More Malaysians pass through hospitals than churches. Recognising the enormous evangelistic potential in hospitals, many churches have formed hospital visitation teams and made them a part of their evangelism effort. Similarly, Christians working in the Klang Valley hospitals have responded likewise and sometime in the early ‘80s, they began meeting in small groups in various hospitals for encouragement, prayer and evangelism.

From here, a network was established between the groups, leading to the formation of the Healthcare Christian Fellowship Association Kuala Lumpur (HCFAKL) last June when it was registered with the Registrar of Societies. The fellowship was endorsed as a Christian body when it was received into the membership of NECF Malaysia recently.

As a fellowship comprising members in the healthcare profession, HCFAKL is strategically placed to reach out to hospital patients. Furthermore, they present a more credible witness to the patients because of their knowledge and involvement in healthcare.

HCFAKL’s mission is to "extend the Kingdom of God, through prayer, evangelism and discipleship, thereby providing a credible witness for the Lord Jesus in the local healthfield," according to its president Dr David Wong. But, he added, this could only be realised if Christian working in the healthfield are committed to the Great Commission call and not merely see their workplace as a source of income.

Weekly visitations to hospital patients are a regular feature of HCF groups and these intensify during crisis situations such as the JE virus outbreak in 1999. During the crisis, the HCF groups worked together with churches to minister to the JE victims and their family members. Through this, several became Christians.

The regional fellowship has a long-term plan of going nationwide; once it has received membership from seven states in Malaysia, it will re-register as Healthcare Christian Fellowship of Malaysia.

To expand its ministry, the fellowship is on the constant look-out for Christians with a burden to reach out to patients or colleagues at their place of work or hospitals. "We will meet these Christians and share the overall HCF (Healthcare Christian Fellowship) vision. We provide the biblical-based training in starting a small HCF working group and also give prayer and financial support as well as opportunities to be involved in medical missions," Dr Wong said.

HCFAKL also holds an annual camp for all HCF groups and occasionally organises educational seminars such as the recent one on "Ministry to Sick Children" conducted by South African pediatrician Dr Mary Reeves.

Through the course of ministry, patients, and even healthcare workers, are sometimes won to the Lord and require proper follow-up. The fellowship, therefore, seeks the partnership of local churches to disciple the new converts. Likewise, members of local churches who are employed in the health-field are urged to join the HCF groups in their respective localities.

Church members, who are hospitalised or whose friends are hospitalised, may also contact their local HCF groups for follow-up.

For more information on this ministry, contact Dr Wong at 019-3833864 or e-mail wongkl@pfizer.com ; e-mail Elisabeth Alfred at elsual@tm.net.my; or Woon Soo Chin at 03-79675775.