At 7:30am on Sunday morning, while most of the city is still asleep, the lights in the church kitchen are already on. Rice is cooking. Sambal is simmering. Ingredients prepared days earlier are laid out, ready to be assembled. For the Psalm 92 women, this early start is not unusual. It is simply part of loving God and His church.
The Psalm 92 women began not as a fundraising team, but as a group of older women in the church encouraging one another with the Word. As they grew in the Word, they grew in love for His church and their love soon took action.
In April last year, when the need to raise funds for CERC’s 21 for 21 building project became clear, the women wanted to contribute but were keenly aware of their own limitations. As Aunty Jane explains, they spoke honestly with one another: “We wanted to help with the fundraising, but we don’t really have money to donate. Our financial situation is limited too.” What they did have, however, were skills, time, and a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of God’s church.
Then an idea emerged: what if ordinary, necessary Sunday meals could become a consistent way of providing the funds the church needs for the work of the gospel to grow?
As one of the Psalm 92 women explains, the logic was simple and intentional. Every Sunday morning, church members need to eat. The church Food Catering Services purchase from elsewhere and people also will purchase from elsewhere on their own, and the profit margin goes to outside sellers. “So why don’t we cook,” she shares, “earn that margin, and give it to the church?” The goal was never to charge exorbitantly. In fact, the team is careful to price their food lower than commercial alternatives. The effort stemmed from zeal and thoughtful stewardship out of love for God’s church.
From May to December last year, the Psalm 92 women consistently prepared Sunday meals as part of this effort, raising RM53,000 out of the 21 million needed for the 21 for 21 building fund. The work, however, was far from simple. None of the women had experience cooking on such a scale; most were used to home cooking for their families. “All of us have never done mass cooking before,” Aunty Jane admits. “But we were up for the challenge.”
Learning happened through trial and effort. New dishes were researched, tested, and refined, sometimes with the help of YouTube tutorials. Quantities were carefully weighed, costs calculated, and processes adjusted week by week. “We’re not professionals,” she says, “but we just learnt on our own.” As the weeks passed, their skills grew, and with them, their confidence and enjoyment of the work.
Preparation often begins long before Sunday. Ingredient sourcing, menu planning, and cost calculations take place throughout the week. On Monday nights, the women meet late in the evening to review feedback and plan for the coming Sunday. Saturdays may be spent chopping ingredients or preparing food in advance. On Sundays, some women wake as early as 4.30am to prepare food at home before arriving at church around 7am. By the end of the day, the toll is real. “After Sunday, we are actually very tired out,” Aunty Jane reflects.
And yet, there is joy in the labour. Working side by side has drawn the women closer together. Mistakes are made, laughter shared, and patience learned. They are deeply thankful for help from across the church, particularly from younger members and men who assist with equipment, packing, and logistics. “We appreciate them so much,” Aunty Jane says simply.
While the work is not light, it is work sustained by love. As one of the Psalm 92 women reflected, seeing fellow aunties who are tired, older, but still eager, willingly serve the Lord has been a constant encouragement. “The love for the church is very big,” she says. Week after week, the women work with quiet faithfulness, coordinating plans and people, each contributing ideas and strengths as they labour together for the sake of gospel growth.
When asked what keeps them going week after week, she said, “We really want this new home because we really want to grow the gospel.” As Aunty Jane explained, a new home would allow the church to grow, serve, and disciple more effectively—not just now, but for generations to come. As she puts it, “It’s not simply that we want a big building. We really need the space so that we can continue to do the work.”
The fruit of this labour has been remarkable. We give thanks to God that through the Psalm 92 women’s efforts, the church is reminded that faithfulness does not retire, and that love for God’s house continues to express itself in costly, practical service, even in the quiet, early hours of the morning.
You can read more about the 21 for 21 building project and how it supports gospel work here.
Some of the Psalm 92 ladies who have been consistently and faithfully giving their time and energy to the fundraising effort each week.
Sunday morning is incredibly rushed and they need all the help that they can get. Pictured from L-R: Aunty June, Aunty Pat, and Ernest.
Quietly working up in the kitchen every Sunday
Fried noodles with grilled chicken being prepared, with the help of some extra hands.
