ISMNZ has been blessed over the years to minister to dozens of students from Malaysia, many of whom we continue to minister alongside of today.
This week's Nation at our Doorstep: MALAYSIA
Here are some facts about this nation to help you see the strategic importance of ministry amongst students from Malaysia.
With a population of over 27 million, Malaysia is a multi-religious society and Islam is the official religion… approximately 60.4 percent of the population practiced Islam; 19.2 percent Buddhism; 9.1 percent Christianity; 6.3 percent Hinduism; and 2.6 percent traditional Chinese religions. The remaining was accounted for by other faiths, including Animism, Folk religion, Sikhism and other faiths while 1.1% either reported as having no religion or did not provide any information.
Malaysia's population comprises many ethnic groups, with the Malays at 50.4% making up the majority and other bumiputra/indigenous (Aborigine) groups in Sabah and Sarawak at 11% of the population. 23.7% are Malaysians of Chinese descent, while Malaysians of Indian descent comprise 7.1%. Other Malaysians also include those whose origin can be traced to the Middle East, Thailand and Indonesia. Europeans and Eurasians include British who settled in Malaysia since colonial times, and a strong Kristang community in Malacca. A small number of Cambodians and Vietnamese settled in Malaysia as Vietnam War refugees. Malaysia also hosts a population of refugees and asylum seekers numbering approximately 155,700 from the Philippines, Burma, and Indonesia.
There is much more to learn about Malaysia. Why don't you get to know an international student from Malaysia and find out about their families and their experience growing up in Malaysia. Show them sincere love and hospitality and ask them how you can pray for them as they sojourn in New Zealand.
CALLING ALL PARENTS! IF YOU HAVEN'T REGISTERED OFFICIALLY YET, PLEASE CONTACT JOHN OR JANEEN TO LET US KNOW THAT YOU'RE BRINGING THE KIDS!
In order to best plan for the children and youth programme at the conference, we need to know names and ages of all those kids who will attend. Help us to prepare an awesome time for the ENTIRE family! Email us TODAY!
janeen@ism.org.nz or john@ism.org.nz
