Self-reflection of Life's Journey: From Pastoral Ministry to Nation Building

CCMS'S ARTICLE
17 June, 2021 Views: 599

Self-reflection of Life's Journey:

From Pastoral Ministry to Nation Building

By Prof Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

At 67 years of age I am now looking back on my life journey which is a self-reflecting exercise. I am in active service since 27 years of age till now in various opportunities our Lord has provided me. This is over a 40-year period of active involvement in Church and Society. Through these experiences I have come to understand who our God is as well as understand the nature of Christian ministry and service within the Christian community and at the nation at large.

At my 60th birthday I co-authored a book with my wife Rose Cheng Jayasooria entitled Faith in Society (2015)[1] which can serve as a background reading for this article. This book was translated into the Malay language and launched at UKM on Sept 2018. [2] This was an opportunity to share my life journey in the national language to a wider readership.


Launch of Denison's autography translated into Malay language (2018)

Christian Minister Years

I came to a saving knowledge of the saviour during my secondary school days and was called to full time service during my Form six days. Two verses of scripture spoke to me and I responded, namely the “harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few” (Matt. 9:37) and “whom shall I send” (Isa. 6:8) and I responded, “send me.” The call for service was clear but over the years God progressively revealed the specific assignments. As I look back God was preparing me for every task and His hand of protection and blessing was with me throughout this life journey.

For the theological training the Tamil Methodist Church sent me to Union Biblical Seminary, Yavatmal, India in the five-year Bachelor of Theology cum Bachelor Divinity program with an additional year for practical work between 1975 and 1981. UBS experience was life changing for me as a young man in a foreign land and I was well equipped in the Word of God as well as instilling self-discipline and passion for missions.


Denison showing Rose his BD certificate (1981) 

I started Christian ministry in June 1981 as Pastor of the Taiping Tamil Methodist Church and in 1983 was transferred as the Pastor of the Tanjong Malim Methodist Church. Here the ministry opportunities were direct pastoral work and work in outreach locations as well as opportunities to serve estate population in both locations, Orang Asli communities in Tanjong Malim and prisoners at Taiping prisons. During this period, I got married to Rose Cheng Nyuk Choo, who was a student at Malaysia Bible Seminary. We had our first child Jochebed Jayasooria in 1982 and two others in subsequent years: Jocelyn Jayasooria (1988) and Josiah Jayasooria (1998).


Preaching at Tanjung Malim Methodist Church (1985)

Ministry made me reflect on my theological and biblical understanding of who God is and what is God’s purpose for God’s people on earth. This was progressively revealed to me over the years as I meditated upon the Word of God and walk of faith. My eyes were opened to a wider understanding of God’s purpose in a more holistic way and not just in spiritual terms. God is not just the God of salvation but also a God of compassion (Ex. 33:19) and justice (Deut. 32:4). In Proverbs Chapter 14 Verse 31, it is stated that “those who oppress the poor insult their Maker” and therefore in helping the poor God is honoured.

While creation is central to the biblical narrative, my understanding of God as the Creator and our role in managing the creation came much later in my spiritual journey. God wants his people to take care not just of humanity but the whole of creation. My understanding of conservation and environmental protection grew over the years. Now I do recognise it as integral part of the creation mandate that we must honour. “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Ps. 24:1).

The opportunity to participate at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity came in early 1983 and to be a student at the feet of Rev Dr John Stott. This was my first visit to England and it was really impactful. My eyes were opened to being involved in salt and light ministries for Jesus.


Together with Rev John Stott at his flat in London (1990)

In June 1986 after five years as a Methodist pastor, we were led to join Malaysian CARE first as the Education co-ordinator and by the time I left in Dec 1993 I was the Deputy Executive Director. Peter Young made a big impact through his preaching and teaching. Malaysia CARE was instrumental in creating an awakening in evangelical and charismatic churches for compassion ministries. The Lausanne Covenant provided a strong biblical basis for both evangelism and social concern.


Malaysian CARE Board (1993)

The Malaysian CARE years provided opportunities to organise short social work courses for Christian workers as well as to be involved in public policy discussions with government agencies. I felt the inadequacy as my training was only in theology and needed a stronger grounding in social work and public policy. Such an opportunity arose though an ODA-WCC scholarship for a one-year study (Sept 1989 – July 1990) at Oxford Polytechnic, England which later became Oxford Brookes University, UK in a Diploma in Advanced Study (Social Policy). During this period, I was also associated with Dr Vinay Samuel and Dr Chris Sugden at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, whom I know during my UBS days where I also attended many seminars and workshops. Their seminars on Faith and Economics, Faith and State and Kingdom and Spirit themes provided new insight and exposure to other scholars such as Prof Ron Sider and Dr Chris Wright whom I met during the conferences.

