In May, 220 pastors and church leaders from West Malaysia’s southern region gathered in Batu Pahat, Johor, for three days of refreshment, rest, and fellowship.
The retreat, anchored by the Lentilpatch Ministry of SIBKL and organised by the Batu Pahat Pastors’ Fellowship, was fully sponsored so that leaders could come without financial burden. Many of the participants, aged 40 to 70, had been faithfully serving in small towns for decades, often without rest or recognition.
“We thank God for the pastors and leaders who came from different cities, towns, languages, and denominations. Much time was spent in worship to usher in God’s presence, as many pastors were worn out and tired,” said retreat coordinator Rev. Teo Kwee Keng.
Dato’ Pr. Daniel Ho, Pr. Dr. Chew Weng Chee, and Pr. Dr. Lew Lee Choo ministered from the Word of God, uplifting weary spirits. At the altar, pastors found healing from past trauma, grief, and years of spiritual fatigue.
“For the first time in a long time, pastors were able to sit around tables, chat freely and share their challenges. The retreat really gifted the pastors’ refreshment, refiring and importantly, the realisation that they are not walking alone,” Rev. Teo said.
A generous donor also gave each pastor a monetary love gift in appreciation of their years of faithful service to the Lord and His church.
“We must also acknowledge Pr. Dr. Chew, who is truly a spiritual father to this land. He has shown his love for our pastors not just in word, but in action,” she added.
Church leadership can be a lonely path
Rev. Teo, a church planter since 1974 and chair of the Prayer Commission for the Assemblies of God Malaysia, knows firsthand the struggles of small-church pastors. She entered full-time ministry in 1976, at just 24 years old.
“In Malaysia, 80% of our churches have fewer than 100 members. That means thousands of small congregations scattered across the nation. For their leaders, the journey can feel lonely and without reward,” she explained.
“As a small church, we often face a lack. Lack of manpower, resources, and finance. I know a pastor who passed away, and there were not enough funds to even buy a casket for his body,” she said soberly.
The difficulties extend beyond finances. “Many small-town churches struggle with slow or no numerical growth, as younger generations move to the cities. It can be very disheartening,” Rev. Teo admitted.
In Batu Pahat, where she is based, there are more than 400 Chinese temples, making the spiritual climate especially challenging.
However, Rev. Teo is convinced that the answer lies in prayer and unity.
“That’s why we are not stopping at just the retreat. In the past few months, Pr. Lee Choo and I have returned with a team to train the pastors in raising ‘watchmen’ who can raise and establish prayer altars in their churches,” she said excitedly.
Unity is key to restoration of the land
Rev. Teo also serves in the core team of the Malaysia United Firewall (MUFW), a prayer network with a vision to see prayer altars established across the nation.
“Only when God’s presence rests on Malaysia again will we see true transformation,” she declared.
This vision is already taking root. During this year’s 40-Day Fast and Prayer by the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF), MUFW hosted online prayer gatherings every morning at 6:30 a.m. Hundreds logged in daily, demonstrating a hunger for God’s presence.
“Since the pandemic, we have been seeing better participation, greater unity and an urgency amongst believers to pray for our land. There is a spiritual awakening and greater alignment with God’s purposes,” Rev. Teo exclaimed.
Still, she believes that the Malaysian Church must first be healed of its disunity and division before the Lord can bring healing to this nation. “The physical condition of a nation is but a reflection of the spiritual condition of its church,” she said.
When asked how ordinary believers can prepare for what God wants to do in Malaysia, her answer was simple and direct: “Build prayer altars: first in your own heart, then in your family, and in your church.”
Her voice softened as she shared her personal conviction:
“At 17, the Lord gave me a love for Malaysia. It is His own heart, a land He loves and has never given up on. God loves Malaysia so much. That is why I have hope for Malaysia, that our future can be great, and that one day, we will see revival.”
