For the very first time in this region, the Malaysia Union Mission Health Ministries organized a Regeneration and Recovery Training program from May 3 to 5. With 16 participants, including pastors, pastor’s wives, church leaders, mission health directors, school principals, and teachers, the hand-picked leaders came from Sabah, Sarawak, Peninsula and Borneo Attach Field (BAF). The training aimed to develop an understanding attitude on the true meaning of addiction and addictive personality while establishing a support group or network for people in the church and community suffering from addictions.
Led by Dr. Jocelyn G. Gayares, Psychiatric Missionary to Nepal, Dr. Lalaine Alfanoso, Health Director of the Southern Asia Pacific Division (SSD) and Dr. Jane Yap, MAUM Health Director, the trio presented interactive lectures on the concept of Adventist Regeneration and Recovery Ministry (ARMin). On the first day, Dr. Gayares presented 2 session: The Root Causes of Addictions and Risk Factors of Addiction and on the second day: The Evolution of Family Dysfunction, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
During her presentation, Dr. Gayares stated, “Our children are the total of everything we put into their lives. A child will take your example, not your advice.” So, simply speaking and instructing children while ignoring what parents do in their lives may not be effective parenting. Dr. Jane later backed this point in her presentation, saying, “The effect of family collapse is especially devastating on children who suffer from severe anxiety and uncertainty. Children who lack companionship at home will seek it elsewhere.”
The program also included a field tour to Rumah Victory, a Christian rehabilitation centre in Semenyih, where participants learnt about the center’s offerings. The facility was founded in 1988 to assist addicts in their rehabilitation and recovery while also strengthening their confidence in the goal of becoming someone who can contribute to the nation and society. The rehabilitation program focuses on the repair of life, family, and societal values. The attendees had the opportunity to attend a program on the 12 Steps to Recovery and Journey to Wholeness there.
This is an area in ministry that is still in much need of training, and our church has yet to establish a specific ministry for it in our organization. As a result, the Adventist Possibility Ministries has therefore taken the responsibility of exploring the rehabilitation ministry with the hopes of forming a proper advocacy.
Reported by Jiayi Gan and Hazel Wanda Ginajil-Gara, MAUM Communication Department
16, May 2024, Thursday.