PELITA - The Methodist Church Newsletter
Listed below are articles abstracted from past issues of PELITA
SCAC News
01 Mar 2016
Thanksgiving Service and 25th Anniversary Celebration
Methodist Pilley Institute
On 15 January 2016, Methodist Pilley Institute held a Thanksgiving Service to mark the beginning of a year-long celebration of its 25th Anniversary. Bishop Ong Hwai Teik used Isaiah 60:1-3 to encourage the Institute to “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you,” particularly during the current state where darkness is seemingly overbearing. In his sharing, Bishop Ong emphasized that Sarawak, with over 40% of its population being Christians, is in a great position to exert a positive influence and to shine for the Lord in the midst of turmoil and all that’s happening near and far. Methodist Pilley Institute, being strategically located in the central region of the State, and as one of the two Methodist-owned higher learning institutions in Malaysia, should seize every opportunity to be the vessel through which God’s light can be reflected and shined-through.
The Chairman of Board of Directors, Mr. Chang Jih Ren announced during the service that the Institute will make provision for 10% of tuition fees collected from all new students who enrolled at the Institute in 2016 to sponsor 140 stateless or underprivileged children in three agencies in Kuching, Sibu and Miri. By offering formal education to these children, these agencies help break the vicious cycles that poverty and illiteracy bring. The three agencies are Tudan Community Learning Centre operated by Tudan Methodist Church in Miri, Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak D’Wira in Kuching, and Destiny for Children Association in Sibu. In addition to financial assistance, Mr. Chang encouraged students from the Institute to actively and purposefully include the three agencies in their activities so that they can be more involved in the lives of these children.
In 1991, Methodist Pilley Institute superseded Pilley Memorial Secondary School that was established in 1967 in remembrance of American missionaries Mr. & Mrs. John A. Pilley who served and toiled selflessly in the central region of Sarawak in 1950’s. The Institute has grown steadily over the years in terms of programmes offered as well as number of students. Currently, with nearly a thousand students, the Institute offers 4 diploma programmes, 2 professional programmes, 3 bachelor degrees, and a number of English programmes such as IETLS, TOEFL & MUET.
The Chairman of Board of Directors, Mr. Chang Jih Ren announced during the service that the Institute will make provision for 10% of tuition fees collected from all new students who enrolled at the Institute in 2016 to sponsor 140 stateless or underprivileged children in three agencies in Kuching, Sibu and Miri. By offering formal education to these children, these agencies help break the vicious cycles that poverty and illiteracy bring. The three agencies are Tudan Community Learning Centre operated by Tudan Methodist Church in Miri, Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak D’Wira in Kuching, and Destiny for Children Association in Sibu. In addition to financial assistance, Mr. Chang encouraged students from the Institute to actively and purposefully include the three agencies in their activities so that they can be more involved in the lives of these children.
In 1991, Methodist Pilley Institute superseded Pilley Memorial Secondary School that was established in 1967 in remembrance of American missionaries Mr. & Mrs. John A. Pilley who served and toiled selflessly in the central region of Sarawak in 1950’s. The Institute has grown steadily over the years in terms of programmes offered as well as number of students. Currently, with nearly a thousand students, the Institute offers 4 diploma programmes, 2 professional programmes, 3 bachelor degrees, and a number of English programmes such as IETLS, TOEFL & MUET.
Friends, alumni, students and some of the sponsored children from Destiny presented various performances du- ring the compact yet meaningful service. Though the service had ended, the celebration of God’s provision and grace over the past 25 years will continue with various meaningful events throughout the year, culminating in a grand celebration on 9 September 2016.
By Madam Judy Wong
CEO/Principal of MPI
CEO/Principal of MPI