Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM)
- ssmethodistchurch
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Updated: May 13
Borneo Evangelical Mission Immanuel (BEM Immanuel)
Based in Sibu
BEM Immanuel indigenous mission work started in the year 2011.
THE BEGINNING
Started because of calling of BEM at the beginning of BEM (called Sidang Injil Borneo)
When the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) was formed in Australia in 1928 it was planned to take the gospel to the inland peopleof Borneo. It was almost called The Borneo Inland Mission.
PHRASE ONE
BEM Immanuel (formally called Sibu Evangelical Church(SEC) and Sidang Injil Borneo English and Sidang Injil Borneo Immanuel),the church located in Sibu was started in the year 1974.
The calling to bring the gospel to the inland people of Borneo is in the heart of BEM Immanuel, and for many years, the church isactively involved in the church planting work in the central zone of Sarawak, having her base in Sibu.
PHRASE TWO
For many years the BEM Immanuel lost heart over the local mission work. Very little work done over this calling of her.
PHRASE THREE- NOW
The Macedonian Call was revived, and it doesn’t take long for the church to be awakened over the needs to resume this calling which I believe the Lord called her into.
In the year ranging from 2005-2011 exposure inland mission trips was organized and soon people are ready for more to be done.
With this ‘in the heart of the BEM Immanuel, crying of the lost souls in the inland people of the central zone of Sarawak’ BEM Immanuel moved into ‘the inland church planting movement”.
A Macedonian Call [There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, come over into Macedonia, and help us (Acts 16:9).Come over and help us!] came in the year 2011 when a friend came to challenge the church over an abundant Iban church located in Sungai Lengan near Sibu town. The statement that moves us and push us to take a big step forward to respond to the needs was “the Christian have no commitment over church; if that to be the case, we will invite other religion to bring religion to us”.
The cry of the lost, moved the church into the starting of our 1st longhouse church together with the DS of Sibu Zone. But due to too much responsibilities on him, BEM Immanuel was asked by the DS to be fully responsible for Sg Lengan work.
Under the leadership of Pastor Ting, the inland mission work started by faith, due to the lack of manpower and finances. The inland mission work grows very fast. Take a look at the growth rate Chart by every 2 years from the year 2011 to 2024.
The key moments were the time when we over grow our capability of handling too many longhouse evangelism points with so little man power and so little funds.
In the year 2015, the cry for equipping the local people for the local inland mission was great. Our vision of training 2 leaders from every longhouse to handle the church Sunday service, cell groups, youth and children ministry, women ministry and also the prayer meeting in every location. God answered our prayer with the starting of the CPI and later Langham, gearing towards the equipping of the local leaders and the equipping of the local preacher, who will preach from the bible. The Lord place in our heart, an equipping course for inter denomination. This vision of ours move us into networking among different denomination. Today, it’s of great success. CPI for all denomination.
The majority of people group we are engaging are Ibans. 2025 our vision of reaching the Melanau.
With the increase of the % of Christians in Sibu, in Sarawak and in Malaysia. Religious freedom in our nations is our vision.
Pray Points
2025 vision of raising 10 young people, sending them to local bible schools for theological education (January 2025 – 2 beingsent).
The equipping of 2 leaders to stand in as the assistance to Pastor for every longhouse in Sarawak.
To build a strong base (home church- BEM Immanuel). A strong base that will take the inland mission to a greater height.
A big thanks to SSMC for supporting in the area of sending both trainers and financially. God bless you for doing so.
Another big thanks to SSMC, if SSMC can help us over the 3rd prayer point of building a strong base (home church- BEM Immanuel).
