KOTA KINABALU SABAH.
|
ALL SAINTS'
CATHEDRAL
KOTA KINABALU SABAH. |
EXTRACTS
FROM THE 1999 ASC AGM REPORT
To: All Fellow Parishioners of All Saints’ Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
1. Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! May the love of our Mighty God unify us even more and bring us greater heights in our service to Him!
2. This report summarizes the main
proceedings and decisions taken by the Council during the last one year.
3. DIRECTION
As reported to fellow members at the last
AGM, the Council had, during its first of their two year term, identified
the need to equip and develop our Lay Leaders and members to take up more
pastoral leadership roles within the church in various congregations and
for greater involvement in spear heading outreach and evangelistic activities
in and around Kota Kinabalu. The Council adopted the Cathedral’s
mission and vision statements which have now become the guiding directions
for our whole Parish. The Council also endorsed the setting up of
organizational structures to enable the Pastoral and Administrative Ministries
to function effectively. Improvements were carried out to existing buildings
and halls to maximize their usefulness and to provide the extra space urgently
needed to cope with increasing activities of our various congregations.
During its second year, the Council continued
efforts in implementing or supporting strategies and decisions which were
in-line with the above directions.
4. SPIRITUAL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
4.1 Members would have noted that several selected short courses and seminars were organized during the past year. These were part of the efforts to strengthen our spiritual foundations. Dean Koo continues to provide expositions at the regular Saturday mornings’ Dew of Heaven Bible Studies.
4.2 The IBLP Basic Seminar and Financial Freedom Seminar in particular were very well received and requests for a repeat were registered. Efforts to get a chinese version of the seminars are being made. One noticeable outcome reflecting our spiritual growth and maturity is in the area of tithes and offering.
4.3 A number of our members were also
sponsored for exposure or special training at other places. Notable
ones include sending our BM ministry Team to St. Patrick’s Tawau, to learn
more about the cell church system. Another team was sent for training
with the Super Kids Church in West Malaysia. We praise God that all
these had been very fruitful indeed.
5. CHURCH PLANTING AND OUTREACH
5.1 Heritage Daughter Church Project
The Daughter Church has been named The Heritage
Anglican Church. Renovations were completed and the new premises were dedicated
on the 30th January 1999. The 7.30pm Chinese congregation has moved
into this church and will form the backbone of the congregation.
Mr Ronnie Liew has been appointed Pastor, while Mr David Lee was appointed
Lay Reader. Three of our workers, namely Kristy and Michelle Lim and Lydia,
were also released to the Heritage Anglican Church to assist the new church
in leading the worship and other evangelistic activities in the area.
5.2 Menggatal Outreach
The Menggatal Outreach has been expanded
and in view of this, funds were made available from our Diocese to acquire
a larger place to serve as a worship centre. During the year, the
Council decided to let Pastor Lily Chong devote full time in this new and
exciting Intra K.K. Anglican Church Mission project. The Cathedral
is committed to contribute 50% of the funds needed to meet the mission’s
operating expenses. Christ Church and Good Samaritan Church will
contribute 25% each.
5.3 New Ministries
Lately the Council has endorsed a new ministry
called the West Coast Anglican Ministry, (“WESCAM”). Dr Lai Kong Nam is
heading this project. A ministry catering for the 3000,000 Filipinos
in Sabah has also been proposed and the matter is receiving consideration.
5.4 World Mission Committee
The Council has approved the formation of
the All Saints’ Cathedral World Mission Committee headed by our People’s
Warden, Mr Lu Chen Cheong. This committee will work closely with the Diocese
of Sabah in organizing mission trips abroad. Based on the first trip to
China by Mr Ronnie Liew, it has been reported to the Council that there
is an urgency to send mission teams into China as China is fast urbanized
and becoming more materialistic.
6. IMPROVING PHYSICAL FACILITIES
6.1 New Car Park
The car park project has been completed
and officially opened on the 1st January 1999. The Council wishes
to thank YB Datuk Chau Tet On for the contribution of RM 150,000 towards
the car park development project.
6.2 Land levelling
To prevent flooding, the lower areas around
the Cathedral have been levelled up.
6.3 New Deanery
Council is pleased to report that the construction
of the New Deanery is progressing well. The construction is expected
to be completed in May 1999.
6.4 Development Master Plan
The Council has accepted the proposed the
development master plan which was drawn up based on the objectives of maximizing
our use of land, gradual or phased build-up based on the priorities outline
and the replacement or transformation of the existing Parish Hall and Glory
Hall into multi storey blocks.
