A total of 46 missionaries and leaders across the Malaysia Union Mission (MAUM) gathered for the MAUM Adventist Mission Training 2026, held from February 11–14 at Li Hua Hotel, Bintulu Central Bus Terminal. With a total attendance of 52, including speakers and guests, the four-day training marked a significant step forward in strengthening Adventist Mission (AM) initiatives across Malaysia and the Borneo region.
Unlike other church departments, Adventist Mission is an office that serves as the umbrella for Global Mission, Interfaith Services (including Adventist Muslim Relations, AMR), Mission Refocus, Mission Awareness, and Adventist Volunteer Service. Under the care of the Secretariat, MAUM’s Adventist Mission Office is led by Pr. Justin Ginsud, with supervision by MAUM Executive Secretary, Pr. Nelson Bendah. As Malaysia has been identified by the General Conference as a Muslim-priority Union, the need for strong AMR outreach remains both urgent and strategic.
The training was designed to equip two groups: Administrators and Global Mission Pioneers (GMPs). Seventeen administrators were trained in initiating and planning mission projects, submitting proposals, and preparing funding applications, including Global Mission and Urban Centre of Influence (UCI) projects. Twenty-seven GMPs and two Mission Refocus missionaries were equipped in frontline outreach, particularly in AMR and Health Outreach. Many of these missionaries serve in challenging areas among unreached people groups, including Pulau Banggi and other parts of BAR.
Participants represented various fields: 3 from PEM, 7 from SAB, 10 from NSM, 20 from SAK, 3 from BAR, and 3 from MAUM. Meanwhile, the training featured distinguished resource speakers: Pr. Joni Oliveira and Madam Jane Fajut for Adventist Mission training, Pr. Abner Dizon for AMR outreach, and Dr. Lhalaine Alfanoso for Health Outreach.
The first day introduced participants to the Mission Priority System (MPS), an online database for proposal submission, funding requests, reporting, and real-time monitoring of Global Mission projects from the Mission level to the General Conference. The group also learned the Global Mission song, which became the program’s theme song, a first for both SSD and MAUM.
On the second day, participants were divided into breakout sessions. Administrators remained in the Bakun Room to study UCI models, tentmaking methods, and funding processes, while GMPs attended AMR and Health Outreach sessions in the Baram Room. The day culminated in an intensive group activity where participants created mock Global Mission projects using MPS. Some discussions were so practical and promising that leaders began considering bringing selected projects to their respective AdComs for voting. The long yet productive day ended with both learning and laughter.
The final day continued breakout sessions and concluded with a vesper service. Appreciation remarks were delivered by Pr. Nelson Bendah, while Pr. Joni Oliveira shared a commitment message, calling participants to remain faithful in the difficult but rewarding work of reaching the unreached.
On Sabbath, February 14, participants worshipped at Bintulu Seventh-day Adventist Church before visiting Rumah Jarau longhouse in the afternoon. The 22-door modern longhouse, located nearly an hour from Bintulu town, is a high-impact Global Mission project led by GMP Elder Nyuak Kubon and his wife, Madam Mapma Merasa, previously supervised by Pr. Ostine Tayo and currently by Pr. Willie Rojo.
A convoy of 11 cars and two vans made the journey. Though not yet 100 percent Adventist, the ‘tuai rumah’ (head of the long house) has openly accepted the Adventist faith. Worship was conducted in the Iban language, with song service led by the Bintulu Church Youth and a message by Pr. Joggery Gelu. Fellowship followed, including children’s games led by GMP Cherlyn Sikin. Pr. Nelson Bendah offered the opening prayer, while Pr. Semilee Tajau and Pr. Brian Scott led the closing prayer.
The team distributed 22 grocery sets as tokens of appreciation, each containing cooking oil, Milo, biscuits, an Iban Praise and Worship book, and a Bahasa Malaysia health book. The visit brought joy to the residents, especially the children, and served as an eye-opener for GMPs from other regions.
Though the Rumah Jarau project is no longer active on MPS, the missionary work continues faithfully through the dedication of Elder Nyuak and Mdm Mapma.
This training was the second MAUM-wide Adventist Mission training, but the first conducted outside MAUM territory with such a large number of participants, exceeding expectations. Bintulu was chosen strategically as a midpoint between major cities of Sabah and Sarawak to ensure accessibility, especially for GMPs serving in remote areas. Notably, BAR now has three Mission Refocus missionaries — the first in MAUM history — two of whom attended the training.
As participants returned to their respective mission fields, they carried with them renewed clarity, strengthened skills, and a united commitment to reach the unreached — until every community has had the opportunity to encounter Christ.
Report source: Charlene Gracie Den, MAUM Adventist Mission
Photo taken by Sarawak Media Team
Written by Hazel Wanda Ginajil-Gara
3, March 2025, Tuesday.