Homework Centre Posted by Bethany Ministries , Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 2:15 PM, in Labels: Brochure, Homework Centre, Testimony, Video

Homework Assistance

Homework Assistance runs from 2pm to 5pm at Bethany Home and is an exciting outreach ministry where students invite their classmates to study together, share and learn from each other. All groups are led by one or two volunteers who themselves have been blessed in their studies through the Homework Assistance program.

I love people and seeing the students coming in to study with such weak foundation in their studies , it makes me look forward to being there for them each week. I wish to be a teacher who will make a difference in the lives of the children one day - Jolina Chang, 18 years old

"I feel good about studying in Bethany. If I don't understand certain topics or stuff, I can ask people. Anyway, if I stayed at home, I would probably be watching television and wasting my time." - Kevin Yip, 17 years old

"If I stayed at home, I would be sleeping or playing computer games. I find Bethany Home very conducive because it is quiet and I have many friends who encourage me and spur me on." - Alvin Chin, 18 years old

Academic Assistance

Held throughout the school year, Academic Assistance is a ministry set up to assist students in catching up with their school subjects. Classes offered are English, Malay language, Mathematics and Science. The classes are held from 3pm to 5pm at Bethany Home each day.

In the last few years there has been an average of 120 students who turn up every week for the Academic Assistance classes. Students contribute a small token as a sign of commitment to their studies.

"I don't feel bored when I am at Bethany Home because there is always something to do. Whenever I need help in my studies, there is always somebody around to help me. Bethany Home also provides food and transport for us." - Teo Kuo Leat, 16 years old

"In Bethany Home I am able to get a lot of help from older students who willingly help me whenever I need help in my studies. I am unable to do this at home as I am always expected to study alone." - Joyce Chai Ying Ying, 15 years old

"I find the place very conducive and comfortable to study. The air-conditioning helps me stay focused for a longer time. I have improved in my subjects in school. I love being in Bethany Home." - Mok Chin Yaw, 15 years old

Online Assistance

Online Assistance is held from 2pm to 5pm everyday and is focused on helping students become IT literate. Computers with internet connections and printers are made available for the students to use.

Students use the facilities to complete their school projects and free classes are given to students who wish to learn how to use computer.

There are currently four Online Assistance computers available to students, and there are plans to add to that number to meet the needs of the increasing number of students using Bethany Home.

"Bethany Home provides me a place to study as well as internet connection to do research online for my school projects. Each time I need help, there is also someone there for me." - Florence Richard, 18 years old

"I am able to focus on my work when I come to Bethany and I have improved in all my grades in school. I finally feel that I can make it through my PMR." - Sim Pei Ching, 15 years old

Our Stories

"I sat for my SPM examination a few months after I became a Christian. I was weak in my studies because I was not interested and was rather lazy. One day, Pastor Cheli invited me to study at Bethany Home along with some of my friends whom I knew in Bethany, so I gave it a try. I came early in the morning and I would study until late at night. I did not need to worry about my meals or transport home, because all these were provided.

What truly touched my heart and began to motivate me was that most of my friends who were also studying there took time to teach us who were weak. Their earnestness and sincerity encourage me a lot. When the SPM results were released, I couldn't believe what I got; I passed all but one subject. I even got 2 As. What God did for me through the Homework Centre made me think and thus I decided to do the same for other students who are in need now and I love serving God through these ministries."
- Fong Che Chung
Note: Today Che Chung serves as Associate Pastor of Bethany Ministries and oversees the operation of Bethany Home.

"I was excited to be a part of the Homework ministry in Bethany  Home and to be able to serve as a tutor to some younger students. I realise that it is in serving that God has taught me how to love and appreciate the people around me.

Serving has also given me avenues to experience God in special ways and to grow in Him. Seeing my friends being touched and coming to know God through simple acts of serving makes me want to serve God even more!"
-Angela Chang
Note: Angela has recently graduated from University Malaya and is currently working as a Quantity Surveyor with a public-listed company.

"I love spending time to teach in Bethany Home. The students turn up with various needs and it makes me feel so good to be able to share with them what I know and by doing so I have been able to share the love of God with them. I feel blessed in having such an opportunity to serve God instead of wasting my time doing aimless things."
-Goh Yan Hui
Note: Yan Hui is currently doing a degree in teaching at the Specialist Teachers' Training Institute in Kuala Lumpur. 

Video about Bethany Homework Centre

International cross cultural training School Posted by Bethany Ministries , Monday, October 26, 2009 at 4:01 PM, in Labels: Brochure, ICCTS, Testimony, Video

What is ICCTS?

The International Cross Cultural Training School (ICCTS) is a discipleship school that provides skills for ministry and outreach in a cross cultural context. It is designed to stimulate and equip young people to discover and fulfil God’s global purposes.

The 4-week school has a mixture of both theoretical and practical learning and is taught in English. Foreign students can choose to extend their ICCTS experience up to three months.

Components of ICCTS
• Kairos Course: God, the Church and the World
• Discipleship & Mentoring
• Servant Leadership
• Tools for Ministry & Mission
• Reading Bus Ministry (Education outreach)
• Alpha Course Leaders’ Training
• Team Dynamics
• Ministry Opportunities
• Village Outreach (Indigenous peoples)
• Unreached People Groups
• Youth and Children Outreach
• Student Outreach

Who’s Who in ICCTS?

