Rev Dr Apwee Ting from Dandenong Uniting Church has been appointed as the new National Director of Multicultural and Cross Cultural Ministry.
Rev Dr Ting is the first person from an Indonesian background to be appointed to a senior national role in an Australian mainstream Christian Church.
As the Minister at Dandenong Uniting Church in Victoria, Rev Dr Ting brings with him a wealth of experience in multicultural ministry.
The Dandenong region is one of Australia’s most culturally diverse and multifaith communities due to the recent influx of new migrants and refugees to the area. Ensuring that different groups are connected and working together is a key aspect of Rev Dr Ting’s ministry in Dandenong.
Rev Dr Ting has a rich theological understanding of intercultural ministry, having completed his PhD in 2005 at STTIP Jakarta (Sekolah Tinggi Teologi International Philadelphia). His thesis examined cross-cultural ministry as the fulfilment of the church’s missional mandate.
This year marks the 30th year since the Uniting Church declared itself to be a multicultural church. Rev Dr Ting hopes to bring this spirit of intercultural unity to his new role.
“I strongly feel the hands of God, friends and communities supporting and encouraging me to take this important role. I feel so grateful and humbled by this opportunity and will give myself as a servant to all,” he said.
“I look forward to working closely and constructively with my colleagues in Synods, National Conferences, Presbyteries and congregations.”
One of Rev Dr Ting’s priorities will be developing more culturally accessible resources for ministry including a publication that uses images of seasonal fruit to explain biblical and theological teachings.
“In this age of rapid global migration, of people and of ideas, churches need to re-discover the art of cross cultural ministry in order to fully engage with their missional mandate. I’m glad to say the UCA is at the very front of this ministry.”
UCA President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney has warmly welcomed Rev Dr Ting’s appointment.
“Apwee Ting brings a wealth of experience in working cross-culturally in congregations and a deep understanding of the UCA’s overseas church partnerships,” Rev Prof Dutney said.
Rev Dr Ting will officially commence his new position in July this year.
You can read the full media release on the Uniting Church National Assembly website.
Comments are closed.