Harvest Force 2020 issue 1 by MMS1

2020 ISSUE

GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES

GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. AND BEHOLD, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, TO THE END OF THE AGE. ~ Matthew 28:19-20

“Go and Make Disciples” I

n a nutshell, Jesus’ command for His disciples to go and make disciples is essentially “Missions and Discipleship”. Missions and Discipleship are two sides of the same coin. They are so important to Jesus that He mentioned it in His very last command, where He instructed the disciples to fulfil the Great Commission. In fact, Jesus demonstrated it Himself throughout His ministry. He went out and made disciples, and His disciples went on to make more disciples. If we are His disciples, we must follow His command. From pages 6 to 18, you can read about the work of discipleship that is happening in our mission fields. In essence, we are intentional in making disciples who make disciples, through a process of engaging them to come and see, and eventually to ACE for God. On page 2, Ps Derrick presents to us the key components of a Discipleship framework for our mission – to enlist and equip our disciples for the mission God has established in the seven mission fields. On page 44, Bishop brings us back to the time of the early church, when the strategy was both church planting and discipleship. And he encourages the church today to do likewise.

To my simple mind, parenting is almost like discipleship. It is an important task with privilege and responsibility. I love my children very much and I also hope very much to shape them towards maturity. On the one hand, I proactively go and tell them that I love them, hug them, spend time with them, and offer my support whenever they need it. On the other hand, I also tell, demonstrate, and correct them regarding their basic social etiquette, responsibilities in the family, and time spend on daily devotion. And I hope that they will eventually become useful members of the society. I do not profess to be an expert in parenting but I always remind them that they may one day be doing the same thing to their own children. In parenting, I cannot be doing only one of the two. Otherwise, I will be either too much a permissive parent or too much of an authoritarian parent. Similarly, Missions and Discipleship go hand-in-hand. We do not just go and tell the people on the fields about God’s love and salvation plan, we must also train and equip them in God’s words so that they will become mature to do the same to the people around them. So, whether you are in the field or at home, let’s “Go and make disciples…”

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CONTENTS

Methodist Missions Society (MMS) is the missions agency of The Methodist Church in Singapore. MMS is given the mandate to establish indigenous churches supported by mission endeavours in communities across this region where there is no Methodist presence. Harvest Force is published three times annually and distributed free. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. All information published is correct at time of writing and may subject to change. All Scripture quoted is based on the English Standard Version, unless

FIRST WORD • A Discipleship Framework for Christ’s Mission

WAZZUP! • Country Information • Opportunities to Serve

otherwise stated.

PERMIT NUMBER

ADVISOR Rev Derrick Lau EDITOR Leongheng PROOFREADER Wendy Tan

014/01/2020

MARCH 2020

2020 ISSUE

CHINESE PROOFREADER Goh Tuan Gee

TRANSLATORS Henry Wang, Koh Wan Yee PHOTO CREDITS Angela Sng, Benjamin Lee, Daniel Loo, David Chan, Eileen Lim, GS, Henry Yeo, Jessie Chan, Lai Choy Fong, Lily Yang, Richard Lepcha, Rudy Wong, Sabastain Lepcha, See Swee Fang, Vincent Lim DISTRIBUTION & SUPPORT Eileen Lim, Helen Tan, Tan Poh Ling & Volunteers DESIGNER SNAP! Creative Pte Ltd PRINTER Print & Print Pte Ltd PUBLISHER Rev Derrick Lau 70 Barker Road #06-01, The Methodist Centre Singapore 309936 Tel: 6478 4818 • Fax: 6478 4817

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COVER: From one generation to the next: Mother and daughter working at a terraced rice field in Vietnam. Photo credit: bigstockphoto.com

FEATURE STORY • Being Intentional 06 • Making Disciples

Who Make Disciples • Come and See • A.C.E. for God

FIELD FEATURE NEPAL 19 • In His Time Everything is

Beautiful THAILAND • Reaching Generation Z in Phrao, Thailand • Missionaries for God • Amazing Stories of God’s Providence TIMOR-LESTE • Experiencing God’s Grace and Provision

HOME IN ON... • MMS Missionary Training and Commencement • MMS Family

HF SPECIAL • Evangelism and Disciplemaking

CLOSING THOTS • Missions and Discipleship

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

A Discipleship FRAMEWORK FOR CHRIST’S MISSION I

Rev Derrick Lau 刘作丰牧师 Executive Director of MMS. He loves to enjoy a cup of coffee together with music and reading materials!

n the formative years of my faith, I thank God that there were several Christian leaders who provided me with a clear and distinct discipleship framework for my spiritual growth. They have contributed significantly to my understanding and practice of what it means to be a Christian in general and in particular, to be a disciple of Christ. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). The challenge is for all who are called by God to take their faith seriously, grow as Disciples of Christ and not be merely content as pew warmers. Knowing that Christ who loved and died for us, let us walk in His steps and follow Him (cf. Phil 3:17; 1 Peter 2:21). It means we should seriously cultivate a life of discipleship. I am fully persuaded that the mission that MMS has and is continuing to develop should embrace a clear and contextualised discipleship framework. This is essential because apart from erecting infrastructure to accommodate our distinct ministries, such as school, hostel, churches, etc., the primary mission of reaching out to the people is to equip these young Christians to be disciples of Christ.

What are the key components of a robust Discipleship Framework1? W orship the Lord God Almighty | Psalm 2:11; Psalm 29:2; John 4:24 Celebrating the grace and love of God at a personal and corporate level via developing indigenous worship forms for the people to appreciate, identify and experience the nature of true worship. E ngage the Word of God | 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:3 Reading the Bible, reflecting on its truths regularly. Instil a regular spiritual discipline where the feeding on the Word of God is given priority. A ssimilate God’s Word in our daily life and witness | 2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:22-25 Living out one’s faith in our society authentically. Teach people to Love the Word, Learn the Word and Live the Word2. P ractice Faith that moves mountains | Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21 Exercising faith that pleases and honours God. O ppose the enemy with prayer | Ephesians 6:11,13,18; James 4:2 Interceding to God to release His blessing for the mission and to thwart the devil’s scheme of creating disunity, disharmony, etc. N urture a culture of sowing and scattering the seeds | Mark 4:14; Matthew 28:19,20 Evangelising is embraced as a lifestyle and not a programme. I present W.E.A.P.O.N. as the key components of a discipleship framework for our mission. These six points are not exhaustive in nature but comprehensive for the enlisting and equipping of disciples for Christ’s mission that God has established in our seven countries. Footnote: 1 For further reading, please refer to Transformational Discipleship Project by LifeWay where eight biblical attributes, or “discipleship attributes,” consistently show up in the life of maturing believers. ² cf. Rick Warren, 40 Days in the Word, Saddleback resources, 2011

FIRSTWORD 03

献身基督使命的门训架构

在

我信仰的启蒙时期，感谢上帝通过数位基督徒领袖为我的灵命成长提供清晰明确的门训体系。他们的指导加深了我对成为基督徒，特别是基督门徒的总体涵义及实践有很大的理解和感悟。耶稣说： “若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，天天背起他的十字架来跟从我。” （路加福音 9:23 ）。对所有被上帝呼召的人来说，他们所面对的挑战是如何认真地对待信仰，成长为真正的基督门徒，而不仅仅满足于坐暖教堂的长凳。正如基督爱我们并为我们献出生命那样，我们也应该跟随祂的脚踪（腓立比书3:17; 彼得前书2:21）。这意味着我们应当认真地培养基督门徒的生活方式。我完全确定卫理宣教会拥有清晰并本色化的门训架构，并会继续在这架构下发展。这是至关重要的，因为除了建造基础设施容纳我们的学校、宿舍、教堂等实体，我们的主要任务是接触更多人群，装备这些年轻基督徒成为真正的基督门徒。健全的门训架构1当包括哪些关键组分？ W orship 敬拜上帝全能的主 | 诗篇2:11；诗篇29:2；约翰福音4:24 通过开展本色化的崇拜，以便人们能领会、识别和体验真正的崇拜本质，让个人或机构都能欢庆上帝的恩典和慈爱。 E ngage 沉浸在上帝的话里 | 提摩太前书4:13 ；提摩太后书3:16；启示录1:3 有规律地研读圣经，认真反思圣经的真理，以汲取灵粮做为生活的优先选项，进而培养成定期自律的灵修习惯。 A ssimilate 到日常上帝的话语沁溢生活和见证中 | 提摩太后书2:15 ；雅各书1:22-25 在我们所处的社会生活中活出我们的信仰。教导信徒爱慕、学习神的话，并活出上帝的真道2。 P ractice 实践挪山的大信心 | 马太福音17:20；马太福音21:21 操练讨神喜悦，荣耀上帝的信心。 O ppose 敌人以祷告抗击 | 以弗所书6:11,13,18；雅各书4:2 祷告上帝祝福我们完成使命，挫败魔鬼制造分裂、不和谐等破坏性的诡计。 N urture 培育播撒福音种子的文化 | 马可福音4:14；马太福音28;19,20 传扬福音不是一个节目，而是我们全身心拥抱的生活方式。我以英文的武器W.E.A.P.O.N.组成门训架构中6个的关键部分。这6个要点虽然并不够全面，但却足以征募并装备门徒完成上帝托付我们在7个国家传扬福音的使命。

