My Perspective: Community Living in STM

My Perspective: Community Living in STM
Raymond Law Jia Wei (First Year MDiv Student)

“Aiya, don’t go lah. Since everything is online, might as well stay at home and study.” “Don’t need to go lah, over there (West Malaysia) is very dangerous, the virus (COVID-19) is everywhere.” “Are you sure you really want to go?” These are some comments I received prior to enrolling in STM from friends, family, and church members. To be honest, I was on the fence about whether I wanted to come to STM for my studies. I was afraid and unsure of my fit in seminary life, as this is my first-time leaving Sarawak to further my studies. I completed my degree at Swinburne University in Kuching a year prior and knew that I needed to respond to God’s calling and now was the time to do so. With the encouragement of my senior pastor, who is now the Bishop of SCAC, and several church members, I came to the STM campus and fulfil my calling.
It was January 3rd, 2021, and I was flying from Kuching to KLIA2. Before boarding the plane, I wept uncontrollably as I said my goodbyes to my family, knowing that this marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I took the 3 p.m. flight, which was repeatedly cancelled and rescheduled. The flight was crowded, and I was fearful of contracting the virus. Nevertheless, praise God, I arrived safely at KLIA2 and intended to take a bus to Seremban from there. It took me an entire day to travel to STM, and by the time I arrived on campus at 10.30pm, it was already 12pm, and I hadn’t even had dinner yet. It was an incredibly hectic and memorable day.

The first week at STM was frantic, to say the least. We were invited to take part in countless Zoom meetings, introducing various courses and worship services. We were required to take some entry-level exams to determine whether certain courses are required. Not only that, I knew no one on campus and it took me a while to adjust and make friends, owing to cultural differences and my intrinsic introversion. I thought to myself, if this is seminary life, I’m in for a treat. I also told myself that I needed to finish these three years and return to Sarawak immediately.

That thought has gradually faded away as I meet more STM students and get to know them better. I got to hear their stories and how they came to be God’s ministers. I was genuinely encouraged by their testimony and amazed at how God was working in the lives of others. Additionally, I could experience the love and warmth of all my STM friends. I still recall the time I broke my ankle during a basketball session. I recall being unable to walk for several days due to the pain being truly overwhelming. Some brothers from the dormitory were aware of this and offered me help and support by sending me to a doctor and offering me an ankle guard to protect my legs from further harm. I was taken aback and comforted, as I had not previously experienced this level of warmth and concern outside of my family. In other words, these brothers in Christ with whom I am living demonstrated that “blood is thicker than water” because truly we are one in Christ’s family.

Even though there are fewer people in the dorms now, particularly during this pandemic season, I continue to experience community life with my STM brothers and sisters. We will look out for one another and do our best to assist one another if there are any needs. For instance, there was this one time when the battery in one of our friends’ car died. We were able to get 6 to 7 people to come down to tend to her needs with just a message on WhatsApp. Additionally, I recalled a time when we could get everyone to cook and share food together, much like the early church did when they met and fellowshipped in a household. We are, in some way, truly living like the early church. There are also numerous stories and incidents in STM that can be used as sermon illustrations and testimonies to the lost. All of these are the perks of community living. If this is not community living, I’m not sure what is.

Looking back over the last few months, I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge and experience. I’m glad I took that leap of faith to travel across the South China Sea to continue my MDiv studies at STM, Seremban. I’ve made friends who, I believe, will stick with me for the rest of my years. If you were to ask me if I am still attempting to survive STM? My response will be that I am now attempting to experience STM rather than merely survive. I believe that three years is insufficient at the moment, and I will cherish every moment I have in STM. These three years will be one of the highlights of my life, moulding me into the person God desires. Thus, what are you awaiting? If you plan to return, please book your flight, or bus ticket and simply return to STM to experience genuine community living. And for those contemplating whether or not to join STM? The response will be simple: come as you are, as STM is the place to be. Glory to God.