A Church Is Born In Isaan, Thailand
An update from our SGC missionaries in Thailand (names concealed for security reasons)…
Last November 2024 by the grace of God, our family with our Thai partners, planted Family of Grace Church in Isaan, Thailand. The church is in a very rural county that has never had a local church. The story is one that only God could craft with details and divine orchestration that cause us to marvel at Him and give our Lord all the glory. As we like to say, it seemed that God wanted to birth a church and we were merely the midwives to help catch the baby. We’re reminded of Jesus’ words to Paul in Corinth, “go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you … for I have many in this city who are my people” (Acts 18:9-10). He has many in this land who are His.
Over the past year, we saw interest grow in the community after a number of outreaches. We also saw God draw and save our newly found Thai partner. His life has been transformed by Christ. Such amazing grace! As we began to pray and talk with our brother and sister in September 2024, we sensed God wanted us to start meeting together regularly at their farm in this remote county. So after holding church services at their house for 8 weeks, we opened the church service at their farm in November. Glory to God, a church was born!
Over the past 6 months members of the community have been coming to hear about Jesus at Family of Grace Church. Excluding our two families, 5-8 adults and 10-12 children regularly come. Every Sunday we worship, do catechism, scripture memorization, children’s ministry and the Word is preached in Thai. It has been encouraging to see God apply His Word by the power of His Spirit in this highly animistic, unreached area. Eyes and ears of those who only worshipped spirits are now beginning to see and hear of the One who created them in His image. And because there is a high level of illiteracy, we also started a Christian library and literacy program to help many of the children read Thai so that they can one day read God’s Word. Interest is growing and hearts are turning to Jesus!
You sent us to Thailand about 9 years ago with the hopes that God would one day start a church. He has done just that and in a way where our only boast is in God and in His sovereign grace. We are so grateful to God for you and your faithful partnership in His mission to the unreached of Thailand. And our Thai partners are so encouraged when we share specific prayers or words of encouragement from our partners in SGC. You regularly build up their faith and they feel supported by you.
We thank you for your thoughtful and sacrificial love and care for us and Family of Grace Church. We couldn’t do this without you and wouldn’t want to. May Christ receive all the glory for what He has done.
