Camp meeting nurtures youth evangelism involvement

In an environment where outdoor activities are seldom permitted and where public meetings banned, having one of these activities creates extreme joy and excitement to the young people. And these 437 youth were bird-like free as they held their youth camp, March 25-29, at the Ngwe Saung Beach, Nyaung Maw, in Myanmar.

Coming from the vast fields of Myanmar, these young people committed themselves for full-swing evangelism as they pledged to get actively involved with the mission of the church: to reach out to their communities for Christ.

Along with field officers, youth directors, and church members, the campers showed no signs of tiredness or fatigue as they participated in physical, mental, social and spiritual exercises throughout the period.

On Sabbath afternoon, they organized themselves into small groups and chose places surrounding the camp for evangelism activities. At these exercises, about 500 people were reached by the gospel.

“Thus far, this has been the most-longed for activities by the Adventist youth, and as leaders we are encouraged to provide avenues like this to release their energies for the advancement of God’s work,” said Victor Than, one of the camp leaders.

When asked of his assessment of the camp, Shine Tha, MYUM youth director, exclaimed, “The blessings are tremendous for the young people of the church as they unleashed their talents and skills to become effective witness for the Lord in their respective communities.” [Myo Chan/AND]

AUP gets five years autonomous status

The Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) was granted an autonomous status for another five years starting on March 11, 2009 through March 30, 2014.

In a letter dated March 17, 2009, from Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), pursuant to Commission en banc (CEB) Resolution No. 076 – 2009, AUP was granted AUTONOMOUS STATUS for five years. This was in recognition of the “continuing accomplishments, adherence to quality assurance, and commitment to public responsibility and accountability as a higher education provider.” The benefits and conditions of the grant conformed to the provisions of CHED Memorandum Order No. 44, series of 2008.

AUP was first granted the autonomous status in 2003, which expired in October 2008 but extended up to April 2009 while it was undergoing evaluation by the Commission.

As a background, the grant of autonomous status by the CHED to deserving private colleges and universities was aimed at recognizing the PHEI’s consistent show of exemplary performance in the provision of education, research and extension services. Otherwise, PHEIs were generally covered by the policies, standards and guidelines (PSGs) set by the Commission on Higher Education in terms of program offerings, curriculum, administration, and faculty academic qualifications, among others. The heads of PHEIs usually manage their internal organization and implement the PSGs formulated by the CHED.

Based on recent information obtained from the CHED website, http://www.ched.gov.ph, there are 2,060 higher education institutions in the Philippines. Of these institutions, 35 PHEIs were granted autonomous or deregulated status by the CHED, 12 of which were granted autonomous status for five years, 11 for one year, while one was granted deregulated status for five years and 10 for one year [Johnny G Guyo/AND]

Ministerial department enhances church stewardship roles

In years past church members thought stewardship was all about tithes and offerings. It never dawned on them that it could be something else, too. “What we learned in this seminar was that stewardship is a personal commitment to the Lord—entrusting self to Him,” said Ms Khin Le Win, a Bible worker for central Myanmar, who expressed the participants’ appreciation of the Stewardship seminar conducted in their place.

Pastor Wendell Mandolang, director for the Stewardship
Department of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD), led out in the seminars in two places in Myanmar: Pyin Oo Lwin in the upper region and Taungu in the central region. At both venues, 98 delegates were registered. The seminars were held during the last week of February through the first week of March.

Pastor Muller Kyaw, president for the church in Myanmar (MYUM) and Pastor Caleb Paw, MYUM ministerial secretary, were part of the presenters who traveled 400 miles on bus with Pastor Mandolang to reach the seminar venues.

The participants at both places were delighted to welcome the training team. Fifty delegates in Pyin Oo Lwin, and 48 in Taungu.

“My stay in Myanmar was extraordinarily rewarding as I saw the enthusiasm of the participants in applying the principles of stewardship,” said Mandolang.[Myo Chan/AND]

Health initiatives introduce church to the community

A good way to reach the heart of the community is through initiatives that support lifestyle. “And your group exemplify what our community needs,” said Y.B. Dr Xavier, head councilor of Taman Sentosa, a local government unit in Peninsular Malaysia, at the opening ceremonies of the health expo, March 15, held at the Adventist Community Health Center (ACC), Klang branch, Malaysia.

Leading out was Mrs Florence Devany, Klang Indian Adventist Health leader, and supported by the members for Taman Sentosa. The event was attended by 130 people from all walks of life.

Serving in the ACC team were four volunteer nurses from Institute Jantung Negara (IJN). The free services included health screening and one-on-one health counseling. A demonstration on healthy cooking, hydrotherapy and Charobics was also done.

