Our highly respected and dearly loved Rev Wong Kiu Nguok will be lovingly remembered.
A retired pastor of Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC), Rev Wong Kiu Nguok was born on 17 August 1936, at Nang Chong (Lee Hua), Sibu. (She was the first local born Foochow woman to qualify as a pastor with a degree in Divinity from MTS, Sibu.) Lee Sing, please check this.
Her Early Education
She was an intelligent girl who only started primary schooling at 11. Four years later, at 15, she started her middle school education.
At 20, she graduated from Methodist High School. In the next four years, from 1957-1960, she taught at her alma mater, Chung Cheng Secondary School.
In 1961, she responded to the calling of the Lord, and enrolled at the Sibu Methodist Theological School to study Theology.
In 1966, she graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity, and served at Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church (MC).
Her Pastoral Service
From 1970 to 1972, she enrolled at Singapore Trinity Theological College to further her studies. Upon her return, she served as the Women’s Warden of the Methodist School Girl’s Hostel for four years. She was also a board member of the Christian Education Board.
From 1977 to 1986, she pastored at Masland MC and Xin Fu Yuan MC. She was the Superintendent of Sibu District in 1985 and 1986.
From 1987 to 1989, she was posted to Bee Eng MC and served at the same time as the Superintendent of Sarikei District.
From 1990 to 1991, she was posted to Sarikei Nyelong Park MC.
In 1992, she entered Singapore Trinity College again to do a Masters Degree in Ministry. She was then posted to serve in Sabah for nine years, starting out at Sy En MC in Sandakan (1993-1996) and then Holy Grace MC in Tawau from 1997-1998.
In 1999, she returned to Sibu, Sarawak and ministered at Zion MC until her retirement in 2001.
Her Post Retirement Service
In 2004, she made a comeback and served at Wan Ming MC for a year. In 2005, she volunteered to serve at Bakun Dam construction site, a very remote and isolated station, as an evangelist for about five years.
Humbly She Served
She served the Lord diligenty with humility all her life. She was deeply loved by the people during her ministry in spreading the gospel and leading people to Christ.
In her 40 years of service, she served in eight churches: 2 in Sarikei, 2 in Sabah, the rest in Sibu, as well as at Bakun Dam.
As a single person she accepted postings in faraway places without fear, and met with difficulties courageously and graciously. Rev Wong had shown us how the power of God had been with her in all her undertakings. As Apostle Paul had said, “I have fought a good fight, I have come to the end of my journey, I have kept the faith.”
Rev Wong also set a good example for both fellow pastors and church members in spiritual exercise. We can look at them in 3 ways:
1. She was keen in reading God’s Word all her life; she loved to memorize Bible verses and she had 21 favourite Bible verses.
2. On Fridays, she would fast for prayer. When she retired, she thought of quitting fasting but, she heard the Lord asking her “Is such a small sacrifice too hard to do for Me?” and she persisted thereupon.
3. She lived a simple life but was very generous in giving. She donated her savings of RM50,000 to a theological fund in memory of her parents who loved the Lord and the church. She was indeed an example for us in her generosity.
Rev Wong is survived by a brother and three sisters. Her siblings loved her dearly and took great care of her in her senior days till the last hour of her life. Rev Wong passed away on 22 February 2019 at 4:48pm at Sibu General Hospital, and rested in peace in the Lord. She was 83 years old.
By Rev Tiong Chiw Ing, retired pastor
Translated by Christina