One Outstanding Day of Amazing Blessings

Last week, we traveled to Phetchabun province for the graduation ceremony of the Thailand Theological Seminary (TTS).  TTS is one of the four seminaries (Global Theological Institute, Phayao Bible Seminary, and Bangkok Bible Seminary are the other three) that we send Pioneer Pastors for ministerial studies.  Over the past 16 years, we have had the great privilege of sponsoring the theological education of 123 full-time pastors and Christian workers.  And we have attended and participated in many graduation ceremonies.  But this one was truly amazing.

First, it was amazing because five Pioneer Pastors earned their Doctor of Ministry degrees, which is the first time any of the pastors who serve alongside us have reached this level of education.  We have seen a trend across many seminaries in Thailand.  For a long time, Thai seminaries have relied on professors from the United States and South Korea to come to teach one or two week block classes because there were not enough qualified Thai professors to teach all of the classes needed.  But now that more and more Thai pastors are earning their doctorate degrees, these seminaries are able to employ Thai professors.  

Second, there was a total of 11 Pioneer Pastors who graduated on this day, 5 Doctor of Ministry degrees, 4 earned Master of Divinity degrees, and 2 earned Bachelor of Ministry degrees.

Here are some of the Pioneer Pastors who graduated on this wonderful day:

(ABOVE: From left to right) Dr. Warin (D.Min.) of Fire of Glory Church, Rev. Santi (B.Min.) of Sukhothai Church, Dr. Somsri (D. Min.) of Fire of Glory Church, Rev. Moss of Fire of Glory Church.

(ABOVE: From left to right) Rev. Nuch of God is Good Church, Dr. Sherri Morrissey, Dr. Narayuth (Peter) of God is Good Church, Rev. Mike Morrissey, Rev. Awee of Buengkan Church.

 

(ABOVE: From left to right) Rev. Mike Morrissey, Rev. Sila (M.Div.) of Prasiri Wesleyan Church, Dr. Wassana (D. Min.) of Prasiri Wesleyan Church, and Dr. Sherri Morrissey.

Third, what made this day to be truly outstanding was the large scale of the graduation ceremony.  Over 280 people graduated on this day, making it by far the largest graduation ceremony of any Thai seminary that we have experienced.  With these many graduates, we can feel the momentum of rapid growth of Christianity in Thailand.  We extend our applause and admiration to Dr. Wallapa who is president of the Thailand Theological Seminary for her fruitful ministry and tireless labor for the Kingdom of God.  She is an anointed servant of the Lord!

Finally, Sherri and I would like to wish all of you a Blessed Easter!  Jesus is Risen! Hallelujah!

Good news at a time when most of the news is bad.

A Blessing Home Child Graduates from University

We are pleased to announce that BooBay has graduated with her B.A. degree in Business English and Hospitality.  BooBay's father was a Pioneer Pastor who passed away four years ago.  While he was in his last week of life in the hospital, we promised to support his daughter BooBay through university, so that he could have peace of mind about his family as he was nearing the end.  

BooBay worked hard at her studies, and stayed at our house one night per week during the school year to practice her English and receive tutoring.  She just graduated this month and she works at the front desk of a four star hotel in Sriracha (yes, the same city where the famous Sriracha sauce came from).  We want to thank all of our generous donors who make it possible to send some of our Blessing Home children to attend university and trade school.  BooBay and others like her have a great future ahead.  God is good!

What happens to a Christmas Child box after I donate it?

We are very happy to know that most of the churches that support our mission also participate in the Christmas Child, which is a world-wide ministry of Samaritan Purse.  The Christmas Child boxes that you thoughtfully and compassionately make and donate, are sent to nations all over the world, including Thailand.  

For the last six years in Thailand, Christmas Child boxes have arrived well after Christmas is over.  But that is not a problem at all.  We just store the boxes until we do Christmas evangelism outreach events later in the year.

This week, the Christmas Child boxes arrived in Bangkok, and Pioneer Pastors from all over Thailand went to pick up the boxes.  Pastor Somsri of Fire of Glory Church sent pictures to us of picking up the boxes, and we wanted to share them with you.  As you can see from the second picture, Pastor Somsri loaded her vehicle to the brim with the boxes and resources.

