01 Feb 2006

February 2006 - SIAC: Achievements and Plans . . .

By Rev. James Puang

1. Seminar on Spiritual Renewal
We began the year 2005 by holding a seminar on Spiritual Renewal. The theme for 2005: "That We May Be One in Christ" Through Prayer (2005), Studying God's Words (2006), Discipleship (2007) and Mission (2008). This year we emphasized on prayer for spiritual renewal. A Pastors and Layleaders Prayer Seminar was held in Sibu from 1-4 April 2005. About 100 people attended this seminar. The facilitators for this Prayer Seminar were: Bishop Hwa Yung (leader); Miss Wee Lay Chin (co-labour in Prayer Ministry-Singapore) talked about the Power of Prayer; Dr. Chew Tow Yow taught about Personal Holiness. The second seminar, the Pastors & Laity Prayer Convention was held 15-17 July, 2005 at Kapit. The theme of the convention was "Hear our Prayer O Lord." The leader of this convention was our Bishop who also spoke on the power of prayer. Next year (2006) another seminar will be held in April.

2. Fund Raising For SIAC
We all know that our conference is having difficulty raising funds for our operational expenses. I also would like to thank those who helped and supported our Food Sales Fund Raising, held in the four districts in August 2005. The amount raised as reported by Mr. Robert Jinga, the Chairman of the Board of Finance is RM85,342.60.

3. Teaching on Pledging and Tithing
This year I have been teaching/ encouraging on pledging/tithing to support the church. I have attended seminars organised by the local churches (5) and by the Districts (3). Our conference needs systematic giving so that the church plans for the expenses of the church can be achieved.

4. New Buildings/Renovation & Repairs
This year a chapel at Rumah Adam, Belingian was dedicated in August. The total cost of the chapel is RM 7,000, which was donated by the Korean Methodist Church through Rev. Ro Chuong Hai. 13 members of the Korean Methodist Church attended the dedication service.

The Sarikei Choong Shin Iban Methodist Church/Centre was completed at the cost RM 665,020 and the dedication service was held 11th November 2005. We thank the Korean Methodist Choong Shin Church, which contributed RM300,000 towards the cost of the building.

The construction of the Batu 14 KJD Road Methodist Church building cum parsonage (at Rumah Dinis Umpol) has started. The building is estimated to cost about RM55,000. The Korean Methodist Church has agreed to assist in the building cost.

The construction of the Methodist Training Centre, Nanga Matop, Kanowit which cost RM100,000, is in progress.

The Church at Tutus has been repaired and renovated through the financial support of the Korean Methodist Church.

The land, the church building and parsonage of the Selangau Methodist Church was donated by a Mr. Kempas. The Methodist Hwei Ang Church (SCAC) will bear the cost of the construction.

Construction of the Tulai Methodist Church building is in progress at the cost of RM17,000. It was donated by the Korean Methodist through Rev. Ro Chuong Hai.

5. Visitors
Two visitors from overseas visited our conference this year. They were Rev. Peter Sulton, Methodist Foreign Ministry, British Methodist Church, U.K. and Rev. Andrew Hii from the United Methodist Church, Castle Rock, Washington, USA. Rev. Hii was a former missionary to the Iban Methodist Church in the early sixties. He also visited the SIAC Methodist Women. He is still fluent in Iban language and he was invited to preach at the Church at Rumah Adam, Selangau. He also visited the church at Tutus where he was assigned in the early sixties.

6. 7-Year Master Plan
A 7-Year Master Plan Committee was formed and chaired by Mr. Robert Jinga which met on 13th August 2005. A working paper was prepared by the committee to find ways to improve the spiritual well being of the conference and improve our financial standing to meet the conference commitment. This will enable SIAC to be financially self sufficient and reduce dependance on other annual conferences.

7. Ministerial Development
This year Rev. Elizabeth Enjut graduated from STM with a Bachelor of Theology. Pastor Lucius Bangau graduated with a Bachelor of Theology degree from Seminari Teoloji Sabah (STS).

Rev. Ningkan Galung Suring is continuing his theological education at STS. His studies are sponsored by SCAC.

Pastor Jatan Badi will continue his theological education at STS in 2006. A Mr. Lee Kok Hua of Kuching agreed to sponsor his scholarship.

8. Plans for 2006
• To continue to hold seminars on Spiritual Renewal
• Emphasis on pledging and tithing
• Team ministry on Evangelism with the District Superintendents in the 4 SIAC Districts.
• Fund Raising to build churches and parsonages.
• To start Cell Prayer groups in the local churches
• To visit the local churches in the 4 SIAC districts

Excerpts from Presidential Address at
Sarawak Iban Annual Conference, 2005