Recent News

By Alleyhandra Celio anak Anis, Media Volunteer Sarawak Mission

Friday, 10 January 2025

Churches from all throughout Sarawak will meet for the Launching Sabbath, a momentous occasion that will formally begin their outreach and mission adventure.

On January 4, 2025, churches across Sarawak, including Semaba, Kuching Chinese Church & Tabuan Laru, Lanchang (Pr. Joggery Gelu), Moyan, Bumbok, Sg Pinang, Plaman Baki, Sg. Arip, Kaman, Kuching English Church, Keniong Lama, Keniong Jaya, Temiang, Melanjok, Sungai Lingkau, Skarok, Lubok Antu, Putah, Center Mukah, Sri Aman, Jelupang (Roban & Alit), Rayang (Baki-Ensengei), Malihah, Kota Samarahan, Siburan (Pr. Ham), Rituh Mawang (Pr.Delkenz), Bintulu, Rituh Mawang, Petag, Kesindu, Bunga, Semukoi, Kapit, Engkaroh Mawang (Pr. Chan Tin Loi), Murud Mawang, Putah, Sibu, and Blimbin, launched the Harvest initiative in their respective local churches. The launch is led by the President of Mission Sarawak Pr. Semilee Tajau at Gereja Keniong Lama in Simunjan. This historic event was the start of their joint endeavor to share the gospel, make disciples, and aid the church's worldwide mission. The initiative's overarching goal is to mobilize total members involvement spreading all gospel of hope and salvation in order to reap the reward of a harvest of souls.

The goal of Harvest 2025 is to rally churchgoers and pastors all throughout the Sarawak to fulfill God's command to preach the gospel with fresh zeal and dedication. This movement urges Adventists to join the worldwide effort to make disciples of Christ. Taking cues from the biblical imagery of the harvest—which stands for the completion of God's work on earth—the campaign highlights the significance of His people actively participating in the act of gathering the results of that work. In Luke 10:2-3, it says: "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." We invite total members involvement of the church to feel a profound sense of urgency and purpose as we call them to join us in our mission.

Harvest 2025's strategy revolves around getting everyone in the church involved in making disciples at every stage, from sharing faith to helping new believers grow. This comprehensive approach to spiritual development ensures that new believers receive sufficient encouragement and preparation for their journey with Christ. Harvest evangelistic events hosted by local churches will play a crucial role in bringing people together and encouraging them to work together to share the gospel. To further guarantee that new members are assimilated into the church community and continue to be faithful, the effort highlights the significance of extensive discipleship and retention programs. This is all part of Harvest 2025's plan to unite the church in sharing the gospel and finishing the Great Commission.

Harvest Commitment, Launching Sabbath, and Prayer and Fasting are the three cornerstones of Harvest 2025. In order to accomplish the goal of making disciples, the church community needs these essential elements: staying united, remaining committed, and growing spiritually.

Harvest Commitment encourages church members to assume responsibility for their role in evangelism and discipleship. It stresses the importance of dedicating oneself and one's community to the worldwide task of making Christ's followers. On January 4, 2025, churches from all throughout Sarawak will meet for the Launching Sabbath, a momentous occasion that will formally begin their outreach and mission adventure. Last but not least, the Harvest 2025 plan relies heavily on prayer and fasting to prepare for the future mission by seeking heavenly wisdom, power, and empowerment. The members of the church come together in prayer through these concentrated spiritual activities, asking God to guide them and bless them so that they can reap a bountiful harvest next year.

Harvest 2025's five strategic phases are all about getting churches ready to share the gospel.

November–December 2024: First Stage

In the first stage, local churches adopt and endorse the program, laying the framework for the second phase. This stage ensures that all churches are prepared to participate in the project, and it sets the stage for the following months. The first phase focuses on personal witness through friendship evangelism, where members engage with friends and acquaintances to share the message of Christ in a personal and relational way.

Part 2: 2025 January–March

Spiritual rejuvenation and community building within the church are the focal points from January through March. On January 8th through the 10th, participants will gather for a potent 10 Days of Prayer to strengthen their care groups through prayer, fasting, and communal fellowship. They can strengthen their faith and develop deeper spiritual ties during this time, which will help them prepare for the outreach that is coming up. During this phase, resources such as magazines, books, and giving tracks are distributed to support the outreach efforts and provide materials for further spiritual growth and understanding. This preparation and engagement in the first phase lay a strong foundation for the next steps in the program.

March–May 2025: Third Stage

It is formally begun in the months of April and May to spread the gospel. Each participating church will host evangelistic activities, selecting speakers from the community of church board members and elders. During these occasions, local members will actively engage and promote the gospel message within their areas.

Round Four: June–July 2025

With the leadership of local pastors in several districts, the Harvest Evangelism initiatives have progressed to a new stage. In order to spread the gospel of salvation and hope,the local will be the speaker and they will work together to visit various parts of their districts.

Fifth Stage: August–September 2025<

Key leaders, including mission officers, mission directors, and Union and Division guest speakers, will spearhead the climax of evangelistic efforts during Harvest 2025. These final harvest evangelism events will conclude the entire campaign, ensuring a powerful impact on the community. Throughout the month of September, Sabbath celebrations will take place in various locations, bringing all members together. The schedule is as follows: the first Sabbath on September 7 at Sibu, followed by Bintulu on September 13, Sri Aman on September 20, and the final celebration on September 27, 2025.

Additionally, the Chinese Evangelism Part 2 will take place from September 15-17. These events will serve as a culmination of the efforts and a significant opportunity for spiritual outreach and community engagement.

To ensure that every member actively participates in the worldwide objective of sharing Christ's love with the world, Harvest 2025 strives to unite the church in a mission of discipleship, evangelism, and spiritual growth through these five phases.

Pastor Semilee also stated that he challenge every members of the church, regardless of age, to bringing one soul to Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of involvement in every church program. This aligns with the Adventist Sarawak Mission's goals, which focus on evangelism, discipleship, community service, youth engagement, and church development. From the youngest to the oldest, everyone is encouraged to participate actively in these efforts to strengthen the church's mission and make a positive impact in the community.

Total members involvement in Harvest 2025 is to carry out a mission of evangelism, discipleship, and spiritual rejuvenation with the goal of making a difference. Prayer, fasting, community building, and active outreach are all part of the initiative's five stages, which together provide a holistic approach. We aim to strengthen the faith and dedication of church members to share the gospel at every step of the process, from planning to execution. With the help of this divine commandment, Harvest 2025 hopes to have a lasting impression on people's lives, neighborhoods, and the church's worldwide mission. A tremendous harvest of believers will be brought forth through this endeavor, thanks to God's guidance and the active involvement of every believer.