On 9 July 2006, Bawang Assan Methodist Church of SIAC celebrated its 52nd birthday. Bawang Assan is located in Central Rajang River, below Lobaan and about 45 minutes drive from Sibu town. Around the church building itself is a cluster of 8 longhouses and 95% of the residents are Christians. The church has a regular attendance of about 40-50 as many are working or study outside Bawang Assan.

This church was originally built by some Chinese churches and missionaries from Indonesia back in 1954. In fact, many of the older pastors of SIAC and Methodist Women leaders were from the area. Rev. James Puang, President of SIAC estimated about ten pastors came from that church. Now only two are left, the others had retired or dropped out of the ministry for one reason or another.

In the celebration ceremony, President Puang encouraged the congregation to press on with the passage from I Cor. 16:13, "Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love."

The pastor of Bawang Assan church is Pastor Lolida Layam.

Ming
From Connection, the English station of The Chinese Methodist Message 31 July.