As the National Day of Malaysia approaches, the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) of Malaysia is moving towards the conclusion of its campaign to urge Malaysia’s Christian minority to transform the gospel-thirsty country through prayers.
The final events for the "Lighting Up Our Nation 2005" campaign – which include a series of celebrations, conferences, and a prayer initiative – will take place during the last week of August.
Since the campaign’s launch on July 22 with a 40-day nationwide fasting, prayer and charity, all Christian denominations in the 13 states in Malaysia have taken part in the campaign, uniting together to pray specifically for seven topics: individual, family, youth, church, government, economy and social community.
The campaign also saw the first ever National Children's Prayer Conference held Aug. 26-27 “with the vision to raise the next generation as the army for Christ,” according to reports.
At the recent "Lighting Up Our Nation 2005" National Conference, held Aug. 25-27, Dr Peter Tsukahira – the founder of Asia Center, a ministry to Asian Christians – shared how the Prophet Elijah was able to obtain the spirit and power through his worship to God.
Speaking on the theme, "Turning to Our Father in Heaven", Dr Tsukahira cited several stories in the Bible where the character facing adversity came before God and was able to breakthrough the reality to make miracles.
Dr Tsukahira, who was invited to speak at the closing ceremony for the campaign, currently serves on the board of directors of Church Growth International. He also pastors an international fellowship named Kehilat HaCarmel (Carmel Assembly) in the Holy Land.
On the final three days of the 40-day journey – Aug. 28-30 – more intensive prayer rallies will be held “so that the power of the Holy Spirit can be retained on the land.”
Although Malaysia is one of the world's centers of Islam, the southeastern Asian nation has been experiencing a growth of the number of Christians.
Joe Alvarez
and Eunice Or
Christian Today Correspondant