In 1973, in the heart of a remote Sarawak village, something extraordinary happened. What began as a simple gathering of Christian Fellowship leaders soon turned into a life-changing moment. A wave of repentance swept through the young men and women, leading them to tearfully confess their sins to one another, seeking God’s forgiveness in a night filled with sobs and reconciliation.
This was the humble spark that ignited the Bario Revival—a spiritual awakening that spread to nearby Ba’ Kelalan, breathing new life into a once stagnant faith. The community confronted their sins, experienced miracles, and witnessed transformed lives as the Holy Spirit moved powerfully.
Now, more than 50 years later, this remarkable story has been brought to life on the big screen. Revival in Ba’ Kelalan is a documentary series that retraces the events of the revival through the eyes of those who were there to witness it.
On October 4th, Komuniti Digital, the production team behind the film, celebrated the premiere with a Dedication Ceremony and Screening at DUMC, honouring the film and all who contributed to its creation.
Recalling the revival
Before the screening, the guests – many of them firsthand witnesses to the revival gathered for a meal outside the hall. Though their lives have taken different paths since then, they remain united by the profound impact of the Borneo revivals and what God did through it.
“I still feel the same way I did back then,” shared Rev. Peter Pengiran, who served as president of BEM for over seven years. When the revival first began, however, he was a government school teacher in Ba’ Kelalan. He described the revival as a true community transformation, driven largely by repentance.
“One of the townspeople even confessed to murder!” he recalled, but it wasn’t just the confessions that brought people together—it was the forgiveness that followed.
Ibu Maria Gukang, who had a closer involvement with the early church services during the revival, also spoke fondly of the overwhelming outpouring of grace she witnessed. “As sins were raised they were not ashamed, [instead] they sought forgiveness.”
Prayer is the seed of revival
As the eager audience filled the hall, Ann Wan Kuan, Elder at DUMC and founder and chairperson of Komuniti Digital, took the stage with a message that went beyond mere storytelling.
He shared how the film came to be—born out of a desire to preserve and share the powerful testimonies from Ba’ Kelalan with the world. But his vision reaches deeper. To him, the film is more than a historical account; it’s a “prophetic prayer to God” to ignite another revival in Malaysia.
“Revival begins with prayer!” he declared, rallying the crowd. While the film honors the past, it also serves as a hopeful gaze toward the future. “The Lord will pour out His Spirit, and God will do it again!”
This stirring call was echoed by Rev. Bina Agong, a former president of BEM and a firsthand witness of the revival. He urged the audience not to forget the mighty works the Lord has done. Looking forward, he challenged them: “Do we still experience the miracle of revival in the new generations? If not, we need to seek God!”
Their words left no doubt—the film was not just a reflection of what God had done, but a rallying cry for what He could still do.
The movement of the Holy Spirit
After a heartfelt prayer from Rev. Peter Pengiran, the audience settled in as the first episode of Revival in Ba’ Kelalan, titled The Movement of the Holy Spirit began to unfold.
This episode set the stage for the incredible events to come, tracing the spiritual journey from the first missionaries in Borneo to the years leading up to the revival in Ba’ Kelalan.
Pak Pudun Tadam, a committee member of Pelayanan Doa Gunung Murud, provided insight into the spiritual climate of Ba’ Kelalan before the revival. “Mass conversions can lead to nominal Christianity,” he explained. “But revival is a personal encounter.”
His words echoed through the hall, highlighting the difference between religious routine and the profound, life-changing experience that was about to transform Ba’ Kelalan forever.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit
The second episode of the six-part series, The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, dives deeper into the transformative events of the revival. It recounts the powerful story of Ibu Maria Gukang, who experienced firsthand the overwhelming forgiveness and mass repentance during a church service.
She vividly described a vision she received during the service, where an angel revealed the Kingdom of God and showed her His crown—a symbol for those who had dedicated their lives to the gospel. This vision profoundly encouraged her to live a life fully committed to God’s mission.
Pak Musa Sigar, another eyewitness, shared how the revival immediately impacted the community. “I saw us as servants of God,” he recalled. “We had a change in the knowledge that God had granted us.”
Their new fervency and renewed spirit would eventually lead to further revivals in the region over the following years.
Celebrate the past and eyes on the future
As the credits faded, the evening drew to a close with a heartfelt worship session led by locals from Ba’ Kelalan. The atmosphere was filled with reverence, as the worship reminded everyone that the true author of the revival, both then and now is God Himself.
Through the melodies of praise, the room gave thanks for the miraculous events in Ba’ Kelalan all those years ago, while hearts remained open, yearning for a fresh outpouring of revival in the near future. It was a powerful reminder that while the past is celebrated, the hope for God to move again is very much alive.Komuniti Digital is set to host a second premiere, showcasing the third and fourth episodes of Revival in Ba’ Kelalan.
Like the first screening, this event will be a celebration of God’s transformative work in Ba’ Kelalan. Be sure to stay tuned to Komuniti Digital‘s updates on ticket availability and event dates—you won’t want to miss it! Watch the first two episodes here.
This article was first published on Faithour.
