10-11 November 2006

The SPAC kicked off the Annual Conference season in Kota Kinabalu. It was held at Shern En Methodist Church, the first Methodist church in Sabah.

In his Presidential Address, Rev. Ling Heu Uh gave the broad overview of the work of the Annual Conference in the past year and some suggestions for future undertaking.

Rev. Ling called for a "church without walls" that does not shut out the needs of the surrounding community, and become restrictive and self-centered. He noted a number of areas of ministry in the "city mission" that is of concern to the Annual Conference.

Tertiary Ministry: The work amongst students in University Malaysia Sabah needs more people involved. It is a growing ministry with enrolment in UMS increasing every year.

Working Adult Ministry: They are the source of manpower and support for the church. It is vitally important to reach out to this group. He suggested that Christians in management level can develop this ministry.

Ministry to Chinese: There are two main groups from China - technical workers and students. There is great opportunity to work with them because of the common cultural background.

Cross-cultural Ministry: There are many illegal immigrants who are jobless, resorting to stealing and robbing, and many of the younger generation without any skills. The church can consider working with the government to educate and train the new generation and improve their future.

Looking ahead Rev. Ling spoke of his hopes for a training centre for the indigenous people to provide a more systematic education, having been involved in this ministry for ten years now. He also suggested setting up a drug rehabilitation centre for the homeless and jobless addicts until they can be independent again.

But equally important is the area of disciple training for a more systematic equipping of believers for service and ministry. In this way more people can be equipped for undertaking these ministries of the church.

Finally, plans for Wisma Wesley, the SPAC Administrative Office, is underway. Fund raising will be launched in 2007.

To God Be The Glory!