“ICCTS is the fruition of a vision I had while still in New Zealand more than 10 years ago. A school which provides sound biblical training and ministry avenues, raising up trained and passionate young people who will want to see the nations brought into HIS Kingdom.” - Ps Cheli Tamilselvam, Bethany Ministries Malaysia, Principal of ICCTS

“ICCTS testifies to the universality in the diversity of God’s creation.”- Philip Yong, FGBMF East Malaysia, Advisor for ICCTS

“ICCTS is about discovering the purpose and passion of God in fulfilling and finishing HIS redemptive work among all peoples and HIS Kingdom.” - Ps Neduncheliyan, STAMP Malaysia,  Facilator of ICCTS

“It’s a good opportunity for young people to be trained and equipped for ministry.”  - Ps Ryan Foo, Harvest Generation  Malaysia, Teacher of ICCTS

“The ICCTS provides a community environment through which students grow in their faith, skills and Christian worldview. It is a fantastic stepping-stone for any young person wanting to pursue God’s call to cross cultural ministry.”  - Janna Ewing, DCBC New Zealand, International Coordinator of ICCTS

Impressions of ICCTS

“Solid biblical instruction and daily impartation from  experienced leaders serving in various ministries in Malaysia, with culturally relevant and hands on exposure needed to grasp Jesus' true heart for every believer's role in servant leadership, discipleship and missions.” - Carrie Baber, Global Ministry Teams

“I learnt more about missions, serving others and discipleship. The teachers’ testimonies encouraged me, helping me draw nearer to God.” - Simon Wee, ICCTS graduate 2008

“The way God wants us to spread the gospel is not through our words alone, but by our actions consciously and constantly loving all the people around us.” - Leslie Leong, ICCTS graduate 2008

“The school is a refreshing reminder of God's plan and purpose for the world. Through ICCTS I have learnt how to trust God and to rely on Him as I live my life each day.”
- Oguchi Nzekwe, ICCTS graduate of January 2008

Stories from Students

“I joined ICCTS while on summer break halfway through my medical degree in Russia. ICCTS opened my eyes to a lot of new things. I learnt much on God’s plan and how to evangelize, and also how to communicate with different people. As we visited different places and villages I got to know the different cultures and their lifestyles. It was interesting to learn lots of new thing and I enjoyed it all. The most crucial thing is that after ICCTS I seem to be able to fit in better now that I am back in to Russia. I thank God for giving me this opportunity to go through this course that I may enrich my life with lots of new things.” - Stephen Wong, ICCTS graduate of June 2008

“ICCTS showed me that there are so many people groups out there that can be reached, and going out to help in the villages helped me see beyond the small window of life  that we see most of the time in Kuching. The time spent at Kairos mission awareness training was really eye-opening too.” - Shellyn Felicia, ICCTS graduate of June 2008
Note:  Shellyn is currently in her final year of law studies at SEGi college and serves as one of the leaders in Bethany Ministries.

“ICCTS was indeed a great learning experience, and I had the privilege to experience it as both a participant and a facilitator. I was deeply challenged to look at ministry for God’s kingdom with a different perspective and it was a blessing to be able to learn and share my life with so many people through the course.  The course showed me that regardless how we look on the outside, we are all the same inside – we are all God’s beloved children.” - James Loi, ICCTS graduate of June 2008
Note:  James is the Missions Coordinator of Bethany Ministries and is part of the team of teachers at ICCTS.

“ICCTS has helped me draw closer to God and it is an excellent training ground for spiritual disciplines. Through this school I have been given the opportunity to serve and by doing so I am able to discover my gifts. I have also built strong friendships and have learnt how to trust and be accountable to others. I feel that the greatest impact that ICCTS has had on me is that it has ignited a passion within me for the lost and needy.”- Barnabas Ung, ICCTS graduate of June 2008
Note:  Barnabas is currently in his final year studying Marketing and Management in Swinburne University, Kuching and serves as a leader in the Campus Alpha ministry.

Stanley's Testimony Posted by Bethany Ministries , Monday, October 19, 2009 at 10:37 AM, in Labels: Testimony

Life is made up not of great sacrifices or duties but of little things. I was reminded this week that it is not how long you know somebody but more how you impact the person that counts. I really want to thank God for what He has done for me this week. He has blessed me in so many ways that I feel I cannot even express myself to Him because I feel I do not deserve what He is doing for me. One thing I know is that He calls me son and  that I can lean on him when I am weary.

Friends, let us not judge each day by the harvest we reap, but by the seeds we plant!

Stanley  

I wish to share how God has blessed me recently... I just bought a second-hand car and I really want to thank God for His blessings. I have always wondered why God didn't bless me with a car before this as I have often said that I needed one to ferry people around. God is always smarter than us as He knew that at that time I wouldn't have had the money to get a car. And even if I did get a car, I wouldn't have enough cash to maintain it.  It was then when I realized my motive and desire – maybe it was just my dream or maybe just to show it to others. God's timing is always the best.  I am blessed that He made me wait until now."

Ps.  Che Chung