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Thailand |
Myanmar |
Laos |
China |
Outreach and Evangelism
To give you an accurate picture of our approach to this kind of outreach, I will share a specific example with you. In the extreme northwest of Thailand is the province of Mae Hon Song. This beautiful area, boarding Burma (Myanmar) contains some of the most remote and isolated new communities in the country. Beginning at the local county market, two or three of our team members chat with villagers who are there shopping for food and other items. Acquaintances are made and invitations are issued to their local villages. Being accompanied there is very important as we are now the guests of a local resident or family.
Most often one of us will bring and play a guitar in the evening after dinner. The hill people all speak tonal languages and most are quite musical. These sounds attract many others and in the best of circumstances, an open air meeting will ensue. The songs are evangelical in nature with most being lively and interesting. In this way, the Word begins to go forward. As the evening progresses, some people will depart, others will fade into the background while usually some will come closer. At this time, another member of our team will recount the Gospel message. Questions and discussions may follow. Some individuals are convicted and accept the Lord that night. Others consider the experience.
Follow-up is vital. Once some of the locals are saved, this serves as a further witness to others as the change in their life is immediate and often quite dramatic. Water baptism also serves as a
testimony of the genuine nature of the conversion. Nevertheless, results vary widely and there are villages and tribes that require many visits before the first
person or family receives Jesus Christ. At the same time, our home Church prays, both in spiritual warfare and for the souls of those who are lost. Sometimes
Spirit-filled healing or prophesies are evidenced showing the people both the power and reality of God’s Presence in their midst. We do have two villages which we are currently planting new churches.
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