Our Methodist Intermediate Fellowship was formally established on 14 April 1952, with strong encouragement from the wife of Rev. 方明德. As its first adviser, she guided the young people in understanding the truth and receiving training for enthusiastic service in the church. The fellowship was active and well attended. Before long, she accompanied Rev. 方明德 to his new appointment in Singapore.
Mr 陈启昭 succeeded her as adviser and served for 18 years, retiring in December 1970. He contributed greatly to the Methodist Intermediate Fellowship. Under his leadership, its activities included ball games, early-morning worship, retreats and Christmas carolling. Many of those he mentored later studied abroad or became office-bearers in the Youth and Adult Fellowships, and some became church church officers. Members expressed their love for the church by making a large signboard for its kindergarten, which was still in use when this account was written. Before Christmas 1970, they also repainted the church fence silver as another act of loving service.
In 1971, Ms 陈雪兰 and Mr 刘顺荣 became joint advisers. Their efforts brought some growth in membership, but both stepped down after a year because of work commitments. Although there was no adviser in 1972 or 1973, the Lord continued to guide the fellowship's work. Mr 郭赳赳 became adviser in 1974 but resigned after a year because of other commitments. Mr 罗华明 took over in 1975, reorganising the fellowship to strengthen members in biblical truth and spiritual understanding, while training them to be responsible young Christians.
Past Advisers
Wife of Rev. 方明德, 1952
陈启昭, 1953–1970
陈雪兰, 1971
郭赳赳, 1974
Methodist Intermediate Fellowship, 1952
Christmas carolling team, 1962
Members singing an anthem, 1973
The president cutting the celebration cake, 1973
Tea gathering, 1973
Adviser 罗华明 with office-bearers, 1975
Ms 陈珍宝 served as adviser from 1979 to 1980. A faithful servant, she attended weekly fellowship meetings to offer guidance and often shared messages. Activities gradually increased. Scripture memorisation competitions encouraged members to read God's Word, while school holidays brought seaside picnics and opportunities to distribute gospel tracts near the church.
Ms 林逸云 served as adviser from 1981 to 1982, followed again by Ms 陈珍宝 from 1983 to 1990. The fellowship held its first junior training camp in 1987 to help members understand their faith more clearly and develop their abilities in leading singing and programmes. From 1989, meetings moved from 3.30 pm to 8.00 pm, and the venue changed to the 80th Anniversary Hall.
From 1991, Rev. 黄 and the Methodist Intermediate Fellowship officers planned its activities together. At the Local Church Executive Committee meeting in March 1995, recognising the pastor's growing responsibilities, the church officers appointed three church officers as fellowship advisers. They were to assist the pastor in this ministry, providing the care and nurture young people needed to grow into people equipped for God's service.
Advisers and office-bearers, 1995
Methodist Intermediate Fellowship group photograph, 1995
33rd anniversary
Youth and junior camp at Penang Hill, 1995
Youth and junior Christmas carolling team
Methodist Intermediate Fellowship camp at Penang Hill, 2004
Methodist Intermediate Fellowship camp, 2005
In 2015, the Methodist Intermediate Fellowship was divided into primary- and secondary-school groups, each with its own advisers. Weekly programmes included learning about God, reading his Word, prayer and character-building games. These activities aimed to deepen members' knowledge of God, strengthen friendships and belonging, nurture their gifts in worship and praise, and encourage them to serve as people equipped for God's use.
The secondary-school group's purpose is “I Am the Lord's Disciple”, with four objectives: Passing on the Faith, Setting an Example, Discipline, and Sharing the Gospel. These prepare members for future service in Sunday School, morning worship or other ministries, teaching humility, obedience to God and a Christ-centred approach to all they do.
The primary-school group has two areas of focus. Spiritually, it guides children in worshipping God through singing, Bible reading, memory verses, prayer, games and practical application of God's Word. In daily life, it teaches them to care for friends through prayer, sharing the gospel and personal testimony, and to set an example through regular attendance.
