The Reluctant “COO” Who Turned Strategic “CFO”

By Pr Allan Leong, Zone Pastor - KL

The KL Zone Impact project started in 2020 during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As at end-July 2021, the zone has done 71 projects costing RM100,700, all contributed by the generosity of the cell members to serve and bless the community. Some of the projects have been completed and a number of them are on-going. I am happy to report that all the 17 cell groups in KL zone are involved in the Impact project.

I thank the Lord for each and every cell member in the zone for his/her contribution and the labour of love ploughed into the community. “God is not unjust, he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10). In the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:6, I pray that “he who began a good work in you (the zone members) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

“In obedience to Christ’s command - to love one another. To show those in need that they are not forgotten. They are special and we hear them, see them, and they are God’s children too. Even when they have not yet known Jesus, He is there for them. We want to extend our assistance to those who need help and support.” - Teo Wun Meng, Cell Leader -

“The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in need, in Jesus’ name. The thought that people are going hungry or suffering out there and if we can do something regardless of whether it has a big or a small impact, why not?” - Godwin Supramaniam, Zone Leader/Cell Leader -

“Inspiration of the church leadership and to be in alignment with the Church strategies of Impact Project. More importantly be obedient to the Scriptures.” - Dr Lim Beng Keat, Cell Leader -

“God has shown us mercy, so in gratitude, we want to extend it to those in need. God has taught us compassion, empathy and love, so it is just our natural and spontaneous response to help the needy and those who are suffering. It is more blessed to give than to receive, to bless others as God has blessed us in so many ways. Finally, it is a God-given privilege and grace that has provided the opportunities to be involved in the midst of the pandemic. God is good”. - Dr Lakana Kumar, Cell Leader -

It is not possible for me to share about every project that we are involved in. Allow me to highlight just a few here:

The zone funded the transportation

1costs for Myanmar migrant workers from Plaza Sungai Besi to the vaccination centre. We arranged six buses to transport a total of 126 workers to the Bukit Jalil PPV (Pusat Pemberian Vaksin) centre. We are grateful to be able to play a part in helping the migrant workers in our nation to be vaccinated. We will be making the same arrangement for them to take the second dose. In August when an area in Old

2Klang Road was under EMCO (total lockdown), we partnered with an NGO to provide rice packs and food essentials to about 150 Indonesian migrant households in that area.

There is a children’s home in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan run by Pastor Sukumaran. It

3is home to 15 children (5 boys and 10 girls) with ages ranging from two years to teenagers. The children were either abandoned by their parents or given away to relatives and ended up in the home, as the relative or caregiver had abused them. The home is well managed and the children are well cared for. As the children are growing up, Pastor Sukumaran and his wife felt the need for the boys and girls to live in separate houses. By doing so, it would not only allow segregation but also make room to accept more children. A second home had been identified and set up.

Our two cell groups in Cheras (under Godwin and Dr Kumar) financed the furnishing of the new home, providing them with beds, mattresses, a refrigerator and fans, etc. Prayerfully after the MCO with interstate travel permitted, the cell groups will plan a trip to the centre to do some painting, and also to help out in the community project with the neighbourhood children.

Our cell group in Puchong, under

4Peter Sia got to know of the needs in the Penjara Wanita Kajang (Kajang Women’s Prison). In this Prison, there are not only female inmates but also babies (some of them were born there) who are staying with their mothers who are serving prison terms. The babies are allowed to stay with their mothers until they are three

years old. Due to the lack of budget from the government, there is always a dire need for infant and baby milk powder and diapers. The cell group decided to look into ways to provide these needs. As the prison authorities only deal with organisations registered with them, the cell leader was told to contact Malaysian Care. So through Malaysian Care, the cell was able to have access to the Kajang Women’s Prison and provide them with milk powder and diapers.

On that day, when the cell leader introduced themselves as Christians from DUMC in Petaling Jaya, the Prison officers were very surprised as nobody had done this before, blessing them with baby needs. She mentioned “Orang Gereja selalu buat baik.” A cell member named Benjamin

5Teh from Dr Lim Beng Keat’s cell in Kemensah Heights came across a Malay lady who was living in a dilapidated house without a roof. The only portion of her house with a roof over it was the kitchen and that was where she slept, cooked and confined herself to, as this was the only place not inundated by rain. Sadly, she had been neglected by her own family [including three adult sons] and left to fend for herself. Her plight caught the attention of the MP of the area, Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew. She decided to help this lady and managed to find a contractor who was willing to mend the roof for free, but funds were still needed to buy the raw materials for the repairs. When Benjamin shared this with the CG, the cell unanimously agreed to contribute to the fund, in keeping with our motto ‘See a Need, Meet it’, even though this was not their preplanned Impact project.

