Thailand Discipleship Conference Report

by WMD   11-02-2011   0 reads

On October 8-9, we had our 4thAnnual Discipleship Conference at Amphawa Floating Market, which is one hour from Bangkok.  The title was “Jesus who called 12 disciples” based on Mark 3:7-19. We prayed for the conference to plant true identity as a disciple of Jesus into the hearts of growing leaders based on Jesus’ calling. The opening message was served by Luke with the title, “Those who hope in the Lord,” based on Isaiah 40:31. In his message, he emphasized that those who hope in the Lord can be the main actors in the history of church pioneering even at the age of 85 like Caleb in the Bible. His message was humorous and also very clear in revealing the truth of God’s words, and everyone enjoyed it. He was born to a Christian family and grew up under the influence of the churches in Thailand. During his college years, his faith grew through attending group Bible study. Right after the discipleship conference last year, he began to attend our Sunday worship service, wanting to receive discipleship training.  He is good at playing the guitar and is a talented messenger of God’s words. We pray for him to be used as an international messenger of God’s words in the future.   

After the opening message, we watched the movie, “Love Sonata.” In the evening, Ton Timothy spoke on “Shining Stars Forever and Ever” based on Daniel 12:3. Since he majored in Japanese, for the sake of Peter and Mary Lee who have been co-working with us since last year, he delivered his message in Japanese and Thai. His message was very simple but powerful in teaching us the truth that people who are like shining stars are those who bring many to Jesus. After his message, we watched a second movie, “Prize,” and enjoyed sailing.

 On the second day, we divided into four Bible study groups. Peter Lee, who is the director of Thailand UBF, delivered a message with the title, “Jesus who called 12 disciples.” Thailand is under the strong influences of Buddhism and idol worship. The percentage of Christians is low. But in spite of this, Peter Lee has endeavored to raise disciples of Jesus for the last 10 years. However, there was no fruit in raising disciples. In Thailand, it is so difficult to invite students to Bible study. Moreover, to raise disciples of Jesus is an impossible thing to do. However, God began to answer prayers of faith and began to grow our discipleship ministry in 2005. Six leaders have been growing and six new students attended this conference. To live as a disciple of Jesus is truly meaningful and more valuable than anything else in this world. In order to live as a disciple of Jesus, we need to learn Jesus deeply and God blesses us. When Peter Lee learned Jesus' life of sacrifice humbly and served the ministry with the words of God, delivering Sunday messages in Thai by faith, God accepted his five loaves and two fish of faith to establish a discipleship ministry. We thank and praise God who is faithful to our prayers and faith and establishes his work mightily.

The closing message was served by Tam Paul based on Psalms 126. He testified to the truth that a diligent and faithful farmer who sows seeds will reap a harvest in God’s time with joy and happiness. May God use Tam Paul as a prayer servant, messenger of God’s words, and eventually a full-time minister for the Thailand ministry. Thank you for your prayer support!

Peter Lee  

Pics
Pic: 


List