Shall We Gather…At The Wells?
Canon Terry Wong
Missions Consultation Roundtable
2008, 6th - 9th October 2008, Bangkok,
Thailand.
Theme: “That they may know and confess Jesus as
Saviour and Lord.”
About 160 delegates participated at this
3rd Missions Consultation Roundtable.
Organised by the Diocese of Singapore, the Deanery of Thailand
played host. Bishops, clergy and other church leaders from the
dioceses in our Province (West Malaysia, Kuching and Sabah) were
there, along with fellow workers serving in the deaneries of Nepal,
Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Archbishop Stephen
Than Myint Oo participated with all his diocesan bishops from the
Province of Myanmar and so did the Archbishop Francis Kyung Jo Park
of the Province of Korea, and the Prime Bishop-elect Edward Malecdan
Bishop Dixie Taclobao, and Bishop Joel Pachao from the Philippines
as well as Bishop Peter Tasker from Sydney.
Representatives came from various
dioceses/provinces and
Mission agencies such as the Australian Board of Mission,
CMS-UK, CMS-Australia, Crosslinks, Five Talents, United Bible
Society. Emerging church groupings such as the Anglican Communion
Network (USA) were also represented. Our sister diocese, Lichfiled
Diocese (UK) also send some representatives. Theologians like
Canon George Kovoor of Trinity College
Bristol, Kim Hong Hazra from Trinity Theological College and
Clare Amos, the current director of Theological Studies for the
Anglican Communion and Secretary to TEAC (Theological Education for
the Anglican Communion) also observed the proceedings.
The focus of the Consultation was clear:
to strengthen the work of the gospel and churches in our deaneries,
in order ‘that they may know and confess Jesus as Saviour and Lord.’
Detailed presentations and workshops
were conducted on in each deanery. The videos, painstakingly put
together were helpful in givings insight into the local culture and
the nature of the work. The hard work and sacrifice by many,
especially those who are based there long-term, are both inspiring
and exemplary. It involves learning a new language and living in a
different culture.
The progress of the work also reflects
the involvement of parishes through prayer, financial support and
personnel. Many parishes are counting it as a privilege to be able
to get involved. It is a journey of discipleship as we serve our
Lord beyond our own cultural milieu and in the spirit of servanthood.
In serving – and receiving from those we serve – we find ourselves
walking deeper in our faith in and love for Him.
At the same time, many are all too aware
that partnership with experienced Mission agencies and other
Provinces is necessary. There are deeper issues including
cross-cultural adaptation, field care for missionaries, raising
local leaders and other long-term perspectives that needs learning
all the time. Our Province is young, and as a Missions family, even
more so.
In Thailand, the early pioneering work
of the late Ven Gerald Khoo and his wife, Dorothy has borne fruits.
10 congregations and various community projects have started. They
are now further strengthened and reinvigorated under the leadership
of the current Dean, Revd Yee Ching Wah. The next phase of church
planting is to establish 6 mother churches in major cities which
will in turn plant daughter churches in the nearby province,
districts and towns.
The Deanery in Cambodia has now 20
congregations and outreaches. The early pioneering work of Revd Don
Cormack and that of Revd Mok Wai Mung and his wife, Mok Mee Hwa -
who returned back to Singapore after 12 years of service - have
shown progress. The leadership of the Church is in the hands of the
first Khmer priest – Revd Tit Hieng. The support work and training
input for them continues through the dedicated work of a few clergy
from our Province and elsewhere.
As for Nepal, we
were heartened by the presence of Nepalese pastors. The pioneering
work of Chew Boon Ann, Rev Norman Beale, Pastor Rinzi and Pastor Sam
were acknowledged.
Now the Anglican Church there continues
to grow and spread through the leadership of the local pastors.
In Laos, the wonderful work of ARDA
(Anglican Relief and Development Agency) headquartered in Vientiane
is progressing well. Two other centers are now opened in the cities
of Luang Phabang and Pakse.
The Anglican Church in Indonesia has now
more than 10 congregations and various ministries across the
sprawling archipelago. A local training school (Institut Anglikan)
for pastors is now established and a public elementary school is
being built in Batam city centre.
As for Vietnam, various education and
medical work have been in place and a new effort at re-establishing
our present language teaching center in partnership with ARDA is
being explored.
Bishops from the Province of Myanmar
shared their heart-rending stories of their local work, life after
the Cyclone Nargis and the ministry amongst the displaced Anglicans
at the border. It is a reminder that the work of missions continue
even in established Provinces and there is much room for partnership
there as well.
The work, though difficult, is joyful as
we hear stories of lives changed by the gospel and how they are
practicing discipleship. It is also thrilling to see the young
churches emerging and maturing.
While we were huddled in Hotel Benja,
news reached our ears of the political trouble at the heart of
Bangkok and the early signs of meltdown in our world economy. The
participants remain unperturbed. It only served as a reminder that
meeting the needs of the spiritually hungry is an on-going agenda
for the Church.
The consultation was primarily not about
theological or sociological discourses. There is a need for this but
the focus was on the need for a hands-on commitment to the work. And
these ‘hands’ need to be held together in partnership. One Province
cannot do it alone and we need friends to help us care and
strengthen His Church scattered in this needy region.
A pastor from Myanmar spoke, “I remember
falling into a well as boy. I needed help to get out of it. There
are ‘well moments’ in the life of the Church when we feel we need
another helping hand. We need partners to come and pull us out. Come
please.”
May many more are
found gathered at these wells.
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For more
information on how you may help in these countries, please contact
our Director Of Missions, Dean Kuan Kim Seng at
kuanks@livingstreams.org.sg
or our Associate Director Of Missions, Revd Derek Lim at
yblimderek@yahoo.com.sg
