Source/Author: Rev. Lenita Tiong

News from SCAC

A few months ago, my PIC asked me to take his place at the MIG meeting. I had never heard about it and so I thought it was just another meeting. I accepted that assignment gladly but as the date of the meeting drew near, a reluctance sips in as the workload of ministry piled up. I admit that on the day of the meeting, I had to drag my feet to Sibu.

On the other hand, in recently weeks the Lord has been teaching me about forgiveness. I was wrestling with Him about this.

In the morning of the meeting, I was reading about the work of the Holy Spirit in John 16:8 about the conviction of sin. A quote mentioned got stuck in my head - “revival is deeper conviction of sin.”

The morning began with worship followed by an exhortation by Rev Damat Stewart, the President of SIAC. In his request for prayers, he mentioned that the indigenous churches needed to be empowered so that they can take the lead in the transformation of the church and nation.

After the tea break, Beng Keat was sharing about the indigenous church being in the forefront and being favored by God in our nation. The indigenous Christians are our family, our brothers and sisters and we need to empower them as they are the future of our church.

He then affirmed the work of SCAC in supporting SIAC.

That was when the Lord spoke to me and reminded me that it is not doing but being. Outwardly we have always supported by giving but our attitude, thoughts and words are still unchanged. As I wrestled with the Lord, He reminded me of a sermon I preached recently on Indigenous Ministry Sunday in which I reminded my members from Eph 6 about spiritual warfare. I challenged my members to be vessels to be used by God to break the bonds and bondages by loving and caring for our indigenous people. Our negative attitude, unkind words and thoughts about them are wrongly placed as it is not them whom we are against but they are under bondage.

And the Lord nudged me very strongly and said “preacher, live out your own sermon”. My response was “of course no! What would people think of me? No no no, God. I am not going to do so.”

As Rev Wong, the GC Prayer Co-ordinator, led the group in prayer, I was wrestling with God. My “no” to Him was answered with “you wanted to learn obedience.”

“NO.” “You prayed for sensitivity to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.”
“NO.” “Trust me”
“NO.” “My child I know what I am doing.”

Reluctantly, I went over to ask Rev Wong if I could share something after that session. I thank God that he agreed. But as he led in prayer, he prayed for repentance. I knew God was definitely at work, there is so much unity and harmony throughout our time together.

I began to confess that my family and I have despised and failed in our love for our indigenous brothers and sisters. My church and my conference have also failed and sinned in our words, thoughts and deeds in loving and caring for them. And then prompted by the Lord, I invited the Chinese participants in that room to stand and ask for God’s forgiveness for our sins and failure.

But by then I was just so overwhelmed emotionally that I wept and wept before God. I had never wept like that over a sin and the burden was lifted as I just waited for God.

It was only later that I found out that the TRAC team of intercessors have prayed that someone would lead in repentance and reconciliation. I was much humbled by the knowledge that God had prompted me to be obedient and by His Grace, empowered and encouraged to take the lead.

To God be the Glory