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Staff growth is inevitable with the expansion of ministry in response to increasing needs
For four years after the birth of NECF Malaysia, the fellowship had no staff and was run by the council. Then in 1986, Daniel Ho took up the council’s offer as the first general secretary and together with a secretary, Anne Aran, the NECF office began.
Ten years later under the leadership of acting general secretary Ooi Chin Aik, the staff has grown to eight people. Today, that number has doubled to 16 under the leadership of Secretary General Rev. Wong Kim Kong.
A good team is marked by cooperation, grace and a genuine acceptance of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, just the traits that make the NECF staff team ticks. We take this opportunity to introduce the staff and reveal the lesser-known faces.
Ritha Andries is usually the first person you’ll meet as you enter our office. The endearing, ever-cheerful receptionist hails from Sarawak and joined us two years ago. Ritha, single, worships at SIB Kuala Lumpur where she is involved in intercession and personal evangelism and also serves as a worship leader.
“It has been a joy to see churches working together.”
Ching Bee Gaik is the Confidential Secretary to Rev. Wong. Besides her daily duties, she is also responsible for processing membership applications. She worships at Community Baptist Church, Petaling Jaya, where she is a cell group shepherd and is involved in the music ministry. Bee Gaik joined NECF in 1998. She lives with her mother.
“After many years of working in the secular sector, working in NECF has been an eye-opening experience to what the Evangelical churches around the world are doing and heading towards.”
Chandrasekaran Sabapathy is the most senior (and perhaps the most physically fit too) person in our office. His rich and varied working experience in the civil service has been well utilised in his duties as Personal Assistant to the Secretary-General. He also doubles up as Executive Secretary of Public Affairs. Chandra was the Director of the Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government before retiring from civil service in 1994. During his illustrious career in the Malaysian administrative and diplomatic service, he also served, among others, as District Officer in Pulau Pinang, Training Coordinator in INTAN, Director of Research in the Prime Minister's Department and Principal Assistant State Secretary in Perak. He is married with two grown-up children and worships at Pentecostal Church of Malaysia where he serves in the prison and hospital ministry.
“My calling to NECF has opened a blessed opportunity for me to use my working experiences of over 30 years in the civil service in the areas of administration, training and research for God’s glory. My passion for evangelism too finds avenues in this ministry to reach out and touch lives. Working with inter-denominational in unity is exciting, enriching and challenging.”
Patrick Cheng is our even-tempered, cool-headed Administrator and Church Relations Executive Secretary. He’s the longest-serving employee, having joined NECF in 1995 and is currently responsible for organising our seminars, day-to-day running of the office, and ‘bonding’ NECF with churches in the central region. Because of his even temperament, he’s the calming presence whenever staff members are tangled in debates during staff morning devotions. Prior to NECF, Patrick was with FGA Kuala Lumpur, first in administration and later as a pastoral worker. Out of NECF, he sits on the Board of Directors of Focus on the Family (Malaysia) and Malaysia Bible Seminari. Patrick is married to Germaine and they have two sons, Stefen (14) and Timmy (10).
“I feel privileged to be part of the ministry of NECF in bringing greater unity and empowerment to the Body of Christ in Malaysia.”
The next longest-serving staff member is Sabahan Alfred Rosman Tais, our Bahasa Malaysia Field and Research Secretary. Alfred was seconded to us in April 1996 by Malaysia Campus Crusade for Christ where he had been serving since 1981. A talented musician, he has a deep passion and concern for the growth of the BM ministry in the peninsula. Alfred is the Chairman Elder of SIB, Petaling Jaya, and is heavily involved in outreach work to university students and factory workers. He is married to Esteala Dani, a high school teacher, and they have a baby girl.
“Working in NECF has broadened my contacts and made me realise the importance of unity as a witness to our country.”
Ann Low is another seconded staffworker from Kajang AOG where she served as Associate Pastor from 1991 after returning from studies in Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas. In 2000, she joined NECF as the Executive Secretary for Prayer and has since then, tirelessly visited pastors’ fellowships and churches all over the country with a rallying call for revival through united, concerted and sustained prayers.
“Knowing the Lord has led me here has helped me to stay focused on the ministry. We have a great team in NECF and it is a joy to work here.”
Adeline Koh is our Administrative Secretary, assisting the Missions Commission and carrying out library duties. She worships at Calvary Church, Kuala Lumpur, where she is involved in the Evangelism Ministry and Children’s Ministry.
“My two years in NECF has widened my exposure on the spiritual aspect of full-time ministry and inter-church activities. I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn and work here.”
Sangan Mutang is our Administrative Secretary in charge of IT. The soft-spoken Sarawakian joined us in 1998 as a receptionist and along the way, attended night classes on computer. Sangan is still in wedded bliss, having just married her childhood classmate, Edwin Agong, and they both worship at SIB, Kuala Lumpur.
“It has been challenging working in NECF. I have learned a lot about working with other denominations.”
Gordon Kwong is another colleague still in wedded bliss. The Administrative Assistant, who joined us at the end of 2000, has always been active in the BM ministry in his church, Christian Life Centre, even before joining NECF. Last year, he married the pastor of the BM ministry.
