In 1998, NECF Malaysia pubished a book entitled “The Pursuit of God’s Cause – In Honour of David Boler”. In the preface, it was recorded: “The suggestion of coming out with a book to honour David Boler for his manifold influence and contibutions to the Christian Church and society in Malaysia and beyond, was met with immediate enthusiasm by his evangelical friends.”
Mr Boler’s “evangelical friends” were leaders from across the evangelical spectrum: Brethren, Anglican, Evangelical Free Church, Methodist, Sidang Injil Borneo and Independent Charismatic churches.
They contributed essays that recounted the life and impact of the evangelical Church in Malaysia, and thought it fitting to attribute the book to the one man whom they considered one of the most influential leaders in the evangelical Church in Malaysia.
That the honour was accorded while Mr Boler was well and alive spoke volumes of the deep respect and high esteem the Christian community held for him. Ten years have passed since then; through this decade, that respect had deepened and esteem heightened.
On April 27, Mr Boler crossed the finishing line in this earthly race which he began 89 years ago. Many went to pay their last respect and once again, they were representatives from across the evangelical spectrum.
There were tears, of course, but there was also a sense of celebration for a life well-lived, a life that, yielded to the Master’s bidding, was a clear mirror of His humility and grace in everything he did.
And he accomplished much in this life, being instrumental to the establishment of several crucial ministries that have served and are still actively serving the Christian community. Some of these ministries were born during his retirement years after he left Bukit Bintang Boys’ School where he was headmaster for 13 years.
During his pre-retirement years, he served in various capacities as Chairman of Scripture Union, founding Chairman of the Bible Society of Malaysia and a leader of the Malaysian Christian Schools Council, besides being an elder of his church, Jalan Gasing Gospel Hall.
He was the founding Chairman of NECF Malaysia and played a key role in forming the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) – the national Christian representative body – and convincing CFM of the need to engage with the other religious groups. Soon after, the Malaysian Consultative of Budhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS) was formed, with CFM as the member representing Christians. (The group has been renamed MCCBCHST to include the Taiosts.)
We will deeply miss Mr Boler. May His peace and comfort rest upon his wife, Yvonne, their children Brenda and Douglas, and all their loved ones.
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