NATIONS A PUBLICATION OF WORLD OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL
ISSUE 3, 2014
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE...
IT’S HARVEST TIME WHERE ARE THE PARTNERS?
WHY THAILAND? WHY CHILDREN?
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
WOMEN OF AFRICA ARISE!
EUROPE GOD IS AT WORK
BARRIERS TO DISCIPLESHIP
RESPECT – SITTING IN THE DIRT A FAITHFUL SERVANT
WOI PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF ROBERT MAMBU
INSIDE
3. DIRECTOR’S SAY INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR JOHN ELLIOTT BRINGS TO OUR ATTENTION THE URGENCY OF THIS SEASON.
4. A FAITHFUL SERVANT WOI PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE FRUITFUL LIFE OF LONG SERVING MISSIONARY TO INDONESIA – ROBERT MAMBU.
10. EMERGING LEADERS OF LEADERS BRUCE HILLS TALKS ABOUT OUR INTENTIONAL FOCUS ON YOUNG LEADERS WITH A SIGNIFICANT FUTURE.
14. RESPECT – SITTING IN THE DIRT JO GRAHAM IDENTIFIES ONE OF THE GREATEST BARRIERS TO DISCIPLING THE UNREACHED.
18. WHY THAILAND, WHY CHILDREN?
Grahame Orpin Gail McDougall (Office) PO Box 5000, Sunshine Coast, MC Qld 4560 T: (617) 5476 1768 F: (617) 3319 8928 E: admin.au@world-outreach.com
CANADA:
Lynn LeRoy (Office) PO Box 172 Lambeth Stn London, ON N6P 1R1 T: 519 680 3355 E: canada@world-outreach.com
HOLLAND:
Bill Molenkamp PO Box 2549 2002 RA, Haarlem T: (31 23) 526 5756 E: bill.molenkamp@world-outreach.com
MALAYSIA:
Julia Teh PO Box 8541, Kelana Jaya 46792 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan T: (60 3) 7728 1914 E: malaysia@world-outreach.com
NEW ZEALAND:
Gail McDougall (Office) PO Box 97230, Manukau 2241 T: (64 9) 263 5434 M: (64 21) 330 874 E: nz@world-outreach.com
20. EUROPE – GOD IS AT WORK MAX CHISMON REPORTS ON WHY EUROPE IS NOW A
SINGAPORE:
OUR MISSION
World Outreach International is a multiracial fellowship of Christians and ministries that exists to impact Least Reached Peoples with the Good News of Jesus Christ through: • Raising Leaders • Evangelism and Church Planting • All Nations Mobilisation • Children’s Ministry • Humanitarian Aid Singapore-based, International Director John Elliott heads an executive team of senior missionaries, pastors and business leaders. >> ON THE COVER: Monapo, Mozambique Photo: Enzo Maisano
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world-outreach.com NATIONS
AUSTRALIA:
VALERIE BATEUP SHARES WHAT MOTIVATED HER TO DEDICATE OVER THREE DECADES TO REACH THAI CHILDREN WITH THE GOSPEL.
MISSION FIELD AND A MISSION FORCE.
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COUNTRY OFFICES
• ISSUE 3, 2014
Tarn Ping Kueh (Office) 2 Kallang Avenue #04-09 CT Hub Singapore 339407 T: (65) 6464 8698 E: singapore@world-outreach.com
SOUTH AFRICA:
EDITOR: John Elliott PUBLICATION MANAGER: Janet Chan DESIGN: Donna Elliott EDITORIAL SUPPORT: Robin Merrill www.robinmerrill.com PERMIT No: MCI (P) 093/11/2013 PUBLISHERS: #04-09, City Hub 2 Kallang Avenue Singapore 339407 T: (65) 6464 8698 E: woi@world-outreach.com WOI follows recognised international standards and procedures for child safety.
Michiel Coetzee Lezelle Coetzee (Office) PO Box 11238 Riverwalk 2538 T: (27 18) 293 0965 M: (27 83) 462 2224 E: southafrica@world-outreach.com
UNITED KINGDOM: Jon Hitchen (Office) BM Box 5265 London, WC1N 3XX T: +44(0) 203 642 4873 E: office@wouk.org W: www.wouk.org
USA:
Aaron Rudd 615 East Sego Lily Drive Sandy UT 84070 T: (1 801) 572 0211 ext.11 M: (1 801) 599 3370 E: usa@world-outreach.com 501 (c) 3 Tax Exemption Available
INTERNATIONAL OFFICE:
John Elliott (International Director) 2 Kallang Avenue #04-09 CT Hub Singapore 339407 T: (65) 6464 8698 E: woi@world-outreach.com
FIELD MINISTRIES DIRECTOR: Peter Smith
EXECUTIVE MANAGER: Chia Shee Wai
HONORARY PRESIDENT:
Bill Molenkamp
INTERNATIONAL BOARD: Luke Chong Lorraine Dierck John Elliott Wilbur Farmilo Wayne Freeman Gary Levens Rob Reid
INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Chia Shee Wai Bambi Cataluna John Elliott Peter Smith Peter van der Westhuyzen Hendrik V
IT’S HARVEST TIME WHERE ARE THE PARTNERS? AN APRIL report in the U.K. Telegraph stated that China is on course to become the world’s most Christianpopulated nation within the next 15 years! A well-known statistic a few years back stated that around 30,000 people a day in China were accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. The Christian birth rate in Africa is said to be growing four times faster than overall birth rates and it is a well-known fact that more Muslim-background believers are following Jesus in the past 10 years than in the last 1,000 years. An evangelism and church planting initiative that World Outreach International helped start in N-E India some nine years ago, has seen more than 100,000 new believers from many different ethnic people groups become fervent followers of Jesus Christ and be water baptised.
FEATURE
The above is very encouraging – good news! The sad (or bad) news is that today, fewer Christians in developed nations are involved in reaching the lost and less than two per cent of Christian income in such countries is dedicated to world evangelism. It seems only a minority of believers know God’s unchangeable heart for reaching all who are lost.
in life, then the harvest happening around us will easily pass us by. The urgency in Jesus’ words is on the fact that harvests are seasonal events and if we don’t have a vision for the season we are living in, then God-given opportunities that come before us can easily be lost. Helen Keller, the blind author said, “the only thing that’s worse than being blind is having sight but no (kingdom) vision.”
Helping reach and win the lost was never intended to be for a select few believers; rather the whole Body of Christ needs to look for ways to channel their combined talents, prayer, time, resources, etc, for the cause. I love the partnership that Jesus describes between the sower and the reaper. The two have clear and distinct
roles to play. Helping reach and win the lost was never intended to be for a select few believers; rather the whole Body of Christ needs to look for ways to channel their combined talents, prayer, time, resources, etc, for the cause. To think we are insignificant and therefore have no role to play, can be likened to the one who buried his talent and waited for the Master to return. He received not only a heavy loss but also a damning criticism by the Master. Kingdom-focused people, wherever they are found, are always willing to pay the price and make the necessary sacrifices in order to help influence their generation for Jesus Christ. To help make a difference in God’s kingdom plan requires a heart response versus a head one. When we have an active heart after God, we become effective partners in the harvest happening around us right now.