备注: 更详尽的资料可以请参阅LifeWay的转型门徒计划，了解成熟基督徒生活中展现出符合圣经教导的8项特征。

1 2

华克里 Rick Warren, 40 Days in the Word, Saddleback resources, 2011.

04 4

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

Country Information To find out more about the different fields, please email the respective persons at these email addresses: Cambodia

lichun.woo@methodist.org.sg

East Asia

hazel.mui@methodist.org.sg david.khew@methodist.org.sg

Laos

noel.tam@methodist.org.sg

Nepal

david.khew@methodist.org.sg

Thailand Timor-Leste

hazel.mui@methodist.org.sg koheng.quek@methodist.org.sg

Vietnam

Opportunities to Serve IN THE FIELD The fields are ready for harvesting – but there are so few labourers. In the seven countries that MMS is serving, we continue to be needful for the following: • Full-time missionaries. We are asking the Lord to send pastors, church planters, ministry workers, mentors, and teachers. • Short-term workers who are able to spend between two weeks and six months to help our missionaries. Please raise your own financial support. • Prayer partners to pray for our ministries and missionaries. What to do if you sense the LORD calling you into His mission field: 1. Professional trainers to conduct enrichment courses, leadership development, young adult counselling, and English teachers for primary and secondary school level.

For more information about these opportunities, kindly email mms@methodist.org.sg. Be in prayer with us as we seek God’s direction to challenge and mobilise our Methodist community to serve Christ.

2. Partners to support social work and community development programme, e.g. for medical services. 3. If your church pastor and leaders affirm your calling but are unable to provide full financial support for you – call MMS anyway! Some of our missionaries are supported by the combined efforts of multiple Methodist churches, agencies, and individuals.

WAZZUP! 05

Cambodia • Secondary and primary school teachers to teach and train our teachers at the Methodist School of Cambodia. • Trained social workers as well as Children’s & Youth Ministry workers for Community Outreach Services (COS) NGO. • Prayer and financial supporters for pastors of the Methodist Church of Cambodia as they are receiving below the national minimum wage and have to be bi-vocational. • Trainers and volunteers to support market place ministry and consider joining BAMBOO (www.bamboofoundation.sg). • Missionaries who are willing to be trained in making disciples in our ministries. East Asia • Professional trainers to conduct enrichment courses, leadership development, young adult counselling, and English lessons for primary and secondary school level. • Partners to support social work and community development programme, especially for medical services. Laos • Missionary to oversee Singapore Mission School (SMS) operations and develop partnership with local churches for village outreach. • Three Kindergarten and Primary teachers familiar with the Singapore curriculum to teach at SMS. Teachers can opt to serve a one-year term or longer. Nepal • A seminary graduate to serve at Caleb Bible Institute on a short-term attachment. • Ministry staff to serve as spiritual counsellors and mentors for Sophia’s Home on short field assignments. • Missionary to serve in Nepal. Two missionaries will be completing their service mid 2020. Thailand • Short-term helpers to organise programmes and activities for BB, GB, and Children’s Ministry at Rangsit and Songroipi tuition centres. • Qualified Kindergarten and Primary levels teachers to conduct teachers’ training at Vineyard Methodist School and Little Candles School. • Mission teams to conduct evangelistic events, community services, etc at our Methodist churches.

Timor-Leste • Teachers to volunteer for one year to provide instruction for Grade 7 to 11 students at the St Paul Methodist School (SPMS), or mentor local teachers in basic curriculum design and instructional strategies for at least a month. • Short-term volunteers to provide English, Science or Mathematics tuition for Grade 10-12 students in the Sundermeier Home. • More sponsors are needed for students enrolled at SPMS and high school residents at Sundermeier Home. Please support the MMS Student Sponsorship Scheme (SSS) for children and youth from poor families. Vietnam • An assistant pastor, pastoral assistant or ministry staff with theological qualifications to serve in International Christian Fellowship (ICF) at Ho Chi Minh City. • Tentmakers, social entrepreneurs, teachers, and professionals to worship and serve in ICF. • Mission teams to visit and serve alongside ICF. • Volunteer to train ICF members on the audio-visual equipment. Exploration of New Geographical Areas • MMS is exploring collaborative partnership with local Methodist churches in Indonesia and Myanmar. • If the Lord is leading you to serve in places beyond the seven countries where MMS has some form of ministry, please get in touch with us.

AT HOME You can also come alongside as Mission Partners and Volunteers (MPV) at home to encourage and empower God’s work and workers to incarnate the love of Jesus Christ and to make a difference in the mission fields. Communications & Publications • Be an English-Chinese translator.w • Be a photographer or videographer. • Be a graphic designer. • Be a web designer. Office Assistance • Be our MMS Event Coordinator. • Be part of our Fund Raising Team. • Be our Fellowship Mailer Team. Financial Assistance • Be a sponsor through the Student Sponsorship Schemes. Please refer to page 37.

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

DISCIPLESHIP IN CAMBODIA

Being INTENTIONAL

Benjamin Lee Country Director of Cambodia

DISCIPLESHIP IS NOT SO MUCH A PROGRAMME BUT A LIFESTYLE.

Introduction And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) We have been commissioned by Jesus to go and make disciples. It is the mandate for the body of Christ as well as the focus in missions. Are we “making disciples of all nations”? Some may simply quote Matthew 28:18-20 and go on mission trips, thinking that we have “done discipleship”. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” Discipleship is at the core of Christianity and the church. We may have lots of programmes in the church and mission fields, but are we making disciples? Are we being intentional in building authentic relationships with those under our care? Are we following Christ’s model on how He made disciples? Many times, we feel that making time to spend with our disciples takes up too much effort and is tiring. Sometimes, we just want to get things over and done with. But the instruction from Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 is very clear, - that we are to go out and make disciples. While the church organises evangelistic programmes to bring the people into the community, which is important, it is only a means for us to start an authentic discipleship relationship with them.

FEATURESTORY 07

Upper Room Ministry

What is the spiritual climate of making disciples in the mission field? What is God doing in Cambodia? Cambodia is a nation where there is no restriction on sharing the Gospel and making disciples. It is a blessing that the local government does not restrict the activities of churches or Christian NGOs as long as we respect the law and the people of the land. Cambodians are generally very friendly, and they will not stop you from sharing the Gospel with them. At a recent Gospel Rally in December 2019, there was quite a good turn out and we saw many responses. The challenge for the churches now is to actively follow up on those who have given their lives to God. There is an

Training in Bantaey Meanchey MC

openness in the spiritual climate but a lack of disciple makers to follow through with new converts. There is a greater awareness of discipleship happening now in Cambodia. Churches are aware of the need to actively challenge the members to make disciples. They are purposefully looking into how to make disciple-making a part and parcel of church life in 2020.

Which ministries are making disciples? It is very difficult to say specifically which ministries are making disciples. It has to be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;walk-the-talkâ&#x20AC;? lifestyle. Are we living the kind of life that is written in the Bible? Do we intentionally make disciples in our daily lives? In fact, we are making disciples with everyone around us in every

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

So, in a nutshell, it is very difficult to pinpoint which ministries are making disciples. I believe making disciples takes centre-stage in every aspect of all our ministries.

