A new chapter is unfolding for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Malaysia as the Malaysia Union Mission (MAUM) looks ahead with renewed purpose and intentionality. Building on the momentum of Harvest 2025, MAUM President, Pr. Abel Bana has called upon the church in Malaysia to move forward united, grounded in the Bible, and focused on fulfilling God’s mission.
Harvest 2025 reaffirmed the church’s core calling to proclaim the everlasting gospel with clarity, compassion, and urgency. More than a numerical goal, the initiative emphasised transformed lives—men, women, and children anchored in Christ and His Word. Through united prayer, intentional discipleship, and holistic community engagement, Harvest 2025 reminded members that the mission is not reserved for a few but is entrusted to every believer.
As the church transitions into a new quinquennium, its vision aligns with the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) REAPS Campaign, a five-year mission roadmap that charts the way forward from 2026 to 2030. REAPS stands for Reach, Expand, Advance, Proclaim, and Seek, Save, Disciple—each year deliberately working towards preparing people for Christ’s imminent return.
This year’s spotlight shifts to Reach26, the initial phase of REAPS. This phase emphasises intentional and strategic outreach to communities and unreached people groups. During a recent discussion, Pr. Abel expressed the church’s eagerness to venture into new mission territories. These include regions in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, where there is currently no Adventist presence, and unreached people groups in Sarawak, such as the Kelabit, Kayan, and Kenyah communities.
Reach26 is designed to be a comprehensive and inclusive movement. The church’s outreach strategy encompasses a wide range of activities: Digital Mission, Education, Health Initiatives, Children and Youth Ministries, Literature Evangelism, Public Evangelistic Campaigns, Humanitarian Aid, Friendship and Relational Evangelism, Family Ministries, Special Needs Ministries, and Total Member Involvement (TMI). These endeavours mirror global efforts such as GTMI (Global Total Member Involvement), underscoring the conviction that every church member has a part in God’s work.
Central to these plans is a strong spiritual foundation. When asked about his message to the church for 2026, Pr. Abel stressed that the core motivation must be the blessed hope and Christ Himself. “Christ is the greatest reason for us to do this,” he stated. He also urged believers to unite; setting aside differences, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them, and moving forward together with a shared desire to “go home soon.”
Intentional leadership development will be a major focus for the coming years, particularly in training the next generation and preparing pastors for their mission. Just as crucial is the ability to turn vision into something tangible. “It’s not enough to just have it written down or to hear it,” Pr. Abel pointed out. “We need to be deliberate about putting plans into practice—in how we live and what we do.”
Looking ahead, MAUM will prioritise an integrated mission, fostering collaboration between departments and churches, rather than encouraging isolated efforts. Mission isn’t just about running programs; it’s about cultivating environments where people truly encounter Christ, develop as His followers, and embody their faith in their everyday lives. As such, the President Pr. Abel Bana shared that the union looks to bifurcate the Sarawak Mission, creating the Northern Sarawak Region within this quinquennium.
As the church approaches 2026, local missions will see the rollout of initiatives like GTMI, Reach26, and One Voice 27, signalling a shift toward collaborative, Spirit-led endeavours. United in purpose and strengthened by grace, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Malaysia moves forward—rooted in Scripture, dedicated to mission, and focused on preparing the world for Christ’s imminent return.
Reported by Hazel Wanda Ginajil-Gara, MAUM Communication Department
9, January 2025, Friday.