John Latham was once a missionary sent by the Southern Baptist Convention. He learned Chinese while serving as a missionary in China and came to Malaysia only after missionaries were expelled from China. He grew up in a small Baptist church in his youth and had never heard of Calvinism during his faith journey. It was not until later in life, driven by a curiosity about his own denomination’s history and through research online and in libraries, that he became a Baptist member who supports the Reformed tradition.

Speaking of contemporary Baptist seminary students, he was not so optimistic that some may have heard that the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith was adapted from the Westminster Confession of Faith. Yet he encourages himself, “Teach them with patience…because Reformed should be an invitation to life, not to a fight.” As an example, he cited, “I have not seen any church deliberately stress, ‘ Because we are  Arminian, we should not have any fellowship with Reformed believers!”

Browsing through the library collection at MBTS, we observed that there are very few books published by Reformation Translation Fellowship Publishing Co. or on Calvinism. MBTS values apologetics highly. We believe our gift to their library, WCF for Study Classes, will likely become their first collection about the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with other books published by the Exodus Press Company. This clearly demonstrates the significance of this journey in the advancement of God’s kingdom. Though seemingly a small contribution, it marks an important milestone, providing students at the seminary with better resources to reference for writing their own theses on apologetics.

3.2 Bukit Mertajam St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

Shape the Church with the Gospel – Minister Huang on His Commitment to the Reformed Faith

On May 8, we visited Minister Huang of Bukit Mertajam St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to exchange ideas on the current status of Malaysian Chinese churches, as well as the challenges and hopes for the development of the Reformed faith within local churches. Minister Huang shared that he first encountered the Reformed faith during his seminary days. And, through continued reading and study, he was gradually drawn to its holistic understanding of God’s sovereignty, the authority of Scripture, the grace of Christ, and the pastoral care of the church. However, he emphasized that the purpose of promoting the Reformed faith is not to establish a theological label, but rather to see the church truly shaped by the gospel. He pointed out that the churches today engage in many activities and ministries. If the gospel does not penetrate deeply into the lives and daily practices of believers, these efforts can easily devolve into mere formality. Therefore, he hopes that the Reformed faith can serve as the foundation for church pastoral care, discipleship, and spiritual renewal.

In discussing various challenges, Minister Huang noted that Reformed theology is often misunderstood as being purely rational and critical, yet its core actually lies in a deeper recognition of human limitations and the abundance of Christ’s grace. Having shared that pastoral work is demanding, he mentioned, he often prayed that the Lord would first renew him, not merely so that he might preach Reformed theology, but so that he might be shaped by the Gospel. He also prayed that the Lord would lead the church not only to understand theological terms but to truly know Christ, to love the Bible, and to live out the Gospel.

Looking to the future, he hopes that the Reformed faith will become a solid spiritual foundation for the church, enabling it to become increasingly gospel-centered, Scripture-based, Christ-glorifying, and prayer-reliant.

3.3 Small Group Fellowship of the Cross and Crown Church Penang

On the evening of May 8, we attended the Friday Family Fellowship at Crown and Crown Church Penang. Elder James Chan shared a prepared topic: “The Benefits of Re-reading the Westminster Confession in the 21st Century,” along with an introduction to the Exodus Press and Media Ministry. After the presentation, there was a Q&A session. To our surprise, many showed a strong interest in “How does the Westminster Confession of Faith view speaking in tongues?”

From this fellowship meeting, we noticed that even within Reformed Chinese churches, many still have a strong interest in “charismatic topics” and are very eager to find the answers. Perhaps in their regular church settings, they don’t often have opportunities to receive satisfying answers to their innermost questions? For Chinese churches, a “Q&A session” is an excellent way to give the congregation a chance to address their specific and practical questions!

3.4 Sunday Sermon at Cross and Crown Church Penang
May 10 (Sunday), Elder James Chan, the owner of the Exodus Press Company, founding Elder of the Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, and founder of the Exodus Press and Media Ministry, delivered a sermon on Sunday service at Cross & Crown Penang. The sermon topic was “Teach them to observe all that I have commanded you | Matthew 28:16-20.”

In his sermon, he noted: “Today’s battlefield over the knowledge of the faith centers on exegesis, creeds, and teachings.” Elder Chan also noted that the spiritual battles the church faces today are often not the conflicts on the surface, but rather at the levels of “exegesis, creeds, and teachings.” When the church neglects to understand and pass on the truth of the Bible, believers can easily lose their discernment and are unable to stand firm amid the torrent of various ideologies and false doctrines.

