by Margaret Brain
While you are reading this, Bishop Reg and Dorothy Piper will be in (or just returned from) Sabah, Malaysia, leading a team of 15 people from around the Wollongong region on a ministry trip.
The fortnight from August 20 to September 3 aims to strengthen the existing relationship between the regions. Archbishop Yong Ping Chung has visited Sydney Diocese, and has particular links with Wollongong and the Pipers. He and his assistant Bishop, Chen Fah, both came to faith in Jesus through the work of Walter Newmarch, a CMS missionary in Asia. Walter, along with several other ex-CMS missionaries from Asia and Africa, are part of this current venture.
Like Sydney, the Diocese of Sabah is heavily Mission-orientated. Its theme is ‘New People For The New Millennium’, and has as its goal 32,000 members in 2005 AD. There were 18,000 at the turn of the century.
The team members from Wollongong will visit churches and schools, read and explain the Scriptures, testify to salvation in Jesus, and take up artistic and counselling opportunities.
During the last few days of the visit, the Diocesan Synod will meet at All Saints’ Cathedral in Kota Kinabalu. Throughout August, the Diocese was praying for direction and action. The Synod focus will be on Mission, and in particular, the training and sending of missionaries to other countries. Bishop Piper has been invited to lead the Bible Studies at the Synod.
The team is hoping that, in collaborating with our fellow travellers in Sabah, we can teach them, learn from them and work together in our evangelistic work.
