“We’re not here for a show, we’re not here for a performance. We’re here to gaze into the face of holiness,” declared Pr Sabrina Low at Tribal Gathering 2024 (TG2024).
Held at the Miri Indoor Stadium from 10-12 October, TG2024 is bringing together once again believers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore to pray for and prepare the Church for revival again.
Pr Sabrina of Cornerstone Community Church Borneo and event pastor said revival, when it comes, is going to “flip the tables of religion, topple manmade empires and offend every spirit of control that’s masquerading as order.”
“Brace yourselves, the revival that’s about to hit isn’t going to fit into your neat, little church boxes. This isn’t about polished sermons, predictable programmes or controlled environments… systems built on ego, control and comfort are going to crumble,” she said fervently.
Last year’s Tribal Gathering focused on reconciliation between the tribes and a handing over of the revival mantle to the next generation.
This year, prayer, worship and intercession are the emphasis with a cry for the birth of a fresh anointing — a new song and freedom found in letting the Spirit take the reins.
“The higher we go in Him, the less we can take with us. The question remains: is He going to be enough for us? Is His presence enough for us?,” said Pr Rachel Bulan, event pastor and co-lead pastor of Cornerstone Community Church Borneo.
Malaysia, a mother of nations
The first two days of Tribal Gathering reflected a deep surrender to the Holy Spirit as program runsheets were set aside to allow the Spirit to move freely.
Harp and Bowl sessions (in the mornings) emphasised prayer and intercession as believers pressed into God’s presence and lifted His name on high.
Josh Yeoh of RiverLife Church Singapore along with KL House of Prayer led worship on the second morning before Pr Hanny Setiawan of Bethany El-Bethel Church, Indonesia, led a powerful exchange.
He declared Malaysia’s destiny as a mother of nations.
“The Lord Jesus says, the land is Mine. I love Malaysia. From Malaysia to the nations, your destiny has been revealed. You will birth, protect and grow nations. Take your position as a mother of nations! The global family needs you. Southeast Asia needs you. Indonesia needs you,” he said.
In a powerful moment, representatives from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Papua came together to pray for one another.
Pr Lew Lee Choo of SIBKL, Pr Nancy Lyn of Skyline SIB, Rev Teo Kwee Keng, previous chairperson of the Assemblies of God in Malaysia Prayer Commission (AGPC) and others also shared words of encouragement and edification for the church.
In pursuit of holiness, we must build altars of prayer
“We talk of holiness but have you ever been in a place where holiness resides? The holiness of God is all about Him,” said Pr Lee Choo as she drove through the importance of prayer altars.
In gentleness and firmness, she chastised the Malaysian Church for our pride and unwillingness to work with one another.
“There is a terrible disease — we’re so proud. We despise one another,” she said as her voice broke. “But not only do we need God, we need each other.”
Pr Lee Choo also cautioned believers against having a useless fire (Malachi 1:10) or a syok sendiri (self-absorbed) fire (Isaiah 50:11), and to make time to commune with the Lord if we truly wish to be holy and set apart.
Rev Teo of the Assemblies of God, a veteran church planter and intercessor, challenged Malaysian Christians to carry a holy fire and live for Jesus alone.
Pr Nancy Lyn then concluded by sharing from 2 Chronicles 16:9.
“The Lord demands our all,” she said with emotion. “He yearns for hearts that are perfect and blameless towards Him,” she said, exhorting her generation to be courageous in speaking the truth in love to younger generations.
Our greatest reward is Jesus Christ
Human-led programmes versus God’s presence was a standout theme across the first two days.
“Church, He is our great reward. Nothing can satisfy us except the presence of God… We cannot be program-oriented, we need to be presence-oriented,” said Pr Rachel.
Her father, Pr Solomon Bulan of BEM Cornerstone and one of the key members of the 1973 Bario Revival, reminded believers that the greatest reward we can ever obtain is Jesus Christ.
“We just want You, Lord Jesus. We give You full control. Are we willing to climb the mountain of the Lord?”
Tribal Gathering is a collaboration between Cornerstone Borneo churches, together with the Persatuan Kelabit, Saban dan Berawan (PKSB) and the Nehemiah Prayer Ministry which has representatives from various BEM/SIB churches.
