We are in the midst of something very, very exciting. We are merging our bible school and our evangelism – church planting team in a partnership that has phenomenal growth potential.
Last month we sent you a picture of the 2008 graduating class. We have a new class starting this month and we are once again at maximum capacity. Hungry hearts wanting to be trained so they can serve God. God has given us a plan to alternate classroom training with practical hands on ministry experience. This new group of students will be our charter class for this revolutionary, yet biblical concept. Jesus sent His disciples out two by two and then brought them back in for training and mentoring.
Our bible school students will experience bible training at our training facility and then get practical hands on experience at one of the churches we have planted. This pattern will be followed for two years. In addition to training in the Word of God and church ministry experience, the students will participate in an actual church planting outreach during their two year training period.
Talk About Potential! We have been planting 7-10 churches per year for several years now. When this program gets rolling we will have the potential to plant 10-20-30 churches a year. I have had a vision in my heart for years to build 1000 churches. I have never seen how it could be possible….now the light is beginning to shine. We can do this!
Bible School Will Double Attendance: One of our biggest challenges at the bible school has been limited dormitory space. We can only house 70 students at a time. This has limited us to only accepting students every two years. With our new training model we can double our student enrollment without building another building or buying another bed. Using this method, we can receive students every year. While Year 1 students are training at the facility, Year 2 students will be doing their practical experience at our churches. Six weeks later, Year 2 students will come in for their training and Year 1 students will head to our churches for their practical experience. This pattern will be used throughout the students two year training program. Sounds like a God idea to me!!!
Annual Report from Evangelism–Church Planting Team: In March we dedicated six more churches. That brings us to 61 churches planted and built through LWMI graduates. To date 3,968 people have accepted Christ through our church planting program that we are aware of. 773 of those came to Christ in 2007. These are not just decisions, but current, active members in churches under our care.
We Have Hit Harvest Time! We have a list of over 20 villages where our evangelists are working that are waiting for a church building right now. Opportunities are before us that we could have hardly imagined in the past. Villages are coming to Christ as God’s Spirit moves across Thailand. We believe God has given us a plan to fully utilize our bible school and our evangelism – church planting team to reap a mighty harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God. Thank you for your prayers as we serve God together in His harvest.
We have included a photo page with the nine churches that were built in 2007. We also have included an insert that explains how you can help us in the church building project.
Thank you for your part in this ministry. It is an honor to represent you in foreign missions.