It was a painful experience to leave Malaysian CARE as the decision to undertake post graduate studies was then not supported by the Board. The years between Jan 1994 and 1996 was devoted for full-time research and study. These were difficult years. While I secured a full-time tuition scholarship through the Chevening scholarship (British High Commissioner Award) living cost both in Malaysia and UK had to be borne by us. God provided through friends and God saw us through the years of study and by middle of 1996 I graduated with a PhD in sociology from Oxford Brookes University.

Doctoral level research enabled me to develop critical thinking and while the research work and thesis was a sociological study without theological reflection, it was still a valuable aspect to provide me with the knowledge and competencies to undertake the task the Lord had in stored for me over the next 20 to 25 years. Theology and sociology provided not just the contents but also shaped my character for further role in community and nation building.

Community Building Years

There was a struggle with which direction to take after my PhD studies. For a short period, I developed health problems and I had breathing difficulties and I thought I was having a heart attack but later it was diagnosed as ulcers. The doctor told me, “No curry and No worry”. The final phase of the PhD writing and the viva must have had tremendous impact on my stress levels. Throughout the years my wife and family were very supportive especially the supportive role Rose has been playing and at most times my strongest critic too.

During this period, I wrote a letter to the Tamil Methodist Church leadership that I was prepared to return to pastoral work and although the letter was delivered personally to the leadership in 1996, I never received a reply. Soon after that I received a call from a Cabinet Minister and both my wife and I went to see him at his home. He offered me a job to serve as a research consultant and to advise him on Indian minority matters especially in addressing urban poverty and issues facing Indian youths.

The decision to accept this invitation came as a surprise to many of my close friends. Some felt I had compromised my position and others felt I was now attracted to position and power as the Cabinet Minister was Dato Seri Samy Vellu (now Tun). I spend the next eleven years at the corridors of power. I took the role as a policy researcher writing policy papers and speeches including reading Government papers which had any relevance to the Indian community. I then helped the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) to establish the Yayasan Strategik Sosial (YSS) which undertook policy research and development programs for disadvantaged Indian community. There were many critics to what I did and could not do. I have documented the policy work undertaken during this period. [3] A more updated research publication on the Malaysian Indian was undertaken while at KITA-UKM.[4]

With the changes in the political climate in 2008 and after spending 11 years I resigned and later joint the Institute of Ethnic Studies, University Kebangsaan Malaysia for the next 11 years till 2019 when I turned 65. It seems strange that someone like me working from an ethnic focus both in Church with Tamil Christian and then with the MIC-YSS with a focus on Tamil poor would now adopt a multi ethnic platform in addressing inclusive development concerns.

I have always been very multi ethnic in my framework. My grandparents are Jaffna Tamils who came to British Malaya in 1910 to work and my father was locally born. My childhood was very multi-cultural at our school and my life long partner is a Foochow Chinese Christian with roots in Sitiawan and her grandparents came from Southern China before the Japanese occupation.

As one reflects over life, then in my case between 1981 and 2021 one could clearly see the various movements in terms of involvement and roles from pastoral ministry (Methodist Church) to compassion ministry (Malaysian CARE) to minority development concerns (YSS-MIC) to building inclusive multi ethnic communities (KITA-UKM) as well as a global SDG agenda (APPGM-SDG).


APPGM-SDG Committee & Secretariat (2021)


Meeting the EPU Minister on SDGs at Putrajaya (2021)

Over the years I have also published extensively as well as travelling internationally to present conference papers at both academic and policy discussions. The participation with the United Nations on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)[5] has enabled me to be part of global events such as Rio plus 20 conference in 2012 and the High-level Political Forum on SDGs at the UN HQ in New York in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Being part of national[6], regional[7] and global movements pertaining to social solidarity economy (SSE)[8] has enabled me to be part of new global initiative now being coordinated by the UN Taskforce on SSE led by International Labour Organisation (ILO).[9]

Nation Building Years

Since 2020, I have been engaged with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG)[10], a multi stakeholder group established by parliament. This is an unique opportunity where we are now working with 30 members of parliament in localising the 2030 sustainable agenda with the support of the Economic Planning Unit and the Ministry of Finance which funds this project. The APPGM-SDG is a bipartisan initiative and is a major breakthrough for grounded research and a decentralised approach in development planning. In July 2021 Malaysia will be presenting the Voluntary National Review (VNR) report at the UN. Civil society was very busy in providing inputs in this process so that there is a good multi stakeholder process.

For many Christians direct involvement in church ministries like role as pastor or in evangelism or in mission work is what is referred to as Christian ministry. Any involvement in the so-called secular institutions like politics, government and university, NGO or even the UN is your occupation. There is a need to rethink God’s calling and this spiritual-secular divide.

