NECF Forum

Dear Pastor/Elder/Leader,

I greet you in Jesus's Precious Name.

Last November, our nation was caught up in the controversy/discussion surrounding the "marriage" of Jessie Chung and Joshua Beh. Jessie Chung, who was born a male and underwent 3 major sex change operations in the last 3 years to become a female, married at a high-profile wedding reception at the Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak. The wedding, the first of its kind in Malaysia, attracted attention from local and foreign media. While the Government and many Christian leaders did not consider the marriage valid, there was much public empathy and support for Jessie.

It is time that the Church tackles this long-existing but neglected issue of transsexuality. A transsexual is a person born with the physical characteristics of one sex who emotionally and psychologically feels they belong to the opposite sex. Transsexuals are suffering in silence among us. What does the Church have to say?

NECF Malaysia shall be holding a Forum on "Transsexuality ?A Christian Perspective" which is open to all Christians. Details are as follows:
Date: Feb 11, 2006 (Sat)
Time: 9.00 a.m.-12.30 p.m.
Venue: NECF Conference Room

Key questions to be examined include: Are transsexuals allowed to change their anatomical sex? If they are, are they also allowed to marry? The medical aspect (Dr. Wong Sam Keong), theological aspect (Rev. Ng Kok Kee) and pastoral aspect (Rev. Wong Kim Kong) of the issue will be considered. There will be a discussion / Q & A session at the end.

The objectives of this Forum are to come up with a Church stand and also find the best approach to provide pastoral care for transsexuals. Besides, we hope to clarify our stand since there have been misrepresentations of the Christian view.
I am pleased to invite you and your church leaders to participate in this Forum. To indicate your attendance, please fax us the response form. Thank you for your support.

Yours Sincerely,

Rev. Wong Kim Kong, J.M.N.
Secretary-General
c.c. Chairman, NECF Malaysia Council