Therefore, the Great Commission is not only about spreading the gospel outwardly, but also about building up disciples inwardly, so that believers may be rooted and grow in the truth.

During the fellowship time after the service, the congregation once again posed questions about Christian faith to Elder Chan, regarding how to view prophecies in the charismatic movement, as well as healing, casting out demons, speaking in tongues, and so on. He patiently answered each question one by one—praise the Lord. In the evening, Pastor Nicolls, Senior Pastor of Cross and Crown Church Penang, discussed with us the business of selling Christian materials.

3.5 The Reformed Movement Gains Momentum in Penang

Monday, May 11, is the day we will board the train to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia (a three-hour train ride). Looking back at Penang, it is a place steeped in Chinese Fujian culture. Like Taiwan under the colony by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th century, Penang was colonized by the British East India Company in the 18th century. Western commerce and the Christian faith arrived together. The seeds of the Gospel were therefore sown. Unlike Taiwan, where the Dutch Reformed Church associated with the Dutch East India Company came about 400 years ago, Penang was influenced by the Anglican Church associated with the British East India Company. A historic building of the Anglican St. George’s Church is in Penang.

Consequently, the Chinese community in Penang is no stranger to Christianity, and this community continues to grow. The development of Reformed Christianity has been greatly influenced by Rev. Stephen Tong,    an evangelist from the Indonesian Evangelical Reformed Church. As a result, an increasing number of believers who have left the charismatic movement are searching online for “Reformed Church Penang” and finding their way to local churches following the Reformed tradition. On Sunday, May 10, we witnessed nearly ten believers, individually and simultaneously, following online search results to Cross and Crown Church Penang. One brother, who had been watching Rev. Stephen Tong’s sermons online, told us, “If I had stayed in my previous charismatic church, my life would have been ruined…!”

This “pendulum effect” is currently unfolding in Malaysia—a phenomenon that stands in stark contrast to the spiritual landscape in Singapore. In Malaysia, even though the Reformed Evangelical Church has split into two, both churches continue to experience significant growth. The number of Malaysian Christians who hunger and thirst for Reformed theology is increasing.

However, there is one thing we must be cautious about: some Reformed adherents may overlook human depravity of their own. By forgetting that “it is by Christ’s grace alone,” they may fall into legalism, causing church divisions and engaging in verbal provocation and humiliation toward churches of other denominations. This sin of idolatry—treating Reformed theology as a “prestigious brand rather than one’s own faith”—is also a cause for deep concern! Reformed theology should seize this moment to fellowship with evangelical churches in a spirit of friendship. Yet a phenomenon of “Reformed phobia” has now emerged, leading some churches from other denominations to declare their refusal to engage in dialogue or exchange with “any Reformed group.”

Within the Malaysian church community, a book criticizing this trend has even been published, titled More Calvinist Than Calvin? However, this does not represent the essence and spirit of Reformed theology as we understand it. After all, Reformed believers should never live out “justification by works” that is “more Arminian than Arminius,” nor seek salvation through being “sufficiently Reformed.” This is completely contradictory to the principle of  “salvation by Christ alone!”  It is even anti-Reformed theology.

IV. The Crucial Stop: Kuala Lumpur!

The primary purpose of this crucial trip is a live Podcast, titled “Three Major Benefits of Re- reading the Westminster Confession of Faith in the 21st Century,” held on May 13 (Wednesday, 7:00–9:30 PM) at The Bridge Bookstore in Kuala Lumpur.

4.1 Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Malaysia
Upon arriving at the train station, we found ourselves in Kuala Lumpur. The streets here were bustling with traffic. Brother James Tan from the International Reformed Evangelical Church of Kuala Lumpur then joined us to assist with our church outreach itinerary. We are grateful to Brother Chen for arranging all our meetings in Kuala Lumpur. Our first stop was a luncheon with Rev. Tsai Hua Ping, the former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Malaysia (GPM). We shared our desire to promote the Reformed tradition of the Presbyterian Church and to revive the Westminster Confession of Faith. We hope to provide Chinese churches with more spiritual resources rooted in the Bible and historical confessions of faith through publishing and training. We also presented Rev. Tsai with our books in person.

