Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL

In 1964, the Lutheran Church in Malaysia planted a seed of faith in Setapak. This seed blossomed into Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL. The church’s story began with a simple building and a plot of land. Pastor Justus Koo arrived in 1965, pedaling his bicycle through the community, sharing his faith. His efforts nurtured the Chinese youth fellowship in 1966. This fellowship became a driving force for the church’s growth. In 1967, Sunday school began, adding another layer to Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL’s expanding influence. By 1968, the congregation was thriving. A new parish hall was built, complete with a worship hall, library, meeting hall, and classrooms. This expansion allowed Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL to launch a childcare ministry and a kindergarten, “Wee Wisdom Child Care and Kindergarten.” Some current members remember their first connection to Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL through these early programs. The first English youth fellowship started in 1973. A charismatic renewal swept through the church, boosting youth membership from six to over one hundred in a single year. However, the church’s journey wasn’t always smooth. Attendance fluctuated. By 1984, only fourteen members remained. The church’s leadership at that time had taken a stance against the charismatic renewal, leading many, especially the youth, to leave. They found other churches but remained faithful. A turning point came with the arrival of Rev. Philip Tan. He embraced the charismatic renewal and led Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL into a period of steady growth. The traditional liturgical hymns of the Sunday service began to incorporate shorter choruses. By the 1990s, contemporary worship music filled the sanctuary. In 1993, attendance reached a record high of three hundred. The children’s Sunday school was revived in the early 1990s by dedicated teachers. This ministry was later restructured and renamed “Glorious Children Church” (GCC) in 1996. With renewed vision and enthusiasm, GCC’s attendance soared to six hundred children by 2001. In 2002, it was renamed “PowerFun.” Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL’s mission extended beyond its walls. Starting in 1994, the church began overseas missions to China, followed by Vietnam in 1996 and Myanmar in 1997. Another significant shift occurred in 1996 when Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL adopted a cell-structured ministry model. This model emphasized that every member is a minister. This shift reflected the Jethro principles, empowering leaders within the ministry and fostering a community of love, care, support, and security. Christ Lutheran Church, Setapak, KL has continued to grow and evolve, fulfilling its divine purpose. From a small seed planted in 1964, it has blossomed into a vibrant community of faith.