Contributed by Abbey Thangiah • Feb 18, 2025
When I did my diploma at a college in Seremban, I was a part of its Christian Fellowship (CF). We were just a small group which constantly met for sharing and prayer. I was always encouraged by this small group because this was my cell away from my home Cell Group. I did not attend Celebrations at DUMC during this time since travelling from Seremban to PJ via public transport was inconvenient. Having said that, I completed almost all my lessons under the School of Leadership (SOL) during this time.
During my second year, our CF grew because there were a group of people that came from Sabah and Sarawak. We immediately became more Malaysian and we became a cool group to hangout with. We often met up for fellowship at the ‘mamak’. There would often be a large group of us. We were certainly growing in numbers and more non-Christians began to attend the CF as well..
One time, a few of my friends from Ipoh, KL and Seremban organised a camp in Port Dickson. In this camp, a few of my CF friends also joined. One of them accepted Christ in this camp and a few others also began to search for God deeply.
A few non-Christians also started joining our CF regularly. This certainly got the unnecessary attention of the college leaderships who were predominantly Hindu. They called some of our friends and started warning them about Christians who will brainwash non-Christians make them Christians. When my friends stood up defending us, the leadership called the parents of these students. They got scolded just for hanging out with us.
As my final year came, the growth was healthy indeed. We applied to use the hall for our final year Christmas party but were rejected. They scolded us, “Why do you want such a big hall? The college won’t waste money on you. Take the small hall instead.” This hall could seat about 40+ people only. During the party, 120 people came. As we only prepared food for 50, we had to frantically order ‘roti canai’ for the rest. Some students accepted Christ and we prayed for them. We were certainly seeing the Bible come to life in reality as we sensed the power of the Lord just pouring generously on His people regardless of race, colour and creed.
I could end this story here but I sense you must know the whole story.
As Pastor Daniel preached, once people accept Christ, discipleship must immediately begin. This CF didn’t have a parent church nor did Seremban had many churches at that time. We met weekly, and numbers were good but the college leadership seemed to have the upper hand. In the following semester, the senior batch graduated. CF leadership shrunk as there were only a few juniors who were willing to serve in it. In our excitement seeing Christ moved, we did not focus much on leadership or transition, as these roles were not included in the college CV. The lecturer in charge and overseeing us applied for another job due to the college pressure. The college suspended her promotion and she was given a bad appraisal (from what I heard).
In just one year, there was no more CF in the college. It pains to see this passionate group just disappear. Thankfully, though years have passed, some of us still keep in touch with one another.
I am pro-CF. This is the only avenue I know where people unite from all denominations for the sole purpose to watch His Kingdom grow. It is sad that many churches in KL focus on the growth of their own. Many attend CF only to fish people to their own churches. Passionate youths from different denominations must come together to organize activities using the name of the college. A church must parent/sponsor these fellowships but allow the CF to bloom and grow with its college or university.
In certain cases, many University students serve their own churches than their colleges and fish students to their own respective churches. I understand the reason behind this but pray that people will see the power of an interdenominational fellowship. We build our spiritual muscle in our churches but use the strength to build the fellowship in the Universities. Once we graduate, we go back to our churches better and stronger.
We must focus on saving souls rather than growing members. As Pastor Daniel said, he has caused other churches to grow because he evangelized wherever he goes. We must learn to develop such a lifestyle of evangelism.
As my CG leader used to say, we are like plants, we bloom where God wants us to grow. Just like plants, we must be constantly cared for spiritually. We must also bloom where God places us. Only then will we grow stronger.