John Elliott International Director
world-outreach.com/people/john-mary-elliott/
Two thousand years back, when Jesus walked the earth with his disciples in tow, He declared in John 4:34–38, “Do you not say, four months more and then the harvest? I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” These verses and those that immediately followed, emphasise a priority, an urgency and a necessary partnership in order for any harvest to happen. If the furthering of the kingdom of God is not number one priority in our daily lives, then when it comes to making important life decisions, we will have a very narrow worldview. If we are not focused on furthering the kingdom, we will make decisions with selfish motives. If we are focusing on the wrong things • ISSUE 3, 2014 •
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A faithful Servant
AFTER STRUGGLING with illness for some months, my good friend and WOI colleague, Robert Mambu, passed away suddenly in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia this past May 11 at the age of 72 years. Robert leaves behind his wife Eliana, son Joseph, daughter-in-law Ella and grandson. It was a real privilege for me to be able to attend his funeral and help celebrate his wonderful life with his family and friends. Robert and his 10 siblings were born in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. During a civil war in the late 1950s, the family had to hide out in forests and mountains to protect themselves from the shooting, bombing and killing happening around them. Once when in the forest, Robert had a bullet whizz past his head. Food was scarce and
>> An excerpt from The Evidence magazine August 1975.
times were really tough. With schools closed, many young people were forced to join the army including Robert’s oldest brother. With the situation not improving, Robert’s father took him and two other siblings to Bandung, West Java where they could stay with relatives and continue their education. It was in Bandung that Robert surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Robbie (as he was fondly called) joined the WOI office based in Bandung in 1968 and the following year Eliana joined the literature team. They married in 1972. Back then a nationwide correspondence course was the main focus of ministry in Indonesia. Robbie always carried Gospel tracts with him, eager to give out them to anyone who would receive them. He was a very gentle and compassionate man, a prayer warrior and one who longed to see people come to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ as he did. When the office relocated to Solo, Robbie and Eliana took on greater responsibility with the producing of the WOI Life in Christ teaching magazine for church leaders throughout the nation and also for a season they helped organise and administrate WOI leadership training seminars in different cities.
Robbie’s integrity and character were highlighted in different tributes that were shared at the funeral. One Indonesian pastor who knew him well said that this godly man reflected the life and character of Jesus better than any pastor! Over the years, his one-
>> Robert ministering right up until the end.
on-one witness to nonbelievers has seen scores and scores of people give their lives to Jesus, many of whom were once Muslim. On the day of his funeral I was introduced to Robbie’s last known convert, a former Muslim neighbour, who was helping assist the family with funeral arrangements. Robbie will be greatly missed. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy that will no doubt help add many more people to the Kingdom of God. John Elliott
International Director
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RESCUED FROM DARKNESS INTO HIS LIGHT Colin and Jenny Ayling, Maziotela Ministries MOZAMBIQUE • Ministry leaders of a holistic ministry. world-outreach.com/people/colin-jenny-ayling IT’S ALWAYS awesome to see people receive God’s salvation! Here at Maziotela Ministries, we are also excited to see first generation believers discover how God’s salvation works out in every area of their lives. In a culture where marital faithfulness is unheard of, it’s exciting to see couples look into their partners’ eyes (something many have never even done) and promise “With God’s help ... till death do us part!”
God’s truths can be so simply shared with illiterate people. The power of these truths to set people free is definitely NOT diminished! With the eyes of faith we already see the freedom God’s truth will bring to the next generation of Makua believers. Even as the darkness gets darker ... God’s light is rising upon His people! >> More than just salvation.
N AT I O N S C O U R S E A F R I C A T E S T I M O N I E S Andrew and Chris Low, Maziotela Ministries MOZAMBIQUE • Ministry leaders who are involved in teaching and training disciples. world-outreach.com/people/andrew-christine-low WE’VE JUST RETURNED from the Nations course in South Africa. What a privilege to have this time with others from WOI. After a year in Mozambique, it was very helpful to receive input and opportunity for discussion on many relevant topics. The leaders were very honest about the realities of missionary life, sharing their mistakes as well as successes; each time encouraging us that maybe we can avoid the same
Our group of 16 came from nine ethnic groups and are working in, or heading to seven nations in Africa, Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe to work among the Least Reached People groups of the world. As some of these countries are hostile to the Gospel, missionaries work covertly and cannot appear in photos. The two ladies facing away in this photo wanted to tell you that they’re smiling too! >> Graduates of the Nations course in South Africa. mistakes and instead make our own new ones!
Paul and Sue Fosse, MOZAMBIQUE • Ministry leaders who are involved in teaching and training disciples. world-outreach.com/people/paul-sue-fosse THESE PAST MONTHS have been an exciting time for the Nations team in South Africa. Twelve students attended the six-week cross-cultural course and we now know why Jesus had twelve disciples. This number has worked amazingly well. The stories and testimonies of the students and the lecturers were an encouragement to all and the interactions lively and enlightening. Here are a few testimonies from some of the students: Lynette Naidoo (SA) – Real people, real
stories from the mission field. Practical and inspiring, thank you! Harriet Ngugi (Kenya) – This is the one course I have participated in, that everything I am learning can be applied now in my ministry and there’s still a lot left to apply in future – so rich! Sam Ngugi (Kenya) – The impact from Nations means I reorganise my life personally and our organisation for more effectiveness and growth in order to achieve our God-given vision.
Chris Low (Britain) – Such a timely, refreshing, vital opportunity for processing together the very real challenges we all face – thank you! Andrew Low (Canada) – Nations has given me a greater understanding of how to plant biblical seeds without also planting my own cultural weeds around them. Esther van Niekerk (SA) – Culture can be like a prison and Jesus came to set the captives free! • ISSUE 3, 2014 •
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AJORA Grant and Riana Franke, MOZAMBIQUE • Ministry leaders involved in teaching and training disciples. WE HAVE BEEN praying for Ajora for years. He is interested in the Bible and understands the Gospel; yet he fears a public confession. In our area sick people first go to traditional healers, then the clinic and as a last resort
to missionaries. I knew Ajora was desperate when he arrived with his sick child. We prayed over the child. The next morning he was fully recovered. Please pray for Ajora and his family. >> Grant and Ajora in the village.
P U T T I N G T H E I R L A M P S O N T H E L A M P S TA N D Theo and Mignonne Schumann, MOZAMBIQUE • Ministry leaders involved in teaching and training church leaders. world-outreach.com/people/theo-mignonne-schumann THE MWANI PEOPLE are one of the Least Reached People groups in Northern Mozambique. They are Muslim traders and fishermen along the coastline in the Cabo Delgado province. For more than 20 years, missionaries from many different organisations have been labouring in this hard stony field. For all these years only a handful of believers can be shown. Strong family ties make it difficult for Mwani people to choose Christ. They are afraid of what their relatives and leaders would say. Anli is a Mwani fisherman who is now a fisher of men. He is an oyster diver and he discovered the ‘Pearl’ of great value. He is sold out for Christ and does not fear what others think. We heard him encouraging other secret
>> Anli is now a fisher of men.
believers to not hide their lamp under the basket. We ask you to join in prayer for the Mwani and especially for the small group of believers to stand firm. Pray for the secret believers as well, that they would have the courage to put their lamps on the lampstand. >> The Mwani people are one of the Least Reached People groups in Northern Mozambique.
UNDER THE BLOOD Myriam Wahr, O Bom Samaritano, MOZAMBIQUE • Ministry leader involved in holistic work to the rural poor. world-outreach.com/people/myriam-wahr THIS YEAR WE ARE blessed to be building new healthcare facilities in the villages. As we develop these facilities,
it means we also have new healthcare workers who are participating in our seminars. During our last seminar one of the workers began to have a demonic manifestation. We immediately began to pray for her in the name of Jesus and she quickly calmed down. It was an amazing testimony to all those who saw what happened. In our villages, it is a daily occurrence for people to live under curses and
manifest the demonic; however, to see the power of the name of Jesus in action is an extraordinary event! People are able to calm down without the witch doctor. Everyone who witnessed our prayers was touched, including Bibi, whose husband is a witch doctor. She was very impressed. We have such great authority in our prayer. We are under the blood of Jesus and He never lets us down.
