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TMC Penang 125th Quasquicentennial Anniversary Celebration Commemorative Book
TMC PENANG : METHODIST YOUNG ADULTS FELLOWSHIP
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST

The important role of young adults is well chronicled in the history of the Methodist movement.
John and Charles Wesley were young men when they set sail from England to America in 1735. On this
voyage, the Wesleys rst encountered the Moravian settlers who would deeply in uence the develop-
ment of the Methodist theology. One hundred and fty years later, a 30-year old William Oldham
disembarked in Singapore and planted the seeds of Methodism in South East Asia. A few years after that,
in 1894, a young Rev GF Pykett and his wife started the Tamil Methodist ministry in Penang.

The Penang chapter of the Methodist Young Adults’ Fellowship (MYAF) began in 1995 and
gathered momentum in the 2000s when a group of young people began to meet regularly for cell group
meetings. In a short span of time, it emerged as a pillar of the church. The ministry has helped the young
adults of TMC Penang to learn how to live as Christians despite a demanding urban environment.

Since its establishment, there have been many activities to meet the needs of its members. The
annual retreat by the beach has become an activity to look for amongst its members. At the retreat, the
members learn about Jesus Christ and strengthen their fellowship while relaxing on Penang’s famous
beaches. The MYAF gatherings and workshops, covering various pertinent topics, have helped us share
experiences, discuss challenges and discover spiritual truths. Members have also participated, without
fail, in the annual MYAF camps. Through these gatherings, the MYAFers have bonded with each other and
built strong ties with the other Tamil Methodist churches throughout Malaysia.

The MYAF ministry has become a channel to serve the needy, practice our faith and nurture our
spiritual lives. The exposure and experience gained from all these undertakings, have helped nurture a
generation of dedicated members and capable workers. Over the years, the MYAF has become a
training ground, and an assembly line, for church leaders within TMC Penang and beyond.

The Methodist experience is based on the Wesleyan quadrilateral of scripture, tradition, reason
and experience. At one end is scripture. It is the timeless inheritance we share with all Christians.
At the other end, are the present-day experiences of our individual existence. The traditions and heritage
of the Tamil Methodist Church of Penang, is our bridge between these two extremes. Ultimately,
the history of the church is but a record of what God has done in us, through us and among us.

List of MYAF o ce bearers

Year MYAF President Counsellors
2007(Pro- Tem committee ) Mr. Gunalan Samuel Mr. & Mrs. Michael Raja

2008 - 2010 Mr. Gunalan Samuel Mr. & Mrs. Michael Raja
2011 - 2012 Mr. Winson Savastian Mr. & Mrs. Michael Raja ( 2011)
2013 - 2014 Mr. Riboudson Anthony Dass Mr. & Mrs. Shamkumar
2015 - 2016 Mrs. Christina Desmond Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Mohanaraj
2017 Mr. Riboudson Anthony Dass Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Mohanaraj

2018 - 2019 Mr. Joseph Ravindran Mr. & Mrs. Shamkumar
Compiled by Mr. Samuel Mohanaraj

Edited by Mrs. Uma Raju

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