History of CEF

The seed of CEF was first sowed in Malaysia in 1982. In December 1982 the staff of
CEF Singapore came to Penang to conduct the first Christian Youth in Action (CYIA) Ayer Itam Chinese
Methodist Church, Penang, and Siew Ean was one of the seven 5-Day-Club missionaries.

In 1984 the first CEF Leadership Training Institute (LTI) in Kota Tinggi, Johor
was conducted by CEF Singapore. Siew Ean was one of the students for this three-month
training. Before the end of the training she was concerned for CEF to be established
in Malaysia; surely such a ministry is much needed in our country.

Because Malaysia is a country where missionaries could not enter easily, therefore
CEF missionaries could not enter to pioneer the work. The more Siew Ean begged the missionaries
to come and establish CEF in Malaysia the more the Lord impressed upon her heart, ‘If not you, then
who? ‘ She was not ready to give up her all and go into full-time ministry. But the Lord reminded her;

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will
a man give in exchange for his soul?” - Matthew 16:26 (NKJV)

Not only did she think that she was not ready, but so did the pastors and leaders of the churches.
Loud and clear they echoed: ”NO! You are too young! NO! You are inexperienced! NO! You do not
have the funds! NO! This is not an easy country to start a work such as this!“

YES! We can have a CEF in our land! YES! For it’s not yours or mine but it is HIS! YES! The
Almighty is the One who is going to provide for us--MONEY, PLACE, EXPERIENCE!

“WITH MEN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”

What keeps us in CEF going? The promises that God gave us from the beginning;

“Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” - Psalm 81:10

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10

The seed that was sowed in 1982, the Lord allowed to grow and take root. CEF Malaysia was
registered in October 13, 1987. CEF from her humble beginning in 1986, what began in a tiny room
today operates from a three-storey building.

Yes! Her very own building! No, we did not borrow a cent from the bank. The Building Fund
came from God’s people and churches, through gifts and interest-free loan. Today CEF had reached
thousands of children through her ministry and trained thousands of teachers.

CEF literature is a common sight in many Sunday Schools and church related "Good News Club".

We in CEF Malaysia are still working on improving our programs, our service and our partnership with
the churches to reach boys and girls with the Gospel of Christ. Our desire is that every child in this
land will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we need you as our
partner to fulfill this great command,

“Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that
one of these little ones should perish." - Matthew 18:14

Khoo Siew Ean
Executive Director
1986 till today