28th November 2024
On Saturday 23rd November, family, friends, church pastors and leaders from across the BUV and colleagues past and present, came together to formally farewell Rev Meewon Yang from her role as BUV Multicultural Church Health Consultant, to celebrate her incredible ministry and to wish her well in retirement. It was a wonderful event representing the cultural diversity that Meewon has fostered within the BUV and was an opportunity to express our love and appreciation for what she has given, shown and taught us all.
The event was hosted by Croydon Hills Baptist Church, emceed by Rev Petone Toelieu from The Terminal Baptist Church. Beautiful worship led by Sarah Do, Charlene Delso Santos and Pastor Chloe Hwang, rang out across the room in multiple languages concurrently – a heavenly sound; followed by included tributes and performances from many colleagues and churches that Meewon has worked with.
Rev David Devine, Head of Church Health and Capacity Building Team where Meewon’s role sits, spoke about her contribution to the growth of the intercultural nature of the Baptist Union of Victoria.
“Today, we gather to say “thank you” to someone who has been God’s gift to us in this for the past 26 years – our sister, friend, and colleague, Rev Meewon Yang. Some have said, ‘Meewon is our mother’. How ever you describe her, Meewon, has certainly made a huge contribution to the life of our Union and beyond. Over the past 26 years Meewon and our Union have grown together. When she started with the BUV, we had about 20 congregations, we called ‘New Settlers’. Today we have over 110 congregations whose main language is not English. And this year we had 150 attendees at our Multicultural Pastors Retreat and over 600 young people at the Ignite Conference. The BUV doesn’t have LOTE churches; the BUV is culturally and linguistically diverse. And Meewon has been central to that development.”
Charlene Delos Santos, who has worked closely with Meewon for the last 10 years said she had prayed to God for a strong Asian woman as a role model and she had been blessed to be discipled and mentored by Meewon. “I have learnt the importance of extending hospitality – to always err on the side of generosity, modelling the generosity of God to the stranger, and the foreigner.”
Long time friend and past BUV Director of Mission and Ministries, Rev Alan Marr, described how Meewon came to find her role at the BUV 26 years ago, when she needed full time employment in order to satisfy visa problems. He commented “Her compassion, courage and grace and her expansive approach to inclusion were outstanding. She is the most effective networked and community builder I know.” Alan finished by describing a conversation he had with one of his daughters many years ago while driving somewhere. “One of our girls asked a theological question: What would Jesus be like if she was a girl?” Another responded “She’d look like Meewon”. Alan thanked Meewon for being the likeness of Jesus for us all. “We love you deeply and cannot adequately express our gratitude”
Songs and performances were presented by Kachin Baptist Church Melbourne choir, the combined Samoan Baptist churches of the BUV and Jennifer and Jose Garavito.
Words of appreciation were also presented by Rev Sung-Moon Kang from Bentleigh & Korean Baptist Church, Rev San Lian from Kingsville Zotung Baptist Church, Pastor Jennifer Garavito from Brunswick Baptist Church and Rev Moo Hei and Jordan Pe from Croydon Hills Baptist Church Karen Congregation.
Director of Mission and Ministries, Rev Daniel Bullock, conveyed his words of sincere appreciation to Meewon
“Meewon, as we bid you farewell, we do so with hearts full of gratitude for the deep and lasting impact you have had on the lives of so many within our churches, particularly in the realm of multicultural ministry. Your work in this area, your advocacy for refugees, and your teaching have all been done with such dedication and love for Christ and for His people. You have kept the faith, and you have handed us a beautiful legacy of what it looks like to welcome, to include, and to love deeply.”
Meewon is deeply esteemed by our BUV family, and her presence will be greatly missed”
This was followed by a congregational response farewell liturgy and prayer to close the service.
Thankyou Meewon – you have been an inspirational leader, and we at the BUV Support Hub, look forward to continuing the incredible work you have begun.
To read more about Meewon’s story and service to the BUV click here
