30 Nov 2012, by Adeline Lum CM-
So, you have heard about the FGB or Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship (or FGBMF in full) many times now, or some of you only heard about FGB for the first time.
FGB is accepted as the earliest marketplace ministries in Malaysia, started in 1978 by a group of businessmen and professionals who were touched by the Holy Spirit. It began with lunch hour meetings at Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, for the goal of bringing the glory of God in the marketplace!
In 1980, the FGB ministry was formally chartered as a businessmen fellowship by the founder president, Demos Shakarian. The original group had so much diversity like today, including Banker Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng, Dr Joy Seevaratnam, lawyer Ang Chui Lai, chartered accountant Timothy Phua and a young executive Michael Cheng.
FGB had its first chapter in Kuala Lumpur on Jalan Ampang before spreading nationwide! (Please visit: http://www.fgb.com.my/WeMeetHere.html)
In 1985, all FGB chapters decided to form one national body to coordinate activities throughout the nation.
Today, FGBMF has more than 100 chapters all over Malaysia, ministering in four main languages. In the Klang Valley alone, 50 chapters were formed. Many Christian leaders in Malaysia came to faith through the lunch meetings. And they had been nurtured and trained for works such as Gospel to the Poor and the Anti-Gambling Ministry.
Because of the many testimonies they witnessed, the testimonies were highlighted in the Flame, a FGBMF newsletter and Voice Magazine.
The marketplace or office in our context today, is an important place to reach out to people. How much time do we spend on average working everyday? We spend at least eight hours or more. What better place to show Christ than to the people you always meet?
Jesus is a marketplace minister himself!
In a daily devotion taken from O.S. Hilman Marketplace Daily Devotion, he wrote the following excerpt:
“Consider that in the New Testament of Jesus' 132 public appearances, 122 were in the marketplace. Of 52 parables Jesus told, 45 had a workplace context. Of 40 miracles in the book of Acts, 39 were in the marketplace. Jesus spent his adult life as a carpenter until age 30 before he went into a preaching ministry in the workplace. And, 54% of Jesus' reported teaching ministry arose out of issues posed by others in the scope of daily life experience. Saint Bonaventure said, "His doing nothing 'wonderful' (his first 30-years) was in itself a kind of wonder."
Work, in its different forms, is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible -more than all the words used to express worship, music, praise, and singing combined. God created work and He is a worker.
My father is always at his work to this very day, and I too, am working" (John 5:17).
So, the next time you are tempted to minimize your daily work as anything less than a holy calling, remember that Jesus was a workplace minister as a carpenter in his community. He has called you and I to reflect His glory in our work.”
Amen to Hillman. Our office is the best place to minister to people!
Do you want to be a part of a Fun and Groovy Bunch of Business Professionals?
Come join FGB chapters wherever your office is at and drop by for a lunch meeting, 1-2 pm. Feeling lethargic or stressful at work? Fellowship with and hear about Christian businessmen and professionals sharing their life stories, views, experiences, and walk with Christ!
If you are running low on spiritual tank, then come to get regenerated!
For more information on FGB, please visit http://www.fgb.com.my/ContactUs.html
For O.S. Hillman daily devotion for Christians at the marketplace, please go to http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/tgif/
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References for pictures:
FGB PJ Atria picture was adapted from David Yap, president of the FGB PJ Atria chapter.
http://mtaram.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/workplace1.jpg
http://wonderinspirit.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/businessman_jesus.jpg
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