SIAC News
01 Jan 2016

SIAC reached 43,572 in number! Iban Language Worship in KL and Johor Bahru

SIAC 40th Session Report

The 40th Session of Sarawak Iban Annual Conference (SIAC) was held from 29th November to 1st December 2015. The present recorded number of Sarawak Iban Metho- dists has reached 43,572, with those above 12 numbering 27,392 and the rest at 16,180. In 2015, 257 adults and 498 children were baptized.

This year, three pastors were ordained as Deacons and another as Elder Rev. Bayan Ak Penguwang is now Elder while new Deacons are Lembai Anak Banyang, Winnie Chendu Anak Bagong and Olyver Alyendess Anak Broken. Pastor Tallon Anak Tindit, Ansor Anak Kut. Bangau Amping will retire officially next year. The Pastor joining the ministry is Lau Lee Lam who is joining the ordained ministry. She has been the Director of SIAC Christian Education.

According to the Financial Report, the total income of 2015 has reached RM1,095, 924.99.  The deficit is slightly more than 100,000. This shows that SIAC is 80% self sufficient.

The President of SIAC, Rev. Steward Damat, accepted an interview from the Chinese Methodist Message 2 days after the conference. He said that 2015 was also SIAC’s 40th Session. President Damat’s key note address focused on how God has been faithful to the Annual Confe- rence over the years. It has not been an easy journey towards being self-supporting, self-governing and self-propagating. Brothers and sisters – in-Christ from all the Methodist Conferences in Malaysia and Singapore and the world have given him great encouragement.

Another good piece of news is that the Iban Methodist Chuch in SibuJaya is 70% completed. The church building project is expected to be completed in April 2016. The President is very grateful to the Methodist Churches in West Malaysia and Singapore, Chinese Congregations of Sibu West, East and Central districts for their generous support. This RM2.7 million project is situated at SibuJaya new township.

After the SibuJaya project, Miri Iban Methodist Church in Miri is also undergoing another church construction project. Construction of this Church building which commenced in 2015 is still ongoing. Apart from that, another construction project will follow in Kanowit. It is projected to commence in 2016.

He also disclosed that SIAC will continue to conduct the Tuai Sembayang courses for 120 church members coming from Sibu, Bintulu, Kapit and Sarikei districts. The purpose is to enhance their basic knowledge on the Bible, theology, Church history and li- turgy. This course is jointly sponsored by the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference, Trinity Annual Conference, Sarawak Iban Annual Conference and Indigenous Ministry Task Force (IMTF). It is hoped that after this training, these participants will be able to act as lay preachers in their respective longhouses and local churches. The Church Planters’ Institute will be held in March, June and September.

SIAC plans to publish 3 editions of  its newletters each year from 2016 onwards. Thus, they have restructured the Literature and Multi-Media Board which is led by the President himself with assistance from Navy Ak Jilan.

“We had published a few newsletters in recent years and found that they had been useful in integrating the fellowship among the church members, acting as a network. They also helped others to know more about our ministry,” the President told CM.

In 2016, SIAC will continue to hold a Prayer Convention on 29th April - 1st of May 2016 in Kapit Sarawak. Other events like Children Prayer and Youth Camp, Worship and Liturgy Workshop will also be conducted. Pastors’ School will be held on March 12-14, 2016 in Sibu Methodist Centennial Park. Bishop Dr. Ong Hwai Teik and the Reverend Thomas Lau will speak at the Pastors’ School. There will also be 5 in 1 program for youths, Sunday School Tea- chers Training and Music Training which will be held in March and in December, Youth Camp 2016 will be conducted.

In order to serve those Ibans working in the Klang Valley and Putra Jaya, the Borneo Methodist Christian Fellowship (BMCF) is formed to assist them.  Sunday worship is at 11am at Muk En Methodist Church. At present there are about 60 members consisting mainly of families living in West Malaysia. Some are students from Sarawak. In Johor Bahru, the Iban Congregation at Skudai preaching point has become a local Church. We are praying that God will grant them a permanent place to worship Him.