<< Some of the healthcare workers. >> Brito and Dulce are radically changed. TO MAKE A DONATION OR SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER VISIT WORLD-OUTREACH.COM
YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD Danny and Ruby Bayasen, BURKINA FASO • Ministry leaders equipping church leaders and members. world-outreach.com/people/danny-ruby-bayasen AS A FULANI EVANGELIST, Korka is seeing entire families coming to Christ. Acts 16:31’s “Believe in the
Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household,” is happening, even in his own family. He rejoices that two of his daughters are married to believers who are training to become pastors. His other two sons are also believers involved in teaching the Bible to children. All of the 30 adults and children in Korka’s household are now followers of Jesus! << Korka travels to villages where the Gospel is needed.
During one of Korka’s trips to a village 150 km away, Korka and his friend visited with the only believer in the village. Taking the opportunity, they shared the Gospel with the Fulani believer’s family. After hearing the message, 10 of them believed in Jesus Christ! God is bringing salvation to households. Please pray that many more families will come to Jesus as Korka travels to villages where the Gospel is needed.
J E S U O A N G R ATA ! ( J E S U S L O V E S M E ! ) MC and Lezelle Coetzee, SOUTH AFRICA • Ministry leaders equipping church leaders and members. world-outreach.com/people/michiel-lezelle-coetzee AFTER RECEIVING paper hearts with “Jesus loves me” written on them, the children of this rural Lesotho village started chanting: “Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me!” Praise the Lord! His message of love echoed through the hills of this beautiful country! This is our heart for these people: bringing the peace, indescribable love and healing of Jesus to a people often
anger the spirits of his forefathers. After learning who he is in Christ, he renounced forefather worship and bowed his knee to Christ alone!
>> The mountain outreach team.
forgotten because of their simple way of living. “Jesus oang rata!” rings true.
Bible study groups have started gathering, with locals hungry to share and learn the God’s Word. Praise God, who reveals Himself to those who seek Him – He is faithful and true!
When our outreach team reached a mountain village, a lady was sitting shaking. She shared that evil spirits were tormenting her. Praise the Lord for His authority! We left her in peace because of His love. >> Bible study groups hungry for God’s Word.
A man wanted to accept Jesus as Saviour but he hesitated, afraid to
>> Jesus loves me paper hearts.
WALKING SIX HOURS TO GET A MIRACLE Rodney and Juliet Munkhondia, MALAWI • Ministry leaders involved in evangelism and training church leaders. world-outreach.com/people/rodney-juliet-munkhondia GOGO MWALE had hearing loss in his right ear and was deaf in his left. Believing for a miracle, Gogo and his wife, a former witch doctor, planned to walk six hours to attend an Easter celebration. As their departure day approached, Gogo’s wife began to experience pain in her hip. Refusing the attack of the devil, they walked to the celebration. God did a double miracle and healed Gogo’s hearing and his wife’s hip! << Gogo and his wife got a double miracle. • ISSUE 3, 2014 •
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SOUTH ASIA NOT A TYPICAL MINISTRY TRIP Darren G, Kingdom Multiplication Movement S/S-E ASIA • Ministry team member. MY MOST RECENT TRIP with a fellow Kingdom Multiplication Movement team member was to different Himalayan nations and a trip I will long remember. I experienced isolated, harsh and oppressed environments-both naturally and spiritually-in order to get among Least Reached Peoples. Within a few days I went from sea level (and 45˚C) to above 5400 meters with temperatures minus 30˚C, where the world’s highest towns and villages are located. I started the trip in good health but along the way experienced altitude sickness, nosebleeds, headaches, loss of taste, vomiting, diarrhoea and from time to time needed to use oxygen tanks for recovery. Accommodations went from reasonably comfortable budget hotels to cold concrete block village
homes with no heating, regular power cuts and long-drop toilets. I went from friendly touristy areas to elevated towns and villages where the watchful eye of security cameras, plain-clothed policemen and numerous passport checkpoints in politically sensitive and restricted strongholds restricted one’s movements. While I saw the Lord do many wonderful healing miracles as we prayed for people, I too had a miracle. My passport was stolen on a flight and I had to spend 10 hours standing in an airport transit area with grumpy immigration officers who wanted to deport me. This would mean that all the visas for different countries I had spent weeks in obtaining would be lost and I would need to reapply back in
my home country. I asked the Lord to perform a miracle – I needed one badly. While waiting, I texted a few prayer warrior friends about my predicament.
<< Darren on his not-so-typical ministry trip.
The hours went by and just as the authorities were about to put me on a plane and deport me, an airline official came and presented me with my passport saying it had been found in another part of the country! Phew! Thank you Jesus!
PROTECTION, PROVISION AND MIRACLES Sukhen and Puspa Biswas, Generation Ministries BANGLADESH • Ministry leaders involved in discipling children for Jesus. world-outreach.com/people/sukhen-puspa-biswas WE ARE PRAISING THE LORD and giving thanks for all He is doing amongst the children and people of Bangladesh. Generation Bangladesh Ministries is experiencing God’s favour through divine protection, provision and many miracles! We were privileged to host nine different Rescue Kids Camps. During our camps we shared the Gospel with 609 children and 161 of those children received Jesus as their
personal Lord and Saviour! They are now testifying of Jesus in their lives.
>> Rescue Kids Camps are changing lives!
We were also excited to work with different organisations to train them in the area of children’s ministries. Through our trainings, 67 leaders were equipped and given 26 weeks of teaching curriculum and visual aids. Now it is not just our team reaching the children of Bangladesh but many churches and individuals!
CHANGED LIVES Neil G, SOUTH-ASIA • Ministry leader involved in publishing, community development and discipleship. world-outreach.com/people/neil-g RAVI AND RITU (names changed) live in Delhi and have two sons. Both attend school. Ravi decided he didn’t believe in God even though he was brought up in a Hindu family. He started seeking after Jesus a few years ago having heard about Him from his friend. Now he and Ritu have decided to follow Jesus, the one who has changed their lives and given them hope, a new love and happiness.
>> Ravi and Ritu have decided to follow Jesus.
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AUSTRALASIA ARISE Bruce Hills, AUSTRALIA • International Leadership Development Director, teaching, training and equipping leaders. world-outreach.com/people/bruce-hills THE ANNUAL PASTOR’S seminar in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, last February saw 123 pastors from 22 denominations attend, some from surrounding nations. I (Bruce) was unable to attend but our newest team member, Karen Pack, was thrown in the deep end as the main speaker. We were concerned how a female speaker would be received in a paternalistic society where a great number of pastors don’t believe in women’s ministry. The Lord used Karen in a significant way. One senior leader stood up at the end of one service and said, “We know that women should not preach or have authority over a man but we have just heard the Word of God taught by a woman and it was powerful. Clearly
>> Karen Pack with the delegates from the annual pastor’s seminar in Burkina Faso.
God has spoken and is doing something new in Burkina. God can even use women. If God wants to speak through women then we must be open and obedient to God.”
It seems the Lord used Karen to shift pastors’ attitudes. All I can say in response is a loud: “Let the women leaders of West Africa arise.”
MEET KAREN ... I (Bruce) am at my capacity for what one man can do in training leaders, so I have been seeking to build a team of trainers and facilitators to multiply our effectiveness
and scope. I am excited to announce that Pastor Karen Pack is coming on board as part of the World Outreach International Leadership Development training team. Karen presently serves as a pastor at Citywest Church in the western suburbs of Sydney. She’ll continue in her preaching and pastoral roles but has been released to travel as often as we need her. Karen will play an increasing role in the Emerging Leader’s seminars. She’s highly qualified in Bible teaching with a Bachelor of Arts degree, along with Masters degrees in Teaching (honours) and Divinity. Her passion is to teach and equip those who could not otherwise afford to access training, due to poverty or geographic isolation.
