The Peninsular Malaysia Mission (PEM) successfully organized a Bible Study Training Camp entitled “Fishers of Men." The PEM Personal Ministries, in collaboration with the Children's Ministries and Sabbath School Departments of the Adventist Church in Malaysia (MAUM), organized an event at the Swiss-Belinn Cherengin Hills in Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang, from April 26 to 28, 2024.
The camp was attended by seventy-nine participants and several presenters from all PEM regions. Forty-one people took part in the adult Bible studies training, while 16 focused on children’s Bible studies. The participants were lay leaders and church members. The major purpose of the camp was to provide lay leaders with the necessary skills and expertise to lead effective Bible studies. The course also sought to motivate and encourage participants to actively participate in Bible study ministry and outreach in their communities.
The event featured a distinguished panel of speakers, including MAUM Director of the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, Pastor Jim Gabu; MAUM Director of Children’s and Women’s Ministries, Madam Faridah Lausin; and Penang Adventist Hospital’s Head Chaplain, Pastor Sunny Tan. Moreover, the Bible Study Training Camp was a sounding success due to the collaborative efforts of PEM Directors of Personal Ministries, Pastor Robert J. Agustin; Sabbath School, Pastor Ben Foo; and Children’s Ministries, Madam Christine Tan. The camp included a full program with workshops geared towards various facets of Bible study ministry.
The workshops covered practical teachings and techniques for sharing the Bible with others. In his Sabbath message, PEM President Pr. Tan Meng Cheng emphasized the necessity of “winning one for Christ.” He urged the participants to strive to win one soul. In another session, Seremban Church pastor Pr. Frendy Rubil said, “Don’t worry! God will give you the courage and spiritual gifts you need to advance the gospel in your area. You are chosen!” We also held breakout sessions for workshop-style presentations to accommodate the various language and child groups.
Each training session included active and engaging participation from the attendees. At the end of the program, participants expressed their thanks for the opportunity to attend such a camp. They expressed gratitude for the new knowledge they gained from sharing the Bible. Elder Alex Rajakumar of Petaling Jaya English Church shared, “I have been an Adventist member and leader for over 40 years, but this was the first time we had a Bible Study Training Camp to prepare lay leaders to lead Bible studies. We need more practical training like this.” Most of the participants said the training was sufficient, but they desired to learn and do more. Overall, they enjoyed the training and felt pleased and encouraged to lead Bible studies when they returned to their region.
In retrospect, one of the pastors expressed, “Many souls are dying without knowing Jesus Christ. Let us bring them to Christ and the knowledge of Jesus.”
Pastor Robert J. Agustin and Hazel Wanda Ginajil-Gara