MIRI – Delegates representing 31 Companies in Sarawak attended the 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia, Sarawak State, at Mei Ann Methodist Church from March 11-12.

In the absence of State Chaplain Rev. George Wong Hin Hung who sent his apologies, Rev. Lau Hing
Jin (Captain of 4th Sarikei) gave an exhortation centered on John 10:16 (NIV) that says, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

The good shepherd encouraged all the Officers to be persistent in their ministry. “Sometimes Officers are being stumbled by unkind words but by the power from God, you won’t give up easily when you face challenges,” Rev Lau pointed out. “Pastor Roselind Merang during this morning’s workshop also gave us a timely reminder to reach out to our indigenous children so they can be physically, mentally and spiritually healthy too,” he added.

In his opening message, BB State Commissioner Hon. Capt. Lo Hoi Fook welcomed all the delegates and extended his heartfelt thanks to Mei Ann Methodist Church for the use of their excellent venue and facilities. He also shared about his thoughts on retiring from his post next year and handing over the baton to his successor. “Every alternate year, I ask myself this question: Should I continue? Frankly, I am not so worried about Sarawak State as we all have been very united and committed to our calling.”

In the second part of his speech, Commissioner Lo spoke on the importance of continuity and the different styles of leadership. “If it is the work of The Lord’s, our ministry will go on,” he reiterated. “We also have to recognize that every Officer is different, hence very often, God selects a leader who is different for God’s purpose,” he summed up.

Reports were received from the three regions. Deputy State Commissioner Hon. Capt. Hii King Ong (7th Kuching) presented the Southern Region report while Capt. Dew Ka Kiang (5th Sibu) and Deputy State Commissioner Capt. Lawrence Wong (1st Limbang) presented the Central and Northern Regions’ reports respectively.

Other essential reports included:
State Secretary’s Report – by Capt. Roseline Lee (4th Miri)
State Treasurer’s Report – by Lt. Linda Ting (1st Sibu)
State Training Chairman’s Report – by Lt. Aaron Tieng (7th Sibu) State Extension Works Chairman’s Report – by Hon. Capt. Hii King Ong (7th Kuching)
State Competition Chairman’s Report – Capt. Wong Chek Ing (2nd Bintulu)

The date and venue of the 2017 AGM were proposed and accepted to be at Bintulu, from February 24 to 25.

A good number of delegates arrived a day earlier to attend the State Training Workshop coordinated by Lt. Aaron Tieng, the Chairman.

The sessions in the Workshop were:
Weekday Parade Program – by Lt. Frankie Ting (1st Sibu)
Officers’ Training Program – by Capt. David Wong (8th Kuching) Constitution Review Committee
Updates – by Hon. Capt. Lo Hoi Fook (2nd Kuching)

Highlights of the Workshop included sharing from delegates from the various Companies. This is what they had to say:

Lt. Michele Pau (1st Sri Aman) – We sometimes have combined meeting with GB especially for band practice
and performances. We lack Helpers and Officers in teaching the Award class. Thank God, the number of Boys is increasing!

Capt. Henry Chew (1st Bintulu) – One of the ways we reach out and do recruitment is using our community run (Running Man). The participation is around 100 people. Though the recruitment number is low, we are not discouraged at all because we strongly believe we are doing awareness and “sowing the seeds”. By doing something different, we are encouraging our Officers and Boys.

Capt. Edmund Wong (7th Kuching) – We highly recommend the Fire and Rescue Course conducted by the Fire Brigade Department which we did in Kuching. It’s a one day course  ending with a theory and practical test. For those who are interested, you can contact me to find out more about it. Besides from the Officers’ Retreat(sharing our ideas and vision on how to advance God’s Kingdom), outings and Chinese New Year gathering, we also organize Officers’ Family Day once a year to strengthen our relationship among fellow officers.

Mutang Lawai Tugau (Proposed 1st Beluru) – I thank God for the efficient support I receive from the various Officers Lt. Hu Wei Ung, Capt. Roseline Lee, Reymond Tiong and others. We are still in our infancy and we welcome this BB ministry to the rural areas to benefit our students.

Capt. Roseline Lee (4th Miri) – In our school-based Parade, the teachersin-charge play a very important role. They can make a big difference. We want to thank God that the teachers in our present affiliate-schools are committed and share the same vision in our ministry.

Capt. Yong Soon Fuan (5th Miri) – When we first started BB in our church, we faced many challenges. Over the years these challenges have strengthened us, especially in our BB band. We also established good rapport with the GB Officers. They were touched when we used the church vans to fetch their members to the Saturday church-based parade. Now the GB Officers also serve as drivers to fetch our Boys. Under the Bahasa Malaysia (BM) ministry, we are also working on the translation of the Juniors Workbook to BM. BB ministry is a rewarding ministry, thank God. We are counting our blessings!

Prizes were awarded to the winners of last year’s competitions. The results are as follows:

DRILL COMPETITION
Team result: 1) 2nd Bintulu Team A, 2) 2nd Bintulu Team B, 3) 1st Bintulu
Best Commander: 1) Cpl. Wong Soon Kan (2nd Bintulu Team A), 2) Pte. Bobby Lee Kwong Yii (2nd Bintulu Team B), 3) Cpl. Ivan Chai Min Chi (6th Kuching)
Drill Down: 1) L/Cpl. Eric Wong Wen Hui (2nd Bintulu), 2) Cpl, Kong Ping Hao (2nd Bintulu), 3) L/Cpl. Charles Liong Zhao Gang (3rd Sibu)

ART COMPETITION
Category A: 1) Lau Chong Hong (8th Sibu), 2) Brian Siew (4th Sibu), 3) Vernon Teng Dao Keng (1st Sarikei)
Category B: 1) Johnson Pau Jion Seng (2nd Bintulu), 2) Liew Guan Yi (8th Kuching), Kong Ming Chai (8th Kuching)
Category C: 1) Cpl. Kong Zhe Yi (1st Sibu), 2) Ashley Hii Shan Tai (5th Miri), 3) Cpl. Frederick Ting Toh Nih (3rd Sarikei)

QUIZ COMPETITION
Category A: 1) Christopher Yap (8th Kuching), Wilson Lu Yew Siong (1st Sarikei), 3) Lau Yong Feng (8th Sibu)
Category B: 1) RCT Nathan Sia Tze Yuan (2nd Bintulu), L/Cpl. Lee Guan Yu (2nd Bintulu), 3) L/Cpl. Lau Hui Hong (1st Sibu)
Category C: 1) Nge Kie Cheng (5th Miri), 2) Huang Wei Hong (3rd Sarikei), 3) Cpl. Wong Soon Kang (2nd Bintulu)

by James TC Wong, 4th Miri
(This story was first published at gmc.
org.my on March 16.)