By Alleyhandra Celio anak Anis, Media Volunteer Sarawak Mission
Monday, 6 January 2025
Local church members facilitate Bible studies, plan outreach events, and provide aid to the downtrodden via education and empowerment. This level of participation guarantees that the mission will continue uninterrupted in the event that pastoral leadership changes.
All members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, not only pastors, are encouraged to actively participate in preaching the gospel and serving their communities through the Lay Missional effort. All believers should be involved in mission activity, according to the church’s worldwide programs, including Total Member Involvement (TMI) and the “I Will Go” campaign. There are three pillars upon which the Lay Missional program rests: Reach In, which centers on inward spiritual development; Reach Out, which promotes outward outreach and evangelism; and Reach Up, which cultivates an upward relationship with God by prayer and worship. Each member is called to grow in their faith, help those in need, and spread the gospel through these values.
It was on August 23, 2024, that the Lay Missional (LM) program formally started. The program was created to assist pastors in handling their duties within their respective districts. Because the LM program encourages laity members to participate actively in church ministry, it gives vital support to pastors who frequently deal with a high burden because of the number of churches they are responsible for. Working together in this way helps pastors out and guarantees that the community’s spiritual needs are being adequately addressed. On August 21, 2024, the event was officially started at the conference room of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission of Sarawak Headquarters.
The three tenets of the Lay Missional program are worship (Reach Up), community outreach (Reach Out), and spiritual growth (Reach In). Those who choose to remain in the church receive training in areas such as personal evangelism, Bible study leadership, program assistance, and helping the needy. Local church members are able to take responsibility for the mission through the program, which helps keep churches active even when pastoral resources are short.
Participating in the Lay Missional Ministry for this term are the following members: Gesa Anak Berasap from Batu Bom, Jarau Anak Jugu from Sibu, Latop Anak Gengga from Pantu, Juno Anak Basan from Lubok Antu, Serto Anak Undol from Kepayang, Lana Anak Bungol from Balai Ringin, Julian Francis and Thomson Francis from Pasir, Jobi Anak Asong from Bumbok, Jerleus Anak Rapo from Segendar, Johnny Anak Gendang from Semalatong, and Mingku Anak Voon from Kedumpai. Throughout the program’s run, these committed individuals will be instrumental in bolstering local ministry initiatives and maintaining mission activities.
The church encourages its members to take part in sharing the gospel and assisting their communities through the Lay Missional Ministry. This program is a crucial aspect of the church’s larger endeavor to make sure that all members, regardless of their position, are actively engaged in mission activity and contribute to the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s worldwide mission.
The involvement of laypeople is particularly beneficial in the Sarawak Mission due to the difficulty in maintaining a stable staff. There may be fewer ordained pastors in the area; therefore, it’s up to the laypeople to keep the mission going. In areas such as evangelism, education, and volunteer work, they assume positions of leadership. Local church members facilitate Bible studies, plan outreach events, and provide aid to the downtrodden via education and empowerment. This level of participation guarantees that the mission will continue uninterrupted in the event that pastoral leadership changes.
Every member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is encouraged to actively participate in the mission of preaching the gospel and serving the community through the Lay Missional Ministry, a key program within the church. The program’s adoption of the tenets of Reach In, Reach Out, and Reach Up allows laity members to participate in the church’s activities, which helps pastors, especially in areas like Sarawak where there aren’t enough pastors to go around. Involvement of lay leaders promotes a stronger feeling of responsibility and ownership in the mission field and guarantees the continuation of ministry.
The Adventist Church promotes a culture of Total Member Involvement—a belief that every believer is a minister in their own right—by adopting Lay Missional principles. In areas like Sarawak, where there are problems with pastoral availability, this strategy is quite important. Lay members are empowered to actively participate in God’s mission through personal witness, community service, and worldwide outreach through the “I Will Go” project. The church and its mission to spread the gospel to every corner of the earth can only develop and thrive with the help of this united effort.
By working together, the church is able to achieve its goals of Total Member Involvement and the “I Will Go” program, which aim to foster an environment where each believer is seen as a ministry. By taking the lead in evangelism, worship, and service, lay members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church contribute to the church’s global mission of sharing the gospel of salvation and hope with people everywhere.