Methodist Intermediate Fellowship, 2015
In early June, the district held a three-day junior camp organised by young adults. About 80 juniors from seven churches attended. Youth members and Sunday School teachers worked together to guide them, using sports to teach attitudes of service. In September, several juniors from our church served in an Orang Asli community. The Methodist Intermediate Fellowship also joined the Young Adult and Youth Fellowships at a praise gathering organised by Logos Hope at Han Chiang High School. Junior Sunday was scheduled for 27 September.
In early June 2016, seven young adults from our church attended a junior evangelism seminar in Melaka, led by adviser 陈凯翔. Brother 庄恺信 and Sister 李诗瑜 represented our church at the Annual Conference junior assembly in May. Junior Sunday was designated for 28 August. During the Christmas season, members held street evangelism activities to share the gospel and lead people to the Lord.
On 4 August 2018, our Methodist Intermediate Fellowship celebrated its 65th anniversary, remembering the contributions of earlier generations and giving all glory to the Lord.
In 2019, our church held its first Youth Alpha course.
In 2020, COVID-19 spread across the world, bringing crises and rapid changes that left many struggling to adjust. The phrase “new normal” became part of everyday life. On 18 March, Malaysia introduced a nationwide Movement Control Order to curb transmission. The Methodist Intermediate Fellowship's last in-person meeting was on 15 March. Although we could no longer visit members or meet physically, we continued to worship God and care for one another. Meetings moved online so members could share fellowship from home. Alongside studying God's Word, they shared news, prayed for one another and even fasted together for one meal. The pandemic changed church life, but it did not diminish their desire for fellowship. Thanks be to God!
In early 2023, the Methodist Intermediate Fellowship resumed in-person meetings. Rev. 李仁民 helped reorganise its activities, with meetings every Saturday from 7.30 to 9.00 pm. Membership gradually grew under his leadership, reaching an average attendance of 30. Activities included themed sharing, SOAP Bible reflection, learning biblical truths through games, ball games, birthday celebrations and outings. Nineteen juniors also benefited from the Northern District's joint “Disciples' Alliance” camp. An outing was scheduled for 16 September and Junior Sunday for 17 September. Ministry plans for 2024 included discipleship courses, a talk on relationships between boys and girls, group outings, team-building activities, engagement with Operation Mobilisation, and a three-day, two-night camp jointly organised with Sunday School.
Although life has changed since the pandemic, our faithful God remains the same. In these unsettled times, may the Methodist Intermediate Fellowship continue to help members read the Bible faithfully and effectively, become rooted in the Lord's Word, grow close to God and bear witness to Jesus Christ. We thank God for his grace and protection as members support one another and pray together for physical and emotional health, studies and the nation. May God continue to bless the Methodist Intermediate Fellowship!
1952to2024Methodist Intermediate Fellowship Advisers by Year
1952: Wife of Rev. 方明德
1963–1970: 陈启昭
1971: 陈雪兰 / 刘顺荣
1972–1973: No adviser
1974: 郭赳赳
1975–1978: 罗华明
1979–1980: 陈珍宝
1981–1982: 林逸云
1983–1990: 陈珍宝
1991–1994: Rev. 黄约辉
1995–2003: Rev. 黄约辉, 郑丽蓉, 林素芬 and 曾如安
2004–2014: Rev. 黄约辉 and Rev. 张振祥
2015–2019: Rev. 黄约辉 and Rev. 谭鸣晖
2020: Rev. 张振祥 and Rev. 谭鸣晖
2021–2024: Rev. 张振祥 and Rev. 李仁民
Fellowship Objectives:
- Help members read the Bible faithfully and effectively
- Help members develop a close relationship with God
- Bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ at school
2023-2024 Office-bearers for the Year
Adviser: Church officer 陈威荣
President: 李康玟
Vice-President: 黄诗蔚
Secretary: 陈全敬
Assistant Secretary: 黄奕森
Treasurer: 李联俊
Assistant Treasurer: 庄勤宣
Committee Members
Fellowship: 胡恩惠
Ministry: 陈伟畯
Worship: 康燕玲
Discipleship: 陈永敬
Pastoral Care: 周恩溢
Primary-School Group: 陈恩乐