In February this year, we lost our first pastor in NLRC due to his passing to be with the Lord. A hundred and one things passed my mind. In chatting with my wife Susan, it was felt that I should fly directly to Kuching to visit the family. It puts the idea of the church as Kingdom Family in perspective. NLRC Telagus is named among us as a daughter church and all the Pastors know Pr Patrick Rowley as a fellow pastor in our NLRC group of churches. Pastor Rimon of NLRC Kuching explained to me how he comforted the Telagus church on the first night of the memorial services. On the second night, I heard how an Iban pastor friend (his own wife died only a few months before) comforted the family of the late Pr Patrick Rowley. His message was impacting. It is not easy for the Rowley family especially, and the church at Telagus, when their beloved pastor had passed away.
Pr Patrick Rowley seemed to be prepared. He had given instructions to his family on various personal matters before his passing. One important decision he had informed the family and the church leaders is that his brother Arthur Priestley to be the one appointed to look after the church. Patrick’s wife Taria through daughter Elizabeth informed me of that. Although we do not know Arthur, it is only appropriate that we honour what was told to us as Pastor Patrick Rowley requested. Pr Ron had since been over to the church to pray for Arthur to assume responsibility over NLRC Telagus.
I felt a responsibility to inform the NLRC group of churches of the latest as all had been in prayer for Pr Patrick Rowley when he was ill, and all are aware of his passing.
Although Arthur Priestley has been preaching in the Telagus church, assuming the overseer role like a pastor is new territory to him. I ask that our NLRC churches pray for Arthur and Telagus church.
Elizabeth the daughter of Pr Patrick Rowley told me that her dad had built the home with hospitality for visiting brothers and sisters from NLRC semenanjung in mind. At the burial, Taria also requested Pastors and members from NLRC to keep visiting them. I therefore pass this request from them to all at NLRC to think of them and to visit them as they are in the Kingdom Family of NLRC. This is like the current involvement of all churches in visits to orang asli churches by all NLRC. Only inform Pr Lawrence of your intention prior to your visits.
Blessings,
Jeremiah Yap
