Making Biblical Eldership a Reality in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific Region
Did you know BER has an international network of believers promoting biblical eldership worldwide? This week we’re introducing you to Robert Quay, our Asia Pacific regional representative, pictured with his late wife and their two daughters. Find out how God plucked this self-described “delinquent young teenager” off a dangerous path
and turned him into a pillar of the church in the Asia Pacific region.
Robert lives in his birthplace of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, a multi-racial and mostly Muslim country in Southeast Asia. He joined Jalan Imbi Chapel as a newly saved teenager in 1965, and today—56 years later—he remains active there in teaching, preaching, training, and evangelism.
How did you come to Christ?
I was raised in a poor village home where there were many adventures one could enjoy. However, I was badly influenced by a local gangster, who was later exiled to a prison on an island off Penang. God preserved me, and through my uncle Johnny, I was led to attend a Sunday school. My uncle’s testimony opened my eyes to see Christianity in a different light.
I came to know Christ at age of 15 when I attended an annual Bible camp in Penang organized by my church. It was the biggest turning point of my life as I was a delinquent young teenager. Had God not saved me I would have ended up as one of the local ruffians.
After I was saved, I attended the local Brethren church, which taught me God’s Word and provided loving fellowship. I was active with the youth and served in many different ministries as time went by.
Tell about your family.
I met my late wife, Mei Lee, while serving in the church. I have two adult daughters, who are currently residing in Singapore. My late wife and my two daughters are trained lawyers. My first daughter, Val, also attended the London School of Theology, while Audrey attended Trinity Theological College, Singapore as compared to me being “home trained.” They have been a tower of strength to my ministry.
Where have you worked and served?
I’ve been a BER regional representative for Asia Pacific since 2016, and I am also the executive director of Oikos Ministries Trust, an evangelism and discipleship training program. I preach regularly in the Malaysian churches, and I sometimes travel overseas to preach as well. Many speaking engagements outside the church and overseeing BER’s ministry in the Asia Pacific region have kept me busy. There have been many traveling opportunities to promote BER in churches.
I served in leadership at my church for 35 years and retired in 2009 as an elder. At various points I was also chairman of the evangelism ministry, the senior Sunday school superintendent, and a deacon, and I organized church camps and conferences. Although I am no longer in leadership, I help when called upon.
As secular employment, I worked for Malaysia Airlines for 29 years doing flight crew safety training until I retired in 2004.
How would you describe the religious climate of Malaysia?
Malaysia is a multi-racial country with a population of around 33 million people, comprising Malays being the majority race, Chinese, Indians, and about 18 local indigenous tribes. The main religion is Sunni Islam, while other religions are free to practice their faith.
There are issues of the relationship of Islam with other faith communities, including places of worship, burial grounds, family laws, and conversions of Muslims to other faiths.
What do you love about your local church and your role in it?
I love the sound Bible teaching and the way we worship as a priesthood of believers.
What is your role with Biblical Eldership Resources?
I have a team of elders from different churches, and we promote biblical eldership and leadership for the glory of God. We connect with churches, teach them using BER materials, and post helpful articles through social media. During the covid-19 pandemic, we’ve been conducting online teaching via Zoom. Our Tuesday evening BER Bible study has an average of over 50 participants from different denominations.
We encourage and promote the practice plurality of elders and adherence to biblical principles of leadership. We use BER’s Spiritual Maturity booklets, which teach the 31 biblical qualifications for elders. Eighteen sessions have been conducted in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and South Africa prior to the pandemic situation. We intend to expand to regional countries during our missions and training.
What is your approach to evangelism?
Three of our team members are trained in Evangelism Explosion on personal evangelism, which we believe is an effective way of reaching others for Christ. In our teaching, we emphasize the person of Jesus as the key to life and eternal salvation.
What habits and disciplines have been most helpful in your life?
Daily Bible reading and prayer for the past 30 years has kept me in a good state. I have also experienced growth from serving and ministering to churches, providing counsel on spiritual matters to leaders, reading widely, and maintaining an understanding of the work of God in our communities. This provides me insights into how the gospel and culture interact.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Reading books and articles helps me keep current with the Christian and secular world. I connect with leaders and friends regularly over a meal fellowship and through social media. I also go for vacation breaks with my two daughters and church retreats.
How can we pray today for Malaysia, and for your ministry?
Pray that the gospel may flourish in Malaysia, and pray for a just multi-racial government. Malaysia as a nation is facing leadership transitions and challenges to its democratic structure, and we have the continuing challenge of bearing testimony to Christ in a dominant Islamic polity and pluralistic setting.