A MIGRANT’S STORY This testimony is from a member of WOI, based in Christchurch, New Zealand who is reaching out to migrants. AISHA (not her real name) is from a restricted country in the Middle East. She gave her life to Jesus while listening to a Christian broadcast. As she was looking through a travel magazine she noticed the word Christchurch and was amazed that it was the name of a city in New Zealand. She decided to visit this city with hope that she would grow in her new faith. When in Christchurch she got caught in an abusive marriage. Fearing for her life and that of her child’s, she fled but didn’t know where to go. Alone,
depressed and without a job, she decided to go to church.
afterwards, they had a great time “catching up”.
That Sunday the pastor was talking about the Holy Spirit, a topic she had never heard about before. She surrendered her situation to God and invited the Holy Spirit to guide her. Immediately she felt a garment of peace covering her and a new joy in her heart. Later that evening, as she was reading the Gospel of John, she heard a voice calling her name. She knew it immediately as the voice of her Heavenly Father and, as she testified
The following morning she knew that her depression had gone. Since that day, Aisha has been doing really well and has been used of the Holy Spirit in seeing more people from the Middle East give their lives to Jesus. In February 2011, God moved the earth of this little city (Christchurch), at the edge of the world, with a magnitude 6.3 earthquake on the richter scale. Since then He is moving the hearts of the people of this city towards Himself. • ISSUE 3, 2014 •
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Bruce Hills, AUSTRALIA • International Leadership Development Director. world-outreach.com/people/bruce-hills
MY PRINCIPAL ROLE in World Outreach International is the training and development of pastors and leaders. One demographic we particularly focus on is ‘emerging leaders of leaders’. These are young leaders (18–35) who have been identified as having the potential to lead leaders. THE GOAL is to develop and equip these younger leaders with the skills necessary for senior and significant leadership. In many parts of the world, there is little or no intentional development of younger leaders. In Jordan last year, Philip (Damascus, Syria), told me how ‘… there is no teaching like this in Syria, so it can take 20–30 years before someone can get into ministry. This type of seminar will accelerate the equipping of leaders by years.’ Our plan is to run annual three-day seminars in strategic nations for up to three years. The subjects are chosen in
>> The ‘graduates’, those who completed all three years of the seminars in Nairobi.
consultation with local leaders but generally run along the themes of: • Year One: Leadership formation • Year Two: Leadership skills • Year Three: Ministry skills Some of the subjects we cover are: • Character for leadership • Spiritual disciplines of a leader • Self-leadership • Decision-making • Building teams and team relationships • Vision and strategy • Preaching skills • Mission of the church The seminars are not just theoretical but aim to be as practical as possible. Pastor Joseph (Beirut, Lebanon) mentioned how “…the seminar covered the spiritual and the practical.” Ibrahim from Jordan said “…the teaching was so practical and related to the daily challenges of the churches here in Jordan.” Bishop Julius (Kisii, Kenya) told me how he took the material from the previous year’s
>> Emerging leaders seminar in Egypt.
seminar and worked it through with his leaders. His comment: “It works!” At the end of the three-year programme, a number of the participants will be chosen to become trainers. We’ll then ‘train the trainers’ so that the material can be contextualised and multiplied throughout their countries and contexts. The Leaders of Leaders’ seminars are currently running in Kenya, Bangladesh, Jordan, Egypt, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. A new generation of leaders is being raised up who, I believe, will impact nations. >> Group shot from the Kenyan seminar.
FRONTLINE FILES DAY 1
Martin and Simone Schumann • MOZAMBIQUE
Working among an unreached Muslim people group we ask for prayer for new believers, Virgilio and Inacio, that they continue to grow strong in their walk. We are on leave in Germany and are praying the Lord will watch over these two precious followers who are leading a Bible study.
DAY 2
Ben and Rachel Brooks • S-E ASIA
Please pray for our WOI regional ladies retreat in September. Pray our Father comes and refreshes his daughters with His presence and for deeper relationships to be made amongst the women. Pray for our speakers and those who lead worship, that God will anoint them and bless them. Thank you!
DAY 3
Duncan and Lindie Ross • S-E ASIA
DAY 4
Daniel and Genevieve Nihill • THAILAND
DAY 5
Pray for more Holy Spirit encounters and for wisdom as we work with the indigenous people in our sphere of influence, that through different training they will meet Jesus and be changed. We will soon go home on leave. Pray that this will be a time of refreshing and relationship building.
We are currently enjoying some time in Australia with family and having our first baby. Please pray for us as we start a family and prepare to return to Thailand in August. Please also pray for our recent church plant, which has continued to meet while we’ve been in Australia.
Danny and Ruby Bayasen • BURKINA FASO
Pray for us and our team as we focus on taking God’s Word to 14 Fulani villages. Pray that we can establish good relationships with village elders, which is key to gaining favour and freedom to evangelise. Pray for receptive hearts and for healings, deliverance and baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for supporting our partners in prayer!
DAY 6
Sukhen and Puspa Biswas • BANGLADESH
Our Generation Bangladesh team is truly excited about the new picture New Testament for children. With the help of WOI friends this precious book is now in our hands and ready for distribution. Pray that the faith of many children will be impacted by this opportunity to read His Word.
DAY 7
Kevin and Jeh Sie Chan • THAILAND
DAY 8
John and Mary Elliott • SINGAPORE
DAY 9
Peter and Jeannie Smith • NEW ZEALAND
DAY 10
God’s been using our centre to reach our community. One of our English language students recently gave her life to Jesus. We’ve had meaningful chats with some of the young people who come to our cafe. Pray for more opportunities for us to impact those lives who come through our doors.
“Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore to send out workers into His harvest field.”This is a prayer cry in our hearts. Opportunities abound to establish the Word of God in many regions neighbouring WOI personnel. Pray with us to this end. Also pray for wisdom, good health and times of refreshing.
In July a group of senior missionaries will gather in Thailand to pray and consider the Buddhist bloc of Southeast Asia. How can more Buddhist ethnic groups be reached with the Good News? How can current ministry to Buddhist peoples be more fruitful? Would you join us in prayer for this crucial consultation?
Benji and Daniela Morf • S-E ASIA
Pray for continuous wisdom and favour as we minister in several Asian countries. Pray for a deeper experience and encounter with God for the hundreds of leaders we’re currently impacting in four nations. Your prayers are appreciated for our family, that we continually grow in His love, joy and peace.
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DAY 11
DAY 12
Donna Elliott • SINGAPORE
In August, I will be completing three years as the Communications Manager at WOI office in Singapore. I would value your prayers for my next phase in missions’ service as the Lord leads me into a new season. Please pray for the next manager, that they would settle into the role and take WOI communications to greater heights.
Barry and Rowena McKnight • ENGLAND
DAY 16
Allen and Charlotte Teal • NEW ZEALAND
DAY 17
Jes La Bleu • INDIA
DAY 18
Wanna Jaiou (Doi) • THAILAND
DAY 19
Stephanie Herron • MOZAMBIQUE
DAY 20
Chris and Nadine Brittain • KENYA
DAY 21
Owen and Glynis Willows • S-E ASIA
Barry has seen a number of foreign postgraduate students believe in Jesus and others interested through Bible studies this year. Pray that they will find good churches on their return home and for Barry as he disciples new overseas students in the coming new study year.
DAY 13
DAY 14
Andrew and Chris Low • MOZAMBIQUE
We enjoyed our time in South Africa at the Nations course. Keep us in prayer as we continue to apply ourselves and God’s giftings in order to reach, win and disciple the Makua people. Pray for good health, safety and God’s provision so that we can continue serving Him unhindered.
