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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
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The General Secretary writes……. JulyAug 2010
There were great music & songs from all nations, fabulous choirs of international standards, graceful ‘Alohas’ from the Hawaiians, charming & delightful children’s concert presentations - all these and more, coupled with an amazing atmosphere of God’s love! All of us were truly blessed to be present for this Conference. Themed “Hear the Spirit” (Luke 4:18-19), the various keynote speakers for the Congress exhorted us all to indeed hear the Spirit of God and live in the power & anointing of the Holy Spirit to do all we can to make a difference in this world!
Rev. Lance Watson, the pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, USA, in his closing message urged the delegates to go forth to their various countries and churches in the power of the Holy Spirit to “change handicaps into happy helpfulness; to change disadvantages into delightful deliverances; to change lameness into leaping love.” |
Stating that “it is the business and mission of the church to make a difference in the world,” Rev. Watson called on Baptists to stop down into the “deep valleys of human need, rolling up [our] sleeves, signing up for service, getting off [our] seat, standing on [our] feet… getting involved with hurting humans.” The Christian, however, needs to draw on the power of the Holy Spirit in order to perform such tasks, for “if [we] try to visit the sick or serve the poor on [our] strength alone, [we] can't do it. [We] can't serve God, sing to God, sacrifice to God, please God, walk with God, praise God or preach God without God’s Spirit!”
I am grateful for God’s Word and challenge received at this Congress. May you be encouraged and empowered by the Holy Spirit as well, as you serve the Lord where He has placed you. Take courage, dear Pastors, and draw on the power of the Holy Spirit!
During the week, John Upton of the United States was elected president of the BWA (Baptist World Alliance), succeeding David Coffey while former BWA general secretary Denton Lotz received the BWA Human Rights Award. As Malaysians, we were also humbled to receive recognition in having Rev John Kok (senior pastor of KLBC) being elected as one of the Vice-Presidents of the BWA! Over 20 delegates represented Malaysia in this year’s Congress. The next one, the 21st Baptist World Congress, will be held in Durban, South Africa, in July 2015!
In early July, I was together with MBC Service Board members at the Golden Sands Baptist Assembly, Port Dickson, hosting a sumptuous farewell dinner for our dear Bro. Sun Heng. For all those precious years of faithful service to the Lord, let me also echo a hearty ‘Thank you and may the good Lord add His blessing” to our dear brother!
The next day I was in Malacca with Rev. Alfred Wee (Malacca BC), Rev. Ronnie Chiu (Straits BC) and Bro. Kyle (pioneering a new BC). It is a great blessing for me to be able to meet up with these dear Pastors and hear first hand, their work and ministry in Malacca. It was also a joy to meet up, share, and exchange greetings with our former General Secretary, Pr Ronnie Chiu.
I had the privilege to go to Kuantan and Terengganu to visit our Baptist brethren there, along with Pr Richard Toh and Sis Patricia. We were able to meet up with all the Pastors and Leaders of our Baptist Churches in the East coast. At a delightful lunch fellowship, I had the privilege of introducing myself for the first time, to our precious saints there. I took the opportunity to visit the premises of all our Baptist Churches while there. An added blessing was a visit to Pekan BC where we met up with sis Baca (wife of Pr Pengiran Buaya) serving among the Jakun people. The Church there is growing and the work among these special people is bearing much fruit. PTL! We preached & ministered in Trengganu BC, Kemaman BC, Faith BC, Good News BC and Kuantan BC. Although there are many needs in these Churches, I’m happy to report God’s grace as His people continue to love and serve Him fervently. If you know of a Mandarin-speaking Pastor who is willing to pioneer a work in Terengganu, please contact me. Pray for this exciting news of a desire to plant a new church in a growing community of people!
I was also in Singapore to attend the inaugural “Lilian H. K. Lim Distinguished Preaching Lecture” Series. It was a very well-organised conference with over 200 delegates from various nations. Our special guest speaker, Rev Cleo LaRue, is a dynamic black preacher and renowned Associate Professor who occupies the Francis Landey Patton Chair of Homiletics at Princeton Theological Seminary (USA). He instructed and inspired us to proclaim the Word prophetically, pertinently and passionately. Undoubtedly, all who attended this preaching conference went away truly enthused and greatly encouraged to be better communicators of God’s Word! A number of Malaysian Pastors present with me echoed the need for such similar conferences to bless our MBC Pastors. Would you be interested in this? Write me
I took this opportunity to also link up with the good folks of the Singapore Baptist Convention. Pr Edwin Lam (Chairman, SBC) and Peter Tang (Executive Secretary, SBC) both conveyed their greetings to all in MBC and Baptist Pastors in Malaysia. They would be most happy to connect once again and together, to work towards fulfilling God’s purposes for Malaysia and Singapore.
An additional thanksgiving…… I’m still thanking the Lord for our recently concluded 57th AMC in Kuching, Sarawak on June 7-9, 2010. Personally, I’ve been blessed, encouraged, inspired and lifted up spiritually, as I serve alongside you in leading this year’s AMC. I’ve received much encouragement and praise from many others who were blessed greatly as well – all glory to God! A pastor in his phone message to me said, “THANKS a lot, I’ve really been blessed by the AMC, to tell you a secret, when I first received the AMC invitation letter, I threw it away! But after meeting with you, I found it back. God is so good to send an angel like you to bless me! The AMC had drawn me closer to God and I have been touched by God. Appreciate what you & the team have done.” Another pastor echoed, “Thank you for leading the AMC – the best I’ve attended so far & I think many others would agree. Keep up with the good work!” May all praises go to the LORD! (For additional news, please read the latest publication release on “The 57th AMC Report,” circulated to all Baptist Churches. If you need more copies, please call MBC office @ 03-77823564) Please note our 58th ANNUAL MESSENGERS’ CONFERENCE (AMC) will on 6-8 June 2011 at the Golden Sands Baptist Assembly in Port Dickson. Do set these dates aside and I’m also requesting that you bring along your Youth Leaders for this Conference – we have something special planned for them. PTL!
THANK YOU for all your prayers for me and my family. Thank you also for your kind invitation to share at your Church. My calendar is filled up till the end of this year but I will be most happy to receive future invitations, as I plan for next year. Please don’t hesitate to call me (MBC office @ 03-77813531) or write me. If you are free, I would love to have a “cuppa’ with you! GOD BLESS!
Serving you till JESUS comes again,
Rev. Koe Choon Huan (GS, MBC)
2009 Malaysia Baptist Convention. All Rights Reserved.