6.5 Apartment
Based on the more urgent needs of the Cathedral
and since some RM 700,000 is available from the Diocese, the Council considers
the construction of a new 4-storey walk-up staff apartment block as the
next important project to be undertaken.
7. POLICIES ON STAFF
RECRUITMENT
To ensure the best people are em-placed
into permanent staff service, further guidelines were given by the Council.
Under the new guidelines, those who offer their services to the church
will first be engaged on trial basis (temporary employment status).
If the need for such a post continues and if the individual is found suitable
to fill the post, the Dean shall then recommend the Council to approve
the creation of the post and to authorize employment of the individual
under the terms and conditions and salary fixed by the Council.
8. MORE REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETINGS
In order to be briefed more regularly and
to cater for faster decision making on policies, church affairs and issues,
the Council has proposed to increase the frequency of the full Council
meetings from once in three months to once every two months with the PCC
Executive Committee meeting only as and when required in between full Council
meetings. Guidelines on items which nevertheless must be submitted
for the Council’s information or must have the prior approval of the Council
have also been established.
9. APPRECIATION
The Council expresses its deep appreciation
and thanks to everyone including our Lay Readers, the Barnabases and Sub-barnabases,
pastoral and Cathedral Office staff and volunteers for their dedicated
services to our loving God and Father.
Yours in Christ,
Tony Liew
PCC Secretary
19th February 1999
AGM
REPORT FROM BUILDING SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
MAJOR PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENTS DURING
THE YEAR AND PROJECTED GROWTH AND EXPANSION PROGRAMMES FOR THE CATHEDRAL
A. Developments According To The Master Development Plan For The Optimum Usage Of The Cathedral Land To Year 2010
The New Open Car Park
We give thanks to the Lord that the New
Open Car Park has now been completed. The total cost of the New Open
Car Park is RM 235 166.89. Out of this amount, a grant of RM 153
188.00 was received from the Government through the good office of YB Datuk
Chau Tet On. The remaining RM 81 978.89 was met by the cathedral’s
own financial resources. The New Open Car Park adds on additional
100 more car parking lots to the Cathedral Parking facilities and has helped
to ease the traffic congestion considerably.
Reclamation And Landscaping Works
Reclamation and Landscaping Works for the
green areas around the Cathedral were carried out simultaneously with the
construction of the New Car Park. Low-lying areas prone to flooding
were reclaimed and re-turfed. The Patio outside the Cathedral was
upgraded with additional access and garden lighting provided. The total
costs of the reclamation, turfing, upgrading and garden lighting comes
to RM 21 882.94 which was met by the Cathedral’s own financial resources.
We give thanks to the Lord for encouraging our Brother Joseph Kong to carry out landscaping works around the Cathedral. We can’t wait to see all the new greenery and floral blossom around the place.
The New Deanery
We give thanks to the Lord for the commencement
of the construction of the New Deanery. The contract, awarded to
E.F Engineering, costs RM 353 060.66 and the completion period is 10 months.
Work started on the 30th July 1998 and the scheduled completion date is
the 29th May 1999. At the end of February 1999, the project was 70%
completed and should be on target to hand over before the scheduled completion
date.
In respect of the cost of RM353 060.66, the
amount of RM230 000.00 is provided for by Government Grant. The balance
will be met from offerings, grants and where necessary, from the Cathedral’s
own financial resources.
B. FUTURE EXPANSION
Apartment Block For Staff
Designs for the Apartment Block are being
finalized and will be submitted to the relevant Authorities for approval
shortly. Initially, a 4-storeyed block housing 3 Nos. 3-Bedrooms
flats, 3 Nos. 2-Bedrooms flats, 6 Nos. Single Bedrooms sharing common facilities
will be erected on the site vacated by the old timber building. The
cost of construction will be kept close to the RM 7000 000.00 loan provided
by the Diocese.
Compiled by David TL Chin, Building Sub-Committee
Chairman
AGM REPORT FROM ENGLISH YOUTH SERVICE
The year of 1998 was a maturing year for the English Youth Service. We thank our Almighty God for His grace upon the English Youth Ministry.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP
In 1998, we realized that it was the appropriate
time to share the leadership of the Youth Service with the youths.
A Youth Sub-CPT was formed, where students are invited to form a second
line of leadership. The young people were given more opportunities
to participate in the ministry and planning of programme. As a result,
the youths were able to feel a sense of ownership of the ministry.
