Oriental Hearts & Mind Study Institute

This morning I attended the Inaugural Dialogue conducted by Oriental Hearts & Mind Study Institute ("OHMSI") held at PJ Gospel Hall, Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya.

Rev Dr Hwa Yung, Bishop from the Methodist Church of Malaysia was the moderator for the dialogue and both main speakers, Dr Lim Kar Yong, a lecturer in New Testament Studies with Seminari Theoloji Malaysia and Dr K. J. John, Executive Director of OHMSI gave us an interesting insight on the topic of "Was Jesus Political?"

Thereafter, five commentators gave their viewpoints on the topic:-
* Rev Dr Hermen Shastri, General Secretary, Council of Churches of Malaysia and Christian Federation of Malaysia
* Dr Beth Baikan, Catholic Scholar from Stella Maris Parish, Sabah
* Brother Goh Keat Peng, Executive Secretary, Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism
* Brother Steven CM Wong, Chairman, NECF Research Commission
* Sister Tricia Yeoh, Senior Policy Analyst, Centre for Public Policy Studies

It was well attended with more than 300 people and two Members of Parliament were there to lend their support for this event, YB Lee Hwa Beng and YB Theresa Kok. Ivy Josiah from Women's Aid Organisation was there too. Glad to see brothers and sisters from various denominations namely, Methodist, Brethren, Lutheran, Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Evangelical Free Church and Assemblies of God.

At this dialogue, I was able to meet up with a number of bloggers:-
* David Chang
* Steven Sim
* Tricia Yeoh
* Lim Kar Yong

OHMSI - was set up in 2004 with the goal to create frameworks for dialogue and engagement where followers of Jesus Christ and members of society become relevant and significant in the public spaces of national life. But, is the Bride of Christ in Malaysia ready for this task of public space engagement? Can Christians be political without getting involved in party politics? What is the role of Christians on public issues and the related public policy dialogue? Are we an Islamic State? Can we evolve a Bangsa Malaysia? Who will fight corruption and for integrity? Whose responsibility is it to ensure the application of universal valuesIn the light of many challenges facing Malaysia, what is our role as Christians in Malaysia to continue to be the salt and light of the Gospel on these issues and concerns?
Tags: Oriental Hearts & Mind Study Institute, OHMSI, Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Evangelical Free Church, Assemblies of God, Lee Hwa Beng, Theresa Kok, PJ Gospel Hall, Dr Hwa Yung, Lim Kar Yong, New Testament Studies, Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, KJ John, Dr Hermen Shastri, Council of Churches of Malaysia, Christian Federation of Malaysia, Dr Beth Baikan, Stella Maris Parish, Goh Keat Peng, Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism, Steven CM Wong, National Evangelical Christian Fellowship, NECF, Tricia Yeoh, Centre for Public Policy Studies