Welcome
I say this to you today with all the heart, hope, and harmony in the world.
The wonders of warm welcomes
A simple yet often underappreciated word in fact, welcome holds a myriad of profound meanings, like when I began my life-altering journey with this institution 22 years ago in 2003 and was made to feel a sense of belonging and renewed purpose. Or like when a decade ago, the door to elevated leadership opened to invite me in as president of this great hub of learners, doers, and discipleship.
Looking back, I'm reminded of the warmth of the Lord's embrace of my passion to serve, and how He took the desire of someone so ordinary and transformed it into what has become the force of my nature. The blessing of His acceptance and selection of me for this evolutionary mandate has been for my life the greatest welcome of all. The person who started out as no more than a regular churchgoer many moons ago was seen not as how I saw myself, but how He saw me.
The reason for harvest seasons
Bringing the same deeply resonant sentiments into this heartfelt message, I must in equal measure convey the gratitude of being upheld by a magnificent God-centred squad of Christ ambassadors. The work poured into this ministry through our core, elective, and counselling programmes aren’t just meant to equip marketplace and lay Christians with the tools of the harvest but welcome you to the joys of discovering God’s peace, perfection, and permeation as the reason for every season.
AOIC has been a place where my faith in God has grown. I’m personally blessed by a present team of supportive, prayerful, and caring people that understands this ministry’s needs and challenges. As this organisation’s head since 2015, I’ve had the privilege of seeing stewards rise to their calling and avail of themselves for the furtherance of His Kingdom. Having myself spent the first 12 years of my tenure as faculty member and chief administrative officer, the journey has been energising.
The tooling of artisans for unique purposes
Bearing witness to the school’s transcendental trail from as far back as when we were still called Theological Center for Asia (Malaysia), the grace and goodness of God are the virtues which have fully sustained our every effort and endeavour to ready the people of God to bear faithful witness. The most welcome of ‘disruptions’ in our space has been refining our mission to nourish an ever-changing landscape of churches and communities whose hunger has been for divine inspiration.
In the same vein, our aim to empower the next generation of workers in the field will remain an ongoing undertaking on our part. Drawing on the powerful premise of one of my favourite books titled Five People You Meet in Heaven (authored by Mitch Albom), it matters not whether we get our name in lights, but how we as real people carve out real stories—by impacting yearning hearts. Not one deed or gesture derived from nobleness will ever be unwelcome in the sight of the Lord.
The nurturing of people pastures
Just like the aromas which often waft from my kitchen of diverse flavour infusions, no two people and their pressing need for the Word are identical. So, whether a seasoned believer, young pastor, devoted scholar, conscientious teacher, or generous donor, your presence is kindly welcome here.
Thank you for journeying with us. May your walk with Jesus be rewarding!
Yours faithfully
Rev Dr Lim Siew Pik
College President