Chronicling One Couple’s Lifelong Journey of Faith
From Aiyaya to Alleluia
The Christian journey is a progressive and lifelong one of faith. For one couple, Tan Tek Seng and his wife Tinkie, this has certainly been true.
Bro Tan Tek Seng served as the National President of Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (Malaysia) from 2009-2012. In 2016, Tek Seng and his wife, Tinkie, founded Family First Malaysia, with the focus of “building stronger families through 3F discipleship modules (Family Values, Financial Stewardship, Fitness and Wholistic Living) for better workplace, society and nation”. Tek Seng is also currently the Chairman for the board of Tyrannus Online Seminary, which now has almost 650 students.
But life had not always been this plain sailing and there were many challenges along the way. From Aiyaya to Alleluia brings us on Tek Seng and Tinkie’s life journey as they find faith after a family crisis, negotiate through several economic downturns while managing a business, maintain harmony in their marriage while working together, and discover the joy of ministering together as a couple. From despair and discouragement (“Aiyaya”) to faith and praise in God (“Alleluia”).
Written by Tek Seng and Tinkie’s second daughter, Jeh Sie, in a simple and easy to read style, it is designed to engage the everyday reader. Within 3 days of the soft-launch of their e-copy book, they have had 1500+ visitors to their launch site, with feedback such as “beautiful flowing prose”, “finished in one sitting”, and “very inspirational”. Interwoven with testimonials by Tek Seng and Tinkie’s friends and family, the book also includes a 30-day devotional by Tek Seng.
Pr Dr Chew Weng Chee, Senior Pastor of SIBKL, says:
“From Aiyaya to Alleluia” is timely in giving us faith and hope as we live through these Covid-19 days of uncertainty. Tek Seng’s 30-day devotion at the end of the book will uplift your spirit as it was written during one of the most challenging times of his and Tinkie’s life. I highly recommend this book to you.
Here is an excerpt from the book, used with permission:
I was on university term break. My father (Papa Tek Seng) and I were in the car on the way home from the city. We were coming up to a pao stall by the side of the road. He turned to me and asked, “Would you like some pao?” “Sure!” I said, salivating at the thought of my favourite char siew pao, which I had missed while studying in New Zealand.
As Papa wound down the window, he shouted out to the pao seller, “Alleluia!”
I cringed on the inside, with thoughts of Papa’s ‘Happy Men’ ministry flashing through my mind. “Oh no! Here we go again!” I thought to myself. “Papa and his over-enthusiasm in sharing the good news again! Doesn’t he know this is going to turn this man away from knowing Jesus?!”
Papa and his ‘happy men’ from the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) would unashamedly go on stage at evangelistic dinners and dance to their “I am a happy man” song. These were accomplished business owners and leaders in their 50s and 60s, dancing and singing at the top of their voices in praise to God.
In fact, it did not have to be a church-organised event. Papa and his ‘happy men’ had gone up on stage unannounced (and totally out of the programme) at my sister’s wedding to dance and sing to their “I am a happy man” song – in front of a thousand guests! Those who did not know better would have thought they were drunk on wine. In fact, these men were ‘drunk’ in the Spirit, like King David of old, who did not care what other people thought, and danced with all his might before the Ark of God (2 Kings 6).
Back at the pao stall …
To my astonishment, the pao man grinned and shouted back, “Alleluia!” Papa exchanged pleasantries with him and made his order. As we drove off, I asked Papa whether the man understood what he was saying. Papa replied, “Of course! I led him to Christ several months back!”
This is my father – a man who does not differentiate a person’s worth by their role in society. He would just as readily share the good news about Jesus Christ (the gospel) with a business tycoon as he would with a labourer on the street. Each life is precious in God’s sight and worthy to hear the gospel.
How did a ‘self-made man’ like my Papa, who had once derided Christianity as a ‘weak man’s religion’, become a passionate follower of Jesus Christ? How did a man who was once known for his hot temper and impatience become so full of joy and love for others?
Hardcopy printed English and Chinese versions will be available for sale soon. If you wish to obtain copies of the book to bless and encourage your friends and loved ones, please go to https://familyfirstmalaysia.com/a2a-book/ for further details.
Note: Tek Seng and Tinkie are founders of Family First Malaysia, a member of the global network of Family First Global and partners with like-minded organizations to RESTORE, RESHAPE and RELEASE men and women to become better couples and parents in in the context of traditional marriage and family with 3F Focus: Family, Finance & Fitness.