Alpha meeting

situation and at every moment. While with His disciples, Jesus taught, showed, and challenged them every day. Likewise, we are to make every moment a “teaching moment” for us to show Christ to those whom we are working closely with. Because we are humans with different gifts, there is no fixed formula which we follow. Instead, we have to be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead us and show us the hearts of our disciples as we pray for the right moment to speak into their lives. In Cambodia, many missionaries deliberately make time to meet with the individuals or as a group to talk about life. We share deeply about what God is doing in our lives. It takes time and effort to build a relationship with the Cambodians. Once relationships are established, it is easier for us to speak into their lives.

What are your strategies or future plans? There is a twofold strategy: Authentic Discipleship • Establishing authentic relationships with the people (disciples) that God has placed in our lives. • Being real and vulnerable. Intentional Discipleship • Purposeful meeting up with our disciples. • Making a mental note of what we want to talk about while meeting with our disciples • Purposeful sharing of life We intentionally meet up with people whom God has placed in our lives to walk alongside them and encourage them to live a life that pleases God. We model for them how disciple-making looks like. We study the Bible and talk about our struggles and challenges. There is a conscious effort to build a relationship first, and not treat any of them like a project or a statistic we must fulfil. We show genuine care for them and earn the right to speak into their lives.

FEATURESTORY 09

Small group discussion with Bedok MC

Sophea Translating for Rev Gabriel Liew

What are the struggles and challenges in Discipleship in the mission field? As Cambodia is a growing economy, many of the young peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major concern is their financial security. When they are still in school, they are enthusiastic to be disciples and serve in church. But once they graduate and find jobs, some put in so much effort into their work that they give excuses of not having time for God. Sadly, many of them fall away. Our challenge is to help them to see Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose in their lives. They have to discover the calling of God in their lives and how they can still be a faithful and devout disciple of Christ even when they are working and facing the lures of the world. Many times, we feel that we are competing with the world for their attention. Due to peer pressure, many of them want to acquire the luxuries of life so as not to lose out to their peers.

Post COSI leading in fellowship in Odem

How can the churches in Singapore support the work and ministries of making disciples? We are living in a digital age where there is no longer any barrier in communicating with one another across borders. We can use various social media platforms to communicate. The churches in Singapore can support the work by communicating with the Cambodians via technology. Young people who have visited Cambodia can continue their friendships through social media.

Share with us some encouraging stories. I got to know David, a young man, in 2012. He was an orphan, taken care of by his uncle. He was studying in a small education centre that my wife and I were managing. I have been meeting up with him on a regular basis. He just finished grade 12 and was taking a gap year to seek

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

the Lord before making any decision for his future. We have been walking through this with him, reminding him of God’s calling on his life and how God is going to use him. In October 2019, I appointed David to be a translator for Isaac Ong, a Christian singer, who visited Cambodia. It was an opportunity to let him grow in trusting God. David’s desire has been to serve God through music as he has a passion for music. My wife and I have been encouraging him to continually seek God, and not to be afraid to be different from his peers, but to be confident as God begins to use him in every aspect of his life for ministry. In 2020, I am most likely bringing him along when I visit churches. He will be my translator when I preach. This will give him exposure to the various church ministries which God could use him in. I am also walking closely with another person. In 2018, I prayed and the Lord directed me to disciple Mot Tong Hav. He is now the manager for COSI Children’s Village from 1 January 2020. For the last two years, I have seen him grow. We have talked and discussed many things regarding our lives. God has been working in our lives, and I can see his heart to serve God in whatever capacity that God has given him. He sees it as an honour to

serve in COSI and he wants to give his best. I have been nudging and encouraging him to be confident in leading and guiding the staff and children in COSI. He is currently doing his Masters in Education and I pray that God will continue to bless and guide him. Carol and Li Diang have been building relationships with four ladies in Odem and sharing the Word of God with them. They participate in the weekly Sunday services, where they listen to the messages and join in the fellowship. When Carol invited them for the Love Phnom Penh Festival, an evangelistic rally co-organised by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), they said okay. On the second night, they prayed the sinner’s prayer! Now Carol and Li Diang are following-up with them.

How can we pray for you? Pray that the churches will see the importance of discipleship. Pray that the leaders will be intentional in building strong discipleship relationships. Pray for the disciples to be willing to put aside time to meet with their mentors, and see the significance of such sessions.

Conclusion Discipleship is not so much a programme but a lifestyle. We are to live a life that Christ wants and eventually speaks forth God’s love and grace. People not only want to hear what we have to say, but also to see that we are living out what we preach or share with them. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35) It is in our display of love towards one another that we are considered disciples of Christ. Therefore, let us love one another.

FEATURESTORY 11

DISCIPLESHIP IN NEPAL

Making DISCIPLES who MAKE DISCIPLES T

GS Country Director of Nepal

he Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN) has grown in her understanding of Discipleship and the Disciple-Making Movement (DMM) over the last 14 years. Through many years of training, coaching, and equipping conducted by MMS, MCN has made DMM a core thrust in her ministries. New house meetings and churches have been planted annually as pastors and believers live out a Disciple-making lifestyle within their communities. We thank God that we are able to witness the 3rd and 4th generation of churches being planted in Nepal because of this movement. DMM in Nepal is based on what Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2: â&#x20AC;&#x153;and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.â&#x20AC;? Pastors and missionaries (like Paul) are making disciples of their ministry leaders (like Timothy) who are now making disciples of others. In other words, these faithful men who have been made disciples by these leaders are now making disciples of others. This movement is predominately seen happening amongst the youth in MCN. While the mission has a membership of 500 people, about 40% (about 200 of them) are youth. The number of people who are now in this disciple-making network is about 60 youths with about 25 disciple-makers. We praise God for this multiplication that is happening amongst the youth in MCN.

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

These girls from Sophia’s Home are also leading their own small groups

Each of these youth leader has five disciples! Imagine the exponential growth!

Our National Pastor leading a group of young leaders

Bible study in progress

Our National Pastor giving training to the next generation of young leaders

Please pray for Nepal as many of the youth in Nepal are traveling overseas for work opportunities. Last year, it was reported that in every household, there was at least one person working overseas. In MCN, we are also facing a challenge of raising a youth in his faith. There are many who had become disciples for just one or two years, and then they leave to work overseas. Many of them faced temptations and difficulties while working overseas, and fell away. A majority of them are migrant workers in Arab countries where Nepali Christian fellowships are limited. As such, the support for their spiritual growth is limited. With this situation at hand, MCN is now focusing our discipleship on pre-teens from the age of 13 onwards. Young people who are being discipled are also encouraged to disciple pre-teens using the ‘Equipping The Saint’ Bible study series. Many of these pre-teens are trained and coached to be serious with their daily

personal devotions as well as prayer. They are encouraged to maintain a devotional and prayer journal. They are also encouraged to memorise the ‘Gospel Bridge’ diagram and to use it to share the Gospel. 14-year-old John excitingly shared with me during a children’s ministry class on how he was able to share the Gospel with his classmate using the ‘Gospel Bridge’ method that he had just learnt. Many of the youth in the church are going through the Gospel of Mark diligently in their personal daily devotion by using the ‘SPECS’ Bible study method (by Ray E. Baughman). Many of them are also using a prayer calendar to guide them in their daily prayer. Please continue to support our ministry in Nepal by praying that God will raise youth for His Kingdom. If we do not win their hearts today, they will break our hearts tomorrow. Do pray for a multiplication of DMM in MCN.

FEATURESTORY 13

DISCIPLESHIP IN THAILAND

COME and SEE A

disciple learns from his master by observing and questioning. Jesus demonstrated this when he called his disciples out from their daily lifestyles into a lifestyle of observing and questioning His own actions. Discipleship therefore is a process where we invite others to come and see. May their observation and questioning of our actions lead them towards the glorious nature of God.

Rev Henry Yeo Country Director of Thailand

What is the spiritual climate of making disciples in the mission field? What is God doing in Thailand? To make disciples requires not just a church-going Christian who displays Christlike characters, but a disciple also witnesses and makes disciples. Sadly, not many Thai Christians are doing that here. Inviting others into a journey of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;come and seeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; discipleship is not easy in Thailand. This is due to a lack of time and commitment. Many are simply busy making ends meet and putting bread on the table. While others are struggling to fight off temptations such as gambling, alcohol, and sex or even to hold a marriage together. Many do not have the time, interest or commitment to be discipled. There is a small handful of churches (for example, Hope of God Church) that is making disciples relatively well, but the majority of the churches are either struggling or not doing it at all.

