Could you imagine Elam Luddington preaching on Prince of Wales Island? That island was later renamed Penang. Today we stand before Good News Baptist Church. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of faith in this vibrant land.
Good News Baptist Church is more than a building. It is a community. It is a place of worship. The church’s story is intertwined with the broader history of Christianity in Malaysia.
In February 1854 Elam Luddington preached for five days here. He was a Latter-day Saint missionary. This island was then known as Prince of Wales Island. Later it was renamed Penang. There were no other known Latter-day Saints in Malaysia until the 1960s.
Church members from Australia and the U.S. moved here. They were on military or work assignments. They began holding worship services in small groups. G. Carlos Smith organized the Penang Group on 16 May 1971. David K. Smith was the leader. The first conference of Church members in Malaysia was held in Penang. It was on 28 July.
The Church was incorporated in Malaysia on 19 October 1977. The Penang Group was dissolved between 1976 and 1978. Most of its Australian and American members had moved.
Good News Baptist Church is part of the Baptist community. It is affiliated with the Malaysia Baptist Convention. The church address is 88-2-1, Lintang Sungei Pinang, Jelutong, Penang 10150. You can contact them at 04-281-4719 or gmbc.pg@gmail.com.
The church conducts services in Mandarin. Sunday worship is from 9:00 to 10:30.
Good News Baptist Church continues to be a beacon of faith. It offers community and spiritual guidance to all. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of belief. It enriches the cultural landscape of Penang. Its doors are always open.