The Principal’s Message ——Grasping A Vision

Two weeks after taking office as STM Principal, I was asked to write about my vision for STM.  With the valuable lessons from God within the short two weeks, and encouraged by the support of the STM team, I reached out to grasp the following vision:

That STM will become a place where members of its community—faculty, staff, students—will grow towards spiritual maturity, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:12-13; Heb. 6:1).

That STM will become an effective institution of collaboration, where the member-churches work closely together through the consultative partnership framework of the Council towards the proper training and equipping of Christian leaders and full-time workers (1 Cor. 12:12-13; John 17:20-23).

That STM will become an exemplary fellowship of Christian love, humility, kindness, and forgiveness for the whole STM community, such that the STM community, in turn, would be a blessing to the general Christian community, churches, society, and nation (Acts 2:42-47; Php. 2:1-8; 2 Pet. 2:13-17).

That STM will become a centre of academic and ministerial excellence, and consultation in the fields of biblical studies, discourse in theology,  religions and society, and practical and pastoral ministry—in Malaysia, Asia, and the world at large—through its programmes of study at various levels and the works of its centres of specialized ministries, such as the Centre for Bible Engagement, the Centre for Missions and Evangelism, the Centre for Christian Spirituality, and the Centre for Religions and Society (Dan. 1:17;  Acts 17:11;  1 Pet. 3:15).

May God’s Word become the firm foundation of everything that is done here; may God’s favour rest on all who serve Him here, preparing generation after generation of knowledgeable and faithful faculty, led by a chief steward equipped by His choice; may God’s voice be heard by all the members who govern this institution that He has set apart distinctively for His purpose, and may God’s glory shine forth from this place to displace all darkness in the surrounding region and beyond.

On the day of His return, may all who could call themselves a part of STM community stand tall, proud and joyous to receive our Saviour and King, and serve Him to eternity.