The MAUM Children’s Ministries Department, in collaboration with Seremban Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Peninsular Malaysia Mission (PEM), conducted a five-session Children’s Evangelism Program for Orang Asli children in Port Dickson, Malaysia. The program was held from September 8–12, 2026, at the House of Hope in Pasir Panjang.
An average of 22 children, aged 6 to 18, attended the program each evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Every meeting began with a healthy meal, followed by a health lesson and a related activity. The evening concluded with a short story about Jesus.
The program aimed to teach the children the NEWSTART principles of healthy living and introduce them to Jesus through stories about His birth, miracles, parables, teachings and Second Coming. The children enjoyed learning about healthy habits, participated enthusiastically in the craft activities and listened attentively to the Bible stories. They also enjoyed singing an upbeat Bahasa Malaysia temperance song composed especially for them. Its lyrics encouraged them to practice healthy habits, such as getting eight hours of sleep each night and breathing fresh air.
This simple program was more than a series of evening meetings. It was an opportunity to show the children that they are loved and precious in the sight of God. Through healthy meals, songs, activities, Bible stories and the loving attention of the volunteers from Seremban church and MAUM headquarters, the children experienced a glimpse of the love of Jesus.
For almost eight months, Global Mission Pioneers Davinder Singh and Cherlyn Sikin had been building friendships with the Orang Asli children in Kampung Palebar Baru and Kampung Bukit Kepung, two of the recognized Orang Asli villages in the Port Dickson area. As part of their ministry, they provided tutoring for children who had dropped out of school and those preparing for national examinations. Under the leadership of Pastor Frendy Rubil, members of Seremban Seventh-day Adventist Church had also established connections with the community through children’s programs, gift-giving and home visits in previous years. The Children’s Evangelism Program grew out of these acts of friendship and was the first evangelistic program conducted among this unreached Orang Asli community.
The term Orang Asli, meaning “original people,” refers collectively to the Indigenous peoples of Peninsular Malaysia. They are divided into three principal groups—the Negrito, Senoi, and Aboriginal Malay or Proto-Malay—which comprise 18 subgroups. According to the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), the Orang Asli population numbered 215,215 in 2023 and lived in approximately 853 recognized villages throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
Orang Asli communities include followers of traditional Indigenous religions, Islam and Christianity, as well as smaller numbers who follow other religions or report no formal religious affiliation. Although Orang Asli children have the same legal access to Malaysia’s public education system as other Malaysian children, some continue to face challenges such as poverty, long distances to school, inadequate transportation, limited internet access, language differences and unfamiliar school environments. The transition from primary to secondary education can be particularly difficult when children must leave their communities or live in hostels. Parliamentary information indicates that the secondary-school dropout rate among Orang Asli children in 2022 was approximately 4.65 per cent, compared with the national rate of about 0.99 per cent.
We pray that seeds of truth have been planted in their hearts. Through continued friendship, future programs and the work of the Holy Spirit, may these seeds be nurtured and grow into a living faith in Jesus Christ. We also pray that God will continue to open doors for His church to serve the Orang Asli community with love, respect and compassion.
Sources:
1. Suku Kaum Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia by JKOA
2. Penyata Rasmi Parlimen Dewan Rakyat
3. PPPM Tahunan Report 2023 (BI)
Reported by MAUM Children’s Ministries
25, September 2026, Friday.