Sowing Into Our Nation
While English will remain as the lingua franca of the globalized culture, more and more of the younger generations who are educated in our national language will find difficulty in understanding our present curriculum of Christian education materials. Nearly two-thirds of all the Christians in Malaysia are Bahasa Malaysia (BM) speaking but less than 1% of Christian resources are in BM.
Seeing this great need, some concerned Christian leaders from across the major denominations formed Wawasan Penabur (Sower's Vision) last year to develop and distribute the best BM resources to leaders, churches and individuals.
To date, they have published 20 youth discipleship materials called "OBOR Belia" (Youth Aflame). In the last one year, thousands of copies of OBOR Belia have reached our indigenous brethren in Sabah and Sarawak and also the Orang Asli churches in Peninsula.
Other than OBOR Belia, they have published "Lakukan Apa Yang Benar" (Do What is Right), a practical guide on legal matters for churches in Malaysia; and an apologetic book specifically to help our young people defend their faith.
They have also conducted a few awareness campaigns. The "Bahasa Malaysia Resources Awareness" was for Christian leaders, writers and publishers while the "East Malaysia Awareness: Seminar, Dialogue & Cultural Performances" was for church leaders. A cultural dance night cum awareness campaign drew attention to the many tribes that are currently going through some challenges in "systematic encroachment" in Sabah and Sarawak. About 13 local writers and leaders participated in a week long "Writing Workshop" which focussed on training aspiring Bahasa writers. Other projects in the pipeline include a book on tracing God's plans and promises for the Malaysian churches as seen through some major Old Testament characters.
Indeed, the BM speaking and indigenous churches need our urgent attention to help nurture and build their next generation of BM speaking believers to be strong and steadfast in the face of beguiling winds of change. Literature and training centers of the other faiths are making their inroads quickly into our villages. Christians who are not deeply rooted in biblical truths are easily swayed by other religious teachers.
Wawasan Penabur, being a ministry, requires funding and prayer support so that the materials can be retailed at affordable prices of RM 3- 6 a copy. You can partner with their efforts in praying for the indigenous churches and/or sponsoring some publication of books. More information can be obtained from their website at www.wawasanpenabur.org or contact them at wawasan.penabur@gmail.com. |
