The Beginnings

The initial ministry in the Puchong area goes back to the time when Rev. James Solamadan was the pastor of TMC Klang. He was approached by Mr George Verghese, a member of the Mar Thoma Church, to start a Children’s Ministry in the Seafield Estate. TMC Klang sent Mrs. Packiam Retnam to this estate to visit the homes and conduct Church School with the help of Mr. and Mrs George Verghese. Mr. Verghese approached Mr. Robertson, the manager of Seafield Estate, who was willing to allow the Tamil school to be used for the ministry. Inspite of the objection from the headmaster of the Tamil school and a few temple authorities, the ministry continued with the support of Mr. Robertson and the three succeeding managers. Rev. Solamadan brought visiting preachers, friends from India and some leaders from TMC Klang every week to continue the children’s ministry. Once a month Holy Communion service was held in the estate and a few accepted the Lord and were baptized. The average attendance of the Church School in the 1970s was about 50 to 60 children.

From Children to Youths to Adults

In 1980, the Methodist Youth Fellowship of TMC Klang took responsibility of the Church School in Seafield Estate and continued the ministry. For a while the ministry was mainly concentrated among the children. In 1989, Youth and Adult ministry was started in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Idicula who was working in the estate as a chief clerk. The adult fellowship was then shifted to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tamilarasan in Puchong.  

Working towards Owning Property

In 1992, TMC Klang applied for a piece of land from the Land Office in replacement for the land which they had been using for almost 20 years. After much delay and persuasion, the church was given a piece of land in Taman Alam Megah, which was given to TMC Shah Alam. In 1993, permission was given by the Catholic Church in Castlefield Estate in Puchong to use their church for the ministry. However, the Adult Fellowship continued in the home of Tamilarasan and the Children’s Ministry at the 14 Mile Puchong. This was the beginning of a full worship service. In 1995, a shop lot was rented in Taman Sri Puchong. The work started growing and they shifted to another place in the same Taman in 1998. Rev. Jayabalan was assigned to do the ministry in Puchong.  In 2001 Mr. Stephen Gunarajah and Mr. M. Joseph committed themselves for the full time ministry and were enrolled for theological studies the following year.

In 2002, the Puchong Outreach moved to Puchong Utama. They rented two floors in a building which was also used for the Children’s Ministry.The average attendance of the children in the Church School was 35 to 40. There were about 50 to 60 people for the worship service. Rev. Reuben Kanagalingam served till 2004. 

Formation of the Local Conference

The TMC Puchong was officially made a local Conference on 2 January 2005 with a Full Membership of 59. From 2005 – 2006, Rev. Vinsant Rayar was the Pastor in charge and Rev. David Abraham was appointed as the resident pastor, supervised by Rev. Vinsant Rayar. In June 2005, the Full Membership was 68. The total Income from January – June was RM36, 250.39, and the total Expenditure from January – June 2005 RM28,197.34. The Church School had 25 children and 7 teachers. The MYF had 16 members and the MW, 23 members. As for their evangelism ministry, they conducted worship service in Bukit Subang. The place of worship and the parsonage were rented and 80% of the church’s income went on rentals. In 2006 the Full Membership was 78. The children from the Church School visited the Ostrich Farm in Seremban. Both the church building and the parsonage were furnished and they had a van. They rented a shop lot for RM900 which was expected to increase to RM 1,300.  

Finally a Church Building of Their Own

In 2007 Rev. Devarakam John was the Pastor-in-charge and Pastor David Abraham the Assistant Pastor. The Full Membership was 72. The increase in rental saw the desperate need for a new worship sanctuary. The total church was involved in this search. In 2008 Rev. David Abraham was the Pastor. The Church Worship Service was on Sundays at 9.30 am. The average attendance was 70. The Full Membership was 71. The church planned to start outreach work in Putra Perdana, Puchong. They had five Small Groups which met every Tuesday. Attendance was not encouraging. The church purchased two leasehold factory lots at a cost of RM 350,000 in September 2008. The lease expires on 16 August 2094.  

In 2009 Rev. M.G. Thana Raj was the Pastor-in-charge with Pastor Jeremiah Thomas as the Assistant Pastor. The Full Membership was 74. In 2010 Rev. James Ravindaren was the Pastor-in-charge with Pastor Jeremiah Thomas continuing as the Assistant Pastor. The Full Membership was 76. The finance of the church was good with a significant increase in tithe amount (RM54,925). 

