History
History
By 1947, the Malayan Christian Council (MCC) was mooted and formed, finding official inauguration on 9th January 1948. The MCC was an unprecedented act of faith of the churches on Malaysian soil to stay and grow together through ecumenical cooperation.
The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), formerly known as the Malayan Christian Council (MCC), was officially inaugurated on January 9, 1948. This marked a significant moment for the Christian community in the nation, as it demonstrated a commitment to ecumenical cooperation and a shared future on Malaysian soil.
Over three-quarters of a century, the CCM has played a prominent role in guiding the Christian community, witnessing profound transformations alongside the growth of Malaysia as an independent nation after 1957. Churches have evolved from being reliant on foreign missions to becoming autonomous bodies, fully responsible for their own life and witness in society.
As a minority group, the churches have learned to maintain faithfulness to the gospel while fostering peaceful relations with Malaysians of other faiths. The CCM has served as the central hub for this effort, acting as an instrument of common witness and a focal point for ecumenical commitment and cooperation among its member churches.
In 1997, the CCM celebrated fifty years of united witness and service. Today, the organization stands as a tribute to the pioneers of the ecumenical movement in Malaysia and expresses gratitude to all the leaders and members who have sustained the vision of greater unity among the churches.
PAST PRESIDENTS AND GENERAL SECRETARIES OF THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA
MALAYAN CHRISTIAN COUNCIL (1947-1966)
| YEAR | PRESIDENT | GENERAL SECRETARY |
| 1947 | Bishop Leonard Wilson | Rev. Hobard B. Amstutz (Hon) |
| 1948-1951 | Bishop Edwin F. Lee | Rev. Hobard B. Amstutz (Hon) |
| 1952-1953 | Bishop Edwin F. Lee | Rev. J. R. Fleming |
| 1954-1955 | Bishop H.W Baines | Rev. J. R. Fleming |
| 1956-1957 | Rt. Rev. Dr. Ho Seng Ong | Rev. J. R. Fleming |
| 1958-1959 | Rev. J. R. Fleming | Rev. Chung Chi-an |
| 1960-1961 | – | Rev. Chung Chi-an |
| 1962 | Rt. Rev. Roland Koh | Rev. Chung Chi-an |
| 1963 | Rt. Rev. Dr. Ho Seng Ong | Rev. Chung Chi-an |
| 1964-1965 | Rev. R.M. Greer | Rev. Chung Chi-an |
| 1966 | Rev. Robert F. Lundy | Rev. Chung Chi-an |
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE (1967-1975)
| YEAR | PRESIDENT | GENERAL SECRETARY |
| 1967 | Rev. Robert F. Lundy | Rev. Wong Hoon Hee |
| 1968-1969 | Rt. Rev. Roland Koh | Rev. Wong Hoon Hee |
| 1970 | Rev. V.E. Thomas | Rev. Wong Hoon Hee |
| 1971 | Rev. V.E. Thomas | Rev. R. Chelladurai |
| 1972 | Rt. Rev. Datuk Basil Temenggong | Rev. R. Chelladurai |
| 1973-1974 | Rt. Rev. Datuk Basil Temenggong | Mr. V.D. P. Pillai |
| 1975 | Bishop C.N. Fang | Rev. Denis C. Dutton (Hon) |
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA (1976- Present)
| YEAR | PRESIDENT | GENERAL SECRETARY |
| 1976 | Bishop C.N. Fang | Rev. Denis C. Dutton (Hon) |
| 1977-1978 | Rt. Rev. E.B. Muthusami | Rev. Denis C. Dutton (Hon) |
| 1979-1982 | Rt. Rev. Tan Sri J. G. Savarimuthu | Rev. Denis C. Dutton (Hon) |
| 1983-1986 | Rev. George Vergis | Rev. Dr. Denis C. Dutton (Hon) |
| 1987-1988 | Rt. Rev. E.B. Muthusami | Bishop Dr. Denis C. Dutton (Hon) |
| 1989-1994 | Bishop Dr. Denis C. Dutton | Mr. Varghese George (Hon) |
| 1995-2000 | Rt. Rev. Datuk Yong Ping Chung | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri (Hon) |
| 2001-2003 | Rt. Rev. Julius D. Paul | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2004-2006 | Tan Sri Bishop Dr. Lim Cheng Ean | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2007-2009 | Rev. Dr. Thomas Philips | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2010-2012 | Bishop Datuk Dr. Thomas Tsen | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2013-2014 | Bishop Philip Lok Oi Peng | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2015 | Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok (Acting President) | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2016 | Bishop Datuk Bolly Lapok | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2017-2018 | Bishop Dr. Ong Hwai Teik (Acting President) | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2019-2020 | Bishop Dr. Ong Hwai Teik | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2021 | Archbishop Datuk Melter Tais | Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri |
| 2022 | Cor Epsicopa Philip Thomas | Rev. Jonathan Jesudas |
| 2023 | Cor Epsicopa Philip Thomas | Rev. Jonathan Jesudas / Rev. Philip Lok Oi Peng |
| 2024 | Cor Epsicopa Philip Thomas | Rev. Philip Lok Oi Peng |
| 2025 | Bishop Datuk Danald Jute | Rev. Philip Lok Oi Peng |
BUILDING THE ECUMENICAL CENTER
Project vision and inception
The Council moved into its present premises at 26 Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya, in 1976. Over the decades, the building’s physical structure deteriorated, giving rise to serious safety and operational concerns. Following an investigation that revealed potential fire hazards and structural cracks, CCM leaders made the strategic decision in 2003 to rebuild the property as its sole proprietor. This marked the beginning of the vision for a new Ecumenical Center. The Ground Breaking Service for the CCM Ecumenical Center was held on CCM site on October 9, 2008. The building project of RM 12 million was approved by the member churches during the 13th Triennial General Assembly in 2010.
Construction and financial progress
Former CCM president, Bishop Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Lim Cheng Ean broke the ground at the CCM site by October 2008 and by December 2010, the main contractor took possession of the site. During the building process, the site was a hive of activity with numerous different tradesmen working side by side.
By April 2012 the construction was approximately 65-70% complete. The project budget remained at RM 12 million, with a funding shortfall of RM 4 million. A soft launch was scheduled for October 16, 2012, with a formal dedication planned for April 23, 2013.
Dedication
By October 2012, the physical and landscaping work was nearing completion. The Interim Property Management Committee (IPMC) began preparations to manage the new center’s operations. Following a successful soft launch, a “Final Lap” campaign was initiated to close the remaining RM 4 million funding gap.
The new Ecumenical Center was officially dedicated on April 23, 2013. The CCM Heads of Churches who were present at the Dedication and Thanksgiving service were visibly moved at the realization that after so many years of praying and planning, the new center had finally become a reality. Many present at the service were also impressed by the facilities in the building, convinced that the Ecumenical Center will be a transformed place of ministry serving churches and the wider community in the country.
A CHRONOLOGICAL TIMELINE OF CHURCH & COUNTRY HISTORY
1511 Early Christian presence prior to Portuguese conquest of Malacca. 1641 The Dutch captures Malacca from the Portuguese. 1786 Anglicanism comes to Malaya | Sir Francis Light gains control of Penang from Sultan of Kedah. 1824 British takes over Malacca from the Dutch following Treaty of London. 1882 Early Basel Christians arrive in North Borneo (Sabah). 1885 Methodist missionaries arrive in Singapore and Malaya. 1886 Establishment of Presbyterian churches in Malaya. 1901 Methodism spreads to Sarawak. 1905 Formation of the YMCA Malaysia. 1907 Formation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church among immigrant South Indians. 1909 YWCA begins early work in Penang. 1932 Establishment of the Mar Thoma and Syrian Orthodox Churches following migration from India. 1936 Establishment of the Methodist Chinese Annual Conference. 1938 The Salvation Army and the Girl’s Brigade in Malaysia debuts in Penang. 1941-45 Second World War and the Japanese Occupation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak. 1946 The Boy’s Brigade arrives in Malaya. 1948 Formation of the Malayan Church Council (MCC) | Establishment of the Federation of Malaya | Formation of Trinity Theological College Singapore. 1952 Formation of the Protestant Church in Sabah by Basel missionaries | Establishment of the Methodist Sarawak Annual Conference and the Methodist Sarawak Iban Annual Conference. 1953 Lutheran missionaries arrive in northern Malaya to work among ethnic Chinese. 1955 Establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Kuala Lumpur. 1957 Malaya gains independence (Aug 31) | Tunku Abdul Rahman becomes first Prime Minister of Malaya. 1960 MCC forms Negotiation Committee to work towards church union in Malaya. 1962 Establishment of the Anglican Diocese of Sabah and of the Anglican Diocese of Kuching. 