The Word of God is clear that “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it” (Ps. 24:1). We are called to impact the world as salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16). We have a great commandment: To love God and love the neighbour (Matt. 22:36-40). Therefore, one needs to see all roles played as one which gives glory to God as expounded in Colossians Chapter 3 Verses 23 to 24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

We have biblical examples of men of God serving emperors and tyrants. Joseph in the Pharaohs house is a good example of a diligent, honest and right-hand person of the ruler (Gen. 41:41). Likewise, we are familiar with the story of Daniel in exile in Babylon. He was a captive but worked under one of the most brutal emperors in history. Daniel rose to become a governor (Dan. 2:48) but he did not comprise his faith nor his integrity. Daniel abided by the words of prophet Jeremiah, “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper" (Jer. 29:7). The prophets also called us to stand up for justice as Micah called “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic. 6:8). Likewise, there is a call for us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Prov. 31:8-9).

There is also a strong teaching on the seven mountains of influence. God places his children as an agent of influence for the good or as a force of restrain on evil in society. Loren Cunningham & Bill Bright identified seven spheres of influence[11] will help us shape societies for Christ. These are the home; the church; schools; government and politics; the media; arts, entertainment and sports; and finally, commerce, science, and technology. There are key movements to encourage active Christian participation in the market place for ethical business practises.

Over the past 20 or so years, I have been appointed to many different government-appointed committees in providing analysis and input for national development. In my last count there were about 21 key appointments.

It is unique that these appointments have been during the time of the Barisan National (BN) Government, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the Perikatan Nasional (PN). This is a small testimony to the bi-partisan approach adopted over the years. I have tried to take a professional and objective approach in addressing major community and national concerns consistent with the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

From the 21-key appointments to major committees, councils and commissions, I just list a few ones to share the diversity and the rich opportunity for engagement and input to the Federal Government:

  • National Economic Consultative Council (NECC) (1999-2000). Appointed by the Prime Minister
  • Royal Police Commission (2004-2005). Appointed by the Malaysian King
  • Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) (2006-2010). Appointed by the Malaysian King
  • Special Implementation Taskforce (SITF) on the Indian Community, Prime Minister’s Department (2010-2011). Appointed by the Prime Minister with PEMANDU
  • National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) (Secretariat) (2013-2015). Appointed by the Director General Department of National Unity & Integration
  • National Educational Advisory Council (2014-2016). Appointment by the Minister of Education
  • National Steering Committee on SDG (2016- ). Appointed by the Director General of the Economic Planning Unit
  • National Science Council (2019). Appointed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia
  • National Unity Council (2020). Appointed by the National Unity Minister
  • National Action Council for Shared Prosperity 2030 agenda (2021). Appointed by the Prime Minister


PM chairing the Shared Prosperity Action Council (2021)

Lessons Learnt through Policy Advocacy Work

These appointments are different in the terms of reference of the appointment and the job scope. Majority of these were honorary with a small sitting allowance with the exception to the Police Commission, Human Rights Commission and the SITF (appointed by the Prime Minister via PEMANDU). Also, appointments to the council are just for a maximum of two council meetings a year to review the reports prepared by relevant agencies and to advise the relevant Minister.

Of these appointments the most significant and impactful ones are NECC, Police Commission, SUHAKAM and NUCC. All these have public reports which have still major relevance for public policy discussions. For example, the Police Commission is still referred today, likewise all the SUHAKAM reports and also the NUCC recommendations which were ready during the BN government but only released to the public during PH period.


Top: Police Commission with Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi (now Tun); Bottom: Members of Human Rights Commission

Policy input and writing provide the opportunity to foster an inclusive agenda for development and to enhance a multi-cultural society. There are challenges not just in the formulation but in most cases, it is in the implementation which we have difficulties. Most of the reports and findings are well articulated for building a better Malaysia however there is a lack of political will to undertake it at the delivery level. This is where there is a need for greater public outcry and holding politicians and government servants accountable to the citizenry.

Public advocacy is in speaking up for the voiceless. In the development agenda it is for inclusive development so that all communities irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, gender, age or location (urban, rural or interior) will be attended too. This is the message of both compassion and justice in the Christian faith as well as in the tradition of major religious. Often it is because of politics that many of these community values are side-lined. We must advocate public policies which will see all people as fellow human being.

