2 Dec 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-
Having started RoLeaf—a premium tea distributor with teas mainly from three countries—Frankie Heng and his team have expanded their business to 90 cafes and restaurants in Klang Valley within four months of its inception.
“It’s amazing how God can change the hearts of men even in hostility to favor,” said Frankie, founder of RoLeaf who witnessed a general trend of God’s favor, from a turnover that is doubling almost every month.
The idea germinated in Ghana, where Frankie first met a Sri Lankan lady, Sharmika in a Christian event. Told that they would be working together, Frankie found himself his first key tea supplier from Sri Lanka.
At that time, Frankie was enjoying getting his hands dirty in the tea trade from the ground level. However, he was disturbed to find the lack of accessibility to affordable premium tea.
Frankie Heng welcoming the attendees
Hence, to meet this need, Frankie felt compelled to start RoLeaf where he was led by the Sprit to invite his brother and three of his friends.
Former air stewardess Joycelin Ooi for one, dreamt two years ago that she would be working together with Frankie who was an acquaintance then. She finally joined the team when God recently gave her another vision of the word ‘team up.’
“I think God just want me to step out in faith. I said to God, “I obey You.” And I saw a big smile from Him and He was patting on my head.
“I told God that I needed favor. And when you come to a point of surrender, God works,” said Joycelin, business development manager of RoLeaf, who unexpectedly won her first business deal in an alcoholic bar.
Rev Loh Soon Choy —founding member of EFCM and first pastor of PJEFC—was invited to give a speech in RoLeaf’s dedication service on 22nd November. He elaborated on the three foundational values of RoLeaf, which includes health, lifestyle, and novelty.
Rev Loh Soon Choy (right) lifting his hands iin prayer
In terms of health, tea has been known for helping cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. In addition to possessing antimicrobial activities, it has also been shown to lower cholesterol, encourage weight loss, and induce mental alertness.
As for lifestyle, we can trace our tea drinking culture all the way back to the 1st century AD when traders and settlers from China and India landed in Malaysia. The British East India Company further established the availability of a wide variety of tea in 1786 by making Penang as an international trading port. A basic commodity since the olden days, tea resembles a certain kind of wholesomeness to our lifestyle that is deeply ingrained in our culture. We drink tea during moments of solitary peace and deep contemplation, and also times of joyful bonding with our friends.
The attendees bowing their heads in prayer for RoLeaf
Lastly, RoLeaf believes in novelty in their business from partnering with noble causes and sowing into social causes. RoLeaf Transform is their avenue in partnering with organizations to give them the opportunity to achieve their causes in contributing towards the development of the local community. To date, RoLeaf is a valued supporter of Malaysian Care’s 35th Anniversary Celebration who has pioneered work in the Drug Rehabilitation, Special Needs, Financial Literacy, and Indigenous People Programs.
Spinning off from the existing coffee culture, RoLeaf is most likely to champion the tea culture antic amongst esteemed elites, tea enthusiasts, everyday drinkers, and even sojourners of tea.
Senior Pastor Mark Varughese ending the dedication service with a prayer covering RoLeaf
Rev Loh closed his speech by urging the team of RoLeaf to unite in the love of God based on John 17:20-23.
“My prayer is not for the alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have send me.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.
Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
(John 17:20-23)
Senior Pastor Mark Varughese praying for the team of RoLeaf
Senior Pastor Mark Varughese of Kingdomcity Church ended the service of RoLeaf with a covering prayer on RoLeaf, based on Deuteronomy 28.
“If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.”
(Deut 28:1-3)
“I know that you think it’s small beginnings but the Lord said, ‘Do not despise it.’ And God has not brought you together for a small purpose. This is a miracle business, and a business of miracles,” said Sr Pr Varughese.
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