Vision-imparting in Penang

 

Ekbale, meaning "sent out" in Greek, was the theme of past Direct Community Training (DCT) programs organized by Campus Crusade Philippines and attended by South East Asian staff and professionals. I had attended and benefited from two such events yet when I was asked to coordinate the first Malaysian Ekbale in Penang, I was hesitant.

 

Were we ready? Why Penang? Weren't most of our Influencers for Christ (IfCs) based in the Klang Valley? How would I coordinate this event, being unfamiliar with Penang and with only a handful of links there?

 

But soon I caught a vision of Penang, the hub of multinational corporations, as a harvest field of the nation's workforce and decision-makers. God graciously sent us key people and engineered appointments on our behalf during several pre-Ekbale trips to the island.

 

Working tirelessly, the organizing committee put this event together and finally we were set for Ekbale Penang 2005 at the City Bayview Hotel. Nineteen trainees comprising marketplace people from Penang and the Klang Valley, including two Campus Ministry staff, received their Certificates of Attendance at the close of the event, held from Nov 28 to Dec 2, 2005.

 

Immediately after that, the Penang participants and two Impact! Ministries staff sat down to discuss post-Ekbale action points. Some of the Penang participants hope to involve the key Christian contacts from the various offices that invited Ekbale teams to present talks so as to impart to them the same marketplace vision and strategy. - By Amelia Vijayamala

 

Feedback from Ekbale participants

Ekbale Penang gave me an opportunity to explore the concept of marketplace ministry. We shouldn't be asking: "Am I called?" Rather, we should ask: "Where am I called?" so that we can understand why we are in the working world. - By Chok Sze Jin, Impact! Ministries staff

 

I could see God working in and touching the hearts of each individual [in the conference]. - By Medalin Chee

 

One important lesson I learnt was that we are all full-time workers for God. The dichotomy might exist, but there is no distinction between serving in church or at our workplace. Our place of ministry might not be at the pulpit, but life transformations can still take place at our work desks. - By Kean Choong

 

Even though I couldn't attend the night events, I really benefited from the training and from observing the office outreach firsthand. It was exciting meeting working professionals and business owners whose focus was on God and making a difference in their workplaces. A big thank you to the whole team for making it possible for us in Penang to catch the fire of what God is doing through the marketplace ministry! - By Josephine Yoong

 

Ekbale was a week of discovery. From the bonding nights, I found out that many young working adults face the same challenges as I do in balancing the need for security and peer group approval with our calling from God.

 

My fear of speaking in front of a small group disappeared when I actually met the people and saw their faces. Instead of focusing on not making a fool of myself, I concentrated on meeting the needs of God's children.

 

Ekbale has helped me to better balance between sowing widely and influencing a target group. I've learnt that I am to sow generously until I find that target group. - By Andrew Elvis Simon