16th Gempuru Besai- Kuching

19 Dec 2013 by Donna Uning CM –

 

Setting the stage for the largest Gempuru Besai to date, the 16^th annual gathering of Iban Christians on December 12-15, 2013 at the Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching, brought in thousands from all over the state, Sabah, West Malaysia, as well as overseas to the city.

With the festive and prophetic opening night on Thursday, thousands claimed their inheritance as they proclaimed God’s promise from Numbers 33:53, “Conquer and Possess.”

 

 

“His desire is to see us believers live in one body, under one head, and in one Kingdom, under one King,” said Chairman Ps Greman Ujang Slat in his opening message taken from John 17.

“We are brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,” he said telling “God wants to see us grow and move forward to do His work.”  

“Together we conquer and possess!” he continued, asking, “What do we possess?” “Whatever God has promised, don’t give up! Rise up in Jesus!”

“Family, I welcome you in the name of the Lord. Together we conquer and possess,” he said. “To echo the Word of Jesus, let there be one as you and I are one,” he added. He also said that no matter what denomination we’re under, “His desire is for us to be one body, under one Head, one Kingdom and under one King.”

 

 

“In the 16^th Gempuru Besai, regardless of where we come from, we are one, united together with the love of Christ that binds us together,” he echoed. Together, we need to align ourselves to Him according to His leadership, and together, we claim our rightful place. “Conquer and possess what the Lord has promised us.”

“Do not grow weak, weary or give up. Let us arise with His strength and courage!” he said. “Thank you for being here and together we make a difference!”

As the shofar was blown, representatives from churches marched around the ‘wall’ with colorful flags with singing, music and dancing. A troop from Mongolia also marched with the team with their drums and flags. This was followed by prophetic act of breaking down the wall, set on stage, to declare the breaking of bondages of the people. The people declare they have been set free as they rejoiced, with the shofars blown and shouts of joy.

 

 

The event saw Christians from various Gempuru Besai zones including Kuching-Samarahan, Sri Aman-Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. Christians from all over the world joined the gathering including Australia, China, Mongolia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Canada, and Singapore.

Speakers for the four-day gathering were Ps Dr David Demian from Canada, Ps Jerome Ocampo from the Philippines, Ps Dr Chew Weng Chee from SIBKL, and Bishop Hwa Yung from Methodist Church Malaysia. The Gempuru Besai was conducted mostly in Bahasa Iban with English translation.