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

However, the Church of Christ in Thailand, which is one of the three Christian bodies registered with Religious Affairs of Thailand, has for the last few years been very actively trying to get the churches under her to participate in training in making disciples. They have invited several renowned leaders in making disciples, like Billie Hanks Jr., to conduct training in making disciples. We are seeing glimpses of brokenness turned to redemption and mourning turned to dancing.

play musical instruments every Sunday. They observe how the pastor does it and they learn and improve as they listen to feedback from the pastor after every session. There are Biblical studies with every member of the church on the basic assurances as part of the discipleship process. Members will understand the five basic biblical principles of salvation, prayer, forgiveness, victory, and guidance. With this basic understanding of who God is, deeper study on Christian living is then introduced.

Which ministries are making disciples? Our churches, Mettakij Hostel and Term Fun Home, are the ministries under Mettakij Church Association (MCA) in Thailand that are involved in making disciples. Mainly, our leaders adopt the strategy they have learnt from the Sonlife (or Growing Healthy Church) material. They will continue to attend coaching sessions to help them to implement and teach their members to use materials like ‘Everyday Commission’ and ‘Everyday Commandment’. These underscore personal evangelism motivated by their love for God and for others. Another set of material ‘Equipping the Saints’ is used to teach their members how to make disciples of those they have brought to Christ.

What are your strategies or future plans? The future plan is to continue to motivate and mobilise our churches and leaders to sharpen their skills through on-going coaching. Those who have been coached for a period of time will go on to conduct more training for other leaders and continue with coaching the trainees. This is what we call the multiplying process.

There is a Saturday children’s programme that focuses on character formation whilst in the process of increasing biblical knowledge. First, we lay down ground rules for the children. The three key rules are punctuality, attendance, and attentiveness. We stress these because they are associated with the character trait of being disciplined. If children learn to be disciplined at a young age, they are more likely to be spiritually disciplined when they grow up. Through the children’s programme, we constantly remind them of the importance of being disciplined. In this way, we are making disciples of Jesus of these children as they grow up to inherit godly character. Children and youth are invited to lead worship and play musical instruments when we observe they possess certain skills. They then take turns to lead worship and

What are the struggles and challenges in Discipleship in the mission field? The biggest challenge is getting the mandate and teaching the concept of making disciples to the believers. Most, if not all, pastors and church leaders know they need to make disciples. But most of them were not properly discipled and thus they are struggling with its implementation . Thai culture also is a challenge. Most Thais do not read; the average Thai reads fewer than eight sentences a year! Most of our discipleship materials require some form of reading. Verbal teaching alone is not effective as people soon forget what they have learnt, and then have difficulty transferring the knowledge to the disciples they intend to teach. Basically, it all comes down to self-discipline in order to learn to be a disciple. The other major challenge is for disciples to have the desire and discipline to make disciples. This again is more or less a cultural issue as most Thais are generally quite laid back and passive when it comes to religion. So, making disciples is not a priority.

How can the churches in Singapore support the work and ministries of making disciples? We need lots of prayer! We have tried training, seminars, and coaching. In the end, it is up to the Thais to realise the mandate and need for discipleship. We can provide coaching and encouragement for our pastors, and help them to make discipleship happen in their churches. We need mentors.

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Share with us some encouraging stories. Meta Khongsukthara was a small boy when his father planted a church at the Santi village in Chiang Rai under MCA. When he completed primary school, he moved into our Mettakij Hostel and underwent discipleship by the house parent and Shineforth Methodist Church. Today, he has completed a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Ministry and is working as a ministry staff member at the Shineforth Methodist Church. He has opened up his rented home to house a few school-going youth so they can be his disciples. Ps Watit Kwanruen was a youth when he met Ps Chumnan at Rangsit Methodist Church. He went under the discipleship of Ps Chumnan and he eventually attended Bible College and graduated with a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Theology. Today, he is a church pastor and the Assistant Director of Training for MCA.

How can we pray for you? Pray for all our pastors to catch the vision and mandate to make disciples. May they understand the strategy and process of making disciples who can in turn make disciples. May they be intentional in making disciples. Pray for perseverance, joy, and faithfulness in pursuing it until they see a breakthrough in their churches. May God provide the disciples. Pray also for all the church members to see and understand the need to obey the Great Commission by making disciples who must go on to make disciples. Pray for a breakthrough in the cultural realm that our church members will have the desire to read, learn, and apply their knowledge. Pray for creativity when facing trying circumstances. May we not dilute the true understanding of discipleship.

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DISCIPLESHIP IN TIMOR-LESTE

A.C.E. for GOD

What is the spiritual climate of making disciples in the mission field? What is God doing in Timor-Leste? s a nation, Timor-Leste predominantly knows and acknowledges that Jesus is Lord and Saviour. Simple in faith, the people hunger and thirst for the Word of God because they believe in the transformational power of the Word. They want to know God and to be known by Him. Over the past few years, God is drawing His people to the Methodist ministries in Timor-Leste. We are seeing a growing number of Timorese youth and children coming into the school and hostel ministries. In fact, I believe God is raising a generation of Timorese warriors who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but for God to shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.

David Chan Country Director of Timor-Leste

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Which ministries are making disciples? In St Paul Methodist School, God’s Word is shared through our daily devotions, the use of Christian-based curriculum, and the weekly Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Brigade programmes anchored in the truth of God’s Word. We are seeing the students growing in greater knowledge of God and seeking to live out the purposes of God in their lives. Similarly, in Sundermeier Home (SH), the hostelites are taking what they have learnt about God during their stay in the hostel back to their families in the villages through their testimonies of what God has done for them in the hostel. Their lives at SH have opened the minds of their parents and family members to what it means to have a personal relationship with God.

What are your strategies or future plans? The future plan in discipleship lies in the basic principle: to know God and make Him known. As Disciples of Christ, we are to be the walking bibles among people. Christianity goes beyond the knowledge of the religion. It is also a life to live in complete obedience to the will of God. We want to train the Disciples of Christ to A.C.E. their lives for God.

ppreciation | 1 John 4:19 The Disciples of Christ will appreciate what God has done for them.

C ompassion | Exodus 33:19 The Disciples of Christ will be God’s hands and feet to show compassion towards the community around them. E xcellence | Romans 16:19 The Disciples of Christ will excel at what is good in the eyes of God.

What are the struggles and challenges in Discipleship in the mission field? As we seek to ACE our lives, the evil one will also throw discouragement and disappointment in our path. Resistance posed by the temptations of the world and people falling out of the journey of ACE, sometimes cause us to lose faith and purpose in our calling in life.

How can the churches in Singapore support the work and ministries of making disciples? Intercessory Prayer! While we know that nothing will ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39), we must not underestimate the power of the evil one in the spiritual realm. Intercessory prayer can move mountains! Intercessory prayer can bring down the walls of Jericho! (Isaiah 54:17) Form a prayer chain to intercede for Timor-Leste daily!

Share with us some encouraging stories. The students of St Paul Methodist School ended the year 2019 by giving out 300 compassionate packs to families living in Hera and Metinaro. Each compassionate pack consisted of 2kg rice, a can of milk, a bottle of oil, a pack of biscuits, and a personalised card. By discerning the Holy Spirit’s leading as to which households to bless with the compassionate packs, the student leaders mapped out the routes to these families. As the students walked to the different houses to hand out each pack to a family and to say a prayer of blessing, their eyes were opened to see other families living in direr living conditions than theirs. Their hearts were touched as they saw tears in the eyes of these families when they received the packs. Their minds were enriched as they realised that it was indeed more blessed to give than to receive.

