Showing posts with label Exclusive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exclusive. Show all posts

Now documented: The JBGC Story

 

In March 2024, I received a telephone call from founder and International Director of Ministries for Asia Pacific (MAP) Partners Berhad, Dr Ooi Chin Aik, who asked how he could get a copy of, Realising a Vision through Faith, The Autobiography of Colleen M Redit.

 

Children escorted by adults on an outing
to Hutan Bandar, Johor Bahru

I had the privilege to document the life and ministry of Colleen Redit in India, a project that started in 2006 with the book published in 2013, distributed among the churches and now available online through amazon.com

 

When Dr Ooi asked for information about the history of the assembly in Johor Bahru, I replied with regret that while we had some info along with a collection of photographs, we did not have a proper document on Johor Bahru Gospel Chapel (JBGC) … yet.

 

He explained that he was collecting books that document the ministries that started in the Asia Pacific region, for a Resource Centre in Puchong and planned to launch the center in an event later that year.

 

The book on the Autobiography
of Colleen M Redit

Our phone chat sent me on a flashback to the book project that took me to Chennai, India, where I spent time with the team at Christian Missions Charitable Trust (CMCT) and shadowed Colleen Redit, a lady missionary from New Zealand, to experience the various arms of their ministry and interviewed a large number of people to document their personal experiences with the ministry.

 

As I pondered over how this book was pieced together, I decided to put into action the plan to compile the bits and pieces of information about our assembly to document how this witness was planted in Johor Bahru, more than 50 years ago.

 

Having completed several books on non-fiction stories about real people and their heritage, I am familiar with the process and started by considering the contents and the steps to flesh out the story of the assembly from the early years, how the ministry developed and the people involved in each decade.

 

The church is not just a building but the people in the church family. And there was no better way to understand the impact of the assembly on lives than to invite people to share their own experiences in the church family, from those who have left Johor Bahru and those in our sister church, to the few who are still here since its inception and those who have recently joined the assembly.

 

Old record books for Announcements

Their words and personal experiences are a testimony to the work of the assembly and their relationship with the church family. So one-by-one, they submitted their own experiences along with a photograph (if available) that showed their family with young children, who grew up in the assembly.

 

Working in a small team of three, we went about various tasks like searching for photos, tracking down people, coordinating and reviewing contributions, preparing the manuscript, designing the book cover and editing the text.

 

Old record books for Visitors and Offering

By now, most of the pioneers who were with the assembly in the early years have already “gone to heaven” or moved away from Johor, so it was essential to verify the facts about the early years with the people closest to them. With the use of modern technology and social media, it was quite easy to connect with each other to obtain the required information and photographs.

 

A picture is certainly worth a thousand words, so we tried to retrieve as many good photographs to support the text that described the various ministries and milestones in the assembly.

 

Because many were group activities and group shots at outdoor activities like picnics, Christmas and Easter outreach and children’s ministry events or family camps, the photographs should be printed in reasonably good sizes so that the faces may be clearly seen.

 

A precious shot of children hanging from
the set of monkey bars in the front compound

One of my favourite photos documented in the book must be the one with the children, hanging from the monkey bars. This set of monkey bars which still stands in the front compound, have seen generations of children playing on them, who by now will be adults and possibly, even parents with children of their own.

 

To get a sense of the prevailing atmosphere some 50 years ago, I read through old record books for Announcements and the Visitors Books that were kept since the early years when the assembly started meeting together. 

 

As I turned the yellowed pages and read the familiar cursive handwriting of Ms Phyllis Rose Wilson, the missionary who was the driving force behind the planting of the assembly in Johor Bahru, I was transported back to a time when I discovered that my dad grew up under the care of her missionary parents, Mr & Mrs George Wilson, in the Home for Children at Elim Gospel Hall, Ipoh.

 

Ms Phyllis Rose Wilson

I remember being rather fascinated when I first heard Ms Wilson speak in fluent Cantonese. I was then just a school-going child and thought it was unusual for a foreigner to be able to speak in Chinese. Then I later learnt that while her parents were from New Zealand, she was born in Malaysia and brought up in a Cantonese and Hakka speaking environment in Ipoh.

 

Dad told us Ms Wilson guided the boys and girls in the Home in the English language and from emulating the Wilsons, he developed a passion for reading (non-fiction!)

 

Dad also often played, Scrabble, a word boardgame, with Ms Wilson – so he had an early start – and when he played this game with my sisters and I, he would beat us with the highest scores for words.

