Before us stands Crossway Community Lutheran Church. It stands as a testament to faith and community in Kuala Lumpur. But its story stretches back much further than this building.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia or ELCM’s story began with Tamil laborers. They migrated from South India to Western Malaysia. They sought work and better economic conditions. This migration started around 1880. It continued for over 60 years. Many migrants were Lutherans.
These Lutherans were scattered. Pastors from the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church in India aided them. Leipzig missionaries in Germany also supported them. In 1906, a formal Lutheran mission formed in Malaya.
Rev T Joseph was the first resident pastor. He was installed in Kuala Lumpur on November 11, 1906. Soon after, a congregation formed. They gathered for worship in 1907. Their meeting place was a shop-house on Scott Road.
Membership grew throughout Malaya. One pastor could not serve everyone. In 1923, the church divided. There was a northern circle in Penang. The southern circle was based in Kuala Lumpur.
Sixteen years passed after the decision to build a church. On November 30, 1924, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church building was dedicated. Rt Rev J Sandegren Bishop of Tranquebar in India officiated.
Planning began for an indigenous church. It would be independent of the TELC. This started at a Lutheran Consultative Conference for South East Asia in Penang in 1952. The Church of Sweden offered nurture and guidance.
Swedish traditions shaped the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia and Singapore or ELCMS. This included the historic episcopate. Rt Rev Bertil Envall of Sweden helped formulate the constitution. It was agreed upon at the first Diocesan Assembly on January 25, 1963. Rev Envall organized the church. It had 13 congregations and 7 parishes.
Rev Envall was elected first Bishop on May 29 1966. Rev Ernest Benjamin Muthusami succeeded him. He was the first indigenous bishop. His consecration occurred on October 31, 1976. The third Bishop was Rev Julius Danaraj Paul. His consecration was on April 10, 1988.
In 1994, the ELCMS separated from Singapore. It became the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia or ELCM. Rt Rev Dr Solomon Rajah became the current Bishop. He was consecrated on February 21, 2009.
The ELCM has key objectives. It preaches God’s Word of salvation through Jesus Christ. It nurtures faith. It ministers Christ’s love to those in need. It witnesses to unity in Christ with other churches. It encourages Christian stewardship.
The ELCM’s vision is clear. It aims to make disciples. Its mission is multifaceted. It provides worship opportunities for followers of Jesus Christ. It equips believers through Biblical instruction. It offers fellowship and care. It preaches the Word of God to non-believers.
Crossway Community Lutheran Church embodies this vision. It stands as a beacon of faith. It reflects the enduring legacy of those Tamil migrants. Their faith shaped a community. It continues to grow and serve. It stands here today.