He believes the OA are not stupid but are, in fact, ‘rich’ in many ways. However, they have not learned to utilise their resources due to their ignorance. Another problem with the OA is their complacent attitude towards life, sighs Rev. Balahu. "All through the centuries, our people have led simple lifestyles in their villages. They are not open to changes. Coming out to the towns to work is a big problem. Staying on in one particular job is a headache to them," he laments.

Nevertheless, he still harbours hopes that his people will one day become self-sufficient and that they will be on par economically with the other races. His greatest hope, though, is that they will all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

PR BAKAR MOGOT is happy that with the setting up of the NECF Malaysia OA Commission, there is progress in efforts to build an indigenous OA Church. However, he is disappointed that there are still some churches which do not see the need or are reluctant to work together. The Commission Vice-Chairman longs to see the emergence of OA leaders who will be recognised and respected not just by their own people, but also by the Body of Christ.

While he appreciates the help and concern of churches working among the OA, he urges them to entrust OA Christian leaders with the responsibility of making decisions for their own communities. Pr Bakar is from the Mah Meri tribe and has been serving full-time among his people since 1993.

Like any faithful shepherd, PR HASIN PIEH is protective over his flock. He wants his members to know their enemy (1 Pet. 5:8–9) and constantly reminds them that their battle is not against "flesh and blood" (Eph. 6:12). He yearns to see OA youths committed to God and serve Him. They need to see that the church is not just the pastor’s responsibility, he says.

A loyal supporter of the commission, he has been encouraging his congregation in the area of tithes and offerings, in preparation for the day when they will be weaned from financial dependence on their mother church. Coming from the Temuan tribe, he has been serving full-time for seven years and currently oversees three lay pastors.

PR RAMIM TOYOM serves as a lay pastor because he knows his church is not able to pay him sufficiently to meet his family’s needs. He is content with the arrangement but is concerned that the lack of finance can deter young people from stepping into full-time ministry. A Temuan, he has been working alongside Pr Hasin and hopes that theological schools will design special programmes for Christians like him who desires training but do not have the academic qualifications to enter the seminaries.

Rev. Balahu was the first superintendent of the Methodist Sengoi Mission Conference. He has since stepped down from that position, but still commands much respect among his people. The other three younger pastors are the emerging leaders and they attributed their spiritual growth and leadership development to the support of their mother churches and senior pastors, who have entrusted them with responsibilities, given them the freedom to make decisions, and allowed them to make mistakes - key ways that have spurred their growth.