(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
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