On June 15, 2024, the Central Campus of the Christian Evangelical Reformed Church (CERC) hosted a graduation ceremony for two Church Minister’s Apprentices (CMA), marking their transition to seminary training. Woo Kae Sheng and Winnie Lai, having completed their apprenticeships, will further their theological education at Moore Theological College and Westminster Theological Seminary, respectively.
The evening began with guests mingling over appetizers and capturing moments with the soon-to-be seminarians. Emcee Jay Lyn highlighted the CMA program’s legacy, tracing its roots back to CERC’s founder, Pr Robin Gan, who himself trained under Reverend Phillip Jensen at Moore. Since its inception, the program has mentored 28 apprentices over 16 years, and 6 graduates who are sent for further theological training.
Graduates of the program have also caught the attention of overseas senior ministers. In a recording screened to the audience, Rev. Dr. David Garner, Chief Academic Officer of Westminster Theological Seminary, expressed enthusiasm about the seminary’s relationship with CERC, and “to have Winnie come and begin her studies. We delight in that international flavor and deepening of relationship with the Malaysian church, as we seek to advance the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to the nations.”
Kae Sheng and Winnie being interviewed.
Winnie, 31, recalled her teenage conversion when she struggled to grasp the significance of Jesus’ death until a pivotal sermon at White Water Summer Camp.
However, her experience at White Water Summer Camp showed that her life was not hers to live. “Only at that point in time did I realise how small I was. In the river I’m not in control of even little things like moving to the left or moving to the right. And that night, when Jerome was preaching on Mark 8, that was the turning point. I’m going to take my life seriously and follow Jesus.” She left behind a lucrative job opportunity in Dubai to pursue ministry, explaining how as a child, she wasn’t taught the gospel with the few opportunities she had to go to church. “I really want people to actually hear the Gospel, and that has always been my dream and inspiration even during my working life. That’s why I let go of that.”
An early photo of Winnie and Vanessa, who was her camp tribal leader.
Kae Sheng, 32, was converted through a sermon on Luke which convicted him that to follow Jesus meant giving up everything else. “I came from a Buddhist background, and becoming Christian was the logical thing to do because I’m a sinful man. But it doesn’t make sense if I want to have a comfortable life and serve Jesus at the same time. In Chinese, it’s like you ‘一脚踏两船’ (Mandarin for two-timing)”. Recognizing the urgent need for pastors, particularly in Malaysia’s Chinese churches, he wrestled with a desire for a high-paying job before committing to pastoral work. “I was not willing to do it, but God showed me we need to take this gospel seriously, so I’m very thankful to CERC for showing me what it really means to follow Jesus, and that’s when my conviction became more clarified over the years.”
Pr Robin addressing the audience.
Acknowledging God’s superintending hand in bringing Winnie and Kae Sheng this far, Pr Robin encouraged the audience to support the two graduates, given that the next 4 years of seminary will be tough.
Drawing from his own seminary experience of financial hardship, the core of his message was the conviction that the gospel is a precious treasure, and hoped that the audience would not only believe in this gospel, but be zealous for it with a burning passion.
Given that the gospel demands careful study and accurate teaching, and the critical nature of the Malaysian church, he said the call to give “is not about money. It’s—do you actually believe in the gospel?”
He emphasized that supporting theological education is an investment in the future of the church, explaining that the strength of the church lies in well-trained pastors who accurately teach Scripture, and that ministry training, like any professional discipline, requires deep study and commitment, particularly in the context of biblical languages and complex theological concepts.
He also called upon the responsibility of the church, “the nature of ministry is that God has designed pastors to survive, to thrive, through the church He created. They must reap what God has sown through them.”
“They’ve worked long and hard for 3 years, and are men and women who will make it worth your while to support them.” During their apprenticeships, both graduates contributed significantly to the work of ministry.
Winnie:
150 hours of preaching
120 hours of 1on1
18 hours a week for 3 years – Study and Ministry Training
7 age groups and syllabus for all age groups in Sunday School
GGF Elective on Buddhism, Charismaticism, Humanism
ICW Vice Chairperson (Marketing, PH, Bookstore)
CCD: Brand Management, Studying Smart in Uni
CF Hacks: Secretary, Data Analysis
WWSC Tribal Leading (Chinese tribe), Head of Sales & Marketing, Head of Christian Care, Director, Business Management
Winnie, 4th from right, with family and fellow church members.
Kae Sheng, middle, with supporters.
Kae Sheng said “I really think one biggest lesson anyone can learn from CMA is that it’s really about people. I think some of us in CMA came in and thought it was about reading all my Bible, fulfilling all my duties, ticking all my boxes – I learnt that it’s not true. Not only do you have to love people, but you actually need to know people in a way that can minister to them effectively.”
Winnie said, “back then when I was working, I could just ‘goreng’ up things to say. But when it comes to preaching, it’s a whole different thing; because I’m no longer representing myself anymore. I’m representing God here. Which is all the more why I want to go to seminary to be trained to handle the whole counsel of God.”
The ceremony ended with words of thanks from the two graduates, and a closing prayer that His sheep may be equipped for the building of God’s kingdom.
Cookies stamped with the words ‘Sola Scriptura’, serving as an encouragement and reminder to financially support the work of the labourers.
