Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! psalm133:1
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects MORE VERSES ON UNITY:
1
4:15, 16
Corinthians 1:10
Ephesians
4:1-3
Philippians John
2:2
13:35
United–to Finish the Work! “True religion unites hearts, not only with Christ, but with one another, in a most tender union. When we know what it means to be thus united with Christ, and with our brethren, a fragrant influence will attend our work wherever we go” (Gospel Workers, p. 483).
H
ave you heard about ARME Bible Camp? The name connotes images of fatigue-clad service men rigorously undergoing boot camp drills. However, at this ARME something different is happening. Instead you will witness “soldiers” of every age, gender, and race uniting together for the sole purpose of revival. ARME’s mission is summed up in it’s acronym: Adventist Revival Movement for the Endtime. To accomplish this revival, it strategically focuses on “ARM(ing) ME” with the Word of God, united prayer, and supporting evangelism and missions--both locally and around the world. Biblically, we know these are necessary components for the Holy Spirit to bring revival--thus the success of ARME. Those who have attended the four-day camp can attest that they did not leave the same way they came. Countless testimonies show how the Holy Spirit transforms lives ... even those that appeared hopeless. One attendee, who wishes to remain anonymous said, “I have been through our Bible worker training schools, attended numerous camps and conferences, and been part of ministry for years. Even now my husband and I work in full time evangelism ministry. However despite all this, it was
DID YOU KNOW? “The secret of unity is union with Christ. Christ is the great center. We shall approach one another just in proportion as we approach the center.” Paulsen Collection, p. 153
not until attending the first ARME in 2009 that I finally learned how to have deep purposeful fruitful Bible study for myself. It was not until then that I experienced the power possible in prayer. ARME has totally revolutionized my devotional life!” We at ASAP give all the praise and glory to God for launching this dynamic end-time movement. You may be wondering what ARME has to do with ASAP and why we would choose to focus our main article of this issue on another ministry. We do this because ASAP and ARME have experienced the power that comes from uniting forces. ARME believes that partnering with other ministries will hasten to finish the work God has given us. As Calvin Kim, the Vice President of ARME says, “We can never finish the work by competing with other ministries. We must work together in unity.” This partnership started when Martin Kim, ASAP Communication Director, began coordinating the prayer component of ARME. United prayer every morning has now expanded to all-day prayer rooms, seminars on the science of prayer, all-night prayer vigils, and teaching others how to take united prayer back to
JULY/AUGUST 2011
Ephesians
Thoughts From: JUDY AITKEN
PHOTOS: (top to bottom) ARME Bible Camp “Warriors” in Cohutta Springs, GA. Martin Kim, ASAP Communication Director and Prayer Coordinator, speaks on prayer. Ivor Myers, President of ARME, baptizes a believer.
ASAP DIRECTOR
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us.” John 17:20, 21
With a deep love and passion for souls, Jesus Christ prayed for not only His disciples but for all believers to be one with Him and His Father. Earlier He met with the disciples and “breathed on them…the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). He knew that unity of the believer with Himself and His Father through the Holy Spirit was the key to success in winning souls to His Kingdom. ASAP has close partnerships with local missions in countries we serve and work with the Southeast Asia Union Mission. We understand that we must unite with Christ and others to be most effective and efficient in using the time and resources God has given us. For this reason, we devoted this issue to sharing how the Holy Spirit has been moving ASAP towards stronger partnerships to finish the work. As you read the articles in this newsletter, you will catch glimpses of partnerships with ARME Bible Camp, AFM, Adventist World Radio, and others. Our hope and prayer is that all of God’s workers and entities will take uniting seriously and seek the Lord for direction in this endeavor. We have been tremendously blessed by each of you, our donors, who follow the advice of the Apostle Paul to “keep the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3). We send heartfelt thanks for how you have united with ASAP and shared your resources, your time, your prayers, and your talents to finish God’s work before His soon return.