 

Jonathan Linggam showing
proof that the book was 
safely received

From reading the old record books in chronological order, I was able to get a sense of the work of the assembly since the early years and I took time to list out the names of the guest speakers invited to share in the weekly pulpit ministry.

 

As I listed out the names, I saw a pattern where the majority of ministry speakers were invited from across the Causeway, including many from abroad who came to speak in our assembly in Johor Bahru while they were ministering in Singapore.

 

I also observed that many were regular speakers in our weekly meetings as well as guest speakers at special events like Gospel outreach campaigns and family camps.

 

Just as the speakers got to know the assembly in Johor Bahru, we too got to know the speakers and was pleased to invite two of them to write the Foreword in our book.

 

When we read the two pieces of Foreword by S V Ramalingam and Wong Tuck Keong, we could “hear” their familiar voices as if they were speaking from the pulpit, clearly identified by their tone, words and speaking style.

 

Mrs Lydia Ooi safely received
the two books for the
Resource Centre

Their own experiences with the assembly and words of encouragement are an inspiration for the assembly to continue in the witness that had started so long ago.

 

Located on the Southern-tip of Peninsular Malaysia, the assembly in Johor Bahru has a unique feature where people and families came and left, often for career advancement, further education and family reasons.

 

For readers in the North and elsewhere to gain a better understanding of the geographical location of Johor Bahru, its accessibility and relationship to neighbouring Singapore, an introduction dubbed, Johor Bahru and Singapore: A Special Link, was placed at the beginning of the book.

 

Over the next few months, the manuscript was gradually stitched together, the cover design completed and the book given a title, Milestones on our Journey in Faith.

 

Our book was safely received
by Mrs Ong Hai Aun

In September 2024, Dr Ooi and his wife, Lydia, who are based in Kuala Lumpur, travelled to London, UK, for his research and writing projects, and they returned safely on September 26. While the launch of the Resource Centre was delayed due to this travel plan, it gave us more time to progress with our book project on the assembly.

 

Then in December 2024, Dr Ooi shared that he had surgery as part of the treatment for pancreatic cancer. I often received his phone text messages and the last I heard from him was in January 2025. Then we received the sad news that he was called home to the Lord on 27 February 2025.

 

It was the end of June 2025 when our books were finally ready for distribution to the assembly members, contributors, pioneers and most importantly, to the Resource Centre that Dr Ooi had asked for and who initiated this book project.

 

We understand that his wife, Lydia, will continue with the project to set up this Resource Centre so the package that was sent to her comprised two books: a copy of, Realising a Vision through Faith, The Autobiography of Colleen M Redit, as well as, Milestones on our Journey in Faith, the story of Johor Bahru Gospel Chapel.

 

Milestones on our Journey in Faith,
documents the story of JBGC

“I have received the two books and the card. Thank you for your contribution,” wrote Lydia when she acknowledged safe receipt of the package.

 

One-by-one, those who received their books replied to acknowledge safe receipt, with many replies accompanied by brief messages that were deeply encouraging.

 

“It must have been such an effort to pull everything together. Thank you for your labour!” said Jonathan Linggam, who continued, “I will definitely be reading it over the next few weeks.”

 

“Lots of fond memories of JB Gospel Chapel. May the Lord continue to prosper His work through His people,” said Lee Mei Wan.

 

Mrs S K Loo said, “Received the JBGC book. Many thanks for your time in compiling all the details/history. Your labour was not in vain. To God be the glory! Thanks again.”

 

“Just received your JBGC book. Thank you and may the good Lord continue to bless the ministry,” said Tang Soon Hong and his wife, Grace.

 

Precious shot of three fathers, proudly carrying
their first-born sons, from a long time ago

T B Siah in our sister church who had safely received his book asked, “Where did you get this photo?” and posted a photo of a page in the book with the said photograph of three fathers each holding their young sons. He declared, “Precious… Praise the Lord!” [Their sons are now adults, married and with children of their own!]

 

“Thank you very much for the interesting book…read from cover to cover (almost!) Enjoyed the reflections of the once-upon-a-time young people… all the youths are now settled with families. May the testimony of JBGC continue till the Lord comes,” said Mrs S Y Linggam.

 

Mrs S G Cheong said, “Congrats on another project completed. Some JBGC history is recorded for future generations. Just a quick glance and it looks very good.”

 

“Just finished going through all of the photos and finished reading some parts of the book,” said Cheong Wye Choon. “Very good record of the history of JBGC which I was not aware of. I think it is comprehensive enough. It is also more interesting as everyone is telling their bit of history. Congrats on another project well done and completed.”

