THE NECF Foundation was formally launched at a dinner on April 3 at the J.W.Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. About 700 people came from all over Malaysia to attend the launch and hear compelling reasons for the necessity of such a fund to help local pastors and full-time workers, including missionaries.
In his welcome speech, Foundation board chairman Davy Woo recounted how the foundation was conceived, and introduced the board members who represent various denominations.
NECF Chairman Rev Datuk Dr Prince Guneratnam then shared his encounter with a full-time worker who revealed that she and her husband had to borrow money to fund their daughter’s tertiary education.
NECF Secretary-General Rev Wong Kim Kong ended the dinner with an impassioned plea to help full-time workers. In his message “Am I my brother’s keeper?” he preached from 1 Kings 19 where God sent an angel to care for a depressed, burnt-out Elijah by giving him food and water.
After receiving the nourishment, Elijah “…arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God” (vs 8). Rev Wong challenged the diners to be like the angel who cared for Elijah’s physical needs so that God’s ministers would have the strength to carry on their tasks.
Diners then dug into their pockets and contributed RM33,000 in cash and cheques to the fund. In all, the dinner raised about RM253,000.
Diners were also treated to presentations by Victor Chua whose melodious voice charmed them; violinist Joanne Yeoh whose deft fingers on the violin mesmerised them; and wives and children of full-time workers whose song and skit presentations touched their hearts. Inspiring performance by Joanne Yeoh.
Meanwhile, the foundation board has a new face. Peter Chan from SIB KL replaces Lew Lee Choo, pastor of SIB KL, who has stepped down. Peter formerly worked as Property Manager with HSBC and now serves as a zone pastor in his church. |
