The Adventist Church in Sabah hosted “The Grace of Aging” program on the 12th of April 2025. Around 70 participants from across Malaysia—both onsite at Manggatal Seventh-day Adventist Church, Sabah, and virtually via Zoom— joined in for an inspiring and educational afternoon. Sabah Adventist Possibility Ministries Coordinator also Health Director, Madam Doreen Lim said, “The hybrid event aimed to encourage and equip attendees with knowledge and inspiration to age gracefully and support others in the aging process.”
The event began around 2:30 PM with a warm welcome by the MAUM Director of Health & Adventist Possibility Ministries, Dr. Jane Yap, who set the tone by highlighting the importance of addressing the needs and experiences of Malaysia’s growing aging population. She emphasized that the program sought to inform, motivate, and foster open discussions around issues concerning aging, particularly focusing on physical and cognitive decline.
Dr. Jane also gave a brief recap of the previous session held in Kuching, which featured Dr. Veronica Lugah, Health Director for Sarawak, who spoke on cognitive decline, particularly dementia and Alzheimer’s. The current session continued this momentum by tackling the prevention of physical decline, focusing on Parkinson’s disease and osteoporosis.
The event featured Dr. Sheila Miriam Mujin, a Public Health Medicine Physician and Epidemiology Officer from Kota Marudu, who delivered a powerful and practical talk on preventing physical decline. Her presentation offered insights into lifestyle practices and early interventions that help prevent diseases like Parkinson’s and osteoporosis. With her strong background in public health and extensive involvement in outreach initiatives, Dr. Sheila brought both scientific knowledge and a compassionate perspective to the discussion.
Following her session, certified physiotherapist and personal fitness trainer Mr. Louis Yeoh Kha Wei shared an interesting and practical session via Zoom. Transitioning from a career in engineering to a passion for physical fitness, Mr. Louis shared simple mobility routines and emphasized the importance of regular physical activity, especially among the elderly.
Towards the end of the program, a lively Question and Answer session took place, providing both onsite and online participants the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers. The audience posed questions revealing a keen interest in practical strategies to help aging individuals maintain their mobility and independence. Adding a fun and interactive element to the program, the Malaysia Union Mission Media Team conducted an engaging brain teaser segment, where small tokens were awarded to top performers, sparking excitement and friendly competition among attendees, bringing the program to a close.
“The Grace of Aging” program proved to be an enlightening and uplifting experience, resonating with the senior citizens. It successfully brought together experts, caregivers, and community members to explore ways to age gracefully and support one another through the journey of aging. Participants expressed appreciation, saying, “It was a good eye-opener, and we are blessed to be here.”
The event exemplified a spirit of compassion, learning, and shared purpose. In her closing remarks, Dr. Jane Yap announced an upcoming retreat camp for seniors, hosted by the Adventist Church of Peninsular Malaysia. She called for the Adventist Church in Sabah to plan for a similar event.
Reported by Hazel Wanda Ginajil-Gara, MAUM Communication Department
25, April 2025, Friday.