A Rewarding Ministerial Journey – An Interview With Rev. David Boey
Interviewer: Ms Annie Yee
Rev. David Boey in the ODB office
1. Tell us about yourself and your call to full-time ministry.
I began attending Cantonese Methodist Church Penang in my mid-20s, and I became actively involved with the Boys’ Brigade (BB) ministry for over one and a half decades before I went into full-time ministry. During my time in that church, I was also involved in sharing, preaching and encouraging other churches in the northern region to start and sponsor BB companies. In 1988, I had the opportunity to serve on board the MV Doulos, ministering in the various ports in Medan, Semarang, Jakarta, Singapore and Cebu. A year later, I was privileged to help on board the Korean MV Hannah ship ministry while docked in Kota Kinabalu. Through active involvement in these mission and church ministries, I sensed God’s calling me into full-time ministry—pursuing theological training first before going into the field as a missionary.
2. What made you decide to answer God’s call to full-time ministry?
At the time, I was in my late 30s, so I had to be certain about my next step towards full-time ministry—which meant resigning from my job. Initially I was worried that, should I not be able to complete my theological studies, I would have difficulty finding employment at my age. I also felt so discouraged when my father was reluctant to give me his blessing to enter full-time ministry as he was concerned about my future. He told me that he would be happy for me to enter into full-time ministry after my retirement—which meant waiting another 17 years at the time. In frustration, I asked God to do the seemingly impossible: to lower the retirement age for government servants from 55 to 40. Surprisingly, a year later, the government announced the option of voluntary retirement at the age of 40. I saw this as confirmation from God that I should pursue full-time ministry, and the rest is history.
3. When did you enrol as a student in STM?
I entered STM in 1993 and graduated in 1996.
4. How has STM shaped you as a person and a Christian leader?
Adjusting to student life after working for over 20 years was a challenge, and a new lifestyle with which I had to cope. I had to re-learn how to stay disciplined and complete my assignments on time, while also reading extensively as required by ALL the lecturers. On weekends, I was sent to a local church for field education. By God’s grace, and with the support of my fellow students and lecturers, I was able to complete my four years of studies despite all the challenges.
I had to be strategic with my time in order to balance my studies, church ministry, assignments, and exams at the end of every semester. These experiences challenged me to be creative and think outside the box in the midst of having to memorise Greek vocabulary (incredibly difficult) in my first year and reading all the lecturer-assigned course materials, while also being involved in the BB ministry at the time.
Due to previous work experience, I was given the opportunity to serve as the librarian in STM during my final two years of studies, while the STM librarian at the time, Ms Voon (now Dr Voon), was away for doctoral studies. This, by God’s grace, was a major accomplishment for me, and I was able to remain in the role until I graduated.
I recall my time at STM fondly, as well as my involvement in some of the behind-the-scenes planning. As I am not a natural leader, I was usually more comfortable in a follower’s role. One new initiative I proposed at STM was to have the student body organise the graduation dinner instead of the faculty, and for the dinner to be held at a hotel. To my surprise, my proposal was accepted and has since become a tradition.
STM has been an incredible asset to me in completing my theological studies and also in providing opportunities to work together with them. The relationships I developed through tutorial sessions, with lecturers and fellow students, have broadened my perspectives and enabled me to gain knowledge that has had a profound impact on my work in pastoral ministry. These lessons I learned have been deeply ingrained in my mind.
5. Please give us a snippet about your family.
Rev David with his wife Julia on his 60th birthday celebration
I was raised in a family of four siblings. My maternal grandmother looked after us while my mother worked as a seamstress from home to contribute to the family’s finances. My dad, a civil servant, put in a lot of effort to take care of our needs, which led to us having a cozy, content and close-knit family life.
After years of serving together as young adults in our home church in Penang… I eventually married Julia when I entered pastoral ministry upon my graduation from STM. By God’s grace, we are both still serving in full-time capacities – I am with Our Daily Bread Ministries, and Julia is an educationist at the Wesley Methodist School in Penang (International).
6. Kindly share briefly your ministerial journey.
Graduation Service in KL Hokkien Chinese Methodist Church
As I was maturing in my faith, the missions ministry was very important to me, and continued to be so during my theological studies, despite a fellow mature student saying that I had the ‘characteristics of a pastor’. At the time, I just laughed it off, but looking back now, could it have been a prophecy?
Upon graduating from theological studies, I was appointed as a trainee preacher at KL Hokkien Chinese Methodist Church for one year before being relocated to Gereja Methodist Subang Jaya (GMSJ). I was stunned and frustrated to be assigned to a church instead of the mission field. However, I have come to understand that God had a plan for me. In the 21 years since then, I have been a mission mobilizer in those two churches, as well as in the three GMSJ preaching points where I ministered. I am grateful that I have been able to influence, equip and send several people to the mission field, and some are still serving as missionaries today.
I am deeply thankful and appreciative of the team of church leaders and church members, especially the young people, who have been by my side and provided me with knowledge and support during my 20 years of service and ministry at GMSJ until my retirement in 2017. I am forever grateful for their guidance and care.
7. What is the most rewarding aspect of your ministry?
I find the most fulfilment in ministry when I observe individuals strengthening their belief in Jesus, establishing strong Christian families, and devoting themselves to serving God, especially in full-time ministry.
8. What are the challenges faced in your ministry?
It is challenging to meet the needs of everyone in pastoral ministry, as people have various expectations and outlooks, which can make it difficult. I am grateful to God for the challenges that I have faced, as they have helped me stay focused on Him, and has strengthened my faith on my spiritual journey.
9. How and why did you get involved with Our Daily Bread Ministries?
ODB Bible Conference at Trinity Methodist Church Kuching
Upon my retirement, Rev Tan Meng Poo, who was then the Country Director of Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB), invited me to join them. During my tenure as a pastor, I often encouraged the congregations to utilise ODB materials as I was confident that ODB’s countless resources, that are readily available in print and through the various social media platforms, would facilitate spiritual growth. I thus accepted Rev Tan’s invitation.
10. Please enlighten us regarding your work with ODB.
In my capacity as Church Ministries Director in ODB, I have been travelling to different churches in both East and West Malaysia to preach and present the ministries of ODB.
ODB is now moving forward to serve and understand our readers’ needs so that we can be even more effective and relevant to them through our 5 journeys from being:
- Transactional to RELATIONAL
- Author-centric to AUDIENCE-CENTRIC
- Producing to ENGAGING
- Older to YOUNGER
- Incremental improvement to SCALED GROWTH
11. Is there any negative experience that has somehow positively shaped your thoughts and life?
The struggles and challenges I have faced have pushed me to think innovatively and find ways to better manage the situation. This has taught me to be more relaxed and have faith in God, and has helped me develop and progress through the years.
12. What thoughts would you like to leave with our readers?
ODB event – the launch of Bishop Emeritus Dr. Robert Solomon’s book The Spiritual Leader at Trinity Methodist Church Petaling Jaya
When I retired, those around me encouraged me to use my newfound free time to go on vacations. Instead, I am finding much more fulfilment in participating in activities like those offered by ODB, that enable people to engage with the Bible, and create joy and purpose in their lives. This brings me more satisfaction than any vacation could. I believe it is wiser to invest in things that have eternal value rather than those that are fleeting.
No matter one’s age, we can still be of service for Jesus. Always keep in mind that Jesus’ final command should be our first concern:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always … (Matthew 28:19-20)
So let us be intentional to faithfully reach out and disciple those around us until the day God calls us home. All glory be to God Almighty!
About The Author
