Posted on 21 Nov 2024 by Jan Tie
Melvin David once imagined a life free from the burden of responsibilities, his days a blur of drinking, parties, and transient pleasures. His early adulthood was a carousel of escapism, spinning through the nights with little regard for the morrow. But that changed when he was introduced to Christ Evangelical Reformed Church (CERC) by his brother-in-law Jeremy Johnson.
It was in CERC Camp in 2012 where Pastor Robin preached through the book of Ecclesiastes that Melvin started to reflect and think carefully about the meaning of life.
“If not for the faithful preaching in CERC, and personal follow ups by Jeremy Johnson, I would still be broken and aimless”, reflects Melvin, now a devoted husband to Andrea and a father to two young children. His concern today is far removed from the hedonistic pursuits of his youth. “My biggest worry now is reading the Bible in context, getting systematics and Biblical Theology right to make sure my kids know God”.
Melvin’s transformation is just one story in the larger narrative of lives changed by CERC’s ministries. These stories were a part of a special art-decoration installation celebrating the church’s 16th anniversary — A testament to the church’s growth.
An attendee interacting with the deco piece displaying some of the lives transformed by CERC
Since its beginning 16 years ago as a small church meeting in Pastor Robin’s house, CERC has now grown to a church with weekly attendance of 490 people. While 490 may not seem like a large number, it belies the breadth and depth of the work CERC is doing and the work that remains.
For many students, for example, CERC’s presence in Klang Valley’s university and college campuses is a blessing.
When Xin Yuan first encountered Celine Yong, a member of CERC, in International Medical University (IMU), she was still untangling herself from the influence of Providence, a fringe religious group she had recently left. The group is led by Jung Myung-seok, who claimed to be the second coming of Christ using biblical texts like Daniel 12 and 1 Corinthians 15.
It wasn’t until she started attending CERC’s “God’s Story” sermon series that a shift in her thinking began to take root. “The series helped me understand the Bible as a single, cohesive narrative, with everything pointing to Jesus Christ,” she says.
Celine Yong became a steadfast guide in this period of transformation. She followed up after their initial meeting at the Christian Fellowship of IMU, encouraging Xin Yuan through regular Bible studies and offering support as her newfound understanding deepened.
Now, with her faith firmly grounded Biblical Christianity, Xin Yuan is preparing for a life of ministry. She plans to join CERC’s Church Ministers Apprenticeship program in July 2026, with the goal of entering full-time paid ministry.
To be able to do ministry this wide and far, CERC spent a lot of money and has been running on a tight budget. As CERC is reopening the Northwest campus in Subang Bestari by the end of 2024 and with 3 persons currently pursuing full time theological education overseas, the pressure to sustain and support its ministries continues to increase.
For years, Family Day has been a cherished tradition, celebrated annually on August 31st. It has long been a time for the church community to come together, reflecting on God’s goodness and the blessings of life lived under His rule with games, food, and family time. This year, the celebration took on added significance, doubling as a donation drive to raise crucial funds to support the ministry works of CERC.
Over 40 Growth Groups participated in fundraising efforts in Elmina Central Park located near to the CERC’s future Northwest Campus.
There were foods, games, and even splash bucket challenge. The general atmosphere of Family Day was abuzz with activities and is best recaptured with pictures:
Joel (left) and Kit May (right) posing for picture at Elmina Central Park
Bahasa Melayu Growth Group serving hot teh-tarik
CERC men playing CS-GO with water-gun
Melvin David (black shirt) with his wife (white shirt), his two kids (one wearing cap, and the other on the stroller), his dad (blue shirt) and his nephew (green shirt) at Family Day
The men and women of CERC—some pictured above, others not—would readily acknowledge that their lives have been profoundly reshaped through the church’s ministry. CERC’s approach is not without its critics; it has faced both scrutiny and, at times, outright opposition. Yet the stories of those whose lives have been transformed—from living for themselves to now living for God—stand as a compelling testament to the good work CERC has been doing for the past 16 years.
More pictures of Family Day can be found here.