Chawalit Kongchaiyaphum (Noinon) • THAILAND
State schools in Thailand are Buddhist but our Good News Team has an open door to go and teach about Jesus. From June to August we have openings into 30 schools in Thailand’s south and northeast. Pray for us and for God to open children’s (and teachers’) hearts at each school.
DAY 15
Patricia Green • GERMANY
My book Roses in the Red Light will soon be published in English. Pray that it will highlight the problems of trafficking and prostitution; that it will help women in these ministries become more effective; and that it will compel others to help take the bright light of Christ’s love to those in slavery.
FRONTLINE FILES
We have just returned from six weeks in Asia in support of our cross-cultural workers. We would appreciate your prayers for them as they fulfil God’s call on their lives. This September there is a women’s retreat in Chiang Mai. Pray that this will be an encouragement for attendees.
Michelle and I will move back to Bihar this coming October. We will focus for 2.5 months on intensive Hindi language study and continue networking and facilitating partnerships within the community for opening a birthing centre. We are excited to have two families and another midwife joining our team soon.
Our Good News Team is writing a children’s booklet to be produced later this year. Pray God will inspire us with His creativity as we prepare it, that its message may help thousands of children know Jesus’ love.Thai churches will help distribute it into schools all over Thailand.
Our new pastoral students will be returning to their home churches to practice what they have been learning in their first term here. Our staff will visit them to see how they are doing. Please pray that it will be an encouraging time for them and their churches.
We’re on home leave in Australia. As we prepare to return to Nairobi, while Kairos and mission mobilisation remain our focus, we‘ve sensed the Lord leading us to live among the South Asian (Indian) community, many of whom belong to several LRPs. Pray for opportunities to minister to these future neighbours.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done …” is our constant prayer as we walk through new doors and down unexplored pathways. New territory always has us more dependent than ever on the Lord’s leading. Pray that we would hear His voice and see what He wants us to see!
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DAY 22
Colin and Jenny Ayling • MOZAMBIQUE
DAY 23
Jo and Jenny Graham • JAPAN
DAY 24
Paul wrote, “A great and effective door has opened to me and there are many adversaries.” We thank God for the door to a holistic presentation of the Gospel to the Makua villages (we don’t get excited about the adversaries). Pray for nonbelievers, for protection and for no grassfires this dry season.
Pray for our sword to be sharp as we coach and mentor very special young people God has connected us with, who are making disciples cross-culturally or preparing to do so. Pray too for ground-breaking prayer and Spiritled conversations with them!
Rod and Lynley Talbot • SOUTH AFRICA
DAY 27
David and Penny Elliott • S-E ASIA
DAY 28
Malcolm and Linda Bayliss • S-E ASIA
DAY 29
Angela Stephens • KENYA
DAY 30
Eugene and Tina Wessels • MOZAMBIQUE
We value your prayers as we continue to serve our amazing WOI personnel in Africa. Our role involves a lot of travel. Over this next couple of months we will be travelling to Botswana, Durban in South Africa and an extensive trip to Mozambique. Thank you for standing with us.
DAY 25
Janvier and Claudine Yokoinele • IVORY COAST
Our Christian School in Ivory Coast is growing, impacting the lives of children and families. For the school’s 7th anniversary, people gathered from different nations (including trained teachers who will help establish similar schools in other West African nations). Pray as we endeavour to build a new generation for Christ.
DAY 26
Hendrik and Bets V • S-E ASIA
We are excited about new mobilisation and training programmes we are helping design that will see more labourers raised up for cross-cultural service, especially from today’s younger generation. Your prayers are much appreciated. Pray for continued favour and opportunity to witness to those we relate to on a regular basis.
DAY 31
After our wedding and honeymoon, we’ve settled into our first home together. We are praying and planning regarding the rest of the year as to which ministry opportunities we should commit to in S-E Asia and also in the Indian subcontinent, where our focus is CMM (Church Multiplication Movements) training. Please pray along with us.
Pray as we travel around SE Asia to serve and resource WOI personnel with oversight, training and seminars. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we relate to these who faithfully serve God in their respective ministries, that we would be a blessing to them. Pray for safe travels.
Please pray that I will be an effective witness, that I will help many women and underprivileged people improve their standard of living and that they will become great testimonies for the Lord. Pray too for more resources that will allow more job creation projects to be achieved.
We are currently involved in a diverse outreach across a couple of provinces. A team from South Africa will be helping with this outreach and discipleship training. Pray for protection on their journey (four days each way), effective ministry while here and new disciples who will be able to disciple others.
Darren G • S-E ASIA
Opportunities exist for our team to teach and train hungry new believers who live in restricted nations in the Himalayan region. We need wisdom and favour from the Lord in knowing how to proceed through the open doors before us. Remember us in prayer. Pray for these precious followers of Jesus.
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FEATURE
Jo Graham, MOZAMBIQUE • Ministry leader involved in making disciples. world-outreach.com/people/jo-and-jenny-graham
WHAT DO YOU THINK is the greatest As I sit in the dirt and cultural barrier, apart from language, cuddle their grubby kids, that we must cross to disciple the unreached? I come from the privileged world. I grew up with access to a good education and a comfortable lifestyle but most of the unreached peoples we want to disciple are poor and marginalised.
It’s so easy for me to imagine that I’m superior to my unreached friends (in a very godly way of course). It’s equally easy for them to distort our relationship by telling me what they think I want to hear, behaving with feigned respect while their hearts are far away or reacting with quiet anger at the world I seem to represent. The Gospel doesn’t travel well from the ‘superior’ to the ‘inferior’. I need grace to ‘sit in the dirt’ with them. It might mean ‘an emptied pan of caterpillars’ (in Kairos terms), partying with ‘tax-collectors and sinners’ or eating durian. Not with lots of laughter and photos as though it’s a big deal, because to them it isn’t a big deal! It’s just part of our lifestyle, while we pursue deeper relationship, with genuine respect.
I look into their eyes with profound respect and admiration for their quiet dignity, victorious attitude and warm welcome.
I once joined an outreach where we visited some jungle homes, scattered a few tracts and had a short meeting without even sitting down! Then with a cheery wave, we got back into our SUVs and headed off for a restaurant meal in our privileged world. Is this a barrier only for white people going to non-white cultures? Elite Asians and Africans battle the same issues. I have watched the distaste on the faces of townies visiting jungle villages of their own ethnic group and seen middle class believers treat their own poor like dogs. I have sensed them cringe at sitting in the dirt. But when I find that grace, my perspective changes. I imagine those children shivering in a corner of their mud hut during a thunderstorm while the rain pours through the thatching; that emaciated lady, lying on the mud floor, trembling with malaria and no one to fetch food; that student who excelled in school but couldn’t pay the bribe to get into college. How do centuries of injustice and suffering affect how one hears the Good News? As I sit in the dirt and cuddle their grubby kids, I look into their eyes with profound respect and admiration for their quiet dignity, victorious attitude and warm welcome. To be truthful, I can’t live in that dirt with them. They know that; yet, as I sit there, I sense their perspective changing. Through my persistent respect, their hearts soften to Jesus – and He is Immanuel. He can live with them.
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LET MY PEOPLE GO Jo and Jenny Graham, JAPAN • Ministry leader involved in making disciples. world-outreach.com/people/jo-and-jenny-graham WE ARE JUST BACK from visiting Mozambique with several teams, including a very special team from Japan. God is doing something fresh among young people here, with hundreds seeking God and passionately in love with Him. Out of that, many are being burdened for the unreached. Komori-san, on the right, is preparing to
go to Myanmar with his family. Saekisan (second from right) is co-leader of a growing church and is passionate about mobilising young people. We work closely together and are moving into a season of teaching and equipping. We have several programmes coming up that we would love you to pray for!
