Yap Kok Keong - A Tribute to Eric Kirton - video
Sister Ah Eng in her sharing just now, left out one little but significant bit of information. She was appointed a Sunday school teacher by Mr Kirton when she was just a Form Two girl! Mr Kirton’s enduring and impactful ministry spans over half a century, not just in Kuantan and the East Coast but throughout the length and breadth of this country. Almost every Sunday he would be preaching from a pulpit somewhere in the country. Once I asked Colin where his dad was, and he said he didn’t know. To get Mr Kirton as pulpit, camp or conference speaker, we had to book at least a year in advance. He was still actively serving until barely four months ago. I understand that he preached his last sermon at Ampang Gospel Centre. He must surely hold the record for preaching the most sermons from the most pulpits in the country! The many invitations to address our assemblies speak of a man of integrity and commitment whose counsel is greatly valued. If assembly leaders had detected any inconsistency of Word or character, the invitations would have stopped. These unending invitations extended to him through the years also speak volumes of a man who is not just a good preacher who knows God’s Word thoroughly, but also of a man who also knows well his Master and Lord. Many know him as a stern disciplinarian, and that is because he expects a high standard in Christian service and worship, both of himself and of others. However on the occasions when I visited him in his office in Evangel to share and pray, I came to realize that in the latter years, he had grown to be a softer man. When the severity of his illness became known, my prayer was that God would give him a few more years. I know that the experience through his illness would bring even greater depth and power to his messages; and with the pulpits of our assemblies open to him, we would all be further enriched by the messages that the Lord would give us through him. But this was not to be. Our sovereign Lord in His providence knows best. Mr Kirton has earned our enormous respect. The Christian Brethren Secretariat planning the Assembly Leaders’ Conference this year in August, have planned a special session as a mark of respect and honour for some of our senior leaders who have laboured faithfully in our midst. Mr Kirton was one those we had in mind. Only our Lord fully knows the extent of his influence and impact for the Kingdom of God amongst us. With his passing, the Brethren assemblies in this country have lost a pioneer, a pace-setter and a precious resource for learning and edification. Not many realize that Mr Kirton is the last of that long line of Brethren missionaries from overseas. His passing marks the ending of a chapter in Malaysian Brethren history. It is up to us now to work together to take up in greater measure the responsibility of spreading the Kingdom of God and building our assemblies. His sacrificial life and service will constantly challenge us and remind us of realities which, though not seen, are worth living and giving our life for. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “for what is seen is temporal but what is not seen is eternal” and will never pass away. On behalf of the many elders and church leaders here and those who are unable to be here, we want to thank God, our eternal Heavenly Father for the gift of Mr Eric Kirton, and assure Colin, Laurence and Yoke Lin, and Carol and family of our deep appreciation for their father’s ministry and legacy, a legacy which is continuing through them as well. Today, I was at Cheras Gospel Centre and happened to look into a room full of Indian children. It is largely the work of Laurence and Yoke Lin, and those who have a compassionate heart for this ministry in their church. Colin’s work in Subang Jaya Gospel Centre and elsewhere in the country through the ministry of Footstool Players and his music, drama and creative arts ministry has also had a great impact on Christians in the country. Praise God! |
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I‘ve had the privilege of serving with Mr Kirton for 14 years in Kuantan Chapel. It was really a period of learning from him. He believed in the plurality of elders and took the risk of thrusting us into leadership with him. I was a brash, passionate and immature young man then and looking back, I thank God for the patience and forbearance Mr Kirton must have had towards me in not putting me down or writing me off, but allowing me the space and time to grow. The fact that so many leaders of our assemblies are here tonight, both from the Klang Valley and beyond testifies to the very deep impression that Mr Kirton has left in all our lives.