From 2011 - 2015 Rev. Jeremiah Thomas was the Pastor. In 2011 the Full Membership was 92. The pastor was involved in the prison ministry. The cost for renovations and fittings was approximately RM200,000.  In 2012 the Full Membership was 94. The church moved into their own building and the sanctuary was dedicated on 18 February 2012. There was a plan to start a Community Centre in Kampung Muhibbah, but decided not to, because other churches were already ministering there.  

In 2013 the Full Membership was 91. The church members visited the Orang Asli settlement in Raub. The church was blessed with RM 66,000 from the Prime Minister’s Department. In 2014 the Full Membership was 91. The church ministered among the women in Pangsapuri Enggang. Some efforts were taken to witness to the M people in Dengkil. The church supported Mr. Lopez and the the missions work in the Raub area. 

In 2015 the Full Membership was 92. The church had a grand 10th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service on 11 October. They started a weekly ministry at Pinggiran Bukit Jalil. The church conducted a VBS among the Orang Asal community in Raub. 

In 2016 Rev. D.B. Laurence was the Pastor-in-charge with Pastor Ronald Rohendra Rao as the Assistant Pastor. The Full Membership was 94. A Preaching Clinic/Seminar was held to enhance the leaders’ skill in sermon preparation and preaching. A cell group was started in Bukit Jalil.  

From 2017 onwards Rev. Ronald Rohendra Rao has been the Pastor-in-charge. In 2017, the Full Membership was 95. They started home meetings and Cell Group ministry in the home of a Roman Catholic Church member in the Bukit Jalil Outreach. The church looked for a hall nearer to the flats to have special meetings. In 2018 the Full Membership was 99. The church was focussed on the Bukit Jalil ministry. The church looked at the possibility of starting a ministry among the migrants around the Puchong area.  

In 2019, Rev. Ronald Rohendra Rao continues as the pastor. The Lay Leader is Mr. Franches Ramasamy and the LCEC Chairperson is Mr. Sures Daniel. The Full Membership is 98. The number of members in the Agencies is as follows:  MYF (15), MYAF (20) MSF (22) and MW (24). There are 43 children and 6 teachers in the Church School. Thirteen of the children are from families of non- believers. Cell Group ministries are taking place in 7 localities. They meet on alternate Tuesdays at 8.30 p.m.  They are doing evangelism through their Cell Groups as non – believers are joining in these gatherings. The response has been positive. Mr. Jayaprakash Jeyasellan committed himself for full time ministry. He will be going to STM for his studies. 

Currently, the whole church is focussed on the Bukit Jalil Outreach ministry, which happens on Sundays at 4.00pm. They also do regular visitation there on Wednesdays at 8.00pm. A strong relationship is being developed between the church and the families and they are very open to the gospel. Many more helpers from the church have committed themselves to the ministry. They have started the Buki Jalil Youth Group and the response is very good. They have moderators to work with this group every Sunday at 4.30pm. When they meet, current issues concerning youths are discussed. The Bukit Jalil Outreach ministry has 15 Hindu families, 4 Christian families, 28 children, 15 youths, 10 moderators, 5 teachers, 3 helpers and 8 volunteers. They are facing a problem regarding the use of the Hall in Block C, due to some restrictions from the DBKL and the new management. Thus, the current meetings are conducted in one of the houses. The church has plans to rent a building. 

Conclusion: TMC Klang took small steps to plant the seed of the Gospel in Puchong in the 1970s. This seed fell on good ground and slowly brought forth a harvest. Like in so many other places, the initial ministry was among the children. Even before TMC Puchong became a Local Conference, the children in the Church School numbered 40.  In 1989 the ministry was extended to the youths and the adults. In 2005 they became a Local Conference with a Full Membership of 59. In 2012 they moved to their own building. Their current ministry focus is on their Bukit Jalil Outreach. The whole church is involved in this effort. They are taking an organized approach and seeing results. Though the evangelistic efforts of this church is bearing fruit, they need to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to achieve the full harvest and bring glory to God. 

Source:  

1. Church Dedication Service Souvenir Programme on 18 February 2012

2. TAC Journals

3. Feedback from the Local Church