The advisors to the Youth Sub-CPT are : Rodney Chin, the Barnabas
of the Youth Service, and the Youth Workers. Some of the major activities
planned and executed by the Sub-CPT are as follows :
CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH
The Youth Service maintained an average
attendance of 120-130 every Sunday, which fluctuated around school holidays
and starts of new semesters/school terms. It is more and more evident
that the Youth Service is catering for the wider range of young people
in terms of ages. Returnees and students on holidays are drawn to
the Youth Service and considered it as their home Church. This could
be seen from the attendance on Sunday Services during the last few months,
(Nov 98-Feb 99) which had an average of 150. (a high of 168 was recorded
in Jan 99 after the Youth Camp)
YOUTH CAMP
The Youth Camp 98’ which was held from 9-12
Dec was a huge success, with 118 full time campers and a dozen of part
timers. Many lives were touched by God, and at least 4 youths have
accepted Jesus. There were clear breakthroughs in the lives of the
campers and many were delivered from bondages of the enemy. The impact
of the Youth Camp could still be felt many weeks afterwards.
“ONE LIFE…YOUR LIFE” NEW YEAR EVE EVANGELISTIC
CELEBRATION
The spiritual excitement carried forward
from the camp had enabled the youths to put up a very high quality production
in just 2 weeks. About 0 youths were involved in this event, and
7 persons accepted Jesus on that night. Many rededicated their lives
to Jesus. About 350 youths and adults (some are parents and grandparents)
attended the event.
YOUTH CELLS
Youth led cells had not shown much success.
However, cells which meet in homes are more attractive to young people.
There are two cells that are attended by youths who are above 16 years
old. Kenneth’s and Rodney’s cells which meet on Friday. A total of
32-35 aged between 16-30s attend these cells. During schools and
university breaks, the total attendance of these two cells swelled to 45-50,
with quite an equal spread between the two.
YOUTH WORSHIP TEAM
Since Feb 99, the Youth Service has decided
to have their own worship team. The reason is that we discovered
a rather different dynamics and culture developing in the Youth Service
which is unique to the Youth Ministry.
INTERESTS GROUPS
In order to attract youths and form meaningful
contacts with them, several interest groups are planned. They are:
music interest groups which meet on Wednesday afternoon, Internet and Homepage
– under construction, sports – in planning, tambourine ministry, Publication
and Printing – first Youth Service Newsletter in 1999 was produced.
These interest groups are the first phase of our outreach and follow-up
plan. Eventually, all our contacts through these groups will be introduced
to cells.
CONCLUSION
The Youth Service has gone through a maturing
year in 1998. The challenges that we face in 1999 will be to establish
a culture that is reflective, vibrant worship, effective in outreach, strong
in the foundation of the Christian faith.
Kenneth Thien, Barnabas of the English Youth
Service
AGM REPORT FROM 7.30 A.M. ENGLISH SERVICE
CPT Mission Statement :
To be and take an active part to bring in
new Christians and to encourage lapsed brothers and sisters in Christ to
come back to worship in this Cathedral Parish.
Congregation Growth Target :
400
Average Attendance (for the past 6 weeks)
: 378
Growth in percentage : 14.54%
Major Problems Faced :
Name of Barnabas : David Wong
Date : 7th February 1999
AGM REPORT FROM 10.30 AM ENGLISH OUTREACH SERVICE
We thank and praise God for His grace and mercy in leading and sustaining us throughout the year 1998. We also praise Him for His faithfulness in bringing many new people to this congregation as evangelism and spiritual developments through cell groups are our main goals.
From a humble beginning of about 20 members back in 1994 and 2 cell groups in 1997, we now have about 150 members and 11 active and growing cell groups. These cell groups meet every week at various homes and in different localities and members are bringing in friends/unbelievers to the meeting which offer a time of fellowship, praise and worship, sharing or personal testimonies for edification, teaching of the Words and exercising and ministering the spiritual gifts.
Some of the cell groups will multiply by the middle of 1999 and hopefully by the end of the year we will have 22 or more cells. One major challenge we need to overcome is equipping and recruiting more cell leaders and interns to lead more cell groups and we believe God will raise up more leaders from His congregation.
This year we have plans for Four Evangelism Nights, one for each quarter of the year where all the cell groups and their invited guests will meet and gather for a time of fellowship.
