For close to 20 years, The Alpha Omega International College Malaysia has been training and equipping Kingdom ministers for the churches and missions field in Malaysia. In a recent graduation ceremony, the college celebrated its most recent batch of graduates.
A Brief History of AOIC Thus Far
Over thirty years ago, the Theological Centre for Asia (TCA) in Singapore, began as a vision of Rev. Dr. Naomi Dowdy, former Senior Pastor of Trinity Christian Centre and present Chancellor of TCA College, Singapore for the purpose of providing ministerial training at the Bachelor of Theology degree level and above in order to promote the Gospel message, to prepare and equip leaders for churches and the Christian community.
In September 1998 a regional school, TCA (Malaysia) was officially launched under the leadership and inspiration of both the late Rev. Derek Tan, founder President of TCA and Rev. Henry K Pillai, Senior Pastor of Grace Assembly, PJ and Klang, and also the current Chancellor of AOIC.[1]
After the passing of Rev. Derek Tan, the college had a transitional period with Rev. Dr. Wilson Teo as the President (2006), and then Rev. Dr. Teresa Chai as President from 2007 till 2012. Rev. Simon Cheong became the 4th President in 2012 and Rev. Dr. Lim Siew Pik took over as the 5th President from 2015 to present.
In 2007, TCA College (Malaysia) became Alpha Omega International College (AOIC), in a move to have its own unique identity and ethos, reflecting the maturity and independent status that the Malaysian college has attained to this point of its growth.
The first graduation exercise was held in December 2000 with three graduates. To date, AOIC has about 300 graduates faithfully serving the Lord in the local church as well as internationally. In the year 2002 to 2003, AOIC started the Chinese and Tamil departments.
Subsequently, in the years between 2003 to 2006, four extension centers were started in various places. Another innovative program for the BA and MA levels was the Pastoral Counseling program, launched in 2007, in response to a need for trained counselors. The first batch of the pastoral counselling program students graduated in 2010.
In 2010, AOIC’s campus moved to the present site in Plaza Mayang. Next year, the institution will be celebrating her 20th Anniversary of equipping Christian believers in the work of the Kingdom.
The 2017 Graduation Ceremony
This year 17 graduates from the English, Chinese, Counselling, and Tamil departments were released by AOIC into the local Body of Christ. Dr Stefan Sos shared a message of exhortation, taken from the text of 2 Timothy 4:1-8. The charge was given to preach the word of God, to be ready in and out of season, with complete patience and teaching, to be always sober-minded and to endure for the sake of the Gospel.
This charge is solemn, singular, and specific. It is given in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, and it is taken up individually by every servant of God. It specifically stresses the importance of the servant’s actions (to reprove, rebuke, exhort), attitudes (to endure with complete patience), and ammunition (the teaching of the word of God).
For the days are coming when there will be a great falling out in the Church of Christ. Many believers would fall by the wayside, drifting away to dreadful substitutes. There will be a great straying and a stubborning of the hearts against sound teaching. In a time like this, it is crucial for every servant of God to persevere and be steadfast, maintain constant urgency, refusing a premature exit, bringing in full measure the ministry each has been called to.
Dr Stefan urged the graduands to always remember their full accountability, to fight the good fight just as Paul did, and to never forget the goal towards the crown of righteousness.
2 Timothy 4:6-8New International Version (NIV)
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Faculty members and visiting lecturers then joined Dr Stefan Sos in the prayer of dedication for the graduands in an uplifting time. The conferring of the degrees that followed was an exciting moment for the graduands, as each one came forward, dressed in their regalia, to receive their certificates, diplomas and degrees. Parents, relatives and parents were there to celebrate the occasion with them.
Various graduands gave their responses regarding their experience at the college. Nicky Ling from the English Department shared that since he preaches every week, he applies in real time every week the things that he learn in the classroom. This has been every useful as its relevance is tested regularly in his work with young people as well as the prayer groups that he is involved in. Some other responses were from:
Chinese Department – Wendy Heng – Lecturers encouraged open sharing and were receptive to students’ insights. My time in AOIC also helped me to equip myself to be the kind of example I need to be for young people with whom I am working.
Tamil Deparment – Esther Thomas – Her studies at AOIC have helped her to read and understand God’s Word in greater depth as well as interpret it more accurately and apply it in a more relevant way.
Counselling Studies – Tang Poi Pooi – My studies have helped me realize how important it is for me to understand myself as I seek to understand those I would counsel. I am now more prepared to stand with my pastor-husband in the ministry, especially counselling.
The commissioning charge was then given by Rev Nancy Ong. She exhorted the graduands to put into practise all that they had learned and to be guided and used by the Holy Spirit as His vessels to bring about transformation in people’s lives.
AOIC rewards students every year by conferring awards for achievements in various fields. These are the faculty award, James Allen award, Missiology award (given by InterServe Malaysia) and the Alumni/Derek Tan Memorial award. Recipients were only announced at the time of receipt of the award. A celebratory dinner was given to the graduates at the Commonwealth House a week before the graduation ceremony to celebrate their growth and success.
The graduation celebration closed with the chancellor, board of directors, faculty and staff of AOIC commending all graduates to the Lord Jesus Christ as they continue to serve Him wherever He has placed them.
To find out more about the courses offer at the Alpha Omega International College, you may visit their page at http://www.aoic.org.my/
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Jason Law
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