45th SCAC
Originally hands are placed on the individual pastor’s head, but now the Bishop used a video conference, while the president and district superintendents held their hands above the pastor’s head, as they ordained 17 pastors without contact.
The installation and ordination service of the 2020 Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference was held on the evening of December 3 at Masland Methodist Church in Sibu. Due to the pandemic, the Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, Rev Ong Hwai Teik, could not be present in person. Thus following the SOP, an extraordinary installation and ordination worship service was held.
On that evening, the 8 pastors who were ordained as deacons are Ding Kuong Kwang, Limberg Wong, Patrick Tuh Chong Sang, Chan Chok Ong, Wong Siew Ting, Ezra Kong, Wong Chong Biao and Susanty Anak Kedal, while the two local deacons are Chiong Yew Heeand Huong Mi Kiong.
A total of 7 elders were ordained. They are Gabriel Ling Chee Bing, Jackson Lee, Lim Hock Sing, Ling Yaw Jye, Chan Kiang Wei, Yong Ching Chi and Tann Anak Kedal.
Bishop Rev Ong Hwai Teik used Joshua 5:10-15 as an encouragement and reminder for the installation of the new president and ordination service.
In verses 10-12 of this passage, the Israelites camped in Gilgal and kept the Passover in the plains of Jericho. On the day after the Passover, they ate the produce of the land, and on that day they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain. On the second day, the manna stopped, and was no more. That year, they ate the produce of Canaan.
From this passage, we can that previously, the Israelites’ food was the manna brought by God’s power. However, after they entered the land of Canaan and ate the local produce, there was no longer any manna, but it was replaced by the produce of Canaan.
Therefore, he reminded the new president and the pastors who were ordained that in the face of their new duties, their lives would be different from the past. However, God still provides what everyone needs. God is always our strongest support. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
Verses 13-15 says that Joshua met a man when he was near the city of Jericho and asked him, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” The man replied that he came to be the commander of the Lord’s army. So Joshua fell facedown and worshiped, calling himself a servant. The man asked Joshua to take off his sandals, and Joshua did.
This passage reminds us that no matter what happens, we should stand on God’s side. We should trust God in everything and act according to God’s will.
After the ordination service, the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference ushered in the installation service of the new president. Under the leadership of the outgoing president Rev Tie King Tai and Rev Kong Chong Ling, president-elect Rev Lau Hui Ming knelt before the cross and was examined by the bishop. Afterwards, Rev Tie handed over the wooden gavel, which symbolized the presidency, to Rev Lau Hui Ming, formally transferring presidency.
President-elect Lau Hui Ming will begin his 4-year term on January 1, 2021.