4.2 Calvary Bible-Presbyterian Church, Petaling Jaya Fellowship
On Tuesday, May 12, with the help of Brother Chen, we visited Rev. Lee Kim Shong (Calvary Jaya Bible-Presbyterian Fellowship). During our discussion, Rev. Lee shared about the current pastoral challenges that the churches in Malaysia are facing, particularly the gap and challenges regarding Reformed theological education between men and youth. In many Chinese churches, providing systematic education in doctrines does not remain merely at the intellectual level, but takes root in the lives and church life of the younger generation. This remains a long-term concern! Pastor Lee prompted us to reflect once again that “passing-over” of the Westminster Confession of Faith requires pastoral care, youth education, and other means so that the truth may continue to take root across generations.

4.3 Selangor-Kuala Lumpur Reformed Evangelical Church

On Tuesday, May 12, we had lunch with Rev. Amos Chaw, Senior Pastor of the International Reformed Evangelical Church of Klang Valley, and we discussed the future challenges facing Reformed theology in Malaysia.
Below are Rev. Chaw’s responses, which are well worth reflecting on:

4.4 International Reformed Evangelical Church of Kuala Lumpur

On the afternoon of Tuesday, May 12, we visited the book distribution center of the International Reformed Evangelical Church of Kuala Lumpur. We shared dinner with Senior Rev. Wong Chin Choy who is the elder brother of Rev. Moses Wong, a professor of Old Testament at the China Reformed Theological Seminary. During the meal, Elder James Chan and Rev. Ong exchanged views on church governance and Christian education, both enjoying a very pleasant conversation.

4.5 Taman Bukit Maluri Christian Grace Church

On Wednesday, May 13, we visited “Behold Treasures Resources,” which has been the agent of Exodus Press Company in Malaysia. That afternoon, we had a special opportunity to visit Taman Bukit Maluri Christian Grace Church and meet with Rev. Ong Fook and the church staff. For many years, The Church has been dedicated to evangelism, discipleship, and church planting, with the Reformed Faith as one of its key guiding principles. Through discussions, we observed the church’s emphasis on biblical teaching and equipping of believers, as well as its vision and burden for the development of Chinese churches.

We were particularly impressed by the establishment of the “Reformed Theological Training Centre” in this church. This Center has long promoted theological education and the training of ministry staff. The walls of the training center are adorned with group photos of students who have completed courses over the years, showing that the church does not limit its ministry to Sunday worship services but systematically equips believers in the study of Scripture, theology, and participating in various services. This also reflects the practical need for systematic theological education among local Chinese churches.

During our exchange of ideas, we briefly introduced the publishing philosophy and ministry vision behind the WCF for Study Classes, sharing our vision for using the WCF as a tool to guide believers toward a more comprehensive understanding of biblical teachings. For many years, Taman Bukit Maluri Christian Grace Church has maintained a positive relationship with Rev. Stephen Tong and the Reformed Evangelical Movement, actively fulfilling the mission of theological education and discipleship within the local church context.

4.6  Live Podcast at the Bridge Bookstore

【End-of-Trip Event: Live Podcast at the Bridge Bookstore—Three Major Benefits of Re-reading the Westminster Confession of Faith in the 21st Century】
In the evening of May 13, Exodus Press and Media Ministry hosted a live book launch podcast titled “The Three Major Benefits of Re-reading the Westminster Confession of Faith in the 21st Century” at The Bridge Bookstore in Kuala Lumpur. The podcast was broadcast live and online. It was aimed at sharing insights into the practical application of the book WCF for Study Classes with local pastors, church leaders, and lay Christians eager to deepen their understanding of Christian faith.

★The podcast focuses primarily on three topics from WCF:
The First topic, On Scripture:
As important achievements from compiling biblical teachings throughout the church history, creeds help believers establish a biblical framework for interpretation;

Second, on God’s Eternal Decree:
By understanding God’s sovereignty and grace, we can strengthen our assurance of salvation;

Third, on Sanctification:
Through teachings on Christ’s mediation and God’s providence, believers are helped to walk firmly on the path toward sanctification.

Following the podcast, Bridge Bookstore also posted an article in response, pointing out that modern believers often expect their faith to provide emotional comfort, yet tend to overlook the weight and sobering nature of the truth itself. Particularly, the article stressed that while the Westminster Confession of Faith is concise and direct, it is precisely for this reason that it helps believers return to the “Word”—the very core of the faith—and prevents personal emotions and selfish interests from supplanting the truth itself.

