Hi, my name is Cindy, and I am 21 years old. I have been in 412 (the youth group of Georgetown Baptist Church, Penang Malaysia) for about eight years where Pastor Daniel Loh is my youth pastor.

These few years of my life are very crucial and unforgettable as I found my identity and discovered God’s amazing plan for me.

I started attending youth service in 2009, and in that year I accepted Christ. When I first came to the youth group I was an extremely shy little girl and I never dared to speak a word to others since my self-esteem was incredibly low. I  looked up to the older youth – the way they worshiped, the way they cared, the way they encouraged, and the way they spoke was incredibly inspiring.

The youth group was a community of people who sincerely loved and cared for me without the slightest expression of judgment despite my background of being from a very broken family. I had always felt unwanted and shameful of who I was, but the 412 youth group never made me feel that way for a single moment.

Many meaningful friendships were made and I met my best friend, who is still my best friend to this day. The 412 Youth Ministry it is the one of the best things that has happened in my life!

This group of youth and our youth pastor always believed in me and saw something in me that I never saw in myself. They were always there to encourage me and push me beyond my comfort zone; encouraging me to speak, to pray in front of people, to lead games, to lead worship and to become a youth leader. It was extremely uncomfortable for me but I always knew this is what I had always wanted.

I had the passion in my heart but never the courage to step up, and it is 412 that gave me that courage. With such amazing support I finally became more and more comfortable being myself and I have grown tremendously. I don’t know who I would have become if I hadn’t had such a loving group of people to support me and bring the best out of me.

Besides that, I’ve learnt so much about Jesus and what it means to be His disciple. There were many moments of encounter with the Lord both in youth services and in youth camps. The youth ministry always urges us to give our best and more, always giving that timely reminder, and sometimes the rebukes that were necessary. It has made developing my personal relationship with Jesus much more enjoyable and keeping me in check.

I will never forget these moments in 412 and I’m forever grateful to God for bringing me into such a beautiful group of people and to have a privilege of growing up in this youth group.

Thanks again to pastor Daniel, and for the training of Youth Ministry International!

Asia Ministry Spotlights