In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN) celebrated the many blessed years of God’s faithfulness during the 13th Session of the Nepal Annual Meeting. It demonstrated the resilience and perseverance of the Nepali people—that in adversity, they have found time and purpose to focus on the goodness, grace and love of our heavenly Father. The meeting was held on 4 Oct 2021 and presided over by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong.
The pandemic has brought out the best in our MCN leaders and believers. They are now leveraging on digital platforms to ensure ministry continuity while waiting for the opportunity when worship services and meetings can be conducted physically in a safe manner. Platforms such as Zoom and Facebook have brought them together to worship and conduct ministry events. They are adapting well to this new norm, undaunted by the need to optimise their personal devices for worship and ever willing to enthusiastically embrace this new experience. As a result, this is the second year that the Annual Meeting has been successfully conducted via Zoom.
The 13th Session of the Annual Meeting was attended by pastors, leaders and delegates from MCN’s seven churches, five preaching points and eight outreach points. The Singapore participants included: Bishop Dr Gordon Wong, the Presiding Bishop of MCN; Rev Derrick Lau, the Mission Superintendent; and Noel Tam, MMS Area Director for Nepal. MCN was also privileged to have in attendance Mr Issac Asirvathum and friends from our partner church, Living Waters Methodist Church. The highlight of the Annual Meeting was the ordination of Rev Pradip Kumar Limbu as an Elder Elect and Ps Dil Kumar Magar as a Deacon Elect. Two pastors were appointed as Members-On-Trial and 21 were provided with the Local Preachers Licence.
As the reports were presented, it was evident that God has been working in MCN during such a challenging time. The completion of three new church building projects is a testimony to God’s provision. The training and equipping of leaders are on track with 13 members now attending theological courses. MCN has been actively serving the community through the COVID-19 Crisis Relief initiative with 372 families receiving food and other essential aid. For all these, we give thanks to God.
The exhortation by Bishop Dr Gordon Wong based on Romans 8:22–28 was a timely reminder and encouragement to all of us. Bishop Dr Wong shared that Creation groans (v. 22), we groan (v. 23) and the Spirit groans (v. 26). In the midst of our groans, we have hope (v. 24), And finally, God works with us to create good out of the many bad things that make our world groan (v. 28). Our MCN leaders and members are reminded once again that our hope is in God and working with Him, we can and will bring good to those in need in our community.
The 13th Session of the Nepal Annual Meeting may have adjourned, but the ministry continues with greater fervour and commitment, knowing and believing that our God is faithful and loves each one of us. I share this wonderful promise of God to our brothers and sisters in MCN: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11 NIV)
Joe Ling is our affiliate missionary serving in Nepal. He is from the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference and has been with MMS since February 2019. / Photos courtesy of Joe Ling