The Legacy of Rev. Tai Poh Ting: A Life of Service, Leadership, and Faith

In 2023, Pastor Daniel Phua was called by God to lead a journey along the “Ancient Path,” reigniting the flame of revival. Discover how a descendant of Rev. Tai Poh Ting unexpectedly stumbled upon his photo and history at the Sitiawan Settlement Museum—at just the right season—unveiling a deep connection to Sitiawan’s spiritual heritage. Almost none in the family knew of their forefather’s significant role in building Sitiawan. Yet, in a short span of time, miraculous events unfolded within the family, bringing both spiritual breakthroughs and physical healings. Dive into this powerful story here: https://voanews.xyz/rediscovering-spiritual-heritage-roots-at-a-kairos-time/

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Rev. Tai Poh Ting stands as one of the important figures in the history of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, leaving an indelible mark on the communities he served. His contributions, spanning several decades, reflect a life driven by faith, leadership, and a commitment to the growth of the church. This article chronicles his journey, highlighting key moments and the lasting impact of his work.

The Early Years and Theological Training

Rev. Tai Poh Ting was originally from Gutian, Hokkien, born in 1879. When Chinese Christian pilgrims sought refuge in Sibu, Sarawak in 1901, led by the Holy Spirit under the leadership of Rev. Wong Nai Siong, they later established seven congregations. Rev. James Hoover arrived in early 1903 to teach, organize, and lead the community. Tai Poh Ting was among those mentioned who assisted Rev. Hoover in these efforts. (1) At the end of the same year, at the age of 24, he began his theological training at a seminary in Singapore, preparing for his ministry service. (2) This decision marked the beginning of a life dedicated to spreading the Christian faith and leading congregations across Malaysia. His theological education equipped him with the knowledge and spiritual grounding needed to guide others on their faith journeys.

A Leader in Church Growth: The Klang Years

Between 1898 and 1918 (for about 10 years), a total of ten pastors had served in Klang Methodist Church. In 1914, during the outbreak of World War I in Europe, Rev. Tai Poh Ting was sent to the Klang Methodist Church. Under his leadership, the church experienced significant growth, with membership numbers increasing and the establishment of a branch in Port Klang. His strong leadership influence as a pastor was evident, as the congregation flourished under his guidance. That same year, Rev. Tai led the church to renovate the sanctuary. However, when he was transferred to another location in 1916, the absence of a permanent pastor led to a decline in attendance, with only 20–30 members attending Sunday Service. This decline demonstrated the critical role Rev. Tai played in the church’s vitality. In 1919, Reverend Tai moved to Klang, and a generous English missionary contributed land for a sanctuary at the intersection of Sultan Street and Mahkota Road, where the current old church stands today. At that time, the Chinese, Indian, and English congregations pooled their resources to construct the new building, a raised wooden structure shared by all three congregations. Throughout Rev. Tai’s second term in Klang, from 1919 to 1923, there was a significant increase in congregants. Within that time frame, a total of 35 individuals received baptism. (3)

Expanding His Reach: Malacca and Beyond

Rev. Tai Poh Ting’s influence extended beyond Klang. After the departure of missionaries from the Malaccan Methodist Churches, he was among the Chinese pastors assigned to continue the ministry there. His leadership during this period contributed to the continued growth and stability of the church. (4)

During the tumultuous years of World War I, he also served as the eighth pastor of the Foochow Methodist Church, further cementing his role as a key figure in the Methodist movement in Malaysia. (5)

Pioneering New Grounds: Teluk Anson and Sitiawan

In 1919, after World War I, Rev. Tai Poh Ting was appointed as the first Chinese pastor in Teluk Anson (now Teluk Intan). At the time, the church had only nine members and eight others attending as seekers. Rev. Tai’s presence and leadership helped nurture this small congregation, sowing the seeds for future growth. (6)

After 1923, he also served at the Trinity Chinese Methodist Church in Sitiawan, further expanding his ministry across the region. (7) In 1925, at the age of 46, he became the pastor of the Pioneer Methodist Church after two worship services were combined. His time in Sitiawan was marked by steady leadership and dedication to the spiritual growth of his congregation and community, even after his retirement.

The Largest Church in the District: Kampong Koh Church

The Yale Divinity School Library preserved and uploaded a precious document online, detailing Rev. Tai’s contributions. From January 5-10, 1933, during the 45th session of the Malaya Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Singapore’s Wesley Church, the District Supervisor, C.E. Fang, noted Rev. Tai Poh Ting’s significant contributions to the church work of Kampong Koh Church, the largest church in the district with 259 members. Despite being a retired minister, his name was the only Chinese minister mentioned in connection with this largest church in the district. Before 1933, the district that included this church was known as the Ipoh District, encompassing churches in Sitiawan, Taiping, Ipoh, Kampar, and others. At the beginning of 1933, a new district was born, the Sitiawan Chinese District.