We also thank and praise God for the increase in the number of children from 25 in 1997 to 45 in the children ministry. At the last school holidays in December 1998, an assignment was given to the children was to read and study the Gospel of Mark and the parents were supposed to read together with the children and many of the children who completed this assignment were awarded with a Certificate. Many children took up this challenge and we believe this is also a form of motivation for them to know more about the words of God. Tambourine classes are also available in the children ministry.
After working together with the youth worship
team for the past one year for mutual interests and benefits, both parties
felt that the time has come for them to return to lead their own congregations.
This took place at the beginning of this year. We thank and praise
God for answering our prayers and in calling more people into our worship
ministry. Excellence is the key and objective of worship and prepare
the people for the ministry of the words.
To God be the Glory,
MICHAEL YAP
Barnabas of the CPT
10.30 AM English Outreach Service
AGM
REPORT FROM THE MANDARIN SERVICE
1998 saw a good blessed peaceful year with God’s richest blessings.
The number of worshippers increased from 120 to 150 and the average offering was between RM 15000 and RM 2000 with a highest record of RM 6000. 87% were young workers adult and students. We praise the Lord for his blessings.
Although our ministries have achieved their objectives, there are still rooms for further improvement :-
I. Welcome and Ushering
More members joined
in this ministry. They are cordial, to welcome newcomers with smiling.
Bookmarks with some bible verses are given to the newcomers to make them
more at home.
II. Worship
1998 is an outstanding
year that God’s presence is with us to raise the standard of our worship
with provision of musical instruments. We thank our Dean for his
care and concern. We recorded all Sunday’s sermons for group discussion.
With God’s blessings we intend to start a ‘guitar class’ for members to
strengthen our work. We praise the Lord for the smart attire we have
for the worship team. It is hoped to attract more members to the
worship.
III. Service
Preparation of service
has been smoothly carried out. Topics of sermons are well prepared
in advance. We extend our gratitude to Rev. Chak Sen Fen, Pastor
Lily Lim and the ministry team for their hard work. It was proposed to
get the small groups to form a prayer ministry.
IV. Visitation
Members of this ministry
will visit respective areas on every Wednesday and Thursday from 2pm to
5pm. It is resolved to provide more care and visitation to look after
member’s welfare.
V. Prayer Ministry
The prayer ministry
meets three times every week. They spend 10-15 minutes praying together
before they go into groups. They also pray for half an hour praying
before every Sunday’s service. From 1999 onwards, there are combined
praying with the Chinese ministry once in every two months. We encourage
more members to join us in the prayer ministry.
VI. Evangelism Ministry
We had conduct EEIII
on John 3:16 training in 1998. We will start training members to
be more effective in preaching the Gospel in March 1999. During Easter,
we the Chinese ministry will organize a thousand people evangelism on April
4. Please pray for us. February is a joyful month with smile.
As a result, we distribute the smiling badges to our members of the welcome
and ushering as well as to the new friends so that they could bring Jesus’s
happiness, joy and peace to the people and the society. We have to
encourage more members and people to be trained.
VII. Cell Ministry
There are 20 Chinese
cell groups which include adults, working adults Joshua youths and other.
Our intention is to expand them hopefully up to 40 including Timothy Ministry
Sunday School. We need to train more group leaders.
With the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ, our members of the Mandarin Service are cooperative and full of confidence to faithfully carry out the work of God to fight away the evils way. Hallelujah!
We like the onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before! Christ, the royal Master leads against the foe; forwarding to battle and see His banner go.
Tan Ben Tja
REPORT FROM THE GIRL’S BRIGADE - 1ST KOTA KINABALU COMPANY
All praise, honor and glory to our God Almighty who have seen us through the year of 1998.
The membership strength for the year is as
follows:
Officer and Auxiliary Workers
: 3
Members
: 20
Special Events organised / participated are:
We need your prayer support in the following:
May God continue to use us as a channel of
blessings to others and grant us His joy, strength and direction as we
continue to serve and follow Him
Reported by:
Ms Yen Pau Jin
Captain
AGM REPORT FROM MENGGATAL ANGLICAN CENTER
HIGHLIGHTS
1. Menggatal Anglican Worship Center
We praise God for the opening of the Menggatal
Anglican Worship Center on the 20th September 1998 by our Bishop Yong Ping
Chung. With the new premises means we can extend our ministries especially
our youth cell and children ministries.