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One student reflected at the end of the day that she wished the school had more packs to give out. She recounted that as she walked by some houses along the way, she felt in her spirit that the families would greatly benefit from having a compassionate pack. Many students responded positively to this inaugural compassionate pack project. They have committed to double the amount in 2020 so as to bless 600 families. They believe that the Lord will provide the financial support needed to run this project. I believe God is preparing the hearts of this generation to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)

How can we pray for you? Pray that we will always know that God’s grace is sufficient for us. (2 Corinthians 12:9) As we ACE our lives for God by living a life of Appreciation, Compassion, and Excellence, we may fall at times due to the challenges of the field. However, with each fall, we will have the Resilience to get up and continue the R.A.C.E. As we continue to run the RACE, pray that we will run with God, for his G.R.A.C.E. will keep us running on.

When we run alone, it’s called RACE. When we run with God, it’s called GRACE.

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NEPAL

In HIS TIME, Everything IS BEAUTIFUL I

Sabashtain Lepcha District Superintendent (Central) of the Methodist Church in Nepal. He is also the Pastor-in-Charge of Wesley Bardan Methodist Church in Kathmandu. He has a passion for Church Planting and is an avid soccer enthusiast!

have been a pastor for many years now. In my ministry journey, I have seen and gone through various stages of the Lord’s ministry. Various challenges and experiences that I had in my ministry moulded and equipped me to serve Him more faithfully. When I started my ministerial journey, one of God’s servants prophesied over my future ministry. It was more than 35 years ago when I was a very young man then. I was deeply involved in various church ministries including Sunday School, Church Elders Meetings, House Fellowship, and Youth Fellowship, and I attended many seminars and conventions. It has been a really amazing time working with the Lord for His Kingdom. Today, as I look back, there were many fruits that I had been blessed with. One of them is to establish a church with a large congregation in my home town. Everything existed because we believed and obeyed the Living Word of God and His promises. In the time of prophet Joel, God declared to His people that they must return to Him with their whole heart; with fasting, and weeping and mourning for their sins as they acknowledged the power of the Almighty God. When I read this passage, I acknowledge that whatever I have experienced and the progress of my ministry were because of His grace. I had surrendered myself for His Kingdom’s glory. I

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PRAY • Pray with us as we continue this momentum to guide the young people in the right direction to meet their spiritual needs and to bring the unreached to the Lord. • Pray that the youth leaders in WBMC and MCN churches will be used mightily to reach out to the pre-believing youths and their families. • Pray for courage, strength and for God’s protection as they reach out in their ministry.

have been praying for my congregation and claiming His word to be alive in the lives of our people. Now, I slowly realised that God is living; He is working in people’s hearts and changing their lives. Currently, the promise of God is being fulfilled in the lives of our Wesley Bardan Methodist Church (WBMC) youth as they have started their spiritual journey as experienced by Joel. The Word says: “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning… And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.” (Joel 2:12,28). The young people have been praying with their whole hearts, with fasting and weeping, mourning for their all sins and iniquities over the last few months. As a result of their footsteps towards their spiritual journey, God is working through their lives. A Central District Youth Camp was conducted from 26 to 28 October 2019 for the youth in the Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN). The theme was “Freedom in Christ” as adopted from 2 Corinthians 3:17. It was a very blessed time for the 80 participating youths from Central Region. Our WBMC youth took up the challenge to

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ABOUT WESLEY BARDAN METHODIST CHURCH Wesley Bardan Methodist Church is the first church MMS planted in Kathmandu, Nepal.

organise the camp. As their pastor, I watched and provided the support and encouragement. Praise God! The Spirit of the Lord led them. It was evident the Fire of the Holy Spirit was amongst them, touching the lives of the young people as they committed and re-dedicated their lives for Christ. In Christ, they received freedom. I witnessed as many young people cried, confessed, and re-dedicated their lives to the Lord. It was heart-warming and I thank God for this great spiritual revival of our youth in WBMC and MCN! We need to let others experience this flame too. I pray in my heart that we will stand together with these young people, helping them to reach out to many other youth, and encouraging them so that they can be victorious as they experience freedom in Christ. Together with our youth, I plan to follow up with the youth from our Central Region first and then with prayer, to reach out to our MCN youth in the East and West Regions.

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THAILAND

REACHING GENERATION Z in Phrao W

Daniel Loo Missionary with MMS serving Thailand. He and his wife, Sharon, have been missionaries in Phrao for 12 years with their four Gen-Z children. They founded the Little Candles Methodist Church and Kindergarten. He time-travels between 4 generations (B-X-Y-Z) in a single day to reach the Thais for Christ - from dancing with kinder kids, to head banging to music with youth, to holding the hands of the elderly to walk them up the stairs.

Editor’s note: This article was first published in the February 2020 issue of Methodist Message.

e waited with bated breath for the electricity to come back on. It had gone out for almost an hour and we were afraid that a year’s preparation would be wasted. Then there was a bang, and the lights came back on, just in time. The drums began, the guitars and keyboard joined in, the dancers ran onto the stage, and the singers strode out holding their microphones. Thus began the “One Way 146” Youth Concert in Phrao. Based on the theme of Jesus word’s in John 14:6, it was held on 15 and 16 Nov 2019 in partnership with a youth worship team from the Living Sanctuary Brethren Church in Singapore. The idea of the concert emerged from our burden to reach the youth of Generation Z—those born with mobile phones in their hands and earplugs lodged their ears, who breathe Wi-Fi instead of oxygen. They live in the virtual world of social media rather than on earth; cyberspace is where they meet, vent, grieve, curse, announce new relationships or advertise their availability. Z, in some ways, stands for zombie. In the small rural town of Phrao, population 50,000, located 100km north of Chiang Mai, there are Gen Z youth who have grown up being hurt, abandoned and neglected. Chonny was raised by her mother; her biological father had left when she was born. She knew paternal love only through the sexual advances of her

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stepfather, and was frequently told that she would never achieve anything in life. She cried with relief the day he drowned while fishing. Siri practiced shamanism as a young girl to earn respect of her mother after her father died of ill health. The spirits that frequently tormented her brought her to the brink of suicide. As with many Gen Zs, both sought their self-worth through social media, romantic relationships and alcohol, which only caused them to sink deeper into the miry clay. But both of them, at 16, found Christ when they walked into Little Candles Methodist Church (LCMC). Now 19, they have both received scholarships in theological studies and plan to enter full time ministry when they graduate. These are two of the many youth in Phrao that we have seen transformed through the church’s ministry. We took young broken lives and patiently restored them by leading them into a loving relationship with Jesus.

The concert was a manifestation of this work. Over six months, we took a bunch of shy, broken youth through a tour-de-force of drama and dance rehearsals and worship ministry training undergirded by Bible study, discipleship and mentoring that led to the baptisms of several youth a week before the concert. And we saw cries of “we can’t do it” change into chants of “nothing is impossible through Christ”. When the lights came on those two nights in November, these were the youth that ran onto the stage in front of and audience of 300 fellow Gen Zs, and who witnessed almost 50 of their peers come forward to commit their lives to Jesus. We rejoice not just because of these commitments, but also in the lives of the youth transformed along the way, and the excitement of seeing even more grow in their faith as we diligently disciple a new generation of believers.

The “One Way 146” Youth Concert in Phrao

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PRAY • Pray for the vision of the church to reach out and make disciple in all parts of society across age, profession, rank, and ethnicity. • Pray for the development of the youth into future leaders of the church and school through education scholarships that lead to pastoral or teaching careers.

ABOUT LITTLE CANDLES METHODIST CHURCH AND KINDERGARTEN The Little Candles School was started by Daniel and Sharon in 2012 as a platform to reach out with the gospel to the Thai people through education. Through the school, a small fellowship group was started on site among the staff and parents that eventually grew to become the Little Candles Methodist which was granted full membership into the Methodist Church Association of Thailand in March 2019. To learn more about the LCMC MINISTRY, email daniel.ee.chuan.loo@gmail.com

• Pray for the ministry of the Little Candles School, particularly in the area of outreach to children, parents, and staff, through the placement of more missionary teachers. • Pray for the vision to expand the school from the existing kindergarten up to primary 6.

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THAILAND

MISSIONARIES for GOD A

Angela Sng Missionary with MMS serving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Her home church is Toa Payoh Methodist Church.

