Equipping the future of the church in Malaysia

Your gifts and prayers are helping young believers grow in faith—and step into bold ministry.

Malaysia—ranked No. 49 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List (which ranks the top 50 most difficult places to follow Jesus)—can be a difficult place for people to grow in their faith. The pull to other religions is often strong, and believers who aren’t well-equipped in their faith can experience difficulties if and when persecution comes.

That’s why Open Doors local partners are intentional about helping to strengthen both the current and the next generation of Christians in Malaysia.

The New Canaan Training Centre (NCTC) is a comprehensive Bible study course in East Malaysia that includes both theoretical and practical components. It typically consists of three sessions, and this year, Open Doors local partners supported three students in the programs.

This is all thanks to the gifts and prayers of Open Doors supporters around the world—people like you. And the impact has been incredible!

“I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to take a course that is so equipping for the ministry,” said Ella*, one of the students who took the course at NCTC. “I am grateful that the lessons have made me aware of being more effective in reaching out to people. I hope that after graduating, my ministry will grow and improve. I hope many souls will be reached and saved. I'm grateful to the teaching staff who have educated and equipped me so much. God bless all of you.”

During the program, the first session focuses on basic theology, looking at the Christian calling and biblical doctrine.

This lesson stood out to Alex*, another course participant. “Ever since I started taking classes at NCTC, there's one subject that still amazes me,” he explains. “I learned that even though we are mere humans, God wants to use us to do His extraordinary work. And this truth made me feel God's love. I am a child of God, and I was given the gift to preach the gospel of Christ's salvation. The gospel of salvation is that Jesus Christ came into the world, died on the cross, and rose again so that we who believe in Him can be saved and justified. I pray that all the other NCTC students will also be blessed, gain wisdom and grow in faith.”

The second and third sessions focused on the practical training where students are sent onsite to an NCTC centre in another part of the district. This session allows students the opportunity to harness vocational skills like farming. “The reason we support these students is because we hope they will use the knowledge and skills gained in their respective ministry and be prepared to become a more holistic minister, and they will be able to serve anywhere,” explains one of Open Doors’ local partners.

It’s incredible to see how God has used the course to help redeem even the painful parts of these young believers’ lives. “I've often experienced being rebuffed by someone close and dear to me,” shares Lisa*, another participant. “It made it feel impossible to believe any promises people would give, and I started to hate people who made promises. Through the sessions, God has restored me to a belief in the promise. I have learned that although men often fail to keep their promises, there is one Person who is trustworthy and who always keeps His word—the Lord Jesus Christ. He will always be with me in all situations of my life, either good or bad. Knowing this truth, I want to forgive the people who have hurt me with their false promises. I know this is not an easy thing, but I know that He will help me by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in me.”

“All this time, this inner wound of deep resentment and hatred that I've carried for years of my life caused me to lose peace,” says Matt*, another student. “But thank God, after following the lessons I was taught and through the grace of God, He opened my heart to release forgiveness. I willingly released and forgave those who slander and defame my family name. I am so grateful to have attended this training where I was taught to know the Lord Jesus Christ and was freed from the shackles that had bound me for so long. All praises to God alone!”

The growth of faith is quite evident for these students, who are the future of the church in Malaysia. Another participant, Sam*, says he used to rely on his own intelligence and power in his life. But the discipleship lessons at NCTC have made him more like Jesus “I knew that if I wanted to be transformed by God and experience the transforming power of Christ, I had to be willing to deny myself and surrender my mind and ways to Him to direct my life,” he says.

“I'm so grateful to have been able to attend this class. This truth has shown me the way to freedom. Praise God and thank you.”

Thank you so much for your prayers and gifts for your brothers and sisters around the world. It truly makes such a huge difference—both in the here and now, and in the believers who will be future leaders in their churches. Alex, the young man who learned that God can use all of us to do His work, simply says: “Thank you for the opportunity you gave me. God bless you.”

Top image: representative

please pray

Open Doors partners and regional experts ask that you continue to pray for these and other believers in Malaysia as they seek to grow in faith and serve Jesus more faithfully:

Continue to pray for the students, that they may grow in their spiritual journey and be a blessing to others.
Pray for the facilitators as they conduct the NCTC training, that they will be equipped with God’s wisdom in bringing the Word to the participants.
Pray that God would multiply the impact of this training and grow the seeds that have been planted here and in the years to come.

give today

Today, will you give the gift of joy to a child like Rumana?

Every PHP 1,500 can give Bibles to 10 children to help nurture their faith.

Every PHP 2,600 will help organize a Christmas Party for persecuted children.

Every PHP 5,000 can provide emergency, medical, and immediate help to Persecuted Christians this Christmas (shelter assistance, winter clothes, etc.)

GIVE A GIFT

Equipping the future of the church in Malaysia

Today, will you give the gift of joy to a child like Rumana?

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