Kam Kiew passing the Children’s Ministry baton to Yat Wah
I started serving God in 1991 by joining the Children Ministry as a teacher. People always want to climb up the corporate ladder in their secular job. Likewise, we should also want to progress in our service to God. After teaching for four years, I desired to move on and become a leader in the ministry. God knew my heart’s desire because very soon, (without me telling anyone) Mei Yong, the Head of Children Ministry in CBC Sunway invited me to take over her position. When she spoke to me, I ‘heard’ a bell ring in my head ....”ting!! That’s right, take it”. That conviction was so deep that I knew that God had called me to be a leader in the Children Ministry. Through the years of service, I experienced very few discouragements because of this deep knowledge that God is “The Boss” and He will take care of all obstacles in the ministry. In the year 2000, I took over from Susan Phoon as the church wide CBC Children’s Head.
After serving for 11 years as a leader in the Children Ministry, I
knew it was time to pass over the mantle of leadership to someone else.
On December 30, 2006, Suzie Lo of Seapark took over as the Church-wide
Children Co-ordinator. This position will be rotated every two years
among the heads of the different centres. Tan Yat Wah became the Sunway
Children Ministry Head. Currently, I am still a teacher and will
continue to do so.
I was seeking the Lord’s direction as whether to take up the role of Head of Ladies Ministry when I saw a vision of a road. In front where I stood was narrow but the road quickly widened to a large space up to the horizon. The road was clear. I interpreted it that the way was opened wide for me to walk in and as the road was clear, there were no obstacles to stop me from doing so. With this confirmation from God, I took on the role of Head of the Ladies Ministry. For a long while after that, whenever I think of this vision, I shed tears because the Holy Spirit touched me so deeply at that very point of time.
The Lord also sent sisters to encourage me. Sister Jolene had this to say “my impression during the time when Pastor Malcolm was praying over you was that you had a white light (like a glow) around you illuminating your whole person and that you were a light to the ladies in church. I felt that the Lord was saying that you were a Godly woman, a good role model and ladies would be attracted to you because of this.”
As
it was the beginning of a new ministry, we needed to plan and formulate
our vision statement and objectives. The Lord was gracious and gave me
another vision. I saw a big group of ladies from our church marching
forward for the Lord (like going to battle). Looking closer, I saw that
they were holding brooms and sticks, instead of the sword of the
spirit. Interpretation: The ladies were committed in service but
instead of relying on God’s empowerment, they were using their own
strength and resources. Thus the vision statement for the Ladies
Ministry was formed: “Empowering the ladies of CBC Sunway-Subang to be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, putting on the whole
amour of God, that they may be able to stand, and march forward
confidently for the Lord.”
This ministry will be one of caring for the ladies, giving them a personal touch rather than just being another member of the church. The ladies will also know that there is a ministry they can approach in times of need. I believe they are also looking for good female role models to identify with.
It is also very dear to my heart to encourage the ladies to put off the “I am not capable of this and that…” attitude, and rise up to be bold for the Lord. All God wants is our availability and not our capability. If we are willing, God can empower and equip us in areas that we thought we were never capable of. I am a testimony to this. Up to my university days, people always prayed for boldness for me but now it is a different story.
By Tan Kam Kiew
Ladies Ministry Head of Sunway-Subang Centre
Mother to 3 youths - Jonathan age 20, Joshua age 18 and Joel age 14