1963 Formation of Malaysia (Sept 16) | Formation of the Lutheran Church in Malaysia & Singapore | Naming the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia. 1965 Political separation of Singapore and Malaysia | MCC relocated to Trinity Theological College from St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Singapore. 1967 MCC renamed the Council of Churches of Malaysia & Singapore (CCMS) 1968 CCMS moves to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brickfields Kuala Lumpur. 1969 Racial violence and killings in the aftermath of the general elections (May 13). 1971 Incorporation of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. 1972 Elevation of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. 1975 CCMS renamed the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM). 1976 CCM moves to the old Student Christian Center in Petaling Jaya | Incorporation of the Methodist Church in Malaysia and formation of the Methodist Tamil Annual Conference and the Methodist Trinity Annual Conference 1979 First National Christian Conference held in Kuala Lumpur | Seminari Theoloji Malaysia opened in West Malaysia | Establishment of Malaysian CARE. 1983 Official inauguration of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) | Formation of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism Christianity Hinduism & Sikhism (MCCBCHS). 1984 Formation of the Bible Society of Malaysia. 1986 Official inauguration of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM). 1988 The Sabah Theological Seminary opened in Kota Kinabalu. 1998 CCM General Secretary serves as Executive Secretary of CFM. 1999 CCM prepares the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity liturgy accepted by WCC and the Vatican. 2003 CCM embarks on building a new Ecumenical Center | Abdullah Badawi becomes fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia. 2004 CCM applies for land conversion to ‘Religious Institution’ | CCM hosts the Faith and Order Plenary Commission Conference in Kuala Lumpur. 2005 Fundraising begins for the CCM Building Project. 2007 Churches pledge financial support to Building Project at Triennial General Assembly in Kota Kinabalu | Ecumenical Youth Leadership Development programme initiated | CCM issues statement on Federal Court Judgement on Lina Joy conversion case | CCM hosts Asian Movement for Christian Unity in Kuala Lumpur. 2008 CCM hosts Malaysia Singapore Indonesia NCCs fellowship (MaSinDo) in Kuala Lumpur | CCM/CFM responds to detention of Alkitab with statements. 2009 CCM/CFM opposes restrictions of use of Alkitab | CCM Ecumenical Social Forum initiated | Najib Tun Razak becomes sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia | Tribute to world-acclaimed Christian artist Hanna Cheriyan Varghese | Olav Tveit elected WCC General Secretary. 2010 CCM 13th Triennial General Assembly in Sibu Sarawak endorses RM12 million building project | CCM hosts 13th General Assembly of Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) in Kuala Lumpur | Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang elected CCA General Secretary | Approval of building plans by Petaling Jaya Town Council (MBPJ) | Construction Commencement Prayer (Dec 22) | High Court decision on right on non-Muslims using the word Allah | Arson attacks on churches. 2011 CCM CFM and MCCBCHST issue statements on Freedom of Religion including use of the word Allah | Government proposes 10-point solution allowing non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak to use Allah but not in Peninsular Malaysia | Islamic authorities raid DUMC in Petaling Jaya. 2012 The World Day of Prayer observed globally with liturgy themed Let Justice Prevail prepared by CCM Women | Construction of the Ecumenical Center completed | RM10 million raised for the Building Project | Soft launch of the Ecumenical Center (Oct 16). 2013 CCM office moves to new building (Jan 2) | Dedication Service of the Ecumenical Center (Apr 23) | CCM 14th Triennial General Assembly held | Alkitab seized from Bible Society at KLIA2. 2014 Seized Alkitab from Bible Society released (Jan 4) | Federal ruling on ban on the use of the word Allah in BM Bibles | CCM General Secretary led a team to meet US President Barack Obama | Federal Government’s 10-point solution on the Allah issue implemented | Global statements in solidarity of the use of the word Allah. 