Our founding pastor, Sivin, ruminates ..

The burden to explore church planting was already present during the second year of my theological education in Seminari Theoloji Malaysia. Even at that time, Bangsar was in my mind. However, after graduation I felt the timing was not right and thus continued to serve in Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak as a youth pastor and worship director. The church had supported me in my studies and I decided to serve in my home church who had encouraged me and given me a wonderful context to learn and grow. In the last three years, I have learnt a lot serving in Setapak and have found the ministry there to be challenging, exciting and rewarding.

Nevertheless, the passion towards church planting was once again ignited (or re-kindled) at the end of November 1998. This was then further confirmed by friends in ministry and even a guest speaker from the U.S.A. Dr. Stan Decoven. Thus, I seriously submitted this desire in prayer with May Chin whom I was courting with then. And chose to wait for Gods opening and timing. The passion, desire and I believe the calling to move out from my comfort zone grew more and more especially after my marriage with May Chin. Both of us sensed that we would make a major decision in life and ministry soon.

On the 27th October 1999, during a conversation with Bishop Gideon Chang in the Bishops office, we talked about my future in ministry and the topic of church planting. And from there the possibilities of starting a new outreach work in Bangsar came to the forefront of our lives. After sharing my burden with former church leadership, and other close friends in ministry, including both sides of our family, there was further confirmation and support that this is the direction we should go. We do feel a peace in our hearts too.

The verse during this season of transition that I believe is from the Lord to May Chin and I is found in John 20:21. And so far, we rest assured that ultimately it is the Lord Jesus calling us and sending us out into a new territory and a new challenge to reach the unchurched with the Good News of Jesus Christ, be part the working of building a Christ-centered church and impacting the community with Gods unconditional love.