Editor’s note: This article was first published in the December 2019 issue of Methodist Message.

s a missionary in Thailand, I am privileged to host mission teams from Singapore. I am often asked: “Do mission teams tire you out? Does their presence add more work for you?” The honest answer is “Yes.” I often need one to two days to recuperate after the mission teams leave. These visits do make me very tired as I have to make preparations before and during their time here in Chiang Mai. But even though it is tiring, I do look forward to welcoming teams to my ministry at Term Fun Home. This is because when mission teams visit, they see for themselves what we are doing in the home. They experience first-hand the joys and sorrows we go through with our boys in the home and our members from Mittapab Methodist Church. They see how God can use them to be a blessing to many here. And when they go back to Singapore, they will in turn be the eyes, ears, and mouths for us. They will be able to share with others at home what God is doing here in Chiang Mai. Mission teams come well-prepared and take on that important role of being a bridge between God’s work here in Thailand and God’s work back in Singapore. We are all busy people, with families to care for and work schedules to keep up with. Sometimes, all church members are aware of is that the church has a missionary somewhere out there. But what exactly does the missionary do there? Not many really know. Once, when I was back in Singapore for a short break, someone in my church came up to me and asked, “Er, what do you actually do there ah?” I believe people need to know, not so much about what we are doing, but about what God is doing. Not so much about how God is using the missionaries, but more of what we all can do to be a part of God’s work in missions. God, who calls missionaries to step up to serve Him away from home, is also calling you to be a part of His Kingdom work with your God-given talents. And being in the mission field and seeing what God is doing helps you to truly understand and appreciate missions in the field. John Piper said: “Mission exists because worship doesn’t.” Yes, come, and be the bridge to bring worship to places where people are still searching for divine truth. We are all missionaries in God’s eyes, in one way or another.

ABOUT TERM FUN HOME Term Fun Home is a home that provides for the basic welfare needs of poor and needy boys from the northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son. These boys serve in Mittapab Methodist Church that reaches out to the Shan Community.

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Residents of Term Fun Home with various mission teams that have visited them

PRAY • Pray that the joy of the Lord will be our strength in looking after the boys and running the church. • Pray for Mod, Monri, and Tong as they enter their second year in senior high - a crucial year to pray and decide on the course of study at university. • Pray for the boys to have good time management juggling with school, Boys’ Brigade, and church commitments. • Pray for Term Fun Home and Mittapab Methodist Church to have a place that we can call our own. Pray for a piece of land appointed by God and the necessary funds to purchase it.

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THAILAND

Amazing Stories of GOD’S PROVID

Lai Choy Fong Member of Sengkang Methodist Church. She is a former missionary with MMS.

Sengkang Methodist Church went on a mission trip to Bangkok, Thailand from 26 June to 1 July 2019. There were six youth leaders accompanied by two adults – Pastor Nat and I. For most of us, including me, this was our first mission trip to Thailand. The initial intention was to visit a preaching point somewhere else. However, we were later informed by MMS that they had already arranged for another team to go there. So, we were offered an alternative option to go to Rangsit Methodist Church (RMC) instead. This was indeed God’s providence. Due to this change, the team had the opportunity to visit the homes of some members of the Boys’ Brigade from RMC on Saturday afternoon.

STORY 1 e first visited a grandfather who became a Christian about two years ago. It began when he was dropping off his grandchildren at school and his motorbike caught fire. A church worker from RMC happened to be at the scene and helped to put out the fire. He then invited him to church. It was through this incident that he started going to RMC. And he has been attending the church faithfully since despite his poor eyesight. When we visited his home, we met his brother-in-law, who was staying with him. He had met an accident and was injured. After we prayed for the grandfather and his family situation, we also went over to pray for his brother-in-law who was sitting outside the house watching us all the time. After praying for his healing, we told him to believe in Jesus. Wonder of wonders, he appeared in church on a wheelchair the next day. The church members welcomed him. While we were having lunch, they directed him to the pastor who prayed with him to receive Christ. Praise the Lord! After praying, the pastor immediately removed the charms that were tied around his neck.

Praying for the grandfather

The grandfather’s brother-in-law in the centre

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ENCE STORY 2 he next home we visited belonged to a builder, Mong. It was just a small shed that he built himself for his family: his wife and two daughters. There was tension in the beginning of their relationship as his wife wanted him to become a Christian. His wife was a believer from Laos while he was from another faith. He saw no reason why he should give up his faith. However, just once, he agreed to go to church with his wife. After that, there was a battle going on inside his head whenever he contemplated becoming a Christian. At the same time, his health was not good; he could not move his right arm and he had some tightness in his chest. On another visit to church, he went forward for prayer. As someone prayed for his healing, he could feel as if ants were crawling up his right arm. After the prayer, he could lift his right arm and his chest discomfort had also disappeared. From then on, he became a faithful follower of Christ. He wanted us to pray for his daughters. He had a vision that his daughters will one day be of great influence for change in the spiritual climate of Laos. In Laos, people do not have the freedom to worship God. We were told by our interpreter that Mong will do whatever God tells him to. What great faith from a simple man!

Mong and his family

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STORY 3 astor Kuk from Thanyaburi Church hosted us and opened the way for the team to teach English at Watnnala School. It was God’s providence that we were able to go to the school because the principal was at first not in favour of any Christian group teaching the students. The students had an enjoyable time of learning and playing games. A piece of feedback we received from the school was that the children found that learning English was fun after all.

PRAY • Pray for the RMC members to be more involved in evangelism and making disciples. • Pray for the income generating projects: childcare; cafeteria; student hostel. • Pray for the outreach effort to the Khlong 4 neighbourhood which has more than 10,000 people and still expanding.

Teaching English in Watnnala School

• Pray for Boonsuan, the RMC ministry staff, who has cancer of the lymph nodes. Her treatment went well and she is doing well.

Games time with the students

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Thailand Mission Trip 2019 team members

ABOUT RANGSIT METHODIST CHURCH Throughout this mission trip, I experienced the faith, love and faithfulness of the local believers and the church workers, Pastor Kuk and Prueng, who served us and brought us around during our stay in Thailand. I thank God for His guidance and protection throughout the trip, and also the wonderful way He worked in and through us.

Rangsit Methodist Church is the first church planted by the late Rev Lim Chong Heng in 1994 in a rented shophouse within the Rangsit town. In 2010, the church was relocated to the current site and a crematorium started operation. Rev Henry Yeo took over from Rev Prasert Pornkiratikul as Pastor-in-Charge in 2017. If you are in Bangkok, you may visit us at 15 Moo 5, Eastern Ring Road, Khlong Si Subdistrict, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province 12120. Please email henrytuk972@gmail.com if you plan to visit.

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TIMOR-LESTE

Experiencing GOD’S GRACE and Lily Yang Member of Wesley Methodist Church

Editor’s note: A version of this article was first published in the December 2019 Issue of Wesley TIDINGS.

team of six went on a mission trip to Timor-Leste from 3 to 8 October 2019. We stayed at Sundermeier Home, where we interacted with the residents and conducted a health screening session. We also held a health screening session at St Paul Methodist School. Sundermeier Home Uncle Joe, our host, manages Sundermeier Home in Gleno with his wife, Aunty Grace. This place is around 50,000 square feet in area. The garden was immaculate and sub-divided into small plots, where the hostelites help to take care of the plants, fruit trees, and flowers. The home is well organised. All 31 hostelites share responsibilities to perform various chores like cleaning toilets, cooking, washing the car, checking the water tank, watering the plants, and general cleaning. They take turns to conduct daily devotions and Sunday services as well. When we arrived, there was no electricity and water, as the electric pump was not working. Armed with plastic containers of various shapes and sizes, the students cheerfully took turns to collect water from a nearby stream. It was a reminder to us that we often do not appreciate the conveniences we enjoy in our lives.

Team members wearing souvenirs from St Paul Methodist School

Sundermeier Home at Gleno, Timor-Leste

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PROVISION Games and Health Screening The next day, we played ice breaker games like Blow Wind Blow and Bingo with the hostelites. They were then divided into smaller groups of six to do craft work and solve a jigsaw puzzle. My takeaway from these activities included the importance of listening, co-operation among team members and going to the right source for answers. A health screening was conducted in the afternoon. Stations to check weight, height, BMI, eyes, and blood pressure were set up, and the students moved from one to another station in an orderly fashion. The last station was a consultation given by Dr Fabian Ong, our team leader. Problematic cases that needed medication or further medical examination were surfaced to Uncle Joe. We ended the day with a game of Tug of War, which was much appreciated and enjoyed by all, including students and team members.

