Delegation led by Rev Dr Boonraana here for dialogue

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SIBU: Moderator Rev Dr Boonraana Boayen from Thailand led a team of three delegates to return to the land of the Hornbill for a dialogue session with local church leaders here.

THE VALUE OF FRIENDSHIP: Hwa Yung (third right) presents a gift to Dr Boonratana, Rev Dr Su (second right) to Chusak and Rev Steward (Third left) to Rungreungsan. Hii is fifth left.

The Reverend was in Sibu to study theology in the Iban language in the early 60s in Methodist Theological School.

After his graduation, he served the local Christians in Teku area and in Kapit. He returned to Thailand thereafter.

Dr Boonratana is today the head of the Church of Christ in Thailand.

Thailand’s Church of Christ is a close partner of the Methodist Church of Malaysia in their mission work.

In his “home” trip last Friday, Dr Boonratana met the local church leaders at Hoover house.

The three-member delegation met the local church leaders from the Area Executive Council (AEC) of East Malaysia and had a dialogue with them.

The aim of the dialogue was to strengthen the bilateral partnership between Thailand and Malaysia, particularly with Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference and Sarawak Iban Annual Conference of the Methodist Church.

Also present last Friday were AEC advisor Rev Dr Hwa Yung, who is also the Bishop of Malaysia’s Methodist Church, AEC chairman Hii Ching Chiong, the president of Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference Dato Dr Su Chii Ann, the president of Sarawak Iban Annual Conference Rev Steward Damat and representatives from the Joint Treasury, the Council of Trustee, the Medical Council, Methodist Pilley Institute and pastors and lay leaders from Sarawak Iban Annual Conference.