GLOWING YEARS MINISTRY’S 3RD CONVENTION IN IPOH
FORTY Malaysians joined some 220 members and friends of Singapore TRAC’s Glowing Years Ministry (GYM) at their 3rd Convention at Syuen Hotel in Ipoh from July 8 to 11, 2002.
A team of enthusiastic, faithful and devoted members of the organising committee, led by the Rev Peter Goh, Director of TRAC Board of Seniors Ministry, put in many months of hard work and preparations in bringing the GYM delegation across the Causeway on an eight-and-a-half-hour journey to Ipoh in nine coaches. They were joined by the 40 Malaysian counterparts, who were mostly from Canning Garden Methodist Church and Wesley Methodist Church.
The success of the convention was due mainly to the support of Dato C. S. Chew who, despite his busy business schedule, liaised closely with the GYM Convention Chairman, Ms Annie Ee, to activate all the necessary preparations in Ipoh.
The keynote speaker, the Rev Khoo Cheng Hoot, President of the Chinese Annual Conference, delivered each morning’s sermon with thought-provoking messages which stirred many seniors to reflect on “seeking” and to acknowledge the blessings of the Giver.
Gym Voices, in their striking blue attire, hit a high note with their singing under the baton of Mr David Lim.
The Malaysians were impressed by the Methodist Seniors Fellowship’s rendition of its theme song.
As early as 6.30 am each day, there was a special time of closeness with our Maker. We poured our hearts out to the Lord in prayer, and this set each day to work out well. Ms Cynthia Ng was the Prayer Co-coordinator.
The highlight of the convention was the six-hour workshop sessions on lessons drawn from two verses in the book, “The Prayer of Jabez”: I Chronicles 4: 9-10 —
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.”
The final night’s dinner closed with the Rev Goh presenting a donation of M$3,001 and S$400 to Bishop Datuk Dr Peter Chio, Bishop of The Methodist Church in Malaysia, on behalf of the convention participants. The collection was for an endowment fund managed by the Council of Education of the Methodist Church, Peninsular Malaysia.
On “Talent Nite”, many of the participants sang, acted, danced and rendered their true love to the Lord through their items.
Ipoh’s “Nat King Cole”, Mr Ong Tit Hin, sang “Mona Lisa”, which drew many “oohs and aahs” from the floor.
From Singapore, Mr Ng Fook Kah surprised many with his classical Cantonese expression of his love for God. Ms Carol Wee from Wesley Methodist Church gave a powerful rendition of “Amazing Grace”. Mr Sony Lim and Mr Willie Dharmaratnam harmonised well with their magnificent country songs. Mr David Lim & Male Voices from Pentecost Methodist Church gave an old Kerongchong favourite arranged by Mr Benjamin Khoo.
Country Line-Dancing was everyone’s favourite item. Many seniors went to the floor, led by GYM Line-Dance Team and Ms Catherine Chan of Trinity Methodist Church, as they did the GYM Walk. The GYM Chairman, Mr G. D. Balakrishnan, could not restrain himself from prancing around in good fun.
Finally, everyone was touched by the sweetness and joy of David and Joan Boen’s 40th wedding anniversary celebration. They are from Wesley Methodist Church.
Florence Lim is a member of Covenant Community Methodist Church.