 

As the messages to acknowledge safe receipt of our book are still being received, we wish to share the kind compliments and congratulatory wishes with the late Dr Ooi, whose request in March 2024 started us on this book project.

 

It has been a worthwhile effort to document the JBGC story to honour the legacy of those who have come before us, and for future generations to learn about God’s blessings on this assembly in Johor Bahru. To God be all glory!


Rocking-out with Crescendo's School of Rock

 

I am not quite the rock chick but I am familiar with rock anthems by Deep Purple, T-Rex and BonJovi in my playlist.

 

The cast and crew of School of Rock - The
Next Generation
, taking a bow after the show

So when I received an invitation from the Arts Department of Crescendo HELP International School to their presentation of The Next Generation – School of Rock, the Musical, I was impressed that they were so bold and ambitious to stage an adaptation of the hit movie by the same name.

 

I am familiar with Crescendo HELP International School as I had the privilege to present My Johor Stories to the Primary and Secondary schools at their Book Week in 2018 and have been back to enjoy several productions by the Arts Department, including their interpretation of, The Legend of Mulan, in 2024.

 

I recall that in 2023, I had the pleasure to meet with former principal, Philip Brisley, again while he was visiting Johor Bahru after he had retired back to the UK.

 

I was deeply honoured to be
received as a VIP guest at this show

A team from Crescendo was taking him on a tour of the R&F building complex where the Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House is located, while I was there with my pop-up store for My Johor Stories in the lobby, held in conjunction with the shows by Drum Up JB!

 

So I was more than happy to accept the invitation to another show staged by the Arts Department because I know that the School of Rock is not a typical coming-of-age story set to the backdrop of a prestigious school but was about a passionate and rebellious musician who impersonated his best friend as a substitute teacher.

 

While his unconventional ways were clearly unfit for the rules and regulations of an elite educational institution like Horace Green School, he introduced the students to the electrifying world of rock music and inspired them to break free from convention, find their voices and embrace creativity.

 

Abdullah Abu Bakar Younsi
as the lead character, Dewey Finn 
I learnt that as in previous Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) projects, this production was a collective effort of students, teachers and staff, who worked on various aspects including its promotion, acting on stage, playing the music, preparing the props, managing the multi-media, sound, lighting and every detail behind the scenes.

 

The project started some eight months ago when students were encouraged to attend auditions to discover their talents not only for acting or singing roles but also as musicians to form an orchestra as well as for skills in prop-making, stage backdrop designs and costumes.

 

Head of the Arts Department, Abdul Wafi, said that this CCA project involved some 40 people on stage while the backstage crew included another 40 people. The various components trained and worked separately for one hour during CCA every Thursday.

 

Dewey Finn [Right] impersonating his friend
Ned Schneebly, with Ms Mullins [Left]

What made this production extraordinary was that it was never the work of a few. In fact, it was a collective triumph, with every cast member, backstage crew, musician, costume designer, tech assistant and teacher, who each played an essential role.

 

The journey was not just about learning lines and tunes but it was about developing resilience, teamwork and pride with every brushstroke, music note and cue for the spotlight.

 

Week after week, as students and teachers worked together to overcome each hurdle to create something special on stage, this production turned out to be more than just a show presentation but a testament to the creativity and collaborative spirit of the school.

 

The band, School of Rock, took part in 
 in the Audition for Battle of the Bands
Then a week before the presentation date, all the teams came together for rehearsals with a full-dress rehearsal held just ahead of June 28, where two shows were staged at 11am and 2pm.

 

On my arrival at the entrance to the school hall, in addition to receiving my VIP Pass, I was given a memento for the show, designed in a shape that resembled a giant guitar pick with, School of Rock – The Next Generation, printed on it.

 

I had the pleasure to meet Principal, Myles Jackson, who was clearly very supportive of the collaborative effort of the Arts Department with other departments in the school who worked as a united school community and turned a vision into reality.

 

The school orchestra which played live
music to support the stage show

When the show opened, the School of Rock roared to life on stage as the story of Dewey Finn unfolded along with the school’s story of creativity, teamwork and an unforgettable lifelong experience for every student involved in this project.

 

As the scene kicked off with the band, No Vacancy, performing their hit single, “I’m Too Hot For You,” I was pleased to recognise some of the teachers who played the role of band members, including Abdul Wafi on lead vocals.

 

The script closely followed the plot of the stage adaptation of the movie with Year Nine student, Abdullah Abu Bakar Younsi, who gave a credible performance in his lead role as Dewey Finn who impersonated, his friend, Ned Schneebly.

