Lavished with Extravagance
Pastors' Wives Pampered by Generous and Grateful Christians
Over 60 wives of pastors were lavishly pampered at a recent three-day-two-night retreat in February at the Swiss Garden Golf Resort and Spa, Damai Laut - considered an extravagant affair during this economically-challenged time. However, it was fully sponsored by several Christians and jointly organised by Full Gospel Assembly Melbourne and NECF Malaysia in collaboration with other churches such as International City Church, Brisbane, and Banner of Love, Petaling Jaya.
This first-in-a-kind event in Malaysia is the fulfillment of the "Impact Pastors Impact Nations" (IPIN) vision of Roland and Evelyn Seow (pastors of FGA Melbourne) to refresh and strengthen pastors. The vision started in Melbourne in 2004 with the first pastors' retreat attended by pastors from Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia. Since then it has been extended to Malaysia and Slovakia. Funds were raised for each project from various churches, the Christian business community and individual sponsors.
Besides the many inspiring messages from a thoughtfully selected list of speakers, participants also returned home with many gifts. Some may ask, "Why the extravagance?" and "Wouldn't the money have been better spent on more needy causes?"
To this, Evelyn says, "We serve an extravagant God who wanted to throw a lavish banquet for his faithful servants who have laboured tirelessly for His kingdom. God treasures His shepherds more than people can imagine because without them, His sheep will be easily scattered and devoured. He knows that the wife's role in the pastor's life is vital to sustaining him in the ministry. The pastor's well-being is often dependent on the condition of his wife."
Explaining the vision, Evelyn says that according to Psalm 133, God's anointing and blessings flow from the head to the rest of the body. As the head (pastor) of the local church is blessed, so will the rest of the body (church) and this will flow right to the nation.
The retreat saw a gathering of wives from over 60 churches from various denominations spanned throughout the 11 states in the peninsula. For many, it was the first time that they had peers in the ministry to talk to.
There was a good blend of speakers, such as Mrs Koh Poh Kim (wife of the late Dr Koh Eng Kiat, founder-elder of FGA Kuala Lumpur); Datuk Prof Chiam Heng Keng (educator); Pr Dr Lew Lee Choo (co-pastor of SIB KL and wife of SIB senior pastor Dr Chew Weng Chee); Pr Jeannie Mok, Tan Lay Hwa; Grace Hee (NECF Women's Concern Commission Chairperson); and Pr Irene Goh (wife of Banner of Love pastor David Goh).
Even though the needs were so diverse, all of them were deeply touched and blessed by the different speakers who contributed to the various parts of the puzzle.
One of the highlights of the retreat was the feet-washing ceremony on the last day. Datuk Chiam and the other speakers insisted that the older ones washed the feet of the younger women first.
"Through the act of humility and love, tears flowed profusely all over the place and the Spirit of the Lord moved mightily. It was like Jesus washing everyone's feet with His tears of love and appreciation," Evelyn observed. She also reported many messages of gratitude received via e-mail after the retreat.
"It was truly a mission accomplished - a banquet for God's faithful pastors' wives. As they were impacted, our nation will also be impacted," Evelyn concluded.
What next?
In 2010, IPIN together with NECF will organise "IPIN for Pastors' Kids (ages 15-28)". Hopefully, businessmen, working adults, pastors and churches will support this endeavour financially and prayerfully.
A pastor's ministry suffers if his family is hurting. "Are you willing to be a channel of God's extravagant love to pastors' kids?" Evelyn challenged.
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