Kuala Terengganu, My Beloved Second Home – Pastor Stephen Chan

 

Pastor Stephen Chan, a happy-go-lucky Anglican priest, was obedient to his bishop to transfer from his Sunway Damansara Anglican church to Kuala Terengganu.

From a 300-strong church with a full-blown five-service-ministry and an army of ministers, he took the bold and humbling step of building a church from scratch in Kuala Terengganu.

“The first impression I got was that I dibuang negeri (thrown out of state),” said the jovial Pastor Stephen when he found out about his transfer. “But as an Anglican priest, we should obey the bishop’s order. So, I packed my bag and go.”

 

 

Besides the change of only ministering to students, he had to also adapt to a new and slower lifestyle in Kuala Terengganu.

“For the first six months, I had depression because there was nothing to do. I just slept on the sofa, went to the toilet, and then sit at the sofa again. Life was so boring,” he said for the drastic change in lifestyle pace.

Due to his depression and appetite lost, he began to lose weight. He felt tired and sleepy most of the time until he stumbled upon his passion in gardening. Since then, he began to grow in his strength physically and mentally.

 

 

“Through gardening, I slowly threw away all my history and the busyness I had in Sunway Damansara. I began to concentrate on my ministries in Kuala Terengganu,” he said, shifting his focus on the future rather than the past.

 

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

(Isaiah 43:18-19)

 

 

The doors of the campus slowly opened to him, as he began to work with the students to hold Bible studies. And unlike his former ministry, his church was predominantly made out of students.

“It was difficult because my church is mainly a student ministry from all over the world. And sometimes, in the middle of the night, they would call us. Some fell sick and some cried over the phone because they felt homesick.

“My wife and I would rush there together to comfort them and be with them. Sometimes, we would even bring them into my house. Those were the hard times,” he recalled.

But looking back at the labor, the fruit was far more satisfying. His students grew to become leaders and shepherds of others. From not knowing much, they grew to know how to pray, study the Bible, and take care of others upon their graduation.

 

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

 

 

Unlike his former church as well, he also shared the challenge of finding helpers due to the busyness of students. The ministry of students is very dynamic as well, due to their coming and leaving.

“It was very different from my previous ministry. If I wanted a helper, people would queue up. If I wanted to do a mission trip, money would come in without name.

“But if I need helpers here, I need to ask around… We must do everything here, from the smallest part, even washing toilet, until the bigger part, which is to preach and teach,” he said.

 

Do everything in love. (1 Cor 16:14)

 

But having now stayed and served in Kuala Terengganu for five years, Pastor Stephen found himself growing in his faith, from his pastoral work. He also found Kuala Terengganu to be a beautiful place, filled with beautiful people.

 

 

“I really like the place where I stay because of people.  During Hari Raya and Kenduri, there will be lots of food. And sometimes, when I come home, I would even find a bag of food hanging outside. My neighbors are very nice,” he said.

Looking forward to another five years in Kuala Terengganu, Pastor Stephen shared his heartbeat to reach out to the local Chinese community there who are mostly Buddhist and Taoists.

 “It’s a matter of time when the Holy Spirit works,” he said, adding that there are already ten families under their care.

 

As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)

 

 

In ending the intervew, he shared, “Don’t listen to what people say about Kuala Terengganu but experience this place yourself,” he said.

Today, Kuala Terengganu is like his second home!

 

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