“My greatest satisfaction in working here is to witness how pastors and church leaders have put aside their differences under the encouragement of Rev. Wong (Kim Kong) and to come together to pray and work together as one united body under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”
Nothing seems to escape the eyes of our Finance Executive Secretary Kathryn Tan. Meticulous to the final dot and hardworking to the last bone, she’s often the last to leave the office and among the first few to arrive. Passionate about full-time ministry, Kathryn has worked in Malaysian CARE and the Girls’ Brigade Malaysia prior to NECF. At St Gabriel’s Anglican Church where she worships, she is the Church Secretary, and Missions and Evangelism Director. She’s also the National Treasurer of the Girls’ Brigade Malaysia. Kathryn lives with her mother.
“Serving in NECF is definitely a calling to this ministry and in His time. It has been a real learning experience. Praise the Lord for His enabling and strength!”
Helping to relieve Kathryn’s workload is Frances Lee, who joined us in March. With a baby due in August (their first), she has opted to work part-time. Frances left a secure and enviable job in an oil and gas company, where she worked for 16 years, to serve full-time. Together with husband Low Fook Weng, they are both serving in the children’s ministry at FGA, Kuala Lumpur.
“NECF is like a big family. It has a cosy atmosphere. Despite the tough moments and personality struggles we all experienced in working together, especially during the big projects, we were able to work together in love and unity.”
Ong Juat Heng, another part-timer, was a journalist before being whisked away to Papua New Guinea for three years immediately after marriage in 1988 to John Lim. Upon her return to Malaysia, she did a stint in a bank before answering the call of motherhood full-time for six years. In 1998, she joined NECF and is now the Executive Secretary (Communications). They have three sons – Joshua (10), Joseph (9) and James (5) – and worship at Petaling Jaya Evangelical Free Church where she serves as a teacher in the Children’s Ministry and he is advisor to the College Group.
“I’m grateful to NECF for giving me an avenue to use my skills while remaining faithful to my calling as a mother and wife. The NECF staff is a close-knitted family. We laugh a lot, bicker over theological issues and whatever issues, get into each other’s nerves, and still love each other genuinely.
It is easy to be intimidated by Lim Siew Foong’s string of academic achievements. The Executive Secretary for Research has a master’s degree in Religion, a degree in Psychology and another degree in Fine Arts. And she’s still looking at further studies. Thankfully, all these have not gone into her head. Instead, she is ever ready to give Greek lessons to anyone trying to grasp Bible phrases in its original language. Siew Foong joined NECF in 2001 upon her return from Hawaii where she lived for seven years. She now lives with her mother, grandmother and sister.
“NECF is a place where I can satisfy my personal desire for knowledge and most of all, witness God’s grace and power.”
The man with the infectious booming belly laugh – that’s how one will remember Rev. Lai Moo Him, who is entrusted with the task of enhancing relations with churches in the northern region and overseeing special projects. Additionally, he helps the other NECF commissions implement projects and programmes. Before joining us, Moo Him pastored Canning Garden Baptist Church, Ipoh, for 12 years, in which time he also served as Chairman of the Ipoh Pastors’ Fellowship. He is still under the covering of CGBC. Married to Oi Lan for 30 years now, they are the proud parents of two fine children – daughter Suk Yin, who holds a Master’s degree from Regent University, Virginia Beach, and son Wheng Chung, who recently graduated from Berklee College of Music, Boston.
“I praise God for the opportunity and honour to be part of the NECF team. My contact with the pastors and churches around the country has widened my vision and increased my desire to serve the larger body of Christ to create a meaningful network and resource pool for churches.”
And finally, our boss, Kim Kong, a man who needs no introduction. In fact, he shouldn’t even be featured in this piece Behind the Scene because he is right in the front-line. But he reminded that he is a member of the staff (we think he is … well, the boss) and we are humbled by his attitude. Kim Kong is married to Serene and they have three boys, Joshua (16), Ezra (14) and Hosea (9). A man of much grace, he values relationship highly and constantly reminds the staff that the whole ministry of NECF is about people, and therefore, relationships are very important. Above all, Kim Kong places utmost importance on his family life, and though he is constantly travelling, he has been able to maintain a healthy relationship with his wife and children. His example of servant leadership is an inspiration to all of us in the office.
– By ONG JUAT HENG
NECF Needs You
For the fellowship to be articulate and effective in its Evangelical expression, we need to be strategic in our thinking and response. That’s why we need your valuable guidance and feedback. Your constructive input and response to issues and problems affecting the Church and society will greatly help in our study, research and publication.
The effective representation of the organisation depends very much on the strength of the membership and their active participation. Our membership must continue to grow to achieve a critical mass where the greater majority of the Evangelicals are members or collaborating partners in its representation.
This is a corollary to Government recognition and a witness to the nation. You can be one of our partners by becoming a member and contributing financially.
NECF Malaysia 20th Anniversary Theme Song
Be Perfect, Therefore, As Your Heavenly Father is Perfect
(Matthew 5:48)
Composed by Steve Oh
Heavenly Father, more than anything I want to be like you
Perfectly holy I want to live my life in holiness for you
In my quest for spiritual perfection
I won’t rest till I’m complete –
(till I’m completely)
Committed, consistent and competent
As I live my life for you …
Be perfect therefore as your Heavenly Father is perfect
Be holy and blameless in his eyes
Live your lives a living sacrifice for Jesus
On Jesus each day fix your eyes
May the churches of Christ fill this land with His glory
Hallelujah let our praises ring
May my life be a living epistle for Jesus
That others may know and see – Jesus is alive
In Heaven and in me
God’s Spirit lives in me. |
