A slow rattling of beating chopsticks crescendoed into a thunderous roar as over 3,000 believers from across three nations gathered at Miri Indoor Stadium for the first night of Tribal Gathering, the 50th Anniversary of the Bario Revival.
At 6:30pm on Thursday (5 Oct), doors opened for an hour of prayer for healing, with ministry teams laying hands and praying for anyone with a need. From physical disabilities to cancer and other needs, many arrived early to seek the Lord’s healing.
The opening act featured a performance by Joshua Maran before Lifegen Church led the crowd in praise and worship. Pastor Sabrina Low, co-lead pastor of Cornerstone Borneo, then officially commenced the three-day rally, followed by Pastor Rachel Bulan, one of the main organizers, who took the stage.
She recounted the history of the Bario Revival, which began at 4pm on October 4, 1973, when a teacher (her father, Pastor Solomon Bulan) and a group of Kelabit tribe students had a divine encounter with the Lord, leading to profound conviction and repentance for their sins.
This incident ignited a movement of the Holy Spirit that swept through the community and beyond, reaching neighbouring villages and tribes. Over the ensuing months, the revival extended to Ba’kelalan, Sarawak, and Taginambur, Sabah.
She then introduced the theme of the night, Tu’Ee, which means “Wake up” in the Kelabit language.
“I felt the Lord saying to me, ‘Your generation is at risk of losing your spiritual heritage,’ and I recalled the times my grandmother would wake me up when I slept in with the words, ‘Tu’Ee! Wake up, don’t sleep too long. As a farmer, we must work while it is day,’ shared Pastor Rachel.
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 9:4-5 NIV
Pastor Solomon then offered a few words, declaring this as a moment of awakening. “For us to experience revival, we need to know where we came from, where we are at, and where we are going… Let’s catch the wave of revival!”
“This is a time of harvesting, and we should be harvesting,” added Pastor Rachel. “Never again will the enemy come after our generation. For the sake of our children, Lord, send revival… Revival is always unto the harvest, and the harvest is unto the Maranatha cry—Come, Lord Jesus!”
As believers immersed themselves in prayer and worship, Pastor Rachel invited those who had been present at the 1973 revival to pray and impart the anointing to the next generation. In a symbolic gesture, she exclaimed, “Tu Ee!” three times, followed by three shofar blows.
The atmosphere was saturated with the presence of God as different generations from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore took turns praying for one another. Tears flowed freely as the elders of this generation laid hands on those under 45 years old, and vice versa.
Undoubtedly, there is great eagerness and hopeful anticipation for God to move during these three days—expectation for divine encounters, spiritual breakthroughs, and a renewed love for the Lord Jesus Christ
“I hope God visits me tonight with healing, speaks to me, and draws me deeper and closer to Him,” shared Ruth, a Christian from Ampang, Selangor. Nearby, an uncle remarked, “I expect God to bring revival, to pour His Spirit upon everyone in Malaysia, that there will be a great revival fire, and many people will turn to Him. That’s my hope.”
Tribal Gathering will continue for the next two days, with prayer sessions scheduled for tomorrow (October 6) and Saturday (October 7) from 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 4:30pm. Evening sessions will commence at 6:30pm for those seeking prayer for healing, followed by night rallies starting at 7:30pm.
For more information, visit www.tribalgatheringborneo.com.
Admission is free. This event is for non-Muslims only.
Don’t miss out! Read about the powerful happenings on Day 2 and Day 3 of Tribal Gathering.
