Golden Jubilee of New Apostolic Church Malaysia

May 3, 2021 | By Malaysia

“My heart filled with gratitude to God that I can serve my brethren, especially in Malaysia and Singapore because today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of New Apostolic Church Malaysia.” With these words District Apostle Edy greeted children of God in Malaysia, Singapore, and the whole district of South-East Asia.

On Sunday (2/5) he conducted a divine service in Denpasar, Bali. He based his sermon on Colossians 1:12-13: “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love”

Faith in Christ

District Apostle looked back to the work of God in Malaysia: “God has established his work in Malaysia 50 years ago and He has blessed His work. Personally, I’m very grateful for my predecessor.” What we see today is only a part of God’s work. But on the day of the Lord we will see the full image of God’s work: eternal fellowship with God.

“I have united my heart to Apostle Paul. We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for Christ. With deep respect I admire all of you, my dear brothers and sisters. Also in this pandemic and crisis time, you remain faithful to the Lord.”

Reasons to be thankful

District Apostle went on to point out that Apostle Paul gives us three reasons to be thankful to God and rejoice:

Salvation promised to us. “purposely the apostle used term of inheritance. It is a legacy, a wealth given by the possessor to someone.” Inheritance one just received, without working or without being deserved. “We are thankful because our heavenly father will give his kingdom. He will grant us His glory. No more death, no more disaster, no more injustice, no more suffering.”
God has delivered us from the power of darkness. “Let us think to the Lord Jesus, when Jesus was on earth, satan made Him suffer. Especially on the cross.” But we know satan was not successful. Jesus remained faithful until the end. “Let us make decisions: it is in our own power. I want to remain faithful!”
God has conveyed us into the kingdom of His Son. “We see in this kingdom the image of the Church of Christ, into which God has made us a part.” What a joy to know that it is Christ Himself who leads His Church! God does not differentiate between us, He loves us all the same.

“Let us be thankful and rejoice in these reasons. I pray God bless you all, may God bless New Apostolic Church in Malaysia, may the Lord come soon, and it is my prayer that all of us will be accepted in grace.”

History of New Apostolic Church in Malaysia

The New Apostolic Church Malaysia emerged as part of the missionary movement initiated by NAC Canada in the 1970s and began with a man named Chhabra and his German wife Waldtraut from the then Bremen district. Through his wife he was able to recognize the Christian faith and was sent by District Apostle Herrmann Schuhmacher as a Priest to Malaysia, where he found a job as a teacher in Batang Kali.

The first church was founded in Rawang (near the capital Kuala Lumpur). From 1971 to 2008 the New Apostolic Church Malaysia was looked after by the District Church Canada/USA. The Apostle William Edgar Erry, who worked in India, was sent as the first apostle. The Apostles Wilbert Vovak and Ernest Vovak (USA), Ernst Horn, Bishop Weber (all from Canada) and above all the then District Elder Leslie Latorcai promoted the growth of the church across the country, which today has 600 members in 18 congregations (as of 2020). Most of the members come from the Tamil population.

Priest Chabra represented the church locally as District Elder and was replaced by District Elder Hans Jeyakumar after his retirement. In 2009 Malaysia was incorporated into the newly organized District Apostle Area Southeast Asia together with the member states Sabah and Sarawak and since District Apostle Urs Hebeisen’s retirement (November 18, 2018), District Apostle Edy Isnugroho (Indonesia) and Apostle Fred Wolf (Thailand) lead the Church and are responsible for pastoral care.