Over 100 indigenous pastors-leaders, representing the various CCM member churches, assembled at the headquarters of the Sarawak Iban Annual Conference (SIAC Methodist) for this year’s Pastors Conference. With the theme, ‘Melayani Sebagai Hamba Kristus’ (Serving as Christ’s Servants), this conference is organized by the HEBI Committee (Komite Hal Ehwal Bumiputra Indigenous) to inspire and also equip our CCM pastors for the ministry that God has called them to.
Day ONE
All HEBI participants arrived safely in Sibu with hearts of thanksgiving, despite the normal challenges in travel, such as flight delays, lost baggage, and even missed flights! The Conference officially opened with a worship service and Holy Communion, led by pastors from the Sarawak Iban Annual Conference (Methodist). The president of SIAC, Rev. Bonnie Sedau, delivered the opening sermon, encouraging the pastors/leaders to stay true to their ministry calling despite the many challenges they may face.
Day TWO and THREE (AM)
The second day of the HEBI Conference primarily consisted of learning opportunities for the participants. Guest speakers, such as Rev. Daniel Taie from BCCM, touched on the topic ‘Keluarga dan Perlayanan’, while Rev. Dr. Thomas Lau from Methodist Theological Seminary spoke on ‘Identiti Sebagai Hamba’.
On the following morning, all the participants were given the opportunity to engage in group discussions based on what they had learned the day before, and also to discuss issues like burnout in ministry and how churches can be more supportive of their ministry. The uniqueness of the CCM-HEBI Conference is that this ecumenical platform offers pastors and leaders from all mainline denominations the valuable gift of mutual learning.
The second day of the HEBI Conference primarily consisted of learning opportunities for the participants. Guest speakers, such as Rev. Daniel Taie from BCCM, touched on the topic ‘Keluarga dan Perlayanan’, while Rev. Dr. Thomas Lau from Methodist Theological Seminary spoke on ‘Identiti Sebagai Hamba’.
On the following morning, all the participants were given the opportunity to engage in group discussions based on what they had learned the day before, and also to discuss issues like burnout in ministry and how churches can be more supportive of their ministry. The uniqueness of the CCM-HEBI Conference is that this ecumenical platform offers pastors and leaders from all mainline denominations the valuable gift of mutual learning.
Day THREE (PM)
On the third day of the HEBI Conference, all 105 participants were given the privilege to visit the Methodist Theological Seminary (MTS) and to know more about the history and mission of the institution. The MTS team, led by its principal, Rev. Dr. Khoo Ho Peng, offered a very warm welcome to the HEBI pastors. It was a meaningful visit to one of the main theological training centres in Sarawak.
On the final evening of the Conference, it was time for the pastors and leaders to ‘let their hair down’ and put on their dancing shoes! It was our Malam Kebudayaan (Cultural Evening)! The HEBI ministry of CCM serves all the indigenous communities represented in our member churches. These include the Semai from the Semenanjung; the Rungus and Kadazan-Dusun from Sabah; and the Ibans, Kelabit, Kayan, Kenyah and many others from Sarawak.
The colors and the talents of our Bumiputra communities were on full display that evening! Through their songs and dances, the name of Jesus is lifted up and glorified! 😇🙏
The colors and the talents of our Bumiputra communities were on full display that evening! Through their songs and dances, the name of Jesus is lifted up and glorified! 😇🙏
At the end of the presentations, the new HEBI Committee was also installed. As it was the final evening of the conference, the customary photos had to be taken to preserve all the good memories in Sibu!
Report and photos by Rev. Philip Lok