their homes and churches. News of the amazing impact from this united prayer effort has been spreading like wild fire and the ARME team now receives requests to run united prayer rooms all over the world. Robert from California said, “I have never had an experience like I had at the prayer room. Wow! I always wondered how Jesus could pray for so long when He was on earth. Not anymore. The time passes quickly. This has been such an encouragement for my life. I will never, ever be the same. I just want to praise God!” ARME’s team, which is comprised mostly of lay people, believes God will pour out abundant blessings when they support foreign missions as indicated in Gospel Workers, page 465. “To show a liberal, self-denying spirit for the success of foreign missions is a sure way to advance home missionary work; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off…. [The Lord] designs that in every home, in every church, and at all the centers of the work, a spirit of liberality shall be shown in sending help to foreign fields, where the workers are struggling against great odds to give the light to those who sit in darkness.” At each camp, ARME brings awareness of the great need for Bibles in Southeast Asia and other ASAP projects that focus on a mutually-shared vision. This unique partnership has advanced God’s work in Southeast Asia. Just as funds had run dry in the ASAP account for Bibles and translating the Bible in the Hmong language, ARME took up a special offering for this purpose and the Lord amazingly blessed with over $54,000! The Holy Spirit worked on the participants’ hearts and a generous spirit of giving resulted. After the offering appeal at the last ARME Bible Camp in Cohutta Springs, Georgia, a middle-aged couple said they only had $30, but felt God urging them to give more. They were impressed to donate their wedding bands and jewelry. God used this couple’s testimony to impress another recentlyengaged couple to give their engagement rings to support ASAP. What a joy it is to see the way God is using ASAP and ARME’s partnership to impact lives—and take people deeper in surrendering to God. Though laborers for ASAP and ARME are small in number, we believe that we serve a big God, from whom we expect great things. The next ARME Bible Camp will be held in Spangle, Washington (July 27-31, 2011) and then Hawaii, (Nov. 2-7). We encourage you to join us (visit www.armebiblecamp.com for more details). You can also hear inspiring messages from Pastor Ivor Myers, the founder of ARME, and other speakers by visiting www.audioverse.com. Ellen White says, “A few converted souls, uniting for one grand purpose under one head, will achieve victories in every encounter” (Testimonies, 6:129). We look forward to many more victories for the kingdom as we continue to unite with ARME and other ministries and individuals in the future.
MYANMAR THAILAND
COUNTRY SPOTLIGHT: Refugees in North America “God in His providence has brought men to our very doors and thrust them, as it were, into our arms, that they might learn the truth, and be qualified to do a work we could not do in getting the light before men of other tongues” (Evangelism, page 570).
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housands of Karen (KAH ren) refugees from Myanmar are flooding into the United States via primitive Thai refugee camps. They arrive as fish out of water, many coming in the middle of winter with merely flip flops and a t-shirt. The have a limited ability to communicate in English and are a totally clueless in how to survive in the Western world. What should we as Christians do with these refugees on our doorsteps? ASAP has partnered with ARIM (Adventist Refugee and Immigrant Ministry) of the North American Division, Adventist churches, the Lake Union ASI (Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries), and any lay people with willing hearts to serve! Together, we aim to seize this wonderful opportunity to be Christ’s compassionate hands and feet and assist these refugees during their vulnerable time of need.
PHOTOS: (Top to Bottom) The core SDA Korean group in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Hsa Law Eh being baptized.
NOTES
from the field: BENEFIT CONCERT IN TENNESSEE
Concert pianist, Jee Wong, joined with the Steffans’ family to provide a night of beautiful, inspiring music. The theme, "United We Worship", focused on the way God’s Holy Spirit unites His people to accomplish His work. This benefit concert helped raise awareness and support for the mission of ASAP in the Collegedale/ Chattanooga area. www.asapministries.org
Read more about this special event!
For instance, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the church members proactively responded to a need and provided scholarships for Karen children to attend the Aboite Christian School. Hsa Law Eh is just one of the students who has been baptized as a result. A church group of over fifty Adventist Karen refugees has been established, but they are in great need of a church building. When ASAP communicated this need with the Lake Union chapter of ASI, they readily responded. The board voted to fund $3,000 for a down payment on a church building and we hope that the Lake Union Conference and the Indiana Conference will match this amount. Please pray for the refugees.
BIBLES FOR LAOS
Pastor Saengthong Saengthip and his team in Michigan have been working on an electronic Bible in the Lao language. This process involved taking a very solid NT version from one translation and a reputable OT version from another translation, along with comparing it with an un-printed version produced by another ministry. They continue to make revisions and improvements as they receive feedback from readers, however, with their research and edits, along with knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, God has blessed with a solid version that is benefiting many. Visit laochristian.org to view this Bible.
