Malay Ministry: Starting from Three Families
The story of the Malay Ministry began in 2006, when Brother Jonathan led a small cell group consisting of just three families. Rev. Lee Chee Hock noticed that some members, particularly sisters from Indonesia, needed worship services and spiritual nurturing in Bahasa Malaysia. This modest need became the catalyst for the growth of the Malay Ministry.
As cell group attendance grew, existing pastoral methods were no longer sufficient. The church began praying for a full-time pastor and actively sought a suitable candidate. After nearly five years of prayer, Rev. Yap Choon Keng contacted Pastor Pamela in late 2010. On January 15, 2011, Pastor Pamela officially assumed responsibility for the Malay Ministry.
In the early days, shepherding went beyond explaining the Scriptures during services. Because some members struggled with reading and writing, Pastor Pamela guided them starting from basic literacy, helping them learn and build their faith step by step. After about six months of preparation, the Malay Ministry held its first official worship service on June 11, 2011. At that time, including the pastor, only twelve people attended.
These twelve individuals formed the foundational congregation of the Malay Ministry. By the end of 2011, new friends from surrounding areas such as Taman Kasturi, Bukit Belimbing, and Taman Connaught joined in. Entering 2012, attendance began to grow steadily, and the Malay Ministry gradually developed into a stable worshiping community.
A distinct feature of the Malay Ministry is the diverse ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and denominational backgrounds of its members. Hailing from Indonesia, Sabah, Sarawak, the Philippines, and beyond, most are individuals who moved to Peninsular Malaysia for work or living. Though their backgrounds differ, Bahasa Malaysia serves as their common language for worship, learning, and fellowship.
Such a community also faces unique challenges. Due to frequent changes in work locations and housing, member mobility is high. Many leave after some time due to job transfers, while mostly those who marry locals remain long-term. Consequently, the Malay Ministry continuously welcomes new friends and strives within a limited timeframe to help them know the faith, integrate into the community, and participate in ministry.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought another turning point. Movement control orders and changes in worship formats led to a noticeable drop in attendance. Post-pandemic, physical worship and ministries gradually resumed, with members returning to fellowship, marking a new phase of growth for the Malay Ministry.
From 2024 to 2026, an increasing number of members from Myanmar and the Philippines joined the worship services. Many of them speak Bahasa Malaysia fluently and have actively engaged in church life and various ministries, enriching the congregation’s diversity.
With growing numbers and pastoral needs, cell groups have become a vital part of spiritual formation in the Malay Ministry. Major cell groups currently include Bapa Wira, Ibu Manis, Gloria, Myanmar, and Remaja. Through these smaller groups, members study the Bible together, share life, support one another, and find more opportunities to serve.
Beginning in 2025, the Malay Ministry further responded to members’ practical needs by arranging transportation for those facing commute difficulties, as well as caring for members who cannot attend Sunday morning services due to work, helping them remain connected with the church family.
From three families in 2006, to twelve attendees at the first service in 2011, to today’s vibrant Malay Ministry with diverse cell groups and a multicultural congregation, this ministry was built step by step through real-life needs. Today, the Malay Ministry continues to offer a platform for worship, pastoral care, spiritual formation, and service for members from various regions.
Malay Worship Service Times:
Saturday: 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm (Ground Floor)
Holy Communion & Combined Worship: 1st week of every month (3rd Floor Main Sanctuary)