A Session of PRAY That evening, Pauline conducted a meaningful session on prayer with the students, leading them in the four-stage methodology of praying: P – Posture before God R – Relationship with God A – Authenticity of our conversation with God Y – Yes, willingness to listen and expect answers from God When the lights were turned off, battery-operated candles were used to aid the students to focus as they prayed. With the soft humming of the song Kumbaya amidst the silence and darkness, the hall was transformed into a peaceful haven, with every student encouraged to talk to God without distraction. Students who needed someone to pray with them were encouraged to approach the team members. On Sunday, we attended the worship service conducted by the students. Our team members shared two testimonies. After this, we left Sundermeier Home to visit David Chan, the principal of St Paul Methodist School, and his family, and other volunteers in Hera and Dili.

St Paul Methodist School, Timor-Leste

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PRAY • Pray for the ministry and work in Sundermeier Home and St Paul Methodist School. • Pray for our missionaries and their ministries: David and his family (Jessie, Isaac, Joy, and Isaiah); Joseph and Grace; Rasanya; Rudy and Cheryl; and Rev See Swee Fang and Jin Hoe. Sunday Service

St Paul Methodist School On 7 October 2019, the team held a health screening session at St Paul Methodist School. The school provides formal education with Christian morals and principles for children from remote villages. Currently the school has 113 students in grades 1–10 (primary to high school). It was a daunting prospect to examine 130 students with only one medical doctor in the team. Thanks to our leader’s quick thinking, a strategy was implemented — a few of us were ‘promoted’ to be his MOPA (medical officer personal assistants) to speed up the consultation process. The health screening was carried out from 12.45pm to 7pm, with only two ten-minute breaks throughout the day. We were thankful to God for sustaining Dr Ong, who also conducted health checks for five teachers, in addition to the student population. We returned to Singapore grateful for God’s protection and provision, and definitely thankful that we were given the opportunity to participate in this mission trip. Throughout the trip, we enjoyed the camaraderie and felt God’s presence. Reflections from Team Members Pauline Yek There is always something new that God is showing me in every trip. Isaiah 43:19 reminded me to pay attention to God and learn to discern what God is already doing in the mission field. Although the land looks quite dry in most parts of Timor-Leste during this season, the vegetation and greenery at Sundermeier Home stood out as a place where one can find hope and light! The picture of the sunset as a backdrop behind Sundermeier Home clearly

shows His glory to behold! He is the God who is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. I feel hopeful about what God is doing in the lives of the youth at the hostel. Alison Wong The most memorable event of this trip for me was the health screening, because it was my first time participating in this type of missions (and also because we saw over 100 students). I think it was really a testimony of how God gave the team strength and made something that seemed impossible possible. I was very encouraged and also learnt throughout the trip that God reminds us of His Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations through the work of missionaries. Beyond that, through listening to David’s testimony, I also realised how important it is to keep praying and seeking God because only then can God reveal His plan for you. James Phoen I am truly touched by the commitment of the full time missionaries like David and his family, to give their time and life to serve the Lord and manage the place in such an undeveloped location. One key lesson to take away in this trip is the team work of the trippers. All of us need to learn to take instructions from the team leader and work closely as one team. Fabian Ong This is my second mission trip to Timor-Leste. I am grateful to God for blessing us with a great team of people. With God’s grace, we managed to accomplish a lot during this

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Training session by Dr Ong before health screening

Entrance of Sundermeier Home

Having a home-cooked meal at Sundermeier Home before returning to Singapore

trip, especially the health screening at St Paul Methodist School. This would not be possible without God, and without the Timor-Leste pastoral staff and the team putting their efforts together. Timor-Leste has so much potential and the people there made us feel so welcome, especially Uncle Joe, Aunty Grace and the hostelites

from Sundermeier Home. Mission trips like this always remind me that we are each called for a purpose. Each one of us is blessed with a gift or a skill that God can use to do something good for the people whom we are reaching out to.

Read about God’s goodness and faithfulness in these MMS Books.

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OUR GIFTS FOR MISSIONS

We would like to support MMS so that the Good News of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed to the ethnic Cambodians, Lahus, Laotians, Nepalese, Thais, Timorese and Vietnamese, by giving to:

GIFT DETAILS General Donation (where it is most needed)

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Rev Dr Clarence Lim Missionary Development Fund $ Student Sponsorship Scheme (Non-Residential)* General $

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Cambodia / Laos / Nepal / Thailand / Timor-Leste

Student Sponsorship Scheme (Residential)* General

@ S$110 per month

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] COSI (Cambodia) ] Sophia’s Home (Nepal) ] Mettakij Hostel (Thailand) ] Term Fun Home (Thailand) ] Sundermeier Home (Timor-Leste)

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Church Planting Ministry Staff & Ministry Support Post COSI Integration Programme Hope House

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(PDPA). All personal data shall be kept strictly confidential at all times. If ever MMS has to disclose any personal data to any third party, she shall do so only with the prior consent of the owner of the personal data. To withdraw or limit consent, please email to mms@methodist.org.sg.

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HOMEINON... 39

MMS Missionary

TRAINING and COMMENCEMENT

fter an intensive month long Missionary Training Course, MMS conducted a Commencement Service for seven graduates on 7 December 2019. Besides the MMS staff, the graduatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; families, friends, pastors and church leaders, and the Bishop were present to cheer and champion them on. The graduates are Cheryl Chen and Yeo Chew Kheang (Aldersgate MC), Alan Wong and Koh Hui Meng (Faith MC), Rev See Swee Fang (Trinity Annual Conference), See Jin Hoe (Queenstown Chinese MC), and Woo Li Chun (Wesley MC). In addition to the wonderful time of worship, preaching of the word, and prayer, there was a special time to bestow the graduates with authentic Singapore shawls. It was a symbolism of our blessings as they were being sent from Singapore. The graduates had a great time of fellowship with one another and their supporters while making new friends.

Dear Lord, we pray for Your blessings upon the seven graduates. May You continue to lead and guide them as they go into the mission field. Amen.

HARVESTFORCE 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ 1

Country

REVIEW & BUDGET MEETING 2020

HOMEINON... 41

MMS Family

Rev See Swee Fang and her husband See Jin Hoe

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

his quote from Hudson Taylor resonated through this year’s annual Country Review & Budget Meeting. From 3 to 6 February 2020, MMS Executive Director, Area Directors, Country Directors and leaders from the seven mission fields met to review the works and ministries. We had the privilege of having our Bishop Dr Chong Chin Chung, and Presidents from CAC (Rev Dr Gregory Goh) and ETAC (Rev James Nagulan) to lead us in devotion at the start of each day. Various supporters from MMS subcommittees and churches joined us. It was a time of reflection, re-strategisation, recalibration, and renewal. As each country’s plan was presented, it was very heartening to see and hear many encouraging discipleship testimonies and stories. Although we may face many challenging and complex situations in the fields, we continue to look to God for His miracles. Thus, it was no surprise to find the group praying together, interspersed throughout the four days. Please continue to pray for MMS.

Dear Lord, thank You for a very fruitful and uplifting Country Review & Budget Meeting. Throughout the meeting, we saw your Almighty Hands working in and through us to bless the people in the seven nations. Thank You for leading and guiding MMS through challenging situations. Thank You for Your provision through all the resources we have received. May we continue to stay true and faithful to Your heartbeat for the nations. In Christ's Name, Amen.

Rev See Swee Fang and her husband See Jin Hoe are the new missionary couple who left for Timor-Leste on 30 January 2020. As a missionary pastor, Rev See will minister to the missionaries and people in Timor-Leste. They will be taking time to learn the language and settle down in the new place.

Dear Lord, we pray for Rev See and Jin Hoe. May they be attentive to Your voice and keep in step with You to serve You and Your people. May Your grace and favour be upon them. Help them to learn the language fast. Grant them good health, keep them safe, and protect them from harm. Amen.

