Quest Global Presence Vision Trip to Thailand: Nov 3-14, 2011

(by Keith Tungseth, Chair of the GP/QJC Advisory Board)

PURPOSE: To gain deeper learning about Global Presence development strategies from long-term Covenant missionaries and their national church partners.

FOCUS: Sustainable Development Research Foundation (SDRF) AND COVENANT CHURCH OF THAILAND: We will experience local church culture and learn about holistic development.  We will explore opportunities to partner in the ministries of SDRF and seek God’s vision for this region.  For example: Medical and dental teams; Development-focused teams provide consulting and know-how in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, appropriate technology, and public health.  Children - short-term outreach/service events to serve at-risk children; prayer ministry and building of relationships among believers.

TEAM: Up to 6 Questers plus our guide, David Andrianoff.  Michelle Garred will help us put together 4 team training sessions in Sept/Oct for information and team formation.  And we expect team members to participate in the September 10 Depth Class on Peace-building as well.

COST:  Best estimate: $2,500. (We propose that Quest pay ½ of that through budgeted funds)

QUEST MISSIONARY CONNECTION:  Bob and Grace Shim are supported by Quest.  Here are comments by Bob Shim concerning our proposed trip:  “Great to hear from you!  That's fantastic that there are so many folks involved with the Global Presence team at Quest…. It would be our pleasure to host a team of "Questers" seeking to broaden their view of what God is doing globally and explore how to better partner with ongoing Kingdom work. In my opinion, there is no better way than coming and witnessing first-hand how God is reconciling peoples to Himself in remote corners of the world. I think I can offer a bold guarantee that if a team of Global Presence members came, met with local peoples, experienced their culture and hospitality, walked in their shoes, and saw how God is transforming their lives and communities, they will return home changed forever (in big and small ways)….”

Bob Shim works with Jim Gustafson in a Thai foundation called the Sustainable Development Research Foundation (SDRF) that has work going on in 5 different Thai provinces in holistic community development and building grass-roots church movements. Their work in the Southern provinces has been in predominantly Muslim communities and all of their ministries involve building peace and building bridges with communities. SDRF's work in the southern part of Thailand is in two places: Songkhla and Koh Yao. In Songkhla we have the ministry to HIV/AIDS-affected peoples (the Center for HIV/AIDS Affected Communities, or CHAC) and on the island of Koh Yao we have the Marine Research Institute (where we do marine aquatics research) and our ministry to the Muslim fishing communities.

THAILAND AND COVENANT WORLD MISSION: Thailand is a country rich in tradition and culture. Predominately a Buddhist country (ninety-five percent), it has relatively few Christians (less than one percent). A main hindrance to acceptance of the gospel is a common belief that Christianity is a religion for Westerners. The Covenant ministries in Thailand are trying to break this barrier by using Thai cultural forms for worship and Bible teaching. In addition to church planting, several transformational ministries are operating across the country, including agricultural businesses, community health and education, job creation for migrant workers, education of children, and ongoing tsunami relief and development. The overarching goal of these projects is to share the love of Christ and plant the gospel in these communities.

If you have interest in being part of the team or any questions about this trip, please contact Keith Tungseth,  Keith@Tungseth.com   206-391-7951