Source/Author: Rev. Raymond Raj Ponnuthurai TAC-MCM

GC Pastors’ School at PDMC dated 13-16 April 2015

Greetings, in Jesus’ name. The General Conference Pastors’ School was held from the 13th -16th April at the Port Dickson Methodist Center. The theme was “Faithful Shepherding in Turbulent Times”. This was an exciting time as the last time the all Methodist Church pastors met together for a time together was in Sibu in 2010. It was also exciting as we could meet up with our fellow pastors from other conferences while catching up with one another. This school was especially good for us pastors as we also met our seminary mates after many years. The theme Faithful Shepherding in Turbulent Times was indeed very appropriate in these period of our country’s for the churches in Malaysia. With great wisdom the General Conference made it possible to have excellent speakers at the School, both from local and overseas to address the current situation of our country that effects the churches today. Our Bishop in his oppening address cum Holy Communion service issued the call with his encouraging word that pastors should “not lose heart” (Jangan Patah Semangat) but continue to serve the Lord fervently. As pastors we were encouraged and warned by the various speakers to be vigilant, to be careful of the times we are living in and to love our neighbours. We were also warned of difficulties faced by our brothers and sisters in Sabah and Sarawak in professing their faith. Therefore members of our churches were called to be on our knees praying for one another. The main speaker from a neighbouring country kept on encouraging us to not give up and nor underestimate the power of prayer. He showed us evidences on how prayer can actually transform the political and the religious climate of a nation. The Pastors’ School was indeed very fruitful and edifying for us pastors. I would like to convey a word of gratitude to our Bishop and the the Organising Committee for a job well done. Kudos!