 

Ms Mullins met Dewey at The Roadhouse where
he discovered she too enjoyed rock music


With the students’ effective portrayal of key characters like Zack, Freddy, Katie, Billy, Tomika, and Summer Hathaway, it was easy to follow the engaging and entertaining story.

 

The interaction between Ms Mullins and Dewey in Horace Green School, while he was posing as substitute teacher, Mr Schneebly, was the source of much amusement, especially when he discovered that she secretly enjoyed rock music.

 

While a substitute teacher did not have the school’s approval to take a class out on a field trip, Dewey managed to sneak the class out to the Audition for the Battle of the Bands.

 

No Vacancy was the winner at
the Battle of the Bands

Even after Dewey’s identity was found out and in spite of their parents’ objection, the students still wanted to take part in the Battle of the Bands and encouraged Dewey to lead them in the competition.

 

Although No Vacancy was declared the winner, their band, dubbed the School of Rock, won praise and the parents had to admit that their children had talent and confidence on stage.

 

Dewey Finn, as himself, rocking out with the
band, School of Rock, at the
Battle of the Bands

When they took a bow at the close of the performance, Mr Myles commended the cast and crew for their commitment and contributions in presenting a successful live show. He believed that co-curricular activities in music and stage shows improved the students’ social skills and helped them be more adept in forming friendships.

 

It was indeed, another resounding success for the Art Department and the entire school who worked in partnership at various levels to share the music and encouragement through the staging of this interesting and entertaining story.

 

Crescendo HELP International School is located at PTD 204446, Jalan Lebuh Cemerlang, Taman Desa Cemerlang, 81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor. For more info about the school and its curriculum, visit website: chis.edu.my

Chill with Hyatt Place Johor Bahru

 

Johor Bahru has long been a preferred destination for day-trips, weekends and short holidays, and with the mid-year school holidays upon us, the city is teeming with holiday-makers, both on the streets and within the malls.

 

Sunset view of Hyatt Place Johor Bahru 
linked to Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru

I say, within the malls, because the recent weather has been so increasingly hot and humid with sudden downpours that it had driven people indoors to enjoy hours of fun activities in air-conditioned comfort.

 

While I do enjoy the sun and have been taking guests on my heritage walks through downtown Johor Bahru, these outdoor excursions have been kept to a minimum and were arranged with much time spent indoors in the museum and galleries.

 

Recently, my sister Pearly visited from the UK (again!) and it was an opportunity for us to take time-out to go for a sisters’ staycation.

 

Pearly at the entrance to the lift lobby
to Hyatt Place on Level Seven

After flying some 14 hours and travelling by road to Johor Bahru, she requested that we limited our travel time and even hinted that she would like to go to Desaru or Pulai Springs Resort, destinations she and her family enjoyed during their epic Asian adventure when they visited us last year.

 

I was pleased to accommodate her request to go to Pulai Springs Resort again and to dine at Qing Palace Chinese Restaurant – one of our family’s favourite restaurants – where we would have a mandatory photo-session at its front lobby.

 

A smooth and pleasant check-in
at the Reception

Yes, I made sure my sister had a photo memento at the restaurant’s front lobby as well as in and by the swimming pool. These photos were for sharing with her grandchildren who had a similar fun experience when they were at the resort.

 

Keeping to my sister’s request to limit our travel time, I surprised her with a short drive from Pulai Springs Resort into the Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru. While only a while ago, we enjoyed the sun by the pool that morning, our drive was in a light drizzle that quickly turned into a tropical thunderstorm.

 

I drove into the higher levels of the mall’s carpark, following directional signs to the carpark on Level Seven, reserved for guests of the Hyatt Place Johor Bahru.

 

Wooden key cards

Johor Bahru folks may recall that the city once had a Hyatt Regency hotel in a location that overlooked the Johor Straits but they probably may not be aware that the Hyatt has returned in the city suburbs as the Hyatt Place, opened within the sprawling Paradigm Mall.

 

With a department store as anchor tenant, Paradigm Mall, has a good shop mix with many affordable fashion brands that matches with my taste and pocket – and for this reason alone – this mall has been my regular shopping destination.

 

Since the mall opened in 2017, it has set itself apart from others, not only with its state-of-the-art 16-screen cinema and rock-climbing activities but also its ice-skating rink – the first and only one in the city.

 

Comfortable super-single twin beds

The opening of a well-stocked grocer on the ground level has given me more reason to be a regular shopper in one of the city’s popular retail, leisure and entertainment destinations.

