Defining Moment In My Renewed Spiritual Journey
The 13th Gempuru Besai Kristin Jaku Iban Malaysia (GBKJIM) – Zone Sarikei [Assembly of Malaysian-Iban-Speaking-Christians for Sarikei Zone] was organized (according turn) by Life Baptist Church (LBC) Sarikei from 16th until 18th September 2011 under chairmanship of brother Pastor Jackson Sunatai (who I met for the first time during 10-Days Haggai National Conference held in Santubong Resort Kuching in September 2009). The main event was the Youth Seminar with the theme taken from Isaiah 40:31 which says: “...Ngerembaika Sayap Baka Menaul...” or “...Mount on Wings Like Eagles...”).
I “landed” into the seminar because of personal invitation extended to me by brother Pastor Bajau Anak Biju (of Emmanuel Bapstist Church -EBC Kuching) to be his co-speaker and co-minister throughout the seminar and also during the two nights teaching sessions. The two functions were attended by some 100 to 150 participants including adults. The youths were mainly from four churches in Sarikei namely: LBC, SIB Church, Hope Church and Anglican Church. The event kicked-off very lively with music-dances/tambourines/hand-clapping/flag-waving and shofar-blowing during “hosanna-singing-marching-in” staged by all participants as the crowd walked graciously into LBC hall prior to teaching session on the night of 16th September 2011. The teaching topic was about: “Creating an Impactful Church” (Matt. 5:13-20) while the seminar topic was about: “Becoming and Being ‘Eagles Christians’” (Isaiah 40:31).
That evening on 16th September 2011 was the Defining Moment in My Renewed Spiritual Journey and Personal Ministry which I call it: “Networking-for-Christ”. What made the evening and date the defining moment to me? Three reasons.
(1) It was my first time to speak about the words of God in church since 20 years ago when I had to leave Kuching for job-relocation in KL between mid 1990 until early 2010.
(2) The time and date also defined my personal roles as layman Christian in the business of “Thine Kingdom Come”. On the denominational side, my constant desire is to continue serving my home-church faithfully within in the areas of mission & evangelism ministry of St. Faith’s Church. On the non-denominational side, my "new" desire is to pursue networking together (or קוה qâvâh) with individuals and/or groups of Christ-focused believers outside irrespective of church denominations and traditions in the fields.
(3) Pastor Jackson Luat (of Hope Church) said he was personally touched and encouraged by the “uniqueness in the side-by-side speaking arrangement” through seeing and hearing two speakers from two different denominations (one was from charismatic-line EBC - in the person of Pastor Bajau, while the other one was from traditional main-line Anglican Church – who was me) stood side-by-side and spoke jointly (or in pair) on the same theme and topic throughout the teaching and seminar sessions.
In his own words, Pastor Jackson Luat said what God did was showing him a new “working-together-dimension” - that the “uniqueness in the side-by-side speaking arrangement” was a new “milestone of encouragement” for the local Iban-Speaking-Christians of different denominations in Sarikei to emulate - coming and working together in union for the glory of God.
COMMENTS
I believe that God is also in the business of encouraging and drawing believers to network and come together (or קוה qâvâh) as “One-in-Christ” outside the framework of our respective denominational identities.
As part of knowledge-sharing and spiritual enrichment, I will post notes on points and thoughts (later) for those who are interested in the two topics namely:
(i) Creating an Impactful Church
(ii) Becoming and Being “Eagle-Christians”
Have a blessed day.
No comments:
Post a Comment