The Adventist Church in Sabah celebrated 115 years of its existence on the 14th of December 2024 at the Kota Marudu Community Hall. Marking an extraordinary milestone in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in the region, the event brought together around 1000 church members, leaders, and guests from across Sabah and neighbouring districts in a spirit of thanksgiving, unity, and celebration.
Themed “Faithful in God’s Work,” the program commenced with an opening prayer and welcome remarks by incoming Northern Sabah Mission Executive Secretary Pr. Earie Madius. After a praise and worship segment and a summary of the Sabbath school lesson quarterly, the celebration of God’s Faithfulness kicked off with a welcome address delivered by the incoming Northern Sabah Mission President, Pr. Feldinand Sawanai. The president expressed gratitude to God for the mission’s 115 years of growth, emphasizing the faithfulness of pioneers and the continued dedication of present-day members.
As the event progressed, a video presentation entitled “Celebrating the Faithfulness in Mission” was shown, depicting the historical record of the ministry in Sabah. The presentation portrayed the faithfulness of the believers over the years. Following that, there was an appreciation time during which previous mission administrators were acknowledged on stage for their service. They each received a book containing a historical account of the Adventist church in Sabah. Meanwhile, Pr. Felixian Felicitas, SSD Field Secretary, offered a dedicatory prayer for further work in the field and thanksgiving for the work of the pioneers.
A unique feature of the celebration was the Time Capsule. Representatives from the Division Union, Missions, and Institutions read out their message about the 115 Years Celebration. It was then taken and kept in a capsule, along with a flash drive containing the legacy video that was shown earlier. The capsule was then sealed and would be placed at the Sabah Mission Headquarters and only opened 25 years in the future. This segment of the program demonstrates the commitment to upholding the virtues and mission of the expanding church while keeping its heritage intact.
The highlight of the event was the divine service, featuring a special sermon delivered by Pastor Abel Bana, president of the Malaysia Union Mission (MAUM), entitled “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” drawing inspiration from Revelation 2:10. He called on members to remain faithful until the end of time as they enlarge the borders to continue the mission to spread God’s Word across Sabah and beyond. He closed with a heartfelt call, sharing the dedication and commitment of leaders in the region. He also announced that the changes taking place in 2025 will be a uniting strong force as our leaders will move into greater grounds and uphold bigger responsibilities. Further, he shared his sincere gratitude to Pr. Francis Amer for his service at MAUM and announced his appointment as the new SSD Stewardship Director effective January 2025.
The afternoon session was another momentous occasion, celebrating the ordination of nine pastors into the ministry. Pastor Hamir Sigandal, the Sabah Mission Ministerial Secretary, introduced the candidates along with their families, setting the stage for the solemn ceremony. Pastor Rudi Situmorang, the SSD Ministerial Secretary, delivered an inspiring message titled “Called to be Faithful.” In his address, he highlighted the challenges of ministry and the experience of being called to serve beyond one’s comfort zone, encouraging the newly ordained to remain steadfast in their commitment.
Throughout the day, the program was enriched by the uplifting performances of various choirs and music ensembles, including Sekolah Menengah Advent Tamparuli’s Chords of Hope and Sekolah Menengah Advent Goshen’s Gracenotes. These talented groups, representing two secondary schools in Sabah, delivered soul-stirring renditions of hymns and special musical numbers. Their harmonious melodies filled the venue, fostering a reverent and joyous atmosphere that deeply touched the hearts of all in attendance.
The 115th Anniversary Celebration of Sabah Mission was a testament to God’s faithfulness and the enduring spirit of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sabah. It was a time to honor the past, celebrate the present, and commit to the future. As the celebration ended, the message was clear: the mission continues, and with God’s grace, the light of His Word will shine even brighter in Sabah and beyond.
The Beginning of the End
As the celebrations drew to a close, a significant new chapter began with the formal establishment of the Northern Sabah Mission. Church representatives gathered to constitute the new mission and took the initial steps by selecting a nomination committee tasked with identifying leaders for various ministries. This marked the beginning of an exciting journey of service and growth for the church community.
The day concluded with a dinner, providing a heartfelt moment for representatives to share a meal and enjoy meaningful fellowship. The unity and warmth evident during the gathering reflected the deep sense of community within the Sabah Mission—a vital foundation as the mission embarked on this new endeavour of leadership selection.
On Sunday morning, the nomination committee reconvened, energized and ready to undertake the important task of appointing leaders for the newly formed mission. After careful and prayerful deliberation, the committee announced the following appointments:
Adventist Chaplaincy: Pr. Feldinand Sawanai
Communication: Pr. Earie Madius
Publishing: Heljony Morudin
NDR-IEL, Ministerial Secretary, and Health: Pr. Hamir Sigandal
Education, Sabbath School, and Personal Ministries: Octavious Guling
Stewardship: Pr. Juri Rumondok
Women and Children Ministries: Mrs. Linda Lagason
Family and Youth Ministries: Pr. George Ebbie
This milestone event underscored the collective dedication of the church community to advancing its mission. With capable leaders now in place, the Northern Sabah Mission is well-poised to serve with faith, unity, and purpose, bringing light and hope to the region it represents.
To God be the glory, great things He has done!
Reported by Hazel Wanda Ginajil-Gara, MAUM Communication Department
18, December 2024, Wednesday.