Gopeng Shalom Church celebrates milestone of 15 years

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STARTING out with only a handful of members, Gopeng Shalom Church has blossomed into a 2,000-member strong church in a matter of 15 years.

The church’s team leader John Chew Gin Chuan, who was among those who pioneered the Anglican Church, said its members came from orang asli settlements all over Gopeng.

Sacred ritual: Rev Ng (right) distributing bread to confirmed members of the Anglican Church.

“We have many outreach centres that are scattered across orang asli villages.

“This includes centres in Kampung Ulu Kampar, Kampung Pos Raya and Kampung Pawong,” he said, adding that church service was usually conducted in Bahasa Malaysia.

According to Chew, the church had established its first worship centre in Kampung Ulu Geroh.

“Back then we only had 12 members,” he said, adding that the dozen members had stuck with the church through thick and thin.

Showing their talent: Orang asli children from the church performing a dance during the dinner.

“It is amazing to see the number of members increase year after year to become what it is today,” the 67-year-old Chew told MetroPerak during the church’s 15th anniversary celebration recently.

The celebration saw over a thousand people taking part in a service led by the Diocese of west Malaysia Rt Rev Datuk Ng Moon Hing.

Also present were Perak MCA secretary Datuk Tan Chin Meng and Gopeng MCA division chief Albert Chang Chun Chuen.