CAMBODIA
God blessed the DVD evangelism training Denzil McNeilus and the ASI team conducted for ASAP national missionaries and lay workers. Praise the Lord for the New Beginnings DVD programs, a powerful evangelism tool. (Above) ASAP Church Planter Thor Bophal receives a DVD player after the training.
tear and share
Meet Soum Sovanak POSITION ASAP Church Planter LOCATION Chhlong, Kratie Province, Cambodia LIFE CHANGING POWER OF THE WORD I love John 14:6 because it speaks of Jesus being the way, the truth, and the life. Before I became a Christian I worked for my aunt making rice wine and was addicted to it. I studied English and Bible with Pastor Ing Nang and later my brother, Sovanny, prayed for me and urged me to accept Jesus. Jesus changed my life, gave me joy, and set me free from my addiction. TRUE JOY AND COMMITMENT I feel happy when I tell other people about Jesus. In some places in my district ,people accuse me of being a lunatic for serving a foreign God. Sometimes they throw stones through the windows of my home. I always pray for them. I thank God that He protects my family. I love our God and will share the gospel of His salvation until I die. CHURCH PLANT MULTIPLICATION I thank God for His strength to help me to work actively for Him. During the past six years of service, He has helped me to plant three church groups. The first, Chhlong City now has 45 members. The second in Prek Chamlak, a mountain village, was established one year ago. The third is a small group that meets in a house. BLESSINGS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH AFM MISSIONARIES We were blessed to have Mr. Greg Timmins and his wife Molly working with us. Every Sabbath the Timmins’ family worshipped with us and even helped to teach Sabbath School. They were very helpful and supportive of ASAP church planting. They are missed by many!
Unite with Sovanak!
Pray for his Bible students’ faith, his literacy students (to accept God), along with the members of a new worship group.
Intercede for Asia BY MARTIN KIM
Over thirty years ago, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall opened up. It all started in 1982 with a small prayer group of six people in Leipzig. A faithful group met every Monday after work in St. Nicholas Lutheran Church to pray for peace and then stand outside with a candle, for one hour. More people discovered the Monday peace prayers and came to pray and hold candles, a symbol of non-violence. By October 16, 1989, over 120,000 people filled the streets of Leipzig. There was no violence, no looting, no stone throwing, no killing. On October 18, head of state Erich Honnecker resigned. By November 7 the entire government resigned, November 9, the Berlin Wall opened up. A leader of the East German Communist Party afterward said, “We had planned everything, we were prepared for everything, but not for candles and prayers.” Andrew Murray wrote in Secret of United Prayer (p. 64): “The strength unity gives is something inconceivable. The power of each individual member is increased to a large degree by the inspiration of fellowship with a large and conquering host.” Please unite with us in praying that all the barriers would be torn down so the gospel can go to all in Southeast Asia.
MISSION CHALLENGE Start a UNITED PRAYER GROUP. Here’s how: 1. Pray for God’s guidance. 2. Download and read the ARME Handbook for United Prayer www.armebiblecamp.com/prayer
