Charismatic Church of Penang
Charismatic Church of Penang is a church in Sungai Keluang, Bayan Lepas. As its name suggests, the Charismatic Church is one that practises speaking in tongues, healing, exorcism, baptism in Spirit, among others. In this write-up, I look at the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches as a whole and look at how they started.
The Pentecostal movement in Malaysia can be traced back to 1930s, though it only grew rapidly since the 1970s. The Ceylon Pentecostal Mission was the first Pentecostal group to arrive in Malaysia. They worked among the migrant Indians and Sri Lankans. It took place in Ipoh in 1930, then spread to Teluk Anson (now Teluk Intan) in 1933. After the disruption caused by the Second World War, which decimated the Pentecostal worker to just one, the work was revived with a new wave of Pentecostal missionaries from Ceylon and India in 1947.
The Assemblies of God (AOG) is a Charismatic movement that goes back to the 1930s also, through the work of Dr John Sung, who brought a revival to the Chinese-speaking churches in Malaysia and Singapore, and whose meetings include healing, conviction of sins, conversions, and other "signs and wonders".
From the Chinese speaking assemblies, the work spread to the English-speaking, which eventually outpaced the Chinese-speaking. The 1950-69's saw an influx of American AOG missionaries to Malaya, when China shut its doors to Christians. It descended on Penang with the missionary David Baker establishing the AOG work at Macalister Road in 1960.
The Charismatic Church of Penang traces its own history to Teh Phai Lian, who was formerly an elder from Burmah Road Gospel Hall. He started the Church of Penang in 1963. It later became known as the Charismatic Church of Penang. It built and dedicated its own building in Bayan Baru in 1998.
Other Charismatic churches include the Full Gospel Assembly (FGA), which was formed in 1981, and has become one of the largest Charismatic churches in Malaysia. It began in 1979 when two Brethren Church elders, Dr Koh Eng Kiat and Ang Chui Lai, left their Brethren church and started their own fellowship group.
Bibliography
Asian and Pentecostal, by Allan Anderson and Edmond Tang
Pentecostals and Charismatics in Malaysia and Singapore, by Tan Jin Huat
Getting to Charismatic Church of Penang
Charismatic Church of Penang is located on Jalan Tokong Ular, the sliproad off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. The nearest bus stop is in front of the Snake Temple. You can take Rapid Penang Bus 305, 401 and U502 to reach it.
Nearby Sights
Snake Temple
Than Hsiang Temple
Bayan Baru Sivan Temple
Nearby Shopping
Sunshine Square
Giant Hypermarket
Visiting Penang
If you're planning a trip to Penang, please go through the information I have assembled in Penang Travel Tips. You'd find there information covering all aspect about Penang, including accommodation, transport, food, shopping, places of interest and more. Everything you need to know Penang is right there at your finger tips!
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Charismatic Church of Penang (15 October 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Charismatic Church of Penang Location Map
Charismatic Church of Penang (15 October 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
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