2. Cell Groups
a. Adult Cell
Since July, we have transited into 2 cell
groups mainly Chinese and English cells after cell training. The
average attendance Chinese 10 whereas the English 8 weekly. They are mostly
our Anglican members.
b. Youth Cells
With adult cell we have also launched the
youth cell. It is in Mandarin. Most of the age group rages from 9 years
to 15 years. Therefore we need extra help to help to lead them in
different groups. The average attendance is 6 per week.
3. Children Ministry
This ministry is the second ministry since
we started our pioneer work.(See Graph).the number has increased from 20
plus in 1997 to 30 plus in 1998 and now over 50 plus in 1999. We
hope to be cell oriented so as to bring about life transformation in each
of the children’s life.
Pray that God will send the right persons
to help in this important work because one day they are the future Church
in this area.
4. Other Ministries
a. Weekly prayer meeting every Wednesday
evening. One of the highlights was a 21 days fasting and prayer
before we had the official opening and for the expansion of God’s work
in Menggatal.
b. Visitation work is another ongoing
ministry to reach out to the children’s parents as well others.
c. Carolling This is the second
time that we had our annual carolling. We went to all the children’s
homes , significantly a number of parents received Christ or their faith
were renewed and challenged. Now some of them have joined us in our
evening service.
PLANS FOR 1999
We want to give thanks to all of God’s people
from the three Anglican Churches who have supported us in finance, prayers
and in your very presence with us in the work. Without your strong
support we would not be where we are. (see financial report and also our
budget for 1999) We hope that you will continue to give us your utmost
support as we enter into this new year.
We hope by God’s grace we can achieve what
we have started in our vision and mission statements (refer)
Reported by
Ps Lily Chong (co-ordinator for Menggatal
ministry)
March 1999
AGM
REPORT FROM MIGHTY KIDS’ CHURCH
(JULY - DECEMBER 1998)
We praise and thank the Lord that the Sunday school teachers from both the English(7.30am) and English Outreach (10.30am) services have come together to start the Mighty Kids’ Church (MKC). The first afternoon MKC was on the 26th July 1998.
The main emphasis of MKC is to reach out to the unchurched kids from 4 to 12 years old. At the same time, we welcome our Sunday School kids as we believe they could impart Jesus’ love and faith to their new friends. Besides learning the Word, they would enjoy the clean fun time together.
MKC is usually on every last Sunday of the month at the Glory Hall from 2.30 to 5.00 p.m. In 1998, we have 5 MKC at the Glory Hall and 1 Christmas Celebration at the Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort. The Christmas Celebration was a joint effort with the Chinese Sunday School on the 13 December, 1998.
The programme includes Games, Praise and Worship, Memory Verse, Object Lessons, Word, Altar Call and Prayers. Response to the Altar Call and Prayer time have always been very encouraging. The kids ended up the day with shopping to buy gifts with the coupons awarded. Also, a special Day Gift which ranges from foodstuff, drinks to toys were given free at the end of the day. We thank the Lord that we have received donations for the special Day Gifts on every MKC’s meetings in 1998.
We have tight security during the MKC. The security team is headed by Mr Alfred Ma and a number of adults from the English (7.30 am) service.
We also have a telephone ministry team to follow-up on kids. This team will remind the kids 1 or 2 weeks before the next MKC. The team have a chance to talk to the kid’s parents as well.
Overall, 1998, was a successful year for
MKC. More effort will be put in 1999 to follow-up, know and nurture
the kids. As such, we intend to break up the kids in small
groups for prayers during MKC. Easter program will be drawn in a way to
have better interactive time with the kids. We will have a Holiday
Club on the 24th to 27th May, 1999 and small interest groups will hopefully
be formed in July 1999.
Report by Margaret and Lawrence Thien
8 February 1999
AGM REPORT FROM THE SENIOR CITIZEN FELLOWSHIP
Group
Senior Citizen Fellowship
Language
Hakka
Person In Charge
Mdm. Ho Len Ying ( R ) 217664
Meeting (monthly/weekly)
Monthly
Average attendance
80-90 people
Age
55-90 years
Men & Women Ratio
20/70
Establishment
18th July 19
Group’s Activities
Worship, Fellowship, Offering Monthly Stewardship,
support Interior Missionary work
Objective:
Encourage members to be more mature, care
and concern of the needs of Senior Citizens and to encourage members to
involve with the activities of the church.
Requirement :
Need more young adults to ferry members
to and fro Worship Centre.
Comments :
Members should come to the church to worship
and share whole heartedly, so that they will be able to receive Holy Spirit
joyfully and peacefully.