any other crisis. Our Lord assures us: “For I know the plans I have for you. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, NLT

Food relief aid for the 2015 earthquake victims

I am glad to have had this special “One Moment in Time” experience in my ministry with MCN. It was a God-given privilege to work with the national pastors, leaders, and missionaries. It was a humbling and learning journey to witness God’s faithfulness to MCN and her leaders. I am confident that they too will experience their “One Moment in Time” personal encounters with God. I firmly believe that with a strong spiritual foundation, MCN leadership are not only people of hope but of victorious faith. I pray that as Methodists in Nepal, they will show perseverance, faithfulness, and tenacity in their journey towards Redeeming Nepal for Christ.

I am glad to have had this special “One Moment in Time” experience in my ministry with MCN.