3. Move forward in faith! PS. Don’t forget to pray for ASAP.
Always Saying A Prayer
In Loving Memory and Honor
BY LAY PASTOR NHANH*
My family has been Buddhist for generations, yet I always realized something was missing in my life. I started searching for truth. I turned to the world to fill the void, but drinking, parties, and making money did not satisfy me. Later, I found myself in a financial crisis. I knelt down, looked up to the sky and prayed, “Whatever god is up there, Buddha, the God of heaven, or someone else, if you have ears to hear, please help me!” Shortly after this prayer, I happened upon the Peace and Happiness radio program. I heard Pastor Isah Young share the following story: There was a mule that happened to fall into a well. His owner, who knew that the animal was old and not of much use anymore, decided to bury it. As he and his friends piled the dirt into the well, the mule kept shaking it off, looking up to the light and pawing its way to the top of the pile. Soon, the mule was up high enough to walk right out of the well. Pr. Young shared, “When you are in the midst of problems that seem to bury you alive, look to the light of Jesus Christ and He will rescue you.” I wept as I listened to the beautiful message. I continued to listen to Peace and Happiness every day. This was the truth my heart yearned for. One day, I knelt down in front of the radio and gave my heart to Jesus. EDITOR’S NOTE: ASAP praises the Lord for the partnership we have with Adventist World Radio. As people respond to the messages on the radio, ASAP missionaries follow up to help them grow into disciples for Jesus.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18
IN MEMORY OF: GRAHAM MAXWELL by Jane Barker Banta • TED WADE by Martin and Liana Kim • BLANCA AND MAX GUNTHER KRAUSSE by Max Krausse • FRANK GIESEN by Paul Kravig • EDITH LAWRENCE by Noel Lawrence
IN HONOR OF: JOSEPHINE LITVIN by Bella M Almario • ASHER HODET by Christien and JoAn Hodet • ELMER AND MOLLY MYAING 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY by Kermit and Ronnalee Netteburg • RUTH TAYLOR by Matthew T. Peterson • CHARLESTOWN NH SDA BIBLE STUDY GROUP by Victor K. Pohle
P P.S. We Love Hearing from You I appreciate ASAP’s work and pray for all of you and those lay missionaries who sacrifice all they have for the Lord…How can we not do the same back here? We were in mission work for many years and like ASAP, we depended on the Lord completely to help us run our little clinic down in the jungle of Peru. Not once did I run out of the supplies I needed to treat those that came by the river for help. God was faithful and supplied all our needs and the needs of those who came seeking help. PATTI AND MONROE FROM NEW MEXICO Friends visited for a 50th reunion. I saved them car rental by letting them use one of ours. They in turn "gave" me money which I’m sending on to ASAP. Isn’t that a novel idea to get friends to partner with missions? JILL FROM MARYLAND I received a dream from the Lord where you [Judy] invited me to come up to a party. My spirit rejoiced at the opportunity and I continued to feel this joy throughout the morning that followed. I therefore, join you in the joyful gathering and celebration of the many souls you’ve collected for the Lord. I am enclosing a gift for the Lord’s work. THON FROM AUSTRALIA
UNITE WITH US!
ARE YOU A MINISTRY? LET’S TALK!
ARE YOU A MISSION-MINDED FAMILY? Pray for ASAP in your daily worships. ARE YOU PART OF A SMALL GROUP? Adopt a project from ASAP’s Priceless Gift Catalog. ARE YOU A CHURCH MEMBER? Sponsor an ASAP church planter for one year and see your local funds/projects grow! ARE YOU BLESSED? Share your blessings to help fund ASAP’s vital needs.
Adventist Southeast Asia Projects is fueled by mission-minded, faith-filled individuals whom God impresses. Be assured that 100% of your gift will go directly to the projects you specify. However, in the blessed event that the project you chose is fully funded, ASAP will use your gift for a similar project or where most needed to help spread the gospel and ease the suffering in Southeast Asia. Because ASAP is a §501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donations are tax-deductible. ASI MEMBER ASAP has been a member of ASI (Adventistlayman’s Services and Industries) since 1996 and is grateful to be an ASI grant recipient.
ASAP’S CURRENT TOP 7 (FOR 2011) National Missionary Support $286,000 Evangelism $30,000 Training $25,500 SDA Center (AIDS Hospice) $20,000 DVDs for Vietnam $15,000 US Refugee Ministry $20,000 New Humanitarian Projects $40,000
EXECUTIVE EDITOR/DIRECTOR Judy Aitken EDITOR/ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Julia O’Carey COPY EDITORS Wayne Labins, Linda Bauer DESIGN/LAYOUT Sarah Lee / www.ambientlightstudios.com ASAP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Bruce Bauer, Judy Aitken, Steve Chang, Denzil McNeilus, Mary Ann McNeilus, Byron and Carol Reynolds, Trudi Starlin, Kenneth Straw, and Max and Linnea Torkelsen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version® copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Adventist Southeast Asia Projects P.O. BOX 84, BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI 49103
Learn more ways to partner with ASAP!
www.asapministries.org
TOLL FREE 1-866-365-3541 PHONE 269-471-3026 FAX 269-471-3034 EMAIL office@asapministries.org WEB www.asapministries.org *Where needed names have been changed and photos blurred, to protect the safety of God’s workers.
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ASAP serves people from the countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.
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BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI PERMIT NO. 42