History - the formation of 4th Petaling Jaya Company

by Captain Richard Lee

The church kindergarten ministry (Tadika Emmanuel) is already in the twelfth year. Each year we have 40-50 students leaving the kindergarten after their graduation, which means that there are about 600 ex-students of Tadika Emmanuel around the community. The chances for them to return to church activities after leaving the kindergarten is less than 5%. As such, when the Boys’ Brigade ministry was initiated by our Resident Pastor, Rev. Chong Chee Pu and our then Church Chairman Bro. Peter Hah, the first thing that crossed my mind was that, this is a good ‘bridge’ ministry program than can linked with the church’s children ministry such as the kindergarten and the Sunday School, whereby students between the ages of 5-10 years old could join the BB ministry until they become teenage; and this would give them at least 7-12 adolescent years in the church ministry programs.

In September 2005, the church approved the BB ministry and appointed me as the Captain of my local company. It was only then that I realized it was not an easy task to start a new ministry work which involves children and adults, and the involvement of the public and government agencies. A Pro-tem committee was formed in October 2005 and with 5 months of intense planning and training from the Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia (BBM), the 4th PJ Coy BB was formally approved by BBM comprising of a Chaplain, a Captain and 5 Warrant Officers.

It was on the 4th March 2006 at 3.00pm, that we had our first official fall-in parade and the formation of the 4th Company PJ, witnessed by officials from BBM, other BB companies and parents of the BB members. It is by God’s grace and the hard-work put in by my Officers and Chaplain and helpers, that the 4th PJ Company was officially approved by the National Executive Committee of BBM on the 15th July 2006 and later on the 25th September 2006 by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

Currently, we have about 90 squad members comprising of Pre-Juniors (5-7 years old) and Juniors (8-12 years old) with 4 Lieutenants, 4 Warrant Officers and 12 helpers. Our weekly BB Parade at 3.00pm every Saturday and ends at 6.00pm. Each week we strictly emphasize on activities such as Opening and Closing Parade, singspiration, Bible study, badge class, drill, games and occasionally assessment tests which basically forms the purpose and objective of the BB.

It will be a day to remember that on the 5 November 2006, we had our first Enrolment & Award Day ceremony since its inauguration in March 2006 and we had the privilege to have top Exco Officials from BBM, Selangor State Commissioner and 4 other BB Selangor State companies, parents and church members to witness the event. The just concluded 2nd Enrolment & Award Day was held on the 28 October 2007, witnessed and graced by the Officials from BBM and the Selangor State Commissioner. That day marked the promotion of 4 Warrant Officers to Lieutenants and one new Warrant Officer was sworn in. Members from the Pre-Juniors and Junior also shared their joy of receiving their badges ranging from white, green, and purple.

Best Achievement and Best Drill Awards were presented for members who attained the highest performances in their activities during the year.

Based on the BB guidelines of the ‘twin pillars’ of Christian faith and discipline, we hope to provide members with a meaningful and enjoyable program. To achieve our objectives, we provide members with Educational Program of field trips, visits and camping and out-door activities; Physical Program of drills, sports and games; Social Program of interaction, team building , team work, caring and loving in social activities and living skill; Spiritual Program of Bible knowledge and study, Bible games, Christian living and its moral; and through the framework of Uniforms and Drills, whereby the habits of disciplines, self- respect, self control, smartness and teamwork are developed in each member so that they can become a potential leader and a loyal and responsible citizen.

I thank the Lord for giving me the privilege to serve Him, and Emmanuel Baptist Church for the trust and support for this new ministry. We request your continual prayers as we gear ourselves to the challenges of the new year of 2008.

God Bless

Shalom