Reaching The Unreached In SE Asia
Not all of the pioneering work of Sovereign Grace Churches can be reported openly and easily. For some their work is in countries “closed” to the Gospel and so the reporting of such has to be discreet, as is the case with the following update. And update from our team leader in Thailand, SE Asia…
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15a). Paul’s words still ring true in unreached places in the 10-40 window like Thailand. This Buddhist majority country of 69 million where worship of idols and spirits is the norm, has an enormous need for the gospel and laborers.
Years ago, our churches saw this need, heard the call and over the last 5 years partnered and sent a few families to serve the unreached in a remote province of Thailand. This team spent their initial years learning the language, culture, and how to minister in a cross-culture context in a city center where notions of God and sin are vastly different from a western context. The team has also faced a number of challenges while in Thailand including severe illness, visa hiccups, changes in plans, spiritual warfare, and at times isolation, but in all of these things, He has been teaching us to “rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor 1:10). He has been faithful!
So fast forward to the past year, what has been going on in Thailand with the Covid-19 pandemic which has rocked the world? One might expect with lockdowns and other restrictions that everything may have come to a screeching halt. But we know His plans cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2).
Through past trips to the unreached province, the team built relationships within the community and received an invitation to serve in this destination location. Then during the summer of 2020, after years of preparation, two families finally moved to the province. These significant doors opened for ministry because you helped us by prayer (2 Cor 1:11). Thank you.
Since being in the province, God connected one brother from the team with a seeking unbeliever who was dissatisfied with his own efforts for finding fulfillment and joy. After months of weekly one-on-one discipleship, we rejoice that this Thai man has put his faith in Christ and was recently baptized in the Mekong River in a joint baptism service of regional churches.
Please pray for continued gospel opportunities, health and protection of all team members, and God’s sustaining grace and endurance during challenges.
