BEM Senadin enhances its outreach programme
MIRI: Borneo Evangelical Mission ( BEM) Senadin is enhancing its outreach programmes to the target group this year to complement efforts by the authorities to build a community that is spiritually and economically- strong.
Its founder and chairman Andrew Mering Jau said they had started the programmes on ad hoc basis since the church was set up in June, 2007, under its spiritual, economic and social ministries, to the people here, especially the residents of Tudan resettlement scheme.
On the spiritual side, we want to find out which families do not attend any local church and which families do. Andrew Mering Jau, BEM founder and chairman
Andrew said starting last month they would be visiting 20- 30 poor families each month, in particular families in Tudan resettlement scheme, with two main objectives – to satisfy their spiritual and economic needs.
“On the spiritual side, we want to find out which families do not attend any local church and which families do.
“For families that never attend any church service, we encourage them to join our services with transport provided. For families belonging to other churches, we advise them to attend their church services regularly,” Andrew said when contacted yesterday.
As for their economic and social needs. Andrew said they would find out the families’ urgent needs, especially their children’s educational need and achievements.
“Where possible, we will help them to channel their request to the relevant authorities here, including our political leaders.”
The church is committed to become an active partner with anyone or institution to help the local people spiritually and economically strong, he added.
The church also does community welfare services with the most recent one on May 20 – to distribute love gifts during the Gawai Dayak celebration. Borneo Evangelical Mission ( BEM) Senadin has some 400 members.