On 27 February 2025, Dr. Ooi Chin Aik, a well-respected evangelist and teacher whose ministry spanned four decades, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 69.
As the founder and president of Ministries for Asia Pacific (MAP), Dr. Ooi was a stalwart of the faith, known for his indomitable zeal to preach the Gospel and equip others to effectively do the same.
Since MAP’s inception in 1997, Dr. Ooi and his team trained evangelists to take the Gospel to more than 25 nations worldwide. His vision was to ignite the Church in the Asia-Pacific region to extend God’s kingdom.
Closer to home, Dr. Ooi profoundly impacted many believers, particularly those who came to Christ in the 1990s and 2000s. A highly sought-after preacher and teacher, he was known for his ability to unpack God’s Word with clarity and stir Christians to action.
On 19 December 2024, Dr. Ooi was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Seventy days later, he entered the arms of his Saviour. He is survived by his beloved wife, Pastor Lydia Ooi.
A man who wholeheartedly embodied gospel outreach
Born in Taiping, Perak, Dr. Ooi grew up in a poor family and, at the age of 10, gave his life to Jesus Christ, drawn by a mix of curiosity and an unshakable conviction.
By 17, he was already teaching the Bible in schools. Though he initially pursued a career in engineering, his passion for God’s Word led him to further studies in theology. He later obtained Master’s degrees in Theology and Christian Studies in Canada.
Upon returning to Malaysia, Dr. Ooi served with the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship for a season before dedicating himself fully to preaching and teaching God’s Word.
In 2003, at the height of the SARS outbreak, Dr. Ooi felt a deep burden for China. Despite concerns for his health and safety, he traveled there and preached to thousands. It was during this time that he attended a home church and met Lydia, the church leader.
Love soon blossomed – so much so that Dr. Ooi began learning Mandarin at the age of 48 to pursue her. After two and a half years of courtship, they exchanged vows./\
Together, they built a thriving bilingual ministry, with Pastor Lydia translating Dr. Ooi’s teachings into Chinese. They worshiped at SS Gospel Centre.
In 2022, Dr. Ooi was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy by the Asia Graduate School of Theology.
With his trademark grin, towering height, and unmistakable gift of the gab, he was instantly recognisable wherever he went.
Over four decades of ministry, he exhorted countless Malaysian believers to embrace the call to missions and actively support evangelists and full-time workers.
A respected preacher, mentor and mamak buddy
“Chin Aik is quite an amazing man, an indomitable servant of God, whose only call is to serve his Master’s bidding, to chase the millions in the Gospel Advance,” wrote Chii Shiang Kew in a tribute submitted to an online platform dedicated to Dr. Ooi.
Andrew Wan, who was part of the young people’s group at Taiping Gospel Hall with Dr. Ooi in the 1970s, remembers his unwavering passion, zeal, and love for God and gospel outreach.
“It was always inspiring to see his diary filled with speaking engagements across Malaysia, Australia, China, the Middle East, the UK, the Caribbean, and beyond,” Wan shared.
“Many of us have been deeply touched by his love and commitment to reaching the nations with the gospel… Though we may not fully know how the seeds of the gospel he planted will bear fruit, God does – and He will richly reward our dearly missed brother in heaven,” he concluded.
Beyond ministry and missions, Dr. Ooi was a deeply cherished friend.
Valerie Phun reflected, “Compared to many of his friends, I was nobody. Yet I remember we spent many nights at the mamak in my young adult days, chatting about many topics… He may have been very accomplished and done much. But I don’t look at those things. He was simply Chin Aik to me. My friend, our friend.”
A beloved husband and ministry partner
In her eulogy at the wake service on 2 March, Pastor Lydia shared the heartbreak she felt at Dr. Ooi’s passing.
“My husband, Dr. Ooi Chin Aik, was many things to me – my mentor, my boss, my best companion, my Baobao (‘baby’), and my Maomao (‘cat’). He had a deep love for people, especially for those who were underprivileged.
But above all, he loved his ministry – it was his very life. He had great ambitions for God, and his calling was inseparable from his existence,” she said.
After his cancer diagnosis, Pastor Lydia recalled experiencing waves of shock, immense sorrow, the overwhelming kindness of love offerings, and an unwavering hope for a miracle.
On 27 February, she fell asleep beside him and had a dream of two angels lifting him up. Just minutes later, Dr. Ooi went to be with the Lord.
“My heart was shattered. I couldn’t bear to let him go. But as I looked at him, I knew he did not struggle. He left in perfect peace. He surrendered completely to God’s will. And for that, I find comfort. Even in this sorrow, God has provided everything in His perfect timing,” she shared.
Now, Pastor Lydia is committed to continuing Dr. Ooi’s work.
“There are many things left undone, but with God’s help, I can continue them. This is not the end, but a new beginning,” she said with conviction.
“Dr. Ooi, my beloved Baobao, you have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Now, you rest in the arms of the Lord.”
Dr. Ooi leaves behind a legacy of faith and faithfulness – a soldier and servant who stayed the course God had set for him.
As he lived, may we love the Word of God passionately, recognise its power to transform lives, and, with renewed zeal, carry forward the torch of evangelism he has left behind.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Pastor Lydia and all who knew and loved Dr. Ooi. If you would like to leave a tribute, upload photos or share memories, click here. Learn more about Ministries for Asia Pacific here.
Cover Photo Credit: Ooi Chin Aik