>> Jo and Jenny (left) with Nukada, Saeki and Komori.
FUN WITH A MISSION Owen and Glynis Willows, S-E ASIA • Ministry leaders involved in training and discipling church planters. world-outreach.com/people/owen-glynis-willows WE RECENTLY DID an unusual outreach at a beachside resort in Cambodia where we ministered to ladies who have been exploited and are in a rebuilding programme. Many had never seen the ocean or been on vacation. With help from translators,
we made the most of every moment, swimming in the ocean, playing on the beach, making them feel special and ministering the Word to them. Tears flowed when we exchanged farewell blessings and prayers. >> Prayer and prophetic ministry.
D R A M AT I C H E A L I N G A F T E R 5 0 Y E A R S Benji and Daniela Morf, Kingdom Multiplication Movement S-E ASIA • Ministry leaders involved in church planting. world-outreach.com/people/benji-daniela-morf IT IS ALWAYS GREAT to witness God healing people, especially when they have suffered for many years. So it was for members of our Kingdom Multiplication Movement team on a recent training trip to Vietnam.
CLOSEUP
The woman in the middle of this photo lost her sense of smell when she was a child. Members of our team prayed for her healing. Shortly afterwards someone brought her a dish of pork. For the first time in 50 years she was able to smell this delicious food!
delights in restoring pain-ridden and sick bodies!
>> Daniela (left) next to the lady whose sense of smell was restored after 50 years.
Other faith-inspiring miracles took place during the same visit, healings of illnesses and disabilities. The Lord
On the last day of our visit, the team was greatly encouraged by feedback from the training participants. One woman who had never shared the Gospel went out on the street and shared her personal testimony with two strangers. Both became believers right then and there. She is thrilled and greatly encouraged by her personal breakthrough!
MANIKOMBI KHUNDONGBAM was born into a Hindu family and in 1999, a Christian lady introduced her to Jesus Christ. She was so convinced that He
was the living Saviour who could solve all of her problems, she was immediately water baptised. Manikombi experienced the peace of God in her life and could not keep it to herself, telling as many people as she could. In 2006, Rev. Kitbok Ryntathiang came to Manipur and trained her in CPM (Church Planting Movements). Since then she has been doing church planting and empowering believers to obey Jesus’ commands. Manipur, India
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FREEDOM TO KNOW No Pum, MYANMAR • Ministry leader involved in evangelism and church planting. world-outreach.com/people/no-pum THEIN MOE WAS BORN without arms. Because of his disability, his parents gave him permission to follow any religion. After attending a youth camp and hearing about the assurance of salvation through Christ, Moe
accepted Jesus into his life. Moe says, “I now know why God allowed me to be born without arms. I was given freedom to know Jesus! I will share the Gospel with my family and others.” >> No Pum with Thein Moe.
K A I R O S AT W O R K
Max and Dorothy Chismon, PHILIPPINES • Ministry team leaders involved in mission mobilisation of the global Church. world-outreach.com/people/max-dorothy-chismon AS I WRITE THIS, we are into the final days of an intensive one-week Kairos course at our LSI Centre in the Philippines. To witness the impact this course has on participants is both humbling and exciting. Dr Ralph Winter used to say, “God cannot lead you on the basis of facts you do not have”. From previous experience we know that ‘these facts’ of mission are indeed central to Scripture; yet, Kairos unveils these facts and
they are new information to most. As a result, many will move into meaningful mission endeavours in the days that lie
ahead! This has been our experience, now for over twenty years!
>> Kairos Intensive 2014 Participants and Facilitators.
We conduct only about two courses a year at our centre. Most courses are conducted throughout the country by our trained facilitators. It is, however, special when we can run a course together, as a team. It reminds us just how significantly God is using this course and how we need to continue to steward it faithfully for His glory!
T H E L O R D ’ S W AY S A R E A W E S O M E ! Elisa Diaz, THAILAND • Ministry leader involved in discipleship. world-outreach.com/people/elisa-diaz AS WE ATTENDED a training in our church facility, in walked an unexpected visitor. Mam was waiting for someone in the neighbouring office and decided to peek in on us! It was a divine appointment and I got to share the plan
of salvation with Mam. She accepted Jesus into her life that day and was filled with peace and happiness. What an awesome experience! God brought Mam to us! >> Elisa (left) with Mam.
E X T R AVA G A N T L O V E Rama and Sinta Jones, S-E ASIA • Ministry Leaders involved in Bible translation and church planting. world-outreach.com/people/rama-sinta-jones RECENTLY WE planned to pour out God’s extravagant love on people. We visited several families we knew to be in need with the desire to bless them. Some we gave food, others money. One older Muslim couple came to faith and were immediately baptised. The old man regained some speech after prayer. The old lady was weeping as water went over her head. God is truly great! TO MAKE A DONATION OR SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTER VISIT WORLD-OUTREACH.COM
JESUS IS ALIVE! Jan Willem and Marlinde Tamminga, INDONESIA Ministry leaders who oversee 180 children at the New Hope Ministries hostel in West Kalimantan. world-outreach.com/people/jan-willem-marlinde-tamminga EASTER WAS AN extra special time this year at New Hope Ministries. We experienced the Holy Spirit alive and at work amongst the young people. The children put together a beautiful drama that was very well done. The drama told the best story ever told, the story of Jesus, the cross and His
resurrection – Jesus is alive! We are so proud of the children. Four of the girls also chose to be water baptised. It was such a touching moment that it brought tears to our eyes. It was a holy moment, for which we are very thankful to God. God is touching lives and bringing many changes to the lives of our young people in New Hope and the city of Sanggau. It is one child at a time. We do our best to educate but it is the personal touch from their Heavenly Father that opens the door for intimate relationship. << The children dramatise the story of Jesus.
>> Jan Willem (right) baptising a young lady from New Hope.
A C T I V E S TA F F Sam and Carol Soukotta, INDONESIA Ministry leaders who are the principals and founders of the Mt Hope foundation and Tawangmangu Bible College. world-outreach.com/people/sam-carol-soukotta EVERY SUNDAY after our early morning service, vibrant wife and mother Shella, who is in charge of the staff kitchen at the Tawangmangu Bible College, teaches English to a group of children from the community. This allows her to have contact with both the children and the parents, providing openings for the Gospel. Anto, assistant principal of TBC, husband to Wetty (a nurse) and father of two small daughters, is pioneering a church near
the Tawangmangu market, reaching out to the lost. Ruth, Dean of Women at the college, also pastors a church in Solo. She often testifies about the new converts and how God is blessing the congregation. Despite the law of the country that stipulates that one must not proselyte, there are ways and means we can be light and salt and Indonesians can be won into the kingdom of God. Our staff members are proving that!
>> Shella and the English class students.
FREEDOM TO KNOW Eliana Mambu, INDONESIA • Ministry leader involved in evangelism and literature ministry. world-outreach.com/people/robert-eliana-mambu. See page 4 to read a special tribute to the late Robert Mambu PASTORS FROM ALL OVER Indonesia report how Life in Christ (LIC) magazine ministers to them and to their church members. LIC is making an impact in many lives! Here is one testimony: “I was very blessed by the article, The Anointing of the Holy Spirit. After reading it, I experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. I am now able
to face sorrows, hatred, anger, mocking and ridicule with a pure heart!” Agustina Banaka, Indonesia. << Hari Hartono, an elder from a Presbyterian church, has been our LIC subscriber for many years. He has also been an editor of the church magazine and because he was blessed by the articles of LIC, he asked our permission to use them, and has done so for many years. • ISSUE 3, 2014 •
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Why Children? Why Thailand? Valerie Bateup, THAILAND Ministry leader of the Good News Team that evangelises and disciples Thai children. world-outreach.com/people/val-bateup THESE TWO EVENTS are part of the answer. 1. I first visited Thailand with a YWAM team. One night we went to a building deep in Bangkok with menacing, armed men outside and a group of young girls sitting outside, their faces heavily made up to look like dolls. I couldn’t forget their eyes – they were dead, blanking out every emotion. 2. Thirteen years ago Ize was killed. She was 10, full of ideas and questions and the Fah Sai child who talked most about Jesus. That day she’d gone with friends to play in council grounds. They were by a deep pond when a mentally ill woman walked past, glaring at them. One child pulled a face at her. She leapt at them and with arms swinging pushed
each child into the pond. As they struggled to get out, she pushed on Ize’s head and held her down. Others rushed over to help but it was too late.
