KUCHING: A total of 1,935 people gathered across four locations in Sarawak as the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC) Bahasa Malaysia Ministry marked its 25th anniversary on Aug 8.
The celebrations were held simultaneously in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri under the theme “Thanksgiving and Hope”, bringing together pastors, church leaders, ministry workers, church members and guests.
Sibu recorded the highest attendance with 561 people, followed by Miri with 469, Kuching with 456 and Bintulu with 449.
The celebrations were held at Trinity Methodist Church in Kuching, Masland Methodist Church (Sibu), Gloria Methodist Church (Bintulu) and Mei Ann Methodist Church (Miri).
The Bahasa Malaysia Ministry was established in 2001 at Trinity Methodist Church in Kuching and has since grown to 33 churches and preaching centres under SCAC.
The anniversary celebrations featured thanksgiving services, fellowship meals, praise and worship, historical presentations, testimonies, cultural performances and choir presentations.
In Kuching, Pastor Lovinna Ak Merang of Chin Seng Methodist Church received the Best Anniversary Logo Design Award, while Lionel Jong of Trinity Methodist Church received the Best Anniversary Theme Song Award.
At the Bintulu celebration, RM3,953.20 was collected as an offering.
The ministry said the 25th anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on its journey while preparing for a new phase of service.
Moving forward, it said the ministry would continue focusing on spreading the Gospel, developing disciples and leaders, equipping the younger generation, strengthening mission work and reaching more Bahasa Malaysia speaking and indigenous communities throughout Sarawak.
It said the simultaneous celebrations also reflected unity among Methodist churches across districts, ethnic communities and generations.
