Business leaders from three nations came together for a time of worship, edification and fellowship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Contributed By Annie Wong
Businessmen from several countries gathered for the dialogue exchange.
Over the weekend of Sep. 30 to Oct. 3, chairman of The Marketplace ministry, Goh Yock Kiang, brought a team of businessman, together with Zhao Xiao, the chairman of Cypress Leadership Institute and professor of University of Science and Technology, Beijing, China, to Kuala Lumpur, for a dialogue exchange. It was no ordinary business convention, but one that connected God-fearing, Spirit-filled leaders in the marketplace arena.
Zhao also brought along a group of 50 business leaders from China to hold a dialogue exchange with Malaysia’s Christian businessmen from Full Gospel Businessmen (a Malaysian ministry that serves the Christian business community) and to see how they function as salt and light in a country where the majority belong to another religious expression.
Main speakers and participants pose for a picture.
With businessmen from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and England, praise and worship kicked off at the office building belonging to TA Enterprise, one of the country’s most successful securities companies and also the developer with the largest premium land bank in Kuala Lumpur. “I felt like I was walking into a church service as we entered the corporate office,” remarked Goh. Notably, the praise and worship session was led by a band made up of employees from the company.
Goh Yock Kiang and Robert Tsoi (left).
Tan Sri Tony Tiah, the founder of the TA enterprise, delivered an inspiring word on how God led him into business and how he made decisions that were God-led rather than economy-led. Sharing about how God prospered him as he stayed faithful by saying no to opportunities linked to corruption, he inspired and encouraged the participants to obey the Word in all their business dealings. The team then proceeded to a sumptuous meal hosted by TA Enterprise, where networking was facilitated, linking different ones together and even sealing a number of deals at the table.
“‘I was introduced to a few developers to explore the possibility of expanding into foreign markets,” said Ee Boon Kiat, 31, a business owner. “I really enjoyed the dinner, where we witnessed successful business people from different countries and cultures united in encouraging each other with their testimonies. It was really inspiring,” recalled Chong Kar Weng, director of Macy Home Furnishings, one of the market leaders in curtain retailing in Malaysia.
Minister of State, Theresa Kok, shared how God helped her in making decisions regarding investment opportunities in Malaysia, especially in the state of Selangor. Through the presentation and the dialogue session, participants not only understood the economic climate in Malaysia better but how to do business in Malaysia. At the end of the trip, the business community came together to organize an evangelistic night. Many businessmen came forward to receive the Lord.
The Marketplace Team with Teresa Kok (second from right), Selangor State Senior Executive Councillor for Investment, Industry & Trade, Member of Parliament for Seputeh and State Assemblyman for Kinrara. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MARKETPLACE.
Goh shared, “‘I was very impacted by the businessmen’s humility. Many of them are billionaires and yet they are so humble. Robert Tsoi, the second man of Thomas Kwok who is the 23rd wealthiest individual in the world according to Forbes, was here helping to carry bags, serve food and pray for others. He was jumping up and down in praise, kneeling in worship. That is respectable!” Francis Kho, 32, a business owner, was equally impressed, being touched by the business tycoons’ love for God and putting God’s kingdom above their business.
Nanz Chong, 38, author and entrepreneur, said, “I was amazed at how hard Pastor Yock Kiang worked to help us business people go up to the next level in our faith and inspiration.” She was also impacted by Zhao Xiao and his team of people, who are all “very powerful marketplace business owners yet full of humility to worship God together and share their testimonies and struggles.”
“I was deeply impacted by Zhao Xiao’s 30-30 vision for China. It shows that God has a marvelous plan to impact the nation. I also met many businessmen who shared how they achieved tremendous success simply by putting God first,” said businessman Mario Singh.