2015 CCM/Roman Catholic Religious Superiors Council holds Day of Solidarity Malaysia for Unity and Peace | CCM Youth hosts National Economic Empowerment Conference for Bumiputra churches | Bersih 4.0 Rally | CCM Forum on plight of Rohingya refugees in collaboration with UNHCR | CCM 2nd Regional Interreligious Conference on peace-building Crossing religious boundaries | CCM Indian Work Committee co-sponsors Jesus Calls Rally | Sabah Council of Churches response on the SOP for the publication and circulation of Alkitab | CCM initiates dialogue between Orang Asli pastors and Bar Council | CFM 30th Anniversary celebration | CCM dialogues with National Unity Minister Tan Sri Idris Jala | CCA 14th General Assembly in Indonesia | Muslims demonstrators remove cross from a church in Taman Medan | CFM rejects new restrictions mooted for Alkitab by Government authorities. 2016 CCM 15th Triennial General Assembly in Penang | Signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) by Protestant and Catholic bishops. 2017 Disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh | Christian books and CDs seized at KLIA2 | MH370 and MH17 memorial service | Formation of Jawatankuasa mempromosikan persefahaman dan keharmonian diantara penganut agama (JKMPKA) | Joint Catholic-Lutheran Celebration Service From Conflict to Communion | Thanksgiving Service for final payment of bridging loans of Ecumenical Center. 2018 CCM calls for stop of trend of attacks on places of worship by vigilante groups | CCM urges Christians to vote wisely in GE14 | 14th General Elections leading to new Pakatan Harapan government dethrones BN 60 year grip over the nation | Federal Court rules against unilateral conversion | Federal Court defers Sarawak apostasy cases to Syariah courts | CCM Women holds Keep Our Children Safe workshop | CCM-Roman Catholic’s Day of Solidarity with voices of youth ‘Young men shall see visions’ | Tommy Thomas appointed as Attorney General in new Pakatan Harapan government | Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad becomes seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia at age 92 | Suhakam initiates dialogue with CCM | CCM commits to support Tabung Harapan Malaysia. 2019 16th Triennial General Assembly (theme A New Creation: a Revived Church a Renewed Nation )|Christian group tells Education Ministry to build bridges and not walls. 2020 CCM Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Religious Activities. CCM guidelines for Churches Post- MCO. Webinar draws lively global audience seeking “how to be the church” when buildings are closed. 2021 The Society of Russian Orthodox Church in Malaysia was accepted as Affiliate Member of CCM | CCM join hands with corruption busting movement. 2022 17th Triennial General Assembly- hybrid virtual-physical format , leadership transition for CCM | CCM welcomes a new General Secretary|Malaysian churches unite in prayer as global Christians come together to celebrate the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity| CFM Christmas Hi Tea Reception was hosted by CCM at the Ecumenical Center and Guest of Honor Dr. Wan Azizah ( wife of Malaysian Prime Minister). 2023 CCM celebrated 75 years of History in a Thanksgiving Celebration| Withdrawal of six Conferences of the Methodist Church in Malaysia and apply to join as one entity namely Methodist Church in Malaysia| CCM hosted Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics & Management for an Economy of Life (GEM)|CCM Hosted NIFEA Consultation on (Labour)| CCM hosted Diakonal ministry of the Church in developing effective responses to combat human trafficking in Asia. 2024 Rev. Philip Lok appointed as CCM General Secretary| The Methodist Church in Malaysia was formally accept as a member of CCM| Acceptance of Our Daily Bread as Associate Member of CCM|CCM joined the Commemoration of the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea at Zion Cathedral ELCM, Kuala Lumpur| MCCBCHST calls on members of Parliament to take stand on constitutionality of the Mufti Bill and the fact that it would likely affect non – Muslim rights| CCM Women’s Convention 2024 in Kuching, Sarawak| Consecration of Temple, Russian Orthodox Church in Malaysia. 2025 CCM 18th General Assembly in Kota Kinabalu , Sabah (theme – One in Christ proclaiming Hope, serving the Communities)| CCM expresses deep sorrow over Myanmar earthquake, calls for prayers and solidarity| Two new Bible translations by Bible Society Malaysia in Bahasa Malaysia |CCM World Day of Prayer Service organized by CCM Women’s Committee at the CCM Ecumenical Center.