“They said we must feel sorry for that woman and forget about it.” “That’s how it is when you’re poor” was their final comment. Two events where I was powerless, both controlled by deeply entrenched systems within Thailand. Both events were part of my call to Thailand and to Thai children. I know God used events like these to motivate me and others in the Good News Team so that hundreds of thousands of children have had the opportunity to know Jesus.
From events like these I felt God’s call to help Thai children know that they Later, Ize’s friends told me do have value in Jesus and the police had released are loved by Him. To help that woman: them know that Jesus can be with them in every “The police said they situation in all His power can’t charge her until >> Valerie on a school and love as their protector. outreach with the Good Ize’s mother pays 20,000 News Team in Bangkok. To help them know how to Baht.” call on His help to change “But they know she doesn’t have it.” what seems unchangeable. “It’s because that woman has no money either. If no one can pay then the police won’t do anything.”
God has brought change for thousands of Thai children. Many have written to say they’d been told there was no money for school and/or told they must go work in Bangkok. They prayed and asked us to pray too. God did miracles. Family situations were changed and these children were kept safe.
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LONG TERM EFFECTS NOINON LEARNED about Jesus in a booklet from the team in his school library.
team’s booklet he couldn’t believe how a cartoon booklet could answer all his questions. But it did.
Wirasuk reported he couldn’t put the booklet down after finding it in his school library. He said that when he read the name of Jesus, it went like a sword deep into his heart.
What do these three have in common? All are now Christian leaders in Thailand, with a passion to help Thai young people know and follow Jesus. NoiNon reaches them through the Good News Team. Wirasuk and Chartchai reach them through their churches and also teaching in camps and seminars.
As a new team booklet goes out to children all over Thailand, please pray for many more children to respond in the same way as these three.
Chartchai received a booklet after the team taught in his school. Although only 12, he had been searching for truth in many booklets of Buddhist teaching. He said when he read the >> NoiNon gives out booklets in a Thai school.
I H AV E S E E N G O D D O M A N Y M I R A C L E S Malcolm and Sandy Potter, THAILAND • Ministry leaders involved in training and caring for tribal children. world-outreach.com/people/malcolm-sandy-potter BOO’S STORY ~ When anyone was sick in my village, a church leader would pray for them. One man was tormented by an evil spirit; after accepting Jesus, someone prayed for him and he lived a normal life because the spirit had to leave. When a woman ate fatally poisonous toad eggs, everyone prayed for her. She vomited out what she had eaten and God healed her. Many events have made me anxious but when I remember those times of healing, I receive confidence. I am reminded not to be afraid or
discouraged, because Jesus is always with us. I know that God has a plan for my life. He has prepared everything for me. I thank Him for giving me the opportunity to continue studying and for preparing a place for me at Baan Faa Mai. Without BFM, I wouldn’t have had the best place to stay. I may not have graduated from High School or applied for University. I may have strayed away from God but God gave me this opportunity and I will use it to bless others.
>> Boo knows God has a plan for her life.
THE SAME HEART Prasert Taksin, THAILAND • Ministry leader involved in evangelism and discipleship among Thai children. world-outreach.com/people/prasert-panyamangkong WHAT A SURPRISE – the whole church including the pastoral team came to my children’s ministry seminar at the Jump Church in Khon Kaen, Northeast Thailand. It is unusual to find a whole church with such a heart to welcome children into the kingdom of God! The pastor told me that his vision is for everyone in the church to see the importance of children – not just the children’s ministry team. We had such a wonderful training together! If we have the same heart as Jesus, we
>> The pastoral team from Jump Church.
will welcome children as important members of His church. This should be the responsibility of every Christian and if we do that, we will see the church grow. After all, loving God with all our heart, with all our strength and with all our mind is what He has called all of us to do – no matter how old we are. These young Thai believers are growing as disciples of Jesus and I believe that He will use them to preach the Gospel and win many others to Christ. • ISSUE 3, 2014 •
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EUROPE ~ GOD Max and Dorothy Chismon, PHILIPPINES • Ministry team leaders involved in mission mobilisation of the global Church. world-outreach.com/people/max-dorothy-chismon EUROPE HAS frequently been described as a ‘mission field’. This is hard to argue against! Of the major global regions of the world, Europe has the least number of Evangelicals by a long shot! The continent that provided the mission force of two hundred years ago, that took the Gospel throughout the world, is itself in need of missionaries today.
Europe as a mission field also needs some explanation. Over recent generations, migrants from Africa and Asia, in particular, have poured into Europe, making Europe their new home. Europe is currently home to more than 320 unreached peoples, comprising some 22 million individuals. Europe is both a mission field and a mission force!
Two bright lights loom large. Firstly, a younger generation is finding spiritual reality outside of the older established State churches. These young people demonstrate vibrancy and increasingly, a vision for mission. Secondly, the ‘new Europeans’ – the migrants, who now comprise some 48 per cent of Christian churches, are providing strong leadership in mission passion and commitment.
Europe is currently home to more than 320 unreached peoples, comprising some 22 million individuals. Europe is both a mission field and a mission force!
spend time with the Kairos family there. Romania, perhaps, is the mobilisation hot spot for mission in Europe, certainly Eastern Europe. Romanian believers, especially this young generation, are catching the vision for world mission. One agency now has more than fifty young missionaries serving in many frontier fields of the world.
>> Romanian young people in mission.
Recently, we held our Europe (Kairos) Advance with key leaders from many countries of Europe. Although this gathering lacked the vibrancy and energy of similar gatherings in Africa and Asia, there was much to be encouraged by. Kairos can play a huge role in seeing the increasingly vibrant churches of Europe catch the vision for mission that now exists on their doorstep. Following this gathering, which was held in Budapest, I travelled to Romania to
God is not done with Europe yet! The Europe of two hundred years ago has changed forever but a new Europe is emerging – one in which the Church is destined to play a major role. Not as part of the political system, as it has in the past but in advancing Christ’s kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! It won’t be separate to society but, like leaven, will permeate every facet of society and the multitudes of peoples who now comprise the new Europe!
>> A Kairos Advance class being conducted in Budapest.
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D IS AT WORK A NEW VISION AND CHALLENGE FOR THE U.K. Keith and Christine Kelly, U.K. • Ministry leaders equipping church leaders and members. world-outreach.com/people/keith-christine-kelly SINCE 2001, the Training for Trainers Church Planting and Discipleship Movement (T4T) has seen 1.7 million baptisms and 150,000 churches start. Please pray as we seek to develop such a movement here in the U.K.
ex-Muslim family about John’s Gospel. The father then shared the story with a Muslim friend. T4T means we train and encourage the trainees to become trainers. Opportunities abound in our Greater Manchester region!
We have open doors. We taught one
>> Muslim background believers study the Bible together.
