Youth Fellowship

In September 1946, at the initiative of Rev. 叶恩汉, then serving at the church, members of the choir met to prepare for the formation of the fellowship. It continued the work of the pre-war youth organisation, 务德会, which had already served the church for 30 years. Rev. 叶 selected 10 October as its founding day. The fellowship began with just over 20 members. Mr 洪清江 was its first president, Mr 林路 its secretary, and several others served on the committee. The following year, Mr 洪清江 stepped down because of work commitments, and Mr 叶恩潭 was elected the second president. As the church’s many gatherings made it difficult to share the premises, the fellowship moved to a new meeting place at No. 8 鲁雁律. Six months later, Mr 叶恩潭 moved to Singapore, and Rev. 叶恩汉 became acting president. In February 1948, Rev. 方明德 arrived as the church’s pastor-in-charge and was invited to advise the fellowship. Rev. 叶恩汉 was then appointed to lead the Medan district, and Mr 宋万庆 was elected president. That autumn, because the new location was difficult to reach, fellowship meetings returned to the church. In 1950, Mr 陈中书 and other representatives attended the first Chinese-language Methodist Youth Fellowship summer camp in Ipoh. It was a well-attended gathering, at which plans were made for a national Methodist Youth Fellowship organisation in Malaysia and a constitution was drafted. The fellowship subsequently followed the constitution issued by the national body, bringing greater order and renewed vitality to its work. Mr 宋万庆 served as president for three consecutive years. Mr 陈中书 became president in 1951, followed by Mr 李昌明, who served from 1952 to 1954. At the end of 1952, Rev. 方明德 left Penang for a pastoral appointment in Singapore. He and his wife were devoted to youth ministry, and the fellowship flourished under their guidance. That year, it published a sixth-anniversary commemorative volume, with Mr 骆仁敏 as chief editor and Mr 洪辉德 as deputy editor. Beautifully printed and rich in content, it was a substantial record of the fellowship’s work. In 1953, Rev. 蔡约翰 became the church’s pastor-in-charge and the fellowship’s adviser. Mr 郭赳赳 became president in 1955. Mr 李昌明 returned to the presidency in 1956 and served for four consecutive years. For much of this period, Mr 洪辉德 served alongside him as vice-president, bringing humility and considerable leadership ability. In August 1955, the Annual Conference appointed the promising young Rev. 许彼得 as the church’s associate pastor and to lead the Ayer Itam preaching point. His energy, diligence and planning greatly advanced the fellowship’s work. In 1957, Rev. 洪瑞云 became associate pastor and leader of the 日落 preaching point. He cared deeply for young people and made a significant contribution to the fellowship. In 1960, Mr 张东发 became president and served for three consecutive years. A gifted leader, he brought renewed energy to the fellowship. In 1961, it undertook the ambitious task of publishing a substantial 15th-anniversary commemorative volume, edited by Mr 杨昭铭 and recording the fruits of its first 15 years. On 10 August 1961, at the invitation of the Annual Conference, the fellowship organised a well-received “Youth Night” variety programme. Rev. 殷文宗 became the church’s pastor-in-charge in 1962. In 1963, Mr 杨昭铭 was elected president with the support and affection of the members, serving until 1964. With the cooperation of the committee and members, and Rev. 殷’s patient guidance, the fellowship’s plans and activities proceeded smoothly. From 29 December 1963 to 4 January 1964, the fellowship joined the youth fellowships of the Cantonese 救恩堂 and Ayer Itam church to organise a short-term volunteer training school for the Penang, Province Wellesley and Kedah district. It was held at the Methodist boys’ school at 拜吉 in Penang. Rev. 殷文宗 and Rev. 陈碧玉 served as principal and deputy principal, Rev. 许彼得 as dean of studies, and fellowship president Mr 杨昭铭 as chief coordinator. The teaching and administrative team worked diligently, with encouraging results. At the opening ceremony, the principal presented certificates that Rev. 殷 had personally designed and inscribed. In 1964, the fellowship also marked its 18th anniversary with a finely produced commemorative volume edited by Mr 朱振兴. Mr 谢雅各 became president in 1965. In 1966, Mr 朱振兴 was elected from vice-president to president but declined the position. At the fourth regular committee meeting on 1 March, Mr 宋建发 was nominated and accepted responsibility at a time of uncertainty, earning the fellowship’s admiration. The committee unanimously appointed Mr 杨昭铭 as adviser with voting rights. Through their united efforts, the work proceeded steadily, and members gave thanks for the Lord’s grace. Mr 宋建发 continued as president in 1967. In 1968, Miss 陈雪兰 was elected president with widespread support, becoming the first woman to hold the office in the fellowship’s history. Her determination, capable leadership and willingness to improve its work brought fresh vitality, supported by the guidance of the American missionary Miss 高丽丝. Adviser Mr 朱振兴 also contributed greatly to the fellowship newsletter, making it both substantial and beautifully produced. Mr 黄春福 became president in 1969 and actively developed the work of the fellowship’s five groups. When he obtained a postal-service position requiring him to move immediately to Kajang, Selangor, he resigned on 9 August. Members rejoiced at his new opportunity while regretting the departure of a devoted president. Vice-president Miss 陈雪兰 took over until the election of the new committee at year’s end. That year, the fellowship held a fellowship meal to mark the first anniversary of the autonomous Methodist Church, directing the proceeds to the fund for the autonomous Methodist Church in Malaysia and Singapore. In 1970, Mr 黄良鸿 became president. Although young, he served the church and fellowship tirelessly and with dedication, remaining president for four consecutive years. That year, the fellowship again joined the Women’s Society in organising a fellowship meal for the second anniversary of the autonomous Methodist Church, raising a considerable sum. At the end of June 1970, Rev. 殷文宗, who had cared deeply for the fellowship, died suddenly and went to be with the Lord. His loss brought profound sorrow. In the turmoil that followed, the church experienced division, and the fellowship’s work also faced rejection and slander. It was a deeply painful time, but by the Lord’s gracious guidance the fellowship was able to continue. In 1971, the Annual Conference appointed the promising young Rev. 李前军 as pastor-in-charge. The fellowship celebrated its silver jubilee in 1971. Alongside the main celebrations, it published a silver-jubilee commemorative volume, edited by Mr 黄良鸿, bringing together records of the anniversary events and earlier fellowship history. In September 1973, president Mr 黄良鸿 began studies at Trinity Theological College in Singapore. Vice-president Mr 李华清 had left earlier to study in the United Kingdom. With both leaders overseas, Rev. 李前军 appointed Mr 吴端耀 as president in early October. Mr 吴端耀 continued as president in 1974. To support the church’s extension of its side hall and parsonage, the fellowship organised a sponsored walk. With the support of its advisers, committee, members and other devoted church members, it raised more than RM2,000. That year, the fellowship also won the first Bible knowledge competition organised by the Penang Bible Society. Past Presidents 洪清江 1946 叶恩潭 1947 宋万庆 1948-1950 陈中书 1951 李昌明 1952–1954,