Methodist Church in Malaysia
| Methodist Church in Malaysia | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Methodist |
| Polity | Connexional |
| Leader | Rev. Dr Ong Hwai Teik |
| Associations | World Methodist Council, Christian Federation of Malaysia, Council of Churches of Malaysia, Christian Conference of Asia, World Council of Churches |
| Region | Malaysia |
| Origin | 1976 |
| Branched from | United Methodist Church |
| Congregations | 400, (634 preaching points) |
| Members | 114,065 |
| Ministers | 552 |
| Missionaries | 54 |
| Primary schools | 42 |
| Secondary schools | 32 |
| Tertiary institutions | 1 |
| Official website | www |
The Methodist Church in Malaysia is a body within the Methodist tradition in Malaysia. With approximately 200,000 members in more than 1034 congregations (local and preaching points), it is the largest Protestant denomination in the country. The current bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia is the Rev Dr Ong Hwai Teik.
The other body of Methodists in Malaysia is the Free Methodist Church in Malaysia, founded in 2002.
The church shares part of its heritage with the Methodist Church in Singapore as both the territories shared a similar political history.
The history of the Methodist Church in Malaysia began following a decision taken at the South India Conference held in Hyderabad in 1884, when William Oldham was appointed as a missionary to Singapore in 1885.
The Tamil work started with the coming of a Ceylon Tamil, Mr Underwood. In 1894 the Tamil work was started in Penang by the Pyketts, and in Kuala Lumpur by the Kensetts and was continued by Rev. S Abraham from Ceylon in 1899.
Methodism came to Sarawak in the year 1900 when a group of immigrants came from Foochow in mainland China. Missionaries came in 1903 in the persons of J.M Hoover and G.V Summers. Methodism grew rapidly in the town of Sibu and a solid foundation was laid.
The work among the indigenous people, the Ibans, began in 1937 with pioneers like Lucius D. Mamora and Paul H. Schmuker who took the Gospel to the longhouses. The work amongst the Sengoi community in Pahang was started in 1930 with the help of missionaries from Sumatra, Indonesia.
The Methodist Church in Singapore and Malaysia became a self-governing body in 1968. After the separation of Singapore from Malaysia, the Methodist Church in Malaysia became autonomous in 1976.
The Methodist Church in Malaysia declares itself to be part of the holy catholic church and affirms the historic ecumenical creeds, which are used frequently in its liturgy and services of worship.
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