A very important opportunity for public advocacy emerged when Prof Philip Alston, the UN special rapporteur on poverty, visited Malaysia in 2019 and issued his report. I participated in his discussions and sought to encourage the government to adopt the UN findings. [12]

My most recent discussion on urban poverty[13] was documented by Money Matters of TV3. Here the thrust is also towards building a nation where no one is left behind or made to feel that he or she is not included. Public resources such as health, education and skills development, housing and employment or entrepreneurship efforts must target all people. Relooking at the multi-dimensional poverty indicators[14] has been one of my major concerns including addressing the deprivations experienced by B40 flat dwellers[15] in low cost housing in urban centres in Malaysia.

I delivered a public lecture at UKM on April 17, 2017 on the topic: Public Advocacy: Of Ideas & Practice in Malaysia. [16] The lecture was published in both English and Malay languages. This was one of my major academic contributions where I reviewed the work of academicians and highlighted their roles as public intellectuals in influencing and moulding public opinion.

Awards and Recognition for Academic and Nation Service

Over the years I have received public recognition for the services undertaken. These are listed here as a testimony of God’s blessing and as an item of thanksgiving to God’s goodness. In fact, all praise is to God who enables us to serve for His glory.

  • On June 2006 the Yang Di Pertuan Agong (Malaysian King) conferred on me the Darjah Panglima Jasa Negara (PJN) which carried the title Datuk.
  • On March 2007 on the occasion of the 200th Police Day the Prime Minister of Malaysia awarded me the Friends of the Police Award.
  • On Oct 2017 the United Nations Office in Malaysia awarded me the UN Award for special contributions in the promotions of SDGs.
  • On March 2018 the Vice Chancellor of National University of Malaysia (UKM) conferred me the Practice Professor in Public Advocacy and in 2020 Honorary Professor.


Datukship from Agong (2006)


UN Award (2017)

Conclusion

Looking back some 45 years of my life I can now clearly see the hand of God as well as His leading in all that I have done and am doing. Christian faith is the defining aspect of my faith experience which is not just moulding my character but also my worldview. It is the foundation in faith and theology which is theistic which has enabled me to undertake the sociological analysis in addressing root causes of deprivation, discrimination and disadvantage. It is this faith which gives the optimism that we can transform society for all people and make it a better place.

In this context public policies, resource allocation, responsible leadership, human rights, good governance and leaders free from corruption are essential ingredients for a good society. Active citizens who are vigilant and knowledgeable of their fundamental rights and responsibilities as per the Federal Constitution are urgently needed.

As Christians, we must remember that God has placed us on this earth and entrusted us with the responsibility to care, protect and manage creation resources in a responsible way. These should benefit all the people. We have a role as we pray that may kingdom's principles of peace, justice, fairness, mutual respect, economic sharing and compassion be an integral part of our daily living. These are the dimensions which I have been championing and may God find me faithful in the role He has entrusted to me. When my time comes to face the Creator, I look forward to hear the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:23).


Family Photo (2021)

Endnotes

[1] A BFM radio interview on the book. https://www.bfm.my/podcast/the-bigger-picture/live-learn/faith-in-society-datuk-dr-denison-jayasooria

[2] Analisis AWANI: Advokasi awam - Suatu perjalanan hidup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWCAt7tzgJs

[3] Denison Jayasooria (2011) National Development Plans & Indians in Malaysia. A need for comprehensive policies & effective delivery. JJ Resources: KL

[4] Denison Jayasooria & KS Nathan, Ed (2016) Contemporary Malaysian Indians: History, Issues, Challenges & Prospects (2016), KITA-UKM: Bangi

[5] Sustainable Development Goals policy coherence & Malaysian society https://base.socioeco.org/docs/sustainable_development_goals.pdf

[6] Active since 2015 with the Malaysian CSO SDG Alliance which is the network of 50 organisations is serving as the secretariat of the APPGM SDG.

[7] Chair of ASEC- Asian Solidarity Economy Council which has undertaken an SSE online academy and strengthened of Asian actors in SSE.

[8] http://www.socioeco.org/bdf_auteur-1242_en.html

[9] https://unsse.org/

[10] Role of Civil Society Organisations in Localising SDGs in Malaysia (page 183) https://www.isis.org.my/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SDG-Book.pdf

[11] https://www.the7mountains.com/history-of-the-7-mountains

[12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLtpnXwEsns&t=192s

[13] Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria speaks to Zahir Kelvin Ong Abdullah (TV3 Money Matters) about the challenges faced in addressing urban poverty in Malaysia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmduIxhznho&t=189s

[14] https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2020/09/24/my-take-on-poverty-measurement-and-malaysian-society-a-need-for-radical-ret/1906202

[15] Localizing SDGs among B40 neighbourhoods in Klang Valley, Malaysia: Challenges, possibilities, and lessons drawn from the urban grassroots (2020) http://www.socioeco.org/bdf_fiche-document-7230_en.html

[16] http://ukmpress.ukm.my/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=522