Heart to heart with Asso. Prof. Dr. Phua Kia Kien
The PPK of CF as we call today, was already in existence in May 1986 when I first reported for duty as a lecturer in the department of Chemical Pathology, PPSP. Dr. Low Heng Chin, who joined the Department of Community Medicine in July 1984, had taken over responsibility for a small group of Christians at PPSP in the Penang Campus when Dr. Graham McCall (from the Department of Surgery) was transferred to the Kelantan Branch campus in 1985. The 2 CFs continued to exist as 2 separate groups until June 1990 when the two halfs of the Medical School finally merge to form PPSP as we know it today. Through the encouragement of Graham and Jenny McCall and the perseverance of the Christian student leaders then, the group was first registered as the Persatuan Pelajar Kristian Kubang Kerian (PPK KK) toward the end of 1989, which was also the year the McCalls returned to UK. By the grace of God the group grew in size as Dr. Low and I remain faithful to the calling. With the merging of the 2 halfs of PPSP and the opening up of new courses for diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (1992) and Nursing (1994), there were more students at the new PPSP complex in Kelantan. Later, it was called the ‘Health Campus’ (HC) when new schools, ie. School of Dental Sciences and School of Health Sciences, were formed in 1998 and 1999, respectively; and with it a rise in the Christian student population.
In its infancy the group was besieged with many problems, but by God’s grace, the CF survived and now stands as a towering witness to the power and wisdom of a might God. As part of the requirements of USM, Dr. Nick Jackson and I were appointed advisors to the CF. This we were willing to do as it would further the cause of the CF. There we serve as conduits for the CF to channel our request to the authorities. We were indeed blessed with facilities and opportunities that allow us to have an impact on the community in the HC. Personally, I felt much blessed by the comradeship of Dr. Nick and Dr. Alison Jackson (Department of Community Medicine). They not only took the burden off my shoulders sharing in the teaching ministry at the CF which Dr. Low’s passion and love for the students had sustained us for 5 years, but also encouraged me by their selfless sacrifices for others. As the population grew, we moved from our home-fellowship meetings to the lecture halls. Sometimes our gatherings were small and sometimes they were large, but we desired above all to meet with the Lord every time we got together. We saw the hand of the Lord in many projects we undertook, inspite of racial polarization problems that broke up in the campus.
In 2003, after 17 years at the CF, I relinquished my duties to Dr. Tee Meng Hun when I took my Sabbatical leave. I felt it was time to pass the baton along to a younger and more suited lecturer – for the responsibility and priviledge! One of my greatest joys as a member of the CF was being able to introduce people to Jesus and to help them discover of rediscover their faith. It has been my blessing to see young people turn to Christ, from a lukewarm heart to one that is full of enthusiasm and love for Him. It is indeed a joy to see people discover their potential to serve the Lord and be willing channels of blessings for others.
Over the years, I have seen many CF members come and go, and many have left behind a legacy of the love and faithfulness of an endearing God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who paved the way for this small group to grow and prosper even in the midst of real challenges. Indeed, many can testify that it is through those trials and tribulations that we grew as a community as remain faithful to the cause of the Gospel Message. To those of you who are new to CF of you have just joined as a student, do rest assured that God has provided the best for you, and you are precisely where you should be at this time of your life. Open your heart to the opportunities and possibilities around you that calls you to be His messenger. For it is in answering this call, to be His ambassador in this campus, that we will most satisfaction. If you have not been going to the CF, may I encourage you to do so, for there you will find enduring friends that will last a life time! Trust me, for I have been there….