SHOWING LOVE TO THE UNLOVED Patricia Green, GERMANY • Ministry Leader involved in ministry to prostitutes on the streets of Berlin. world-outreach.com/people/patricia-green ALABASTER JAR continues to make progress in reaching out to hundreds of foreign girls who prostitute on the Berlin streets. Limited mobility hinders my involvement in outreaches but our wonderful ministry team shares this responsibility. Pray that they will have divine appointments and that they will discern the desperate hearts the Holy Spirit has prepared for God’s message. My new book Roses in the Red Light will soon be published. For more information visit www.alabasterjar.de.
HOPE RESTORED Nathan and Sawsan Bassaly, EGYPT • Ministry leaders involved in teaching and training disciples. world-outreach.com/people/nathan-sawsan-bassaly MRS NAHED LIVES in a well-known poverty-stricken area of Cairo with her four children. She and her husband have always been poor. Last year her husband was approached by some Muslims who offered him money if he would leave Christianity. Being desperate, he agreed. He also left his wife and children. Mrs Nahed was devastated and wondered how she would ever be able to care for her children. Her neighbours occasionally gave her money or food but often there was not enough to feed
them all. She began to lose all hope, even in God and stopped going to church. One of our WOI colleagues met her and learnt of her plight. He then shared her story with the rest of us. We decided we wanted to help by giving her money, food and clothing for the family. She was deeply moved and within a short time we could see her hope restored. She is now regularly attending church having re-dedicated >> Mrs Nahed and her children with one of our her life to the Lord and believes there team members buying them new clothes. is a future for her and her children. • ISSUE 3, 2014 •
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Stephen Elliott, AUSTRALIA Stephen, the eldest son of John and Mary Elliott, is married to Julie (also a MK) and together they have two small children. They are based near Brisbane. “I FEEL LIKE I’m in a foreign land. People can’t understand me. I’m not used to the food and I miss ‘home’ all the time.” Sound familiar? These are often the thoughts and struggles of the children of Missionaries (MKs) or Third Culture Kids (TCKs) - not of their parents’ field of ministry - but after returning home to their country of birth or their ‘passport country’. Most have grown up in developing countries. Many are multilingual. Some have personally seen miracles of God’s provision and healing. My own experience was immensely challenging when I returned ‘home’ to finish school and do tertiary study. But upon realising that my unique upbringing was an asset, not a liability, I found that no challenge was too difficult. I met other MKs who showed me I wasn’t the only one like this and a heart for a ministry to migrants developed. In future issues of the Nations magazine we plan to share more stories and insights about MKs or TCKs and the struggles they encounter and adjustments they have to make when settling back into their ‘passport’ country. And for more insights please check out a Facebook group I started called Third Culture Connections.
FOR ASIA
M I S S I O N E X P O S U R E T R I P S 2 014
GOD IS REAPING A RIPE HARVEST FIELD IN ASIA RIGHT NOW AND WE HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PLAY A PART. VIETNAM • MYANMAR • THAILAND • INDONESIA
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HAVE YOU MADE A WILL? Making a will is the only way you can be sure that your wishes will be followed after you die. Having a will also makes your loved ones’ time of grief simpler. If you don’t leave a will, part or all of your estate may go to people whom you never intended to benefit, or even to the government! Including a gift to the ministry of World Outreach International in your will is a special and personal way to continue making a difference in the world after your life on earth has passed. For further information, please contact the World Outreach International office nearest to you.
VIJAYA CHOWDHURI
40 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE ~ V I J AYA C H O W D H U R I I (VIJAYA) WAS BORN into a Christian family in Mumbai. My father worked at the railway and my mother stayed at home. I studied in Pune in an Anglican girls’ hostel; on completion of my SSC, I moved to Mumbai to join the nurses training in JJ Hospital, where I completed my Diploma in Nursing. There I met Biswanath Chowdhuri, who was admitted to hospital because of a work-related accident. We married in 1972 and enrolled in a 2-year missionary training course at WEC MTC in Tasmania. In 1974, we arrived in Bangladesh. (Our three children were born in Bangladesh and completed their education in India, Bangladesh, Australia and New Zealand.) It was a fragile time for the country. Bangladesh had just gained their independence. The economic condition of the country was terrible, a new nation left in ruins after a civil war. Biswanath’s initial desire was to develop a cassette ministry and radio programme; however, this was unrealised due to unforeseeable situations. He started to feel discouraged, pondering if he had made a mistake in moving to Bangladesh. Frustration crept in. Both of us prayed fervently! God in His faithfulness directed us to train the nationals to take the Gospel to their own people. In 1979, CDC was established, with the first batch graduating eight students. Today CDC has trained 812 students. A few graduates are abroad working amongst the Bengali people, while a
I am always grateful for WOI family, for standing with us in prayer and financial partnership. This has made it possible for the advancement of the Gospel in the very needy country of Bangladesh. majority of the graduates are involved in church growth in Bangladesh. Biswanath went to rest with our Lord in 2010. I was given the responsibility to continue the ministry. Since I took over the oversight of CDC, I have started a course for new believers. In addition, the new programme Learning Circle educates about health, economy, environment and general knowledge. In 2013 all CDC staff members enrolled to pursue a Bachelor of Theology, which is awarded by the College of Christian Theology. I am always grateful for WOI family, for standing with us in prayer and financial partnership. This has made it possible for the advancement of the Gospel in the very needy country of Bangladesh. I
>> Vijaya and her late husband Biswanath outside the CDC in Bangladesh.
would like to share Isaiah 46:11: “Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it”(KJV). If you would like to contact Vijaya or support the work of the CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP CENTRE (CDC) visit our website: world-outreach.com/people/ vijaya-chowdhuri
For more great missionary stories visit...
www.nationsmagazine.org
• ISSUE 3 2014 •
NATIONS
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JESUS’ COMMAND – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” – a church for every ethnic people group (Matthew 28:19). HIS EXPECTATION – God’s glory and kingdom filling the earth with worship from “every nation, tribe, people and tongue” (Revelation 7:9).
WORLD OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL exists to help facilitate the taking of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to unreached ethnic people groups! They too deserve an opportunity to hear God’s Good News for the very first time. Best current estimates tell us that there are 6,900 such groups today who have never heard of Jesus, i.e. groups who have their own distinct culture, language, dress, food tastes, etc. Many of them are now absorbed within the political boundaries of more dominant cultures and therefore speak one or two other languages besides their mother tongue. Some methods of evangelism have seen wonderful and encouraging results, which paves the way for an even greater harvest ahead. For example,
BIBLE TRANSLATION
The New Testament has been translated into the mother tongue of more than 87 per cent of the world’s population. However the remaining 13 per cent will require more than 2,000 additional translations.
JESUS FILM There have been
approximately 6.5 billion cumulative viewings or hearings of the Jesus Film. It is available online in more than 1,200 languages covering 95 per cent of the world’s population.
CHRISTIAN RADIO
It is estimated that Christian radio broadcasts cover at least 91 per cent of the world’s population. The good news is that evangelical Christianity has grown by more than 300 million believers in the past ten years; however, about 10 million of
these are found in developed nations, whereas the rest, i.e. 290 million, are from developing nations found in Africa, Asia and South America. At the same time more ‘Gospel foot soldiers’ are still required to physically go out from their own culture to take the greatest message the world could ever hear “into regions beyond” – where millions are still locked up in spiritual darkness and bondage. WOI has many trained and dedicated workers ready and willing to go. Your practical partnership in prayer and in giving will not only help sow the seed of the Good News through them but will also help reap a harvest of souls – this year!
Donations can be made to: World Outreach International and designated Into Regions Beyond. Forward to your nearest WOI office (listed on pg 2).
Donations can also be made via our website: world-outreach.com If you wish to receive more information on any of these projects, please email woi@world-outreach.com. Thank you.