'The goal of our lives is not people or ministry, it is God.'

At has been many years since Rick and I read that statement by Henri Nouwen in his book, 'The Way of the Heart'. It is a life changing principle God has used to anchor us so that we don't lose perspective in the midst of the busyness of serving Him. As SMC Penang, God has called us to disciple believers to disciple nations through hands on ministry that trains and sends teachers, leaders and church-planters into Asia. However, we were created first and foremost to worship God and to love Him forever. All real and lasting ministry promotes this end and must flow out of lives that are deeply rooted in God, set free from our false selves, and transformed to live out our new lives in Christ. In the midst of training and equipping for ministry, we want to make every effort to be growing as whole people into the image of God.

To help us be deliberate in this process, Rick and I have identified 10 core values we believe God wants to characterize our lives and ministries at SMC Penang.

These core values include:

• Loving God and Loving Others
• Worship
• Prayer
• Interior Life Growth
• Personal Growth
• Servanthood
• Teaching for Lifechange
• Ministry in the Spirit
• Interdependence
• and Finishing Well.

These values are the basis of our ongoing staff training as we seek to grow and develop so that our personal lives, community, and ministries reflect these values in tangible ways.

We believe that lasting and effective ministry springs from lives rooted in the rich soil of God's life and love. As such there are no shortcuts. Ministry flows out of who we are. By emphasizing these 10 core values we want to ensure that all we do bears fruit that remains and represents God well.

-Melanie

Rick and Melanie serve as the directors of SMC Penang