“The event was also supported by non-church members who were happy for the conduct of the said mini-expo,” said leaders. [Jane Yap/AND]

Church in Myanmar sees 77 graduates at this year’s rites

Humble spirits but heads high with extreme joy were evident at the 43rd graduation exercises in Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary (MUAS), March 15, in Myaungmya, Ayeyarwady, Myanmar. A total of 77 graduates received their diplomas and certificates.

The need for more gospel workers was high and the completion of 22 ministerial students out of 77 graduates caused joy to church leaders. This new group of gospel missionaries will help in the proclamation of the soon coming of Jesus.

On Sabbath, March 14, Pastor Muller Kyaw, chairman of the MUAS board of trustees and president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Myanmar, gave the Baccalaureate message while Pastor Tember Chit, a church leader, delivered the consecration message on Friday, March 13. The former president of MUAS, Pastor Yan Aye, delivered the graduation message. Pastor Aye spent 29 years in MUAS before assuming a leadership position in the field.

“I see graduations as more beautiful than any scenery in the world and the graduates as great and dignified human beings,” said Pastor Yan Aye.

Also honoring the graduation ceremony was U Aye Han, district commissioner of Myaungmya district. He holds the highest government rank in this district. Mg Mg Myo Chan, MYUM communication director; representatives of the Adventist Churches in Ayeyarwaddy; Upper Myanmar; and from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Myanmar, were among the more than one thousand attendees at this graduation rites.

“During graduations, we solidify our resolve to become part of a great experience in helping mold characters for future leadership. Thus, our pride to be part of MUAS” concluded Morris Chit, vice president for public relations and development. [Myo Chan]

Skills training benefits 21 church members

For four months, sewing classes were held for church members who wanted to learn the trade. Eight men and 13 women of the church took advantage of this training that was sponsored by the Women’s Ministries (WM) Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bangladesh (BAUM).

The distribution of certificates of completion was done during the Women’s Ministries Training Seminar, March 12-14, at the headquarters of the church in West Bangladesh (WBM).

The seminar was started with a message on stewardship by Pastor Edward P. Chambugong, BAUM executive secretary; and on early morning of March 13, Pastor Bibek Halder, WBM president, gave the morning devotional message.

“We are glad that many of our church members took advantage of this program and now they have the means to improve their lives with these skills,” said women leaders.

The WM members in Bangladesh find themselves a part of the life of the church by getting involved with the gospel proclamation, including the holding of Bible studies to everyone who wants to learn of Jesus. This activity starts with giving a Bible to every interested individual.
On Saturday, 21 men and women accepted Jesus through baptism.

“We are soliciting our church members worldwide to pray for our church women in Bangladesh who accepted the challenge oftaking the good news of salvation to a country that is extraordinarily difficult to penetrate,” requested the women leaders in Bangladesh.[Lucena Chambugong/AND]

Regeneration Training kicks off in Peninsular Malaysia

First to happen in Peninsular Malaysia, the regeneration training of the church’s health department made impact on the 45 participants from Penang and Johor Bahru. The meetings were held at the Adventist Community Health Center, March 8-9.

Its theme, “Building Support for the Weak” that guided the 3-day event made a contribution to the life of the participants who travelled hundreds of kilometers to attend the training.

Pastors Abraham Carpena ang Gration Perera, health directors for the Adventist church in the southern Asia-Pacific region(SSD) and southeast Asia (SAUM), respectively, helped the participants understand the complexities that attend to processes of coping with drug addiction and recovery from this debilitating practice. These participants also discovered how the church can be a support group to wayward youth as they take their journey back to life without drugs.

Videos and a skit highlighted the event. The skit on “Burdened Family,” spelled out the effects of drug addiction not only on the user but on everyone in the family.

Carpena and Perera led out also in the commitment service. The church elder, who prayed for those who stood to commit themselves to start a support group in their community, invoked God’s blessing upon everyone to become a part of a unified effort to save people for God’s kingdom.

“This indeed will make impact to the community as our church gets involved with this initiative,” said participants.” [Jane Yap/AND]

Children and youth carry on Follow the Bible activities

After the launching of the Follow the Bible program in December of 2008, in Myanmar, small groups have geared up their activities. The children and youth’s small groups were not left out while several mega city evangelism seminars were conducted in Myaungmya, Myawadi and other places. A monk, who is head of the famous Wa-kyaung monastery in Myaungmya, regularly attended one of these meetings.

In Pathein, Ayeyarwady, young people were leading out in Branch Sabbath schools (BSS) in several places, where only a few Christians reside. “We make significant contribution through the small group to keep it alive as we perpetuate the spirit of Follow the Bible initiatives,” said youth leaders.

“Incorporated in the BSS activities were the teaching and learning of new songs, listening to stories and taking to heart memory verses through recitation and Bible quizzes,” participants exclaimed.

Some Buddhists and youth from the Baptist church were also learning from these activities. [Myo Chan]