FOR the first time, churches in Batu Pahat and Segamat will hold combined-church prayer rallies on Aug 31 – Merdeka Day (Independence Day).

Christians in Batu Pahat will meet to intercede for the nation at Gereja Grace Presbyterian Church. The venue for the Segamat rally will be announced later. This brings to total 25 towns participating in the yearly prayer gatherings for the nation.

The decision to hold the rallies was the result of NECF’s recent deputation visits to both towns where the NECF team shared with pastors and church leaders the current issues in Malaysia and the Church’s response to the issues.

In Batu Pahat (BP), over 50 people were updated on the national issues by NECF Secretary-General Rev Wong Kim Kong, who also took the opportunity to share on the importance of unity among the various churches. He urged the church leaders to avoid "ministering in isolation" and encouraged them to "come together in a greater measure".

NECF Executive Secretary (Prayer) Ann Low then shared about the organisation’s prayer initiatives and challenged the participants to consider joining other towns taking part in this year’s Merdeka Prayer Rally. Moved by the challenge, several church leaders approached Ann after the seminar and agreed to organise the rally. NECF is now helping the BP churches to set up a committee for the rally.

The NECF team next visited Segamat and was encouraged to find out that the Pastors Fellowship has been holding combined-churches monthly prayer meetings at various parts of the town. Some 10 pastors and leaders attended the current issues seminar and again at the end of the talks, they enthusiastically responded to the call to participate in the Merdeka Prayer Rally.

The NECF team also visited Melaka and Muar. In Melaka, the NECF English seminar was attended by over 50 leaders from various churches, while the separate BM seminar saw a gathering of over 20 people. About 15 pastors and leaders in Muar attended the seminar.