PRAISES:
Myanmar
In Myanmar Nazarene leaders recently gained new understanding for what it means to be "the church" in their communities and around the world. The Holy Spirit is moving among the leaders in this Southeast Asia country. Praise God for His unending faithfulness. Read the rest of the story in the Asia-Pacific Region's article.Get Urgent Updates Delivered to Your Inbox!
THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVING IN MYANMAR AS LEADERS GRASP HOLD OF THE DEFINITION OF “CHURCH!”
Myanmar, Southeast Asia Field: It is said that our perception of the world defines our reality. In Myanmar a new understanding and perception of what it means to be “Church” has redefined their reality and planted a vision for revival!
District leaders meeting in Myanmar.
On March 23-25, twelve pastors and lay leaders from the Myanmar District met in Tahan Province with team member Bill Kwon, who serves as the District Superintendent. Their goal was to take an in-depth look at the structure of districts and what it means to be the “local church.”
One of the primary resources used for this training was the newly released Nazarene Essentials, a brief and easily accessible publication, written in plain language, that covers the basics of the church’s teaching, history, theology, mission, funding and connections.
On March 23-25, twelve pastors and lay leaders from the Myanmar District met in Tahan Province with team member Bill Kwon, who serves as the District Superintendent. Their goal was to take an in-depth look at the structure of districts and what it means to be the “local church.”
One of the primary resources used for this training was the newly released Nazarene Essentials, a brief and easily accessible publication, written in plain language, that covers the basics of the church’s teaching, history, theology, mission, funding and connections.
Kwon shares with the leaders.
As Kwon began to share about the vision of the church, revelation began to show on the faces of the leaders. Throughout their 31 years of history in Myanmar, they had come to understand that a church was only established when there were funds available for a building and the support of a pastor.
“In the Church of the Nazarene, our definition of church reads: Any group that meets regularly for spiritual nurture, worship, or instruction at an announced time and place, with an identified leader, and aligned with the message and mission of the church of the Nazarene may be recognized as a church and reported as such for district and general church statistics. In other words, a church is a cluster of believers, not a building or property.”- Board of General Superintendents (Nazarene Essentials)
It was discussed that the Christian church constructed no church buildings during the first 200 years of church history; that the concepts of dedicated church buildings, property, and full-time pastors for churches came later. The Holy Spirit is leading the church to reproduce itself in new ways. Each church is a church planting church. Each individual believer has the potential to be a church planter!
Excitement began to build in the room. With this understanding of the definition of church, the leaders immediately identified 10-12 new churches that already existed on the Myanmar District! What could this mean? The leaders began to dream and envision the future. Currently there are 23 churches and approximately 2,500 members on the Myanmar District. Where could they be in 5 years?
By God’s grace the Myanmar leaders are envisioning a new future for Myanmar. They are casting the vision that by 2020, they will have 200 churches, 15,000 members, 200 pastors, and 500 small groups, with work in 6 areas of the country.
As Kwon began to share about the vision of the church, revelation began to show on the faces of the leaders. Throughout their 31 years of history in Myanmar, they had come to understand that a church was only established when there were funds available for a building and the support of a pastor.
“In the Church of the Nazarene, our definition of church reads: Any group that meets regularly for spiritual nurture, worship, or instruction at an announced time and place, with an identified leader, and aligned with the message and mission of the church of the Nazarene may be recognized as a church and reported as such for district and general church statistics. In other words, a church is a cluster of believers, not a building or property.”- Board of General Superintendents (Nazarene Essentials)
It was discussed that the Christian church constructed no church buildings during the first 200 years of church history; that the concepts of dedicated church buildings, property, and full-time pastors for churches came later. The Holy Spirit is leading the church to reproduce itself in new ways. Each church is a church planting church. Each individual believer has the potential to be a church planter!
Excitement began to build in the room. With this understanding of the definition of church, the leaders immediately identified 10-12 new churches that already existed on the Myanmar District! What could this mean? The leaders began to dream and envision the future. Currently there are 23 churches and approximately 2,500 members on the Myanmar District. Where could they be in 5 years?
By God’s grace the Myanmar leaders are envisioning a new future for Myanmar. They are casting the vision that by 2020, they will have 200 churches, 15,000 members, 200 pastors, and 500 small groups, with work in 6 areas of the country.
Bill Kwon and Mr. Thana
While the meeting was intended for district leaders, a lay evangelist, Mr. Thana, also came to explore his own hunger and calling to serve the church. Thana was moved to tears as he listened to the discussion and inspiring definition of what it means to be “church.”He approached Kwon, letting him know that he already has several small groups that have formed, but he never realized that these groups, which meet regularly, could be considered as churches.
“He never realized until now that he was actually planting churches!”- Bill Kwon
Small group discussions
The meeting continued as the leaders made plans for opening the Course of Study to lay leaders in Fall, 2015. They will prioritize layleadership development, churches planting churches, and children’s evangelism and discipleship. They will also begin sending a 3-4 member team into a new area that does not yet have a gathering for the Church of the Nazarene.But more than casting vision for the future, they began moving forward immediately! The District Secretary is holding revival services from April 12-19, during a national holiday season. They also realized that they already have funds available to send out their first district missionary to a neighboring province, one of the new areas.
In order to prepare for a massive number of new members in 5 years, the district feels it is vital to translate solid membership material into 3 languages.
I think [Nazarene Essentials] is the best material for this time.- Bill Kwon
So, the Myanmar District is leading the way in proposing to translate Nazarene Essentials into the languages of Mizo Chins, Burmese, and possibly Karen.
Into which languages of the districts on your field would you be ready to grow using Nazarene Essentials?
