SUPPORT NEEDED: (Seated from second right) Nawan and Robert with some of the Sekolah Teologia Pertama organising committee members.
MIRI: Sekolah Teologia Pertama (STP), a Bible training centre in Long Lama, seeks financial assistance to purchase basic facilities and fund its upkeep.
Management Committee chairman Robert Laing, who is a political secretary to the Chief Minister, said items needed include sewing machines, computers, and a brushcutter.
“STP really needs continuous public support as half of its around RM100,000 annual expenditure is provided by all the BEM (Sidang Injil Borneo — SIB) churches in the Baram and Miri Districts.
“The other half of the expenses are met by contributions from private companies which have their operations in Baram, the federal and state governments through the local elected representatives of the Barisan Nasional, and the general public,” Robert explained on Friday.
The centre, built on 24 acres of land, currently has six concrete teachers’ quarters, a hostel each for single and married students, a teaching block, and a multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 300 at any one time.
STP will hold a fundraising liaison dinner on Friday (Oct 28) at the Miri Civic Centre starting at 7pm.
Robert said the committee hopes to raise RM50,000 from ticket sales, with tables priced at RM500 each, as well as donations.
Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan, who is Baram member of parliament, is scheduled to officiate at the dinner.
STP Long Lama was set up at SIB in 1975 to train young Christians to serve as pastors.
To date the centre has produced over 300 pastors, who are now serving SIB churches throughout Malaysia.
The majority of STP
graduates are from the Kayan, Kenyah, Penan and Iban communities.
“After a three-year course at STP, the students have the choice to continue their studies at higher level either in Miri, Lawas or overseas,” said Robert, adding that these students also need financial support.
Those interested to donate or attend the dinner can contact fundraising secretary Nawan Luhat (013-8308799) or committee members Howard Wan Jau (019-4872497) or Joseph Maran (019-8147451).