The minutes recorded: “The largest church in the District has moved on slowly but steadily. It is not due to the effort of the pastor but through the co-operation of members as well as officers. Rev. D. P. Coole, as the Principal of the Anglo-Chinese School, has a heavy task, but he has helped me in the District work as often as his time would allow him. Since he has been in Sitiawan nearly ten years, he knows the ins and outs of every church in the District. His guidance and suggestions are very valuable. Rev. Tai Poh Ting, our retired minister, has done much toward the church work in Kampong Koh as well as in other places.”

The District Supervisor also recorded under the heading “Evangelistic Meetings”: “After I moved to Sitiawan and began to do the District work, I saw the need for a revival in this District. At each first Quarterly Conference of the District, I proposed to invite Dr. Sung—who was coming to Singapore—to come to Sitiawan to hold evangelistic meetings, and it was unanimously agreed by the people. We prayed and planned for it. God heard our prayers. Dr. Sung came to Sitiawan from September 30 to October 6. He has given all of our workers a new inspiration and through that many have come into the church and confessed Jesus as their Savior.” Dr. Sung went to Penang, Sitiawan, Malacca, and beyond, spreading revival. (8)

Leadership Beyond the Church: Educational Contributions

Rev. Tai Poh Ting’s influence was not limited to the church. He played a significant role in education, serving as the chairperson of the board of directors for Kampung Koh Primary School. His leadership in this role demonstrated his commitment to the broader community and the importance of education in nurturing future generations. (9) (13)

In 1936, Rev. Tai took on a new challenge as the chairman of the board of trustees for Nan Hwa High School. Under his guidance, the school expanded significantly, with the construction of new classrooms and a sports field, as well as the building of a school auditorium through successful fundraising efforts. His ability to secure donations and manage funds effectively was a testament to his stewardship and dedication to community service. (10, 11)

A Legacy of Stewardship and Faith

Rev. Tai Poh Ting’s legacy is also evident in his reputation as a trusted steward of financial resources. In 1938, he was nominated to continue his term as the chairperson of a fundraising board for rescue and relief work. His successful re-election to this role underscored his integrity and the trust the community placed in him. His leadership further exemplified his commitment to serving others. (12)

Conclusion: A Life Well Lived

Rev. Tai Poh Ting’s life and work left a profound impact on the Methodist Church and the communities he served. From his early days as a theological student to his leadership roles in various churches and educational institutions, Rev. Tai exemplified the qualities of a true servant leader. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the power of faith, dedication, and the enduring impact of a life devoted to service.

References:
1) Doraisamy, T.R. From Mission Church To Missionary Church. Available at: Methodist Church Malaysia (http://www.methodistchurch.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=6&action=view&retrieveid=586)

2) Sarawak Methodist Church Website. Available at: Sarawak Methodist (http://www.sarawakmethodist.org/%E5%9E%A6%E8%8D%92%E8%82%87%E5%9F%BA/?doing_wp_cron=1724012183.3061099052429199218750)

3）Klang Methodist Church History. Available at: Klang Methodist History （https://klanghistory.blogspot.com/2013/09/blog-post_20.html）

4）Bridge Malaysia. Available at: Bridge Malaysia (https://bridge.org.my/2021/10/lifetree-a-14-10-2021/)

5) Foochow Methodist Church Records. Available at: Foochow MC Records (https://issuu.com/foochowmc/docs/fmc_pic–final-2_2)

6) Sin Chew Daily. Available at: Sin Chew Daily (https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/sin-chew-daily-metro-edition-evening/20181030/283016875705175)

7) OursWeb Church. Available at: OursWeb (https://church.oursweb.net/church.php?pkey=822112)

8) Yale Divinity School Library Document. Available at: Yale Divinity School (https://divdl.library.yale.edu/divinitycontent/dayrep/Methodist%20Episcopal%20Church.%20Malaysia%20Conference%20%201936%20v44.pdf)

9) NUS Library Document. Available at: NUS Library (https://lib.nus.edu.sg/sea_chinese/documents/Southeast%20Asian%20Chinese%20Historical%20Document/List%2022/shizhaoyuan_ganwenge/zhiyuanbiao.pdf)

10) Nan Hwa High School History. Available at: Nan Hwa FS History
(http://www.nanhwafs.edu.my/history.php,
https://sites.google.com/view/smjknh/info-sekolah-%E5%AD%A6%E6%A0%A1%E8%B5%84%E6%96%99/sejarah-sekolah-%E5%AD%A6%E6%A0%A1%E5%8E%86%E5%8F%B2)

11) Past Chairmen of Nan Hwa High School. Available at: Nan Hwa FS Past Chairmen (http://www.nanhwafs.edu.my/past_chairman.php)

12) Singapore National Library Board Archive. Available at: NLB Archive (https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/nysp19380317-1.2.125)

13) SJK (C) Chinese National Kg Koh History on Rev Tai Poh Ting, a past chairperson of the board of directors. Singapore National Library Board Archive (https://lib.nus.edu.sg/sea_chinese/documents/Southeast%20Asian%20Chinese%20Historical%20Document/List%2022/shizhaoyuan_ganwenge/shilue.pdf )

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