What many people in the United States do not realize is the gift boxes are just a one part of a wonderful program.  Along with the gift boxes, Samaritan Purse also gives us free books for children called "The Greatest Journey".  They are brilliantly designed books that share the Good News of Jesus Christ through an 12-week Children's Bible Club.  So when we have Christmas outreach, we share the gospel with the whole family at the event.  Many people receive Jesus as their Savior at these events.  And then we begin the 12-week Children's Bible Club where we begin to help the children to grow in Christ.  

We make use of this wonderful ministry in the Pioneer Pastor program as we plant church in unreached counties in Thailand.  We begin with these Christmas events and then move on to start Children's Bible Clubs.  Through these clubs, we then go on to reach the whole family for Jesus.  So your gift of a Christmas Child Box has much more impact then you may have known.

The Abundant Life Training Center - Phase Two

Every month, we get closer to the goal of raising $140,000 for building a Sanctuary (which will be used as a training center and also as a Pioneer Pastor church, since this center is in an unreached county), and a house for the Directors of the Abundant Life Training Center, a kitchen / restroom building, and a small office.

We now have enough funds to build the house for May and Teddy, who will lead the ministries at this new location.  And we hope to have enough funds by Easter to also begin building the Sanctuary.

Thank you for your support and all of the rapid progress that is happening.  God is good!

If you would like your donation to be designated for the construction of the Abundant Life Training Center, please be sure to designate it for the Building Fund.

You can donate online at https://thailandnow.org/donate/

Or donate by mailing a check to Thailand NOW at:

Thailand NOW, 

P.O. Box 56 

Mannsville, KY 42758

Sherri and I are now back in Thailand, PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Sherri and I arrived in Thailand on January 31st and then had to stay 8 days in strict quarantine at a special quarantine hotel.  We were met at the airport by people dressed up in PPE and transported to the hotel in a special quarantine van.  We could not leave our room during the eight days of quarantine, but we were able to use the time constructively to get some rest and to work on projects.  But now we are out and we are at our new home in Buriram province, near where the Abundant Life Training Center is being constructed.

There are so many things to report, and I am not sure where to begin.

1.  First, some news that broke our hearts.  Pastor Ekarin, one of our beloved Pioneer Pastors, passed away last month, leaving behind his wife Pacharee and 3 school age children (the youngest is only six years old).  ThisWe will miss Ekarin's humor and his beautiful singing.  Please keep this family in prayer as they grieve and try to put life back together.  

2.  Pastor Sila and Wassana (in the picture standing in front of their "planning board") and the members of Prasiri Wesleyan Church in Bangkok have been working day and night for the past 2 months.  They have demolished the two homes that they were using as church buildings and then quickly constructing a new church building.  The building is not yet complete, but they at lease can use the building on Sunday mornings for worship.  All of the labor is "in house" and the Lord has miraculously provided all of the materials at deep discounts.  They have not had to buy or lease any tools and equipment, because their neighbors (most of whom are Buddhist) have let them borrow what they needed.  This building is being built at only a third of the cost of what a contractor would have charged!  We praise the Lord for His provision!

3.  Today we are finally bringing in our last load of fill to raise the land (which was previously a very wet rice paddy) for the Abundant Life Training Center.  We have had to have a bit over 2,000 truckloads of dirt to raise the level of the land by 6 feet so it will be well above flood levels.  We are now ready to begin construction on a house for May and Teddy who will serve as Directors of the Abundant Life Training Center as a Pioneer Pastors of the new church which will be planted here (this is an unreached county).

4. The old van that Pastor Somsri was using to pick up families to bring them to church had all broken down and the repairs would cost more than what the vehicle was worth.  They also used the old van to travel with the Pioneer Pastor program, training and mentoring new pastors.  And the financial devastation of Covid had left them unable to purchase another vehicle.  We had the great privilege of buying this Chevy SUV that is in good shape and low mileage too.  We praise the Lord that we have generous sponsors who make the mission possible.

5.  Yes, here is the fundraising chart for Phase 2 of the Abundant Life Training Center.  We received many generous donations, and now we have a bit over $71,000 of the $140,000 needed for to build a church building, a house for the May and Teddy, the directors of the Center, a small office building, and a simple kitchen / restroom facility.

Praise God, we have enough now to build the house for May and Teddy.  We hope to receive more donations between now and Easter so that we can build the church building.

If you want to donate to this project, be sure to designate it for the BUILDING FUND.

Donations can be sent by check in the mail to:

Thailand NOW

P.O. Box 56

Mannsville, KY 42758

OR Give Online at https://thailandnow.org/donate/