Thailand Now Churches and Discipleship
What a phenomenal organization this is! They started as 2 people who heard God’s call to take Jesus’ name to the 10/40 window. The 10/40 window refers to the Northern latitude in the Eastern Hemisphere. This is where the large majority of people not only aren’t Christians, many of them have never even heard the name of Jesus! It’s also where 90% of the “poorest of the poor” live. Today, Thailand’s population consists of 1.2% Christians. That’s 3 times higher than it was when Mike and Sherri Morrissey began their mission in Thailand 19 years ago!
In 19 years, they have planted 105 churches! They make sure that the pastors are properly trained through seminary and discipled by others. The pastors are required to have a vocation separate from the church so that they can support themselves without looking to the church to support them. They also go through training about how to handle finances, because like most poverty stricken areas, this is never taught – but it is so important! These pastors are trained to disciple others so that they disciple others – and boy, do they do a great job of it! Clearly, their discipleship has a rippling effect.
Some churches are in what you would consider traditional buildings. Some are held outside with a tin roof over their head. One we visited was in a rented room just 10x10 and always spilled over outside and one was in a park.
What they all had in common was the love of Jesus Christ. The joy found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit was so obvious and heart-warming. Don’t tell them they’re “poor and have little”. They know they have everything they need!
They cherish prayers in a way I’ve never experienced. They asked each of us to pray…for EACH of them. It didn’t matter that it took a long time. And it didn’t matter that they couldn’t understand our words. They understood they were being blessed and prayed over and they so appreciated it!
Being able to worship our Savior with them was heart-warming, eye-opening and more fulfilling than I can explain. Below are some pictures so you can get a glimpse of this too!
In 19 years, they have planted 105 churches! They make sure that the pastors are properly trained through seminary and discipled by others. The pastors are required to have a vocation separate from the church so that they can support themselves without looking to the church to support them. They also go through training about how to handle finances, because like most poverty stricken areas, this is never taught – but it is so important! These pastors are trained to disciple others so that they disciple others – and boy, do they do a great job of it! Clearly, their discipleship has a rippling effect.
Some churches are in what you would consider traditional buildings. Some are held outside with a tin roof over their head. One we visited was in a rented room just 10x10 and always spilled over outside and one was in a park.
What they all had in common was the love of Jesus Christ. The joy found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit was so obvious and heart-warming. Don’t tell them they’re “poor and have little”. They know they have everything they need!
They cherish prayers in a way I’ve never experienced. They asked each of us to pray…for EACH of them. It didn’t matter that it took a long time. And it didn’t matter that they couldn’t understand our words. They understood they were being blessed and prayed over and they so appreciated it!
Being able to worship our Savior with them was heart-warming, eye-opening and more fulfilling than I can explain. Below are some pictures so you can get a glimpse of this too!
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