When the cheque was presented to YB Dr Tan, many of the top PKR leaders [Dato Seri Dr Wan Azizah, Tian Chua and YB Prabakaran] were there in support of the Malay lady who is an ardent member of their party. When Dr Wan Azizah learned of the involvement of DUMC, she was very touched that a church could help out someone in need regardless of race, religion or political affiliation. The cell members were very encouraged that their Impact initiative not only made an impact on the Malay lady, but also those who witnessed it. “We are truly grateful to God to be able to see the improvement in the lives of individuals that we touched. These efforts also ministered to our hearts. We can comprehend the true meaning of God’s love; He cares and loves us no matter what our backgrounds are. We do not need to worry about anything because God knows and cares for us. He will send people to help us. Thank you God that we can be part of this initiative.” - Hia Ngee Yeow, Cell Leader -

“The cell members have seen and experienced the generosity of the whole cell. It was a whole cell decision to support/reach out. We saw how God poured his blessings through the cell members by their giving. When the cell group decided to give, it was overflowing, in abundance. When we give to others, God gives us blessings too i.e. prayers answered, own needs are met, etc. Everyone was very cooperative in contributing money, effort, time and energy. Packing food items, etc. brings cell members together. Everyone played his/her part, united in purpose and mission. Indeed, it is more blessed to give than to receive. Some feel blessed to be able to help in little ways as it is heart-breaking sometimes to see some of the needs out there.” - Teo Wun Meng, Cell Leader -

“It was an eye opener in seeing the great needs in our society. We felt joyous and at peace that we could help and at the same time were humbled by the experience. We are privileged that we can meet people’s needs. The initial feelings of apprehension, fear and anxiety turned to a greater desire to continue helping the needy.” - Dr Lim Beng Keat, Cell Leader -

By Pastor Dato’ Dr Daniel Ho, Founding Senior Pastor

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ”

Galatians 5:22, 23

The passage of Scripture above provides a true test of healthy Christian spirituality. How far are we close to or distant from bearing this fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is borne as we submit ourselves more and more to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is one fruit that must manifest itself in all 9 nine facets in our life. We cannot say we have some and do not have the others. If this is the case, then we need to come before God and allow Him to search us seriously.

Let us examine these facets and see how we can learn to grow in it. Firstly, love which is one that comes from God in the first place. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). But we are all inclined towards selfishness and selfcentredness and need to be delivered from such self-preoccupation. Only when we embrace God’s love can it turn us outwards to show love to others increasingly.

Secondly, joy which is independent of the circumstances around us. When we know this joy which comes from the Lord we will begin to manifest this deep down in spite of the challenging pandemic situation we are in right now. Moreover, this joy of the Lord shall be our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). How much we need this in these uncertain times!

Thirdly, the Holy Spirit will begin to bring increasing peace in us because real peace comes from the Prince of peace, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:17).

Fourthly, patience which the Holy Spirit has to work doubly hard on most of us because we are often impatient people. We all have much to repent in this area. We often cannot wait but want to have everything right away. So we demand and pout if we do not have it immediately. How the Holy Spirit has to work overtime to confront and convict us! As we surrender to the Spirit, He begins to work gently and slowly patience in us increases.

Fifthly, kindness which comes from the Lord who is altogether kind (cf. Titus 3:4, 5). As we embrace this kindness of the Lord we will begin to show kindness, likewise to others too. Like in driving, when we are kind towards others in giving way they will likewise be kind towards other fellow drivers. We always give what we receive.

Sixthly, goodness which is a reflection of that quality inherent in us. But this quality resides firstly in this absolutely good God who is altogether good towards us. And as His goodness is poured into our lives through the Holy Spirit we inherently become good and will manifest this likewise in our lives increasingly. Authentic goodness comes from God who will work in us to reflect the same.

Seventhly, faithfulness in our living, acting and relating. Faithfulness with our roles and responsibilities, in the use of our gifts, time, resources and whatever else that the Lord has given us. Faithfulness in promises and commitments. Faithfulness before people and behind people.

Eighthly, gentleness which is perfectly exemplified in the Person of Jesus. He was gentle with the woman caught in adultery as He was gentle with the hated Zacchaeus. Both were transformed in their encounter with Jesus. Likewise, the Holy Spirit will work gentleness in us reflecting Jesus as we surrender ourselves more and more to Him.

Finally, self-control which is that one area we all struggle with. Our mouths are too quick as our actions are too rash oftentimes. Sometimes we live to regret them. Of course we must confess, repent and cry to God for mercy and forgiveness. Only in recognising our great need in this area of self-control will the Holy Spirit begin to painfully work in us slowly and graciously. Then, we will begin to have greater self-control over our words, actions and temper.

What a time for us all in the midst of the pandemic to surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and to allow Him to examine our hearts and our lives. To see how much of the fruit of the Spirit we are bearing which will be the true test of our spirituality. Not how much of the Bible we know, important as it is, but how much of the Spirit’s fruit we are manifesting. That would be the true witness to our Christian spirituality.