1996
As a new century approached, many younger members were no longer fluent in Hokkien. The LCEC therefore resolved to establish a Mandarin–English Sunday service to meet their language needs.
At 8.45 a.m. on 3 January 1996, the church held its first Mandarin–English Sunday service. Both the liturgy and the sermon were presented in Chinese and English. Renovation and air-conditioning works in the sanctuary were completed in April that year.
On 9 June 1996, the Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia held its fiftieth-anniversary thanksgiving service at this church. That year, the LCEC also established an education fund, providing annual scholarships of RM2,500 for members’ children pursuing tertiary studies and RM3,500 for university students.
1997
In response to the Chinese Annual Conference President’s call for young people’s church activities to support the Conference’s ministries, the LCEC planned a preaching point near TAR College in Tanjung Bungah to develop ministry among students in higher education.
On 21 December 1997, the LCEC held a Christmas dinner in the Chinese restaurant of the Penang Chinese Recreation Club to raise funds for the Methodist Century Building.
The dinner comprised sixty-five tables. All expenses were donated by church officers 杨昭铭, 刘顺荣, 李国庆 and 黄益民. The entire sum raised, RM414,350, was allocated to the Methodist Century Building.
That year, the LCEC also amended the theological scholarship regulations to encourage more young people from the congregation to enter full-time ministry.
1998
Following anti-Chinese unrest in Indonesia that year, many Indonesian Chinese came to Penang. Their attendance at the church’s services gradually increased. The LCEC therefore established an Indonesian Student Ministry Group led by church officer 曾国生.
Plans for the six-storey Methodist Century Building extension received municipal approval on 17 August 1998. Following tendering and discussions, construction began on 12 November 1998. Bishop 朱新进 and Conference President 高传隆 jointly officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony on 26 November 1998.
In September 1998, the church rented a semi-detached house in Tanjung Bungah as a preaching point. An English Bible study led by Brother 李福寿 began there on 1 October.
The 23rd Session of the Chinese Annual Conference in Malaysia was held in Penang from 23 to 26 November 1998, with this church assisting as a host. On 26 November, the day of the opening ceremony, the LCEC invited Bishop Dr 朱进新 and Chinese Annual Conference President the Rev. 高传隆 to officiate at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Methodist Century Building.
1999
At 5.00 p.m. on 3 January, the Tanjung Bungah preaching point held its first Sunday service.
In September that year, the minister in charge, the Rev. 黄约辉, travelled to the eastern United States to visit members and for sightseeing.
On 10 October 1999, Chinese Annual Conference President the Rev. 高传隆 officiated at the foundation-stone ceremony for the Methodist Century Building. The LCEC also hosted a buffet for members.
2000
On 20 June 2000, municipal approval was granted for two additional storeys to the Methodist Century Building. As construction of the building was completed, renovation of the sanctuary proceeded at the same time.
During the renovation, Sunday services were held in Dorcas Hall in the Methodist Century Building. The sanctuary renovation was completed in October that year.
To mark the church’s 105th anniversary that year, the LCEC held a thanksgiving service and donated RM2,000 each to the Salvation Army, Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled, the Eden disability centre, 恩惠 home for older people, St Joseph’s orphanage, Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Trinity Theological College, the Bible Society, the 中信 monthly publication and the 文桥 monthly publication.
From 5 to 19 November that year, the minister in charge, the Rev. 黄约辉, attended a Haggai Institute leadership training programme in Hawaii.
The 25th Session of the Chinese Annual Conference was again held in Penang from 27 to 30 November 2000, with this church assisting as a host. At the Conference, the minister in charge, the Rev. 黄约辉, was appointed Northern District Superintendent of the Chinese Annual Conference in Malaya. The church treasurer, church officer 李国庆, was elected to the executive and finance boards. During the Conference, the church was honoured to welcome Bishop Dr 朱进新 and Conference President the Rev. 高传隆 to officiate at the dedication of the completed Methodist Century Building.
Methodist Century Building