THE FGBMF MALAYSIA has been the birthplace of many Christian leaders. Some of the former FGBMF brothers are now serving as pastors, elders, deacons and in various leadership positions in churches and other ministries. One such person is Bro. Lee Chee Loi who is now serving as Executive Director of Malaysian CARE. The FLAME interviewed Bro. Chee Loi recently.

Q. Bro Chee Loi, what led you to the FGBMF and how were you involved in it the early days?

A: I had this passion to promote office Christian fellowship meetings in those days when it was quite new. Through that, I met friends in FGBMF. Subsequently, I was asked to start and lead the FGB Chapter in Pudu, K.L. where my office was. We had office Christian fellowship meetings and FGB meetings on different days of the week.

Q. Can you compare the spiritual climate then and now?

A: It has been about 8 years since I have been away from FGBMF ministry when I went full-time with Malaysian Christian Association for Relief, commonly known as Malaysian Care. Furthermore, I have not been with FGBMF for many years. As such, I feel inadequate to make any statement on its spiritual climate.

Q. Would you say you have attained utmost satisfaction when filled with the Holy Spirit?

A: Certainly. I used to joke with my friends that in my first year attending church, I was about the last to enter and the first to leave. After being filled with the Holy Spirit, there has been this increasing passion for the things of God. Whilst there are still some of those struggles and tests we have to go through, I thank and praise God that we are more assured of His ever presence and anointing to help take us through victoriously. This has been especially so when I yielded to the call for full-time ministry in Malaysian Care where I had very little expertise nor experience to fall upon.

Q. You certainly have fond memories of FGBMF Malaysia. Would you kindly share them with us?

A: The humility demonstrated by many of the senior members of FGBMF like Bro Lee Gee Koon, Bro Dr Stephen Goh, Bro Loh Poh Seng, the late Bro Dr Abraham Peter Tong and Bro Timothy Phua, and many others have inspired me. Even though I was very new to the ministry, I found them very approachable and ever ready to listen and help where possible. There were no 'barriers' to communication or relationship building. Then, I also value and enjoyed the fellowship, friendship and support of those who worked hard with me and helped in the Pudu Chapter like Bro Chang Siew Leng, Pastor Dr Chew Weng Chee and Bro Koo Hock Fee. I appreciate too the times when Bro Tan Sri Francis Yeoh and Bro Jeswant Natarajan together with other brothers would occasionally walk over from the Bukit Bintang Chapter to join and encourage us because we were then a new Chapter.

Q. What are your views on FGBMF's progress over the recent years?

A: FGBMF has grown over the years and impacted many lives, including influential leaders of today. Like most ministries, there are different phases they go through. Each phase has its own challenges and character. Like most maturing ministries after the initial salvo of the charismatic revival of the 70's in Malaysia, I sensed the momentum of building and developing strong chapters and various levels of leadership. It is also heartening the see the tremendous progress of FGBMF amongst the Chinese and Tamil speaking population.

Q. What is it that you miss most on leaving FGBMF?

A: Friendship and relationship take years to develop. I do not get to meet or sit around with some of my FGBMF friends as often as I did before except for a few, as my present ministry takes me to different people and places. Nonetheless, I appreciate those invitations that come occasionally to speak at FGBMF chapters as they offer me opportunities to catch up with old friends and the progress of FGBMF.

Q. Lastly, what would be your passing words to the current FGBMF members?

A: I could probably think of the writer of the book of Hebrews who gave this charge in Hebrews 12:1(b)-2(a)"…and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of our faith…". And I have always this little story to share along. When I was in my late thirties, I participated in my church's sports' day in the 4x100 metres relay without much preparation, thinking that I could surely count on my strength and ability during my heydays in school. I guess you know what happened. I fell flat after running for only about 20 metres! We cannot face the challenges of today with the anointing of yesterday! We need a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit and our eyes constantly on our Lord Jesus Christ.