History of Piasau Baptist Church
Early Years
Baptist work in Miri was established with the coming of Pastor Charles Thurman & Kathie Braugton (missionaries from the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board) in September 1973. The missionary residence was then at No.36 Piasau Garden. Initial outreach work and activities such as Sunday service, Bible study classes, Gospel film shows, youth fellowship and recreation were organized to expose the people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel work bore fruits when several people received Christ. On 26 May 1974 the first Baptismal Service was held for 16 new believers. Miri Baptist Church (MBC) was formally organized on 14 February 1976 with 25 charter members.
On 26 July 1976, the Braughtons had to leave Sarawak. The Church moved to another rented house at No.271, Piasau Garden for its regular activities. The State Government approved an one-acre site at Lot 821, Piasau Garden for the church building. A church building program was quickly initiated with the help of FMB and local funds. Without a pastor, the church leaders shouldered great responsibilities. On 17 April 1977, 3 local leaders were ordained as deacons by FMB missionaries from Kuching. They were Kenneth Ong, Christie Goh and Adeh ak. Tikok.
In July 1977, the Church invited James Khoo Tiang Veng for a month long visit to minister to the Church. James accepted the church’s invitation to become the pastor upon his graduation from Baptist Theological Seminary in November 1977. On 8 January 1978, James Khoo was installed as the new pastor of Miri Baptist Church by Pastor Charles Morris.
Formative Years
The Church began to grow and function smoothly under the guidance and leadership of Pastor Khoo. 1978 and 1979 were years of growth and activities for the Church. Many fruitful events such as decisions for Christ, baptismal services, new members, T.E.E (Theological Education by Extension) courses and outreach programs took place.
Perhaps one of the most exciting events was the start of the construction of the new church building in October 1978. Apart from a grant from Malaysia-Singapore Baptist Mission, building pledges and gifts from the members of the Church made possible the construction of the new church. After much prayer for the smooth construction of the Church, it was finally completed in early October 1979. On 21 October 1979, the first worship service was conducted in the new Miri Baptist Building. On 25 November 1979, the first Baptismal and Lord’s Supper Service was held in the new building. 3 candidates were baptized. On 6 January 1980, a Dedication Service of the new building was held jointly with the Ordination Service of Pastor James Khoo.
On 27 August 1982 the Sarawak Government officially approved the registration of Sarawak Baptist Church (SBC) as the umbrella body for all Baptist churches in the State. Miri Baptist Church became officially known as Piasau Baptist Branch (PBC) of SBC.
In 1982, PBC reached out to Bintulu through the efforts of Pastor Khoo and Jasbir Singh. Calvary Baptist Branch, pastored by Jasbir, was formed registered in October 1986. PBC related to a small ministry in Limbang, but stopped the work there in 1992.
Pastor Khoo also started the Iban ministry work in the Lutong and Pujut Corner squatter areas. Chengkie ak. Ambau and Mary Thambie ak. Kalu were encouraged to come forward to serve full-time. Dr. Jeffrey Oh Siew Tee took early retirement to go for Theological Training in New Zealand. He now serves as a lecturer cum missionary-doctor in Baptist Theological Seminary, Penang. On 30 October 1993, after nearly 16 years of pastoring PBC, Pastor Khoo and family left Miri for Kota Kinabalu. PBC was once again without a pastor.
Matured Years
Without a pastor to shepherd the flock, PBC sailed through many years of tough waters. However by the grace and strength of our Lord Jesus Christ, the leaders and members have stood together in the Lord’s work.
In July 1996, Lutong Baptist Chapel, mentored by PBC, officially became Lutong Baptist Branch. Wilson Tawie ak Ayu served as their first pastor from 8 November 1993 to 31 March 1997, and followed by Chengkie ak. Ambau. From Lutong Baptist Church springs Pujut Baptist Branch, registered in March 2001. Daniel ak. Kion from the Iban Ministry became one of the pioneer Home Mission Board missionaries in the Sri Aman District. In November 1998, Taman Tunku Chapel (Iban-speaking) was established with the appointment of Mary Thambie ak. Kalu as Church Missionary, who served from 1 November 1998 until 6 October 2002. In 1999, 8 new believers from Taman Tunku were baptized.
For a brief interlude, Pastor Yee Ting Kong served PBC as pastor from 1 January 1999 to 28 February 2000. Started in 1979, the Chinese (Mandarin/Hokkien) Ministry was re-launched on 28 February 1999. Worship Services were held every Saturday at the 1st Floor of Pujut 7 Shoplot. Later for the convenience of the elderly, it was moved to PBC main building. The first baptismal service was held on 15 April 2001 with 6 new believers. The Mandarin congregation currently worships on Sunday afternoon.
On 1 July 2003, Lim Thien Leong began his tenure as “Kingdom Service Worker” and continued to serve as pastor to-date.
New Direction
Apart from the Wednesday evenings’ prayer meet, an additional Monday Morning Prayer meet started in October 1999 but in January 2007 changed to Friday Morning. Through these times of prayer, the Lord gracefully imparts fresh spiritual visions, encouragement, admonitions and challenges for the church.
In 2006, a core group of 4 families left to start Trinity Baptist Chapel, which was later officially registered as a Trinity Baptist Branch in 2009.
In 2006, PBC leaders gathered for the first Cell Leaders Retreat. Under the guidance of Pastor Lai Moo Him (of Canning Garden Baptist Church, Ipoh), the leaders re-cast a new vision for PBC to begin the transformation journey to become a Cell Church. In 2007, the Curtin Ministry was launched to reach out to the Curtin University students in the new Senadin township, with the vision that one day, we might establish a University Baptist Church in that area.
In 2008, the vision to build a new sanctuary was birthed in a Day of Prayer on 21st June, 2008. This building project, called "Rebuilding The Lord's House" commenced with conceptual design in 2009. In 2011, PBC launched "FaithWorks" to work out our vision of touching our community through community service. Also in 2011, PBC released the Iban ministry at Taman Tunku Baptist Chapel to Lutong Baptist Church.
With Jesus Christ as our Chief Shepherd, PBC has launched into “the deep of faith and obedience” to fulfill the Lord’s great Commission, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15).
Praise be to God and to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, from whom “the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:12). |