Sarawak indigenous churches are crying out for more workers to cope with the large numbers of new converts. Yet, they are sending away their own workers to other parts of the world.
The situation is akin to that of a starving man giving away portions of his food to others. But, Pr Gerawat Maran, Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) Sarawak president, views it differently—it’s a hungry man giving away portions of his food to even hungrier people.
"We will always be short of workers because our churches will continue to grow rapidly. We accept that, but at the same time, we cannot ignore the needs of people elsewhere especially if we are in the position to meet those specific needs," he says.
He explains: "We have some 30 pastors in West Malaysia ministering in the Bahasa (Malaysia) churches. They were sent there to either plant and pastor the SIB churches or help other denominations in their Bahasa ministry. Also, we have missionaries in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and South Philippines. These workers are involved in helping the indigenous churches reach out to the tribal people. We have the experience in this kind of ministry, that’s why we were asked to go and help them."
This selfless act in caring more for others is a reflection of our Sarawakian brethren’s love and passion for God who, Pr Gerawat said, has moved mightily among his people since the formation of SIB Sarawak in the late 1950s.
Since then, it has reached out to 26 ethnic groups in the state, establishing along the way some 600 churches (with established leadership, pastors and staff) and 500 small groups who meet at longhouses and homes. Pr Gerawat estimates their membership at between 90,000 and 100,000 people.
Sarawak is home to 38 main ethnic groups and within the ethnic groups are many splinter groups. Language-wise and culturally, they are different but they all understand the BM language.
Although SIB Sarawak was originally started to reach out to the indigenous people, the work soon spread to the Chinese in the major towns. Today, SIB Sarawak runs 23 Chinese congregations in Mandarin, Foochow and Hakka. It also has some English congregations but BM remains the most widely-used language in their churches.
Pr Gerawat attributes this rapid growth to God’s grace on his people. He believes the Holy Spirit has been moving among the tribal people and preparing their hearts for the Gospel.
"You can go to any longhouse and share the Gospel and they will listen without resistance. Many of them come to Christ this way," Pr Gerawat says. "The field is truly ripe for harvest and we need more people to go out."
Not only is there an urgent need for workers to harvest the crops, there is an equally urgent need for follow-up workers to disciple the many new converts. To help resolve this problem, SIB Sarawak is challenging its churches to release their pastors (while maintaining their financial support) and members for short-term ministry (usually three months) to the newborns.
Pr Gerawat has also taken this need for workers to West Malaysia and wherever he goes and thus far, his campaign has bore fruits. There has been a consistent stream of "short-term missionaries" from West Malaysia and elsewhere tripping into the Sarawakian jungles. "Maybe it’s because they’ve heard there are now better roads to the interiors, thanks to the logging companies," he quips.
"Whatever it is, we truly appreciate the partnership and fellowship of our brethren who have helped us so much," he says gratefully.
Long-term solution
However, short-term missionaries are, as its name suggests, short-term measures; they fill the gap temporarily. The long-term solution is to be found on home ground, in its people, Pr Gerawat feels. "We just need to train our people to do the work," he asserts.
And for that, there is an urgent need to maintain its bible schools and if possible, expand to accommodate the increasing number of people seeking training. "Right now, this is our greatest need," Pr Gerawat reveals.
SIB Sarawak currently runs five bible schools—three for foundation studies and two at advance diploma level in Miri (English medium) and Lawas (BM). The total student intake is 150 with 50 to 60 graduating every year.
Among the 600 churches in its roll, 80 percent are from rural areas. Besides supporting their local pastors and workers and maintaining the church buildings, they also contribute about 60 percent to the sum required to run the schools. SIB Sarawak has to rely on outside supporters to fund the rest.
Pr Gerawat says the need for finance to maintain the bible schools has reached critical level and appeals for help.
While having to raise support for the bible schools, Pr Gerawat has also to consider the needs of the brethren in the interiors. Often, the requests are for finances to build churches when the believers’ home cannot contain the congregation anymore.
"Right now, I have three requests to build church buildings," he reveals.
Nevertheless, the lack of finances and shortage of workers has not hampered SIB Sarawak’s march towards breaking new grounds in Sarawak and blurred its vision of planting churches in every state in West Malaysia.
To date, it has started two churches in Johore, one each in Malacca and Seremban and several in the Klang Valley. "But we encourage our congregations to work closely with the local churches," Pr Gerawat quickly points out.
In its ministry in West Malaysia, SIB Sarawak works closely with other SIB components and the local churches, whatever denominations they may be.
"There are many Sarawakians and Sabahans living in West Malaysia. Most of them are students or factory workers. We focus on reaching out to them and establishing small congregations among them. Here, we work with the local churches who provide their premises for meetings and sometimes, help out financially," Pr Gerawak explains.
Pr Gerawat Maran, who has been the SIB Sarawak president for the last 15 years, oversees a staff force of 640 pastors and workers.
SIB Sarawak also runs a recording studio in Lawas which records two radio programmes—one for Christians and the other for non-Christians. The programmes are broadcast by a Christian radio station in Manila.
It also runs Christian bookrooms in all major towns and has a bible translation ministry which has to date, translated the whole Bible into four main ethnic languages and the New Testament in several others.
Editor’s note: Those who wish to make a contribution to SIB Sarawak may send their donations to: Sidang Injil Borneo Sarawak. Lot 67 Jalan Cosmos, Krokop, 98000 Miri, Sarawak. |
