NECF Malaysia kicked off this year’s church visitation programme in January with visits to churches in Ipoh, Johor Baru and Kluang. The programme aims to update churches on the current issues in the nation and developments within the Christian community, and to discuss the role of the Church in light of the challenges posed.
In IPOH, the Ipoh Pastors Fellowship rallied some 30 pastors from the English, BM and Chinese churches for a one-day seminar.
NECF Secretary-General Rev. Wong Kim Kong highlighted the major issues – such as the Islamic State, the proposed National Service (NS) and religious extremism – and shared what NECF is specifically doing in response to each issue.
For example, on the matter of NS, NECF will put forth to the government a list of proposals including in-camp chapel service for Christians unable to go home during the weekend. NECF will also propose to churches to organise pre-NS camps to prepare Christians before starting the NS training. Rev. Wong also touched on the relationship among the pastors, and encouraged them to continue working together as a visible demonstration of
Christ’s love to the community. He also urged them to "exchange pulpit" as a way of strengthening inter-church ties.
The keen response during the dialogue session following Rev. Wong’s sharing showed that Ipoh pastors generally are concerned about national issues and how they relate to their churches’ spirituality. Food and fellowship were a fitting end to a well-spent day for the pastors.
Likewise, the pastors and leaders in JOHOR BARU and KLUANG who attended the NECF meetings were similarly receptive and enthusiastic. In JB, the NECF team met the BM, Chinese and English pastors separately.
NECF Church Relations and Special Projects Executive Secretary Rev. Lai Moo Him shared with about 40 English pastors and leaders the current trends and challenges affecting the Malaysian Church.
NECF BM Executive Secretary Alfred Tais gave the same briefing in BM to about 70 people from the BM churches. NECF Chinese Executive Secretary Ngeh Hoong Eng held a dinner meeting with committee members of the JB Chinese Pastors Fellowship.
They expressed their excitement over NECF’s latest move in expanding its ministry to the Chinese churches.
In Kluang, the NECF team shared with some 30 pastors and leaders from the English and Chinese churches.