This article also commends the method of inductive Bible study used in the book, noting that its design—featuring versions for both teacher and student—helps churches systematically study the Reformed faith. It further emphasized that the Holy Spirit continues to speak to the church through the Bible today, and that the creeds of past generations represent the church’s synthesis and testimony of biblical teachings under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This podcast event served not only as an important opportunity to promote WCF for Study Classes in Malaysia but also allowed us to see more directly the needs among local Chinese churches for solid faith education and systematic theological training. This event also marked an important conclusion to our trip to Singapore and Malaysia: the promotion of Reformed theology is not merely about publishing books, but rather a long-term endeavor to help the church return to the Bible, the sound confessions, and the truth of the Gospel.

V. Conclusion
In Matthew 28, before His ascension, Christ commissioned the disciples with the “Great Commission.” This commission can be summarized into two primary tasks: baptizing and teaching. In other words, the primary mission of the church is to “preach the Gospel” and “teach sound doctrine.”

Throughout more than two thousand years of church history, through evangelism, the church has brought the Gospel to unreached peoples, fulfilling the first task of the Great Commission. As the number of believers grew, heresies and Christian extremism emerged. To correct errors in the faith, godly men and women in the church devoted their lives to refuting heretical ideas and writing down the essentials of the faith in creeds, confessions, and doctrines. This not only helped believers of their own generation but also has helped those of future generations to understand the profound truths of Scripture rightly. Scripture, therefore, can be applied properly to believers’ lives. By passing down these creeds, confessions, and doctrines from generation to generation, the second task of the Great Commission is therefore fulfilled.

During this recent visit to Singapore and Malaysia, Exodus Press and Media Ministry witnessed the development history of the Chinese churches in both countries. Through the joint efforts of missionaries from the London Missionary Society, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, and the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom and the United States, schools, orphanages, and places of worship were established. These became an indispensable part of the local Christian development, laying the foundation for Christianity within the Chinese community and fulfilling the mission of “preaching the Gospel” within the Great Commission. But what about the second mission?

Churches in Europe and America have accumulated a wealth of rich and valuable spiritual assets over the years, including the ancient creeds—the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Chalcedonian Creed—as well as post-Reformation documents such as the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms, among others.

Among the vast body of Christian literature, the Westminster Confession of Faith rightly should be understood as the culmination of over 100 years of theological and pastoral reflection by Reformed Protestants. Its theological excellence is not only highly regarded but also places significant emphasis on pastoral needs.

The Confession incorporates nearly all the doctrines essential for believers to mature in their faith, yet without neglecting the practical application of these doctrines. Furthermore, the Westminster Standards were formulated in perilous times. The English Civil War was raging as the Westminster Assembly met, with reports from the battlefields regularly being received. Yet there is a calm and timelessness to their work. The Standards’ applicability extends to future generations, thus enabling it to shape the church to come.

Exodus Press and Media Ministry believes that Chinese churches today are facing a wide variety of denominations and their respective theological teachings, including even those deviant teachings. They urgently need a Bible-based, doctrinally sound confession to instruct believers and train church leaders, thereby becoming a church firmly built upon a solid rock.

Although the Westminster Confession of Faith is a product of the Presbyterian tradition and belongs to a specific denomination, it is a Bible-based confession, i.e., a “norma normata” (a rule that is ruled), while the Bible is the “norma normans” (the rule that rules). Therefore, any denomination that holds fast to the Bible should not oppose the Westminster Confession of Faith, which strictly adheres to biblical teachings.

Inevitably, Christians need to express their faith in creedal statements. Paul commands Timothy (2 Timothy 4:2) to “reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” As an apostle, Paul commands every pastor and scholar—who are not themselves inspired by the Holy Spirit—to interpret what they believe to be the revealed truth through their own uninspired understandings; and to use this to teach and nourish their congregations. A sound creed, therefore, serves as an appropriate channel through which the church receives biblical instructions. It can even foster unity among different denominations, providing a common standard and shared goal as they work to expand the Kingdom of Heaven.

Through this trip to Singapore and Malaysia, let’s encourage each other to work toward our common goals inherent in the Great Commission.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　──James Chan, Chairman of Exodus Press & Media

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