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

EVANGELISM and DISCIPLEMAKIN I

Rev Dr Andrew Peh graduated from Trinity Theological College (TTC) and Asbury Theological Seminary, and lectures in the area of missions at TTC. He is also a Diaconal Minister at Charis Methodist Church.

n our post-colonial, postmodern, politically correct, and pluralistic context, evangelism has almost become synonymous with a “bad word.” We may not, we dare not, and sadly we will not, share the Good News of Jesus with our colleagues, our army mates, our classmates, our friends, and perhaps even our families - except in dire circumstances such as when a loved one nears the end of life. For many perhaps, evangelism is a special call that the Lord has given only to a select few and most are quite happy to abdicate any evangelistic zeal, relegating the Lord’s commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8 as a command specific to those first disciples. Thankfully, there has been a new impetus where evangelism is concerned, with developments such as Alpha, that was first pioneered at Holy Trinity Brompton, United Kingdom as well as the happiness small groups (幸福小组) which has been effective in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Both have been introduced to churches in Singapore and there has been enthusiastic reception among the various congregations. Both of these employ the building of a community where one is free to ask questions and hear stories of personal faith encounters. Yet, despite these positive initiatives, evangelism is still very much the purview of a small minority in the church community.

HFSPECIAL 43

NG Drawing from the Old Testament book of 2 Kings 5:1-19, there is the account of the healing of Naaman. It is interesting to note that the Babylonian captivity of Israel turned the Jews, in this case even a servant girl, into missionaries of monotheism by making them evangelists everywhere. In particular, the slave girl deserves mention. She was enslaved; the text never makes it apparent that she could be used for mission in Aram (Syria). Yet, she bore witness to the salvific power of Israel’s God. Naaman’s healing and salvation point to the missiological value of her witness; by her act, she spread the message of God’s saving power in Israel, to a foreigner in a foreign land. If we are observant, we will discover that this story in 2 Kings informs our understanding of evangelism and discipleship. In particular, it does not advocate an aggressive militant attitude but demonstrates how quiet witnessing and encounters can accomplish the integral salvation of a person - both tangible (healing) and intangible (confession of faith). It is not about “terrorism” evangelism but incarnational mission. It is not only the servant girl but the servants in the story who must also not be underestimated. They serve to underline the fact that God will use all possible means in order that people may come to the saving knowledge of Him. God will use a lowly servant girl; He will even use a donkey and He will not withhold His Son in order to save us. He is the missionary God who initiates and who pursues us. And in her obedience, this unnamed servant girl acted as a true follower of the God whom she serves. She is the Old Testament “prototype” of what a true disciple looks like. More than just seeking for a conversion or a decision, Jonathan Hayashi (in his book, Ordinary Radicals: A Return to Christ-centred Discipleship) rightly discerned that “while churches are looking for decisions, Jesus is looking for disciples.” While numbers may have some pertinence, the church should never be fixated on the number of conversions as a primary goal. The late Billy Graham held that “evangelism is more than simply encouraging decisions for Christ. It is urging people to become disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ. As such, the evangelist has a responsibility to make growth in discipleship possible for those who come to faith under his ministry.” Hence, while I am heartened by the efforts of evangelism in church, especially such as Alpha or happiness small groups (幸福小组), I want to remind us that evangelism without disciplemaking is in effect midwifery of stillborn spiritual babes. At the same time, I want also to emphasize that disciplemaking without evangelism leads to a stunted ingrown faith that is incongruous with the example of Jesus and His followers in the Scriptures.

HARVESTFORCE 2020 • 1

MISSIONS and DISCIPLESHIP I

n the course of his three missionary journeys, Paul not only preached the gospel wherever he went, he also planted churches in those places. In the history of the early Church, the missions conducted by the apostles and church fathers were essentially in reliance and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit – undeniably, there was not any specific strategic planning. Nevertheless, from his letters and the itinerary of the three so-called overseas missionary journeys, we know that Paul often kept in touch with the newly established churches through his frequent letters. Through these letters, important teachings of the faith were discussed. On his missionary trip to Asia Minor, Paul established churches in the prominent cities of the day such as Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, Galatia, Rome, and others. Although Paul did not stay for long in all these places, sometimes a short few weeks and sometimes for as long Rev Dr Chong as 2-3 years, he handed over the training in the areas of pastoring and discipleship to the local Chin Chung ministry workers and disciples. One can say that the early missionary strategy of the church was one of church planting, and 新加坡卫理公会会督 at the same time, to embark on long-term discipleship. We must be clear that Paul was ministering in an extraordinary time, when Christianity was considered an unauthorized, maverick religion, Bishop of The and there was open persecution by both the governing and Judaistic authorities. Thus the early Methodist Church in Singapore. He likes to church could not openly have any comprehensive or long running discipleship programme. visit art galleries and But, from Jesus’ model of His three and a half years in ministry, we can see that once He had museums. called those who were to follow Him, the next step was close follow-up and discipleship training, whether it was for the 12 or the 72 or the 120 persons. With the discipleship training in place, the preaching of the gospel was vibrant and bore sustainable fruit. This is how He established the community of believers. … ONCE HE In today’s situation, there is still some hostility in certain mission fields towards HAD CALLED THOSE evangelism, the missions agencies, their ministries, and the missionaries. So persecution and even violence can occur every now and then. Yet from a WHO WERE TO FOLLOW historical and longer-term perspective of missions, the strategy of missions is HIM, THE NEXT STEP WAS constantly being adjusted and adapted. On the one hand, the adaptation is to CLOSE FOLLOW-UP AND ensure that the widespread preaching of the gospel may continue, to ensure DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING, that there are no obstacles. On the other hand, it is to ensure the safety of the missionaries and the mission agencies. Whether or not educational instituWHETHER IT WAS FOR THE tions, or healthcare or care for the very young or the elderly, is established, dis12 OR THE 72 OR THE 120 cipleship training carries out without pause and is never neglected. Despite PERSONS. extremely difficult conditions for gospel work, we can nevertheless see concrete and encouraging results. We, as a church, must learn from the many western nations where churches used to thrive. As discipleship training was neglected there, the passion for missions and evangelism was lost in time, leading to the decline of those churches. What more the missions agency? If both Missions and Discipleship are not held up as equally important and conducted in parallel, then the missions agency would not be sustainable, and the offerings and resources of fellow Christians would be to no avail. Missions and Discipleship go hand-in-hand; they are closely connected and cannot be considered separately from each other!

宣教与门训保

罗的三次海外宣教，不仅在各地传福音，也在当地建立教会。无可否认的，在初期教会历史中，使徒及教父们的宣教，主要是依靠并顺从圣灵的引导，没有什么真正的策略。然而，我们也从保罗书信以及所谓的三次海外宣教旅程，发现保罗在开拓新教会的旅途中也藉着频密写信与所建立的教会连系，在信中谈论重要的信仰教义。保罗在小亚细亚宣教的行踪，在重要的城市建立了基督教会，像以弗所、腓立比、帖撒罗尼迦、哥林多、加拉太、罗马等等城市。保罗虽然没有长久居留在一个城市，短至只有几个星期，居留最久的城市也只有二、三年，但是他却是把牧养和门徒培训的工作交给当地的同工及信徒。可以说，初期教会的宣教策略是建立教会，同时进行长时间的门徒栽培。必须说明的是，保罗那个时代是非常时期，因为基督教是非法宗教，而且被官府及犹太教公会公开逼迫。因此，初期教会不可能有周详和固定的长期公开性门徒训练。但是从耶稣三年半的工作模式，可以确定耶稣呼召人跟随他之后就是近身的门徒训练，无论是十二个或是七十个或一百二十个。有了门徒训练，传福音的果效才有可能持续茁壮，教会因此而得建立。以目前的情况来看，虽说一些宣教区对宣教机构、福音事工及宣教士仍然存有敌意，甚至时不时有逼迫和杀害的举动，但是，从长期的宣教历史来看，宣教的策略一直在调整和适应，一方面确保福音的广传没有受到阻碍，一方面也要确保宣教士及宣教机构的安全。无论是建立教育机构、医疗、安老护幼的工作，都没有忽略门徒训练，以致福音虽然在极度困难的时空下，仍然看见了具体和令人鼓舞的果效。教会一定要借鉴西方许多原先是基督教蓬勃的国家，因为忽略了门徒训练，失去了宣教和传福音的热忱，结果教会走向没落。宣教机构也当从中吸取借鉴和教训。宣教与门训若不并行着重，那宣教机构只是枉费和浪费信徒的资助奉献，那又何须存在呢？