The Adventist Church in Sabah, Malaysia, commemorated its 115th anniversary on December 14, 2024, at the Kota Marudu Community Hall. The event gathered approximately 1,000 attendees, including church members, leaders, and guests from Sabah and neighboring areas, to celebrate the church’s growth and mission under the theme “Faithful in God’s Work.”
The program opened with a prayer and welcome remarks by Pastor Earie Madius, incoming Executive Secretary of the Northern Sabah Mission, followed by praise and worship and a Sabbath School lesson review. Pastor Feldinand Sawanai, the incoming president of the newly organized Northern Sabah Mission , delivered a welcome address, expressing gratitude for the church's growth over the years and emphasizing the dedication of pioneers and members who have sustained the mission.
A historical video presentation titled “Celebrating Faithfulness in Mission” showcased the Adventist Church's journey in Sabah. During an appreciation ceremony, former mission administrators were recognized for their contributions and received a historical account of the Adventist Church in Sabah. Pastor Felixian Felicitas, Field Secretary for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), led a prayer of dedication for the mission's ongoing work and its pioneers' legacy.
A notable segment featured the sealing of a time capsule containing messages and a video presentation marking the 115th anniversary. The capsule will remain at the Sabah Mission Headquarters and be opened in 25 years, symbolizing the church's commitment to preserving its heritage while advancing its mission.
Pastor Abel Bana, president of the Malaysia Union Mission (MAUM), delivered a message titled “Great is Thy Faithfulness” based on Revelation 2:10. Pastor Bana urged members to remain steadfast in their faith and shared developments about leadership changes, including the appointment of Pastor Francis Amer as the new SSD Stewardship Director effective January 2025.
In the afternoon, nine pastors were ordained into the ministry. Pastor Hamir Sigandal, Ministerial Secretary for Sabah Mission, introduced the candidates, while Pastor Rudi Situmorang, SSD Ministerial Secretary, delivered an ordination message titled “Called to Be Faithful.” He encouraged the pastors to embrace their calling despite challenges and to remain committed to their mission.
Music performances by choirs from Sekolah Menengah Advent Tamparuli and Sekolah Menengah Advent Goshen enriched the program, providing uplifting and harmonious contributions that inspired attendees.
The event concluded with the formal establishment of the Northern Sabah Mission, marking a new chapter for the Adventist Church in the region. Representatives convened to form a nomination committee, which selected leaders for the new mission. The newly elected leaders included:
Adventist Chaplaincy: Pastor Feldinand Sawanai
Communication: Pastor Earie Madius
Publishing: Heljony Morudin
NDR-IEL, Ministerial Secretary, and Health: Pastor Hamir Sigandal
Education, Sabbath School, and Personal Ministries: Octavious Guling
Stewardship: Pastor Juri Rumondok
Women and Children Ministries: Mrs. Linda Lagason
Family and Youth Ministries: Pastor George Ebbie
The day concluded with a fellowship dinner, reflecting the unity and shared purpose of the church community. On Sunday morning, the nomination committee finalized leadership appointments, positioning the Northern Sabah Mission to serve its members and advance the Adventist mission in the region.
The 115th anniversary celebration highlighted the Adventist Church’s growth, faithfulness, and commitment to its mission. With new leadership and a renewed focus, the Northern Sabah Mission is poised to continue spreading hope and God’s Word across Sabah and beyond.
Adventist Work in Sabah: A Legacy of Faithful Missionaries
The Adventist mission in Sabah traces its beginnings to February 16, 1909, when C.M. Lee left Singapore for British North Borneo to share the gospel by selling Christ Our Saviour. Through his efforts, several individuals became interested in the Adventist faith. Lee’s parents-in-law, Chan Thiam Hee and his wife, followed up on these interests, establishing small groups of Sabbath keepers in Sandakan, the capital of British North Borneo at the time, and Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu).
In 1913, Roy P. Montgomery was appointed the first director of the British North Borneo Mission (BNBM). Together with his wife, who served as the mission’s secretary-treasurer, and Chan Thiam Hee, Montgomery began evangelistic work among the Chinese community. The first Adventist baptisms in the region occurred on January 1, 1914. By 1915, the Adventist presence in Sandakan had grown to include 35 members, a self-supporting school with about 20 pupils, and mission property purchased in 1916.
The work expanded in the following years despite challenges, such as government restrictions on missionary activities. In the 1920s, the mission extended its outreach to the indigenous Kadazan and Murut peoples, leading to the establishment of the first Kadazan Adventist Church in 1928 in Kitobu, Inanam. Education played a pivotal role in the mission’s early success, with the establishment of schools like the British North Borneo Training School and, later, Goshen Adventist Secondary School.
The sacrifices of missionaries like R.P. Montgomery, G.B. Youngberg, and others laid a strong foundation for the Adventist Church in Sabah. Through their dedication, the church overcame numerous obstacles, including war, persecution, and logistical challenges, to spread the gospel to unreached communities.
Today, Kota Marudu is home to the highest concentration of Adventists in Sabah, a testament to the enduring legacy of the pioneers who faithfully planted the seeds of the gospel. This rich history was honored during the 115th-anniversary celebration, which highlighted both the growth of the church and its commitment to advancing the mission in the years to come.