 

In 2019, I had the privilege to witness the signing of the management agreement between key representatives of the Hyatt Group and WCT Holdings Berhad, the mall owners, for the Hyatt Place Johor Bahru that was scheduled to be opened in Paradigm Mall in 2022. 

 

In 2024, the mall added the ESCAPE indoor adventure park to its attractions for visitors to enjoy adrenalin-pumping fun in a safe and comfortable environment.

 

Dispensers for shampoo, conditioner
and shower gel in the shower cubicle

So it was timely for me (and my sister!) to have a stay experience at the Hyatt Place Johor Bahru – an ‘upscale select service hotel’ – that aims to offer casual hospitality and purposeful service in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary setting.

 

I wanted to share a special time in a relaxed, quality hotel experience with my sister, who is well aware that I preferred city hotels that are linked to a prime leisure, retail and dining hub.

 

We can browse around the shops to pick and choose, try and decide on whether to buy or not, drop off the shopping in our room and hit the mall again to find the best-buys, not only for ourselves but also for her grandchildren.

 

Pearly with Reception staff at
the Ground level lobby

At the reception desk, I was pleased that the staff was anticipating my arrival and greeted me by name, something I noted throughout our stay – an effort to add a personal touch – which made us feel very welcome.

 

We arrived ahead of the check-in time – with the aim to maximise our time in the mall – and when I enquired, I was delighted that our room was ready for check-in.

 

I received our room key cards and was admiring the sleek wooden cards when hotel General Manager, Sunny Tan, came over to bid us a warm welcome to the hotel.

 

I was quite sure that he did not wish to detain us a moment longer because he was well aware that my sister and I were more than ready to hit the mall. He was also a busy man so we fixed a breakfast appointment with him before we checked into our room on Level 17.

 

Pearly at the Ground floor
entrance/exit into the mall

First, it was their wooden key cards. Then inside the room, we were pleased that the hotel’s sustainability policy continued in the bathroom where disposable amenities were kept at only the essentials with liquid shampoo, conditioner and shower gel provided in refillable dispensers within the shower cubicle.

 

The sight of the comfortable super-single twin beds assured us of a good night’s rest – especially after some serious shopping – and we did not waste another moment with looking out the window at the busy thoroughfare along Jalan Skudai.

 

A smooth elevator ride took us to the hotel lobby on the Ground floor which had a porch entrance at road level and another entrance/exit that opened into the mall.

 

We read the Notice which reminded guests that this entrance will be closed when the mall ended its business hours at 10pm, and told ourselves that we must find our way back before that time.

 

Wooden plaque 
displayed at the Reception

And thus started our hours upon hours of browsing around the shops with brief stops for refreshments and pausing to watch adventurous young people taking on the challenge at several stations of the ESCAPE adventure park.

 

No, we did not have a specific shopping list but it was fun to spot something suitable for my sister’s grandson or grand-daughter and then discover that there was a special (good!) deal on particular clothes items.

 

I liked that it was mid-week and there were not many shoppers in the department store so we took our time to look for the best-buys. Even the sales assistant was happy to show us and recommend a wider range of merchandise. There were no queues at the fitting rooms or payment points, so it was a comfortable, stress-free time of trying out clothes and picking the most suitable pieces.

 

Morning view of Jalan Skudai from our room

We so enjoyed ourselves that Time seemed to fly but because we were staying “in-house” with the Hyatt Place which is linked the mall, there was no rush as we could visit the shops again after breakfast the next morning.

 

Back in our room, the view from the window by night was a sea of sparkling lights. And yes, the beds were comfortable, so very comfortable that I almost forgot that we had a breakfast appointment with the GM.

 

When we arrived at On Seven Bistro, the breakfast buffet was in full swing as guests were helping themselves to the spread. While I was ordering my choice of eggs from the Egg Station, GM Sunny joined us. And we had a good chat over cups of hot coffee.

 

Pearly at the breakfast buffet, On Seven Bistro

As we got to know him, it was a pleasure to welcome him to Johor Bahru as this was his first job appointment in Johor. When I told him about a recent Heritage Walk and Food Trail that I had arranged for a resort GM and Chef, he expressed his interest in joining my next heritage walk.

 

“What are you doing after breakfast?” he politely enquired. My sister and I smiled at each other. No prizes for the right guess as to what we were going to do. As long as there was still space in her suitcases, we were going to the shops again.

 

Hyatt Place Johor Bahru is located in Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, Jalan Mewah Ria 2, Taman Bukit Mewah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor. Tel: +607 – 291 1234. For more info, visit official pages for Hyatt Place Johor Bahru on Facebook and Instagram.