What is your perception of Church defining your reality for ministry? In China every new believer is called to be a church planter, and every church a church planting church. The result? A growth from 2 million to more than 100 million Christians!
Prayer Requests:
– Please continue to pray for the Myanmar church as together they embrace the vision to make Christlike disciples.
– Please pray for the upcoming revival services to be held April 12-19.
Click here to download Nazarene Essentials[Submission: Southeast Asia Communications]
PRAY FOR:
GLOBAL MINISTRY REQUESTS
Holiness Teaching in a CAA
Pray for a missionary who works in a creative access area and will be leading a course on the Doctrine of Holiness over the next two-weeks.
CIS Field Needs
Pray with the leaders and lay people of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Field that the following needs will be met in God’s perfect timing and perfect way:
The purchase of two apartments in Chisinau, Moldova, to reduce the yearly financial
dependency of the ministry
The registration of the church in Armenia
One year’s rent for a larger church space for the Yerevan First Church of the Nazarene
The replacement of the old and outdated heating system in the facilities in Chekhov, RussiaClick here to learn more about these needs from CIS Field Strategy Coordinator Scott Rainey.
MKs to NYC
Pray for the 35 missionary kids (MKs) who will attend the Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) in Louisville, Kentucky, this summer. Pray for the MKs as they prepare to travel, some from the other side of the world, to attend where they will be part of the “MK District” led by missionaries Scott and Emily Armstrong.
April Missionary Prayer Focus
Please pray for these missionaries, who are part of the April Prayer Focus, and their requests:
Brian and Erin Ketchum, serving in France
Pray for the upcoming pastors and wives spiritual emphasis retreat from May 14-16.
Pray for pastor Joseph Toguyera, newly appointed district superintendent, his wife, Josephine, and their family as they adjust to their new role and all that it entails.
Pray for awakening of the people of France to the nudge of the Holy Spirit and God’s outstretched hand.
Collin and Shireen Elliott, serving in South Africa/Asia-Pacific
Pray that we would only seek God's will in our lives every step of our spiritual journey.
Pray for our ministry transition from the Africa Region to the Asia Pacific Region and to be sensitive in adapting to a new culture.
Pray that God would give strength and encouragement to our young adult children who will be separated from us for a long period of time.
Jim and Kathy Radcliffe, serving in Papua New Guinea
Please pray:
For our times of sharing in the churches and different groups here to be anointed from the Lord.
For Jim as he shares at the Bromley district men's gathering in June
For energy and strength to complete what the Lord wants us to do here
For Kathy in some extra duties she has along with some childcare she is enjoying with her grandsons
Read more requests from the Radcliffes in the Printable version of PML.
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Liza Halbrook – UPDATE
Pray for Liza Hallbrook who has been diagnosed with abdominal cancer that is inoperable. Pray for God’s provision to cover the treatments and for Liza’s miraculous healing. She currently serves as the Systems/Network Administrator for the Asia-Pacific Resource Center and has served in several other capacities for the past 15 years.
GLOBAL CONCERNS
Kidnapped Nigerian Girls
A call to prayer from Open Doors: April 14 marked the one-year anniversary of the horrific kidnapping of the girls from Chibok, Nigeria. As we consider their plight, and that of their parents, their families, and the entire Chibok Christian community, let us unite in focused and hopeful prayer for the next seven days. Read more in this “take action” call on the Open Doors website.
Thank you for praying.
We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God,
who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.[Brother Lawrence, French lay monk and writer]
____________________________
Into which languages of the districts on your field would you be ready to grow using Nazarene Essentials?
What is your perception of Church defining your reality for ministry? In China every new believer is called to be a church planter, and every church a church planting church. The result? A growth from 2 million to more than 100 million Christians!
Prayer Requests:
– Please continue to pray for the Myanmar church as together they embrace the vision to make Christlike disciples.
– Please pray for the upcoming revival services to be held April 12-19.
Click here to download Nazarene Essentials[Submission: Southeast Asia Communications]
PRAY FOR:
GLOBAL MINISTRY REQUESTS
Holiness Teaching in a CAA
Pray for a missionary who works in a creative access area and will be leading a course on the Doctrine of Holiness over the next two-weeks.
CIS Field Needs
Pray with the leaders and lay people of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Field that the following needs will be met in God’s perfect timing and perfect way:
The purchase of two apartments in Chisinau, Moldova, to reduce the yearly financial
dependency of the ministry
The registration of the church in Armenia
One year’s rent for a larger church space for the Yerevan First Church of the Nazarene
The replacement of the old and outdated heating system in the facilities in Chekhov, RussiaClick here to learn more about these needs from CIS Field Strategy Coordinator Scott Rainey.
MKs to NYC
Pray for the 35 missionary kids (MKs) who will attend the Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) in Louisville, Kentucky, this summer. Pray for the MKs as they prepare to travel, some from the other side of the world, to attend where they will be part of the “MK District” led by missionaries Scott and Emily Armstrong.
April Missionary Prayer Focus
Please pray for these missionaries, who are part of the April Prayer Focus, and their requests:
Brian and Erin Ketchum, serving in France
Pray for the upcoming pastors and wives spiritual emphasis retreat from May 14-16.
Pray for pastor Joseph Toguyera, newly appointed district superintendent, his wife, Josephine, and their family as they adjust to their new role and all that it entails.
Pray for awakening of the people of France to the nudge of the Holy Spirit and God’s outstretched hand.
Collin and Shireen Elliott, serving in South Africa/Asia-Pacific
Pray that we would only seek God's will in our lives every step of our spiritual journey.
Pray for our ministry transition from the Africa Region to the Asia Pacific Region and to be sensitive in adapting to a new culture.
Pray that God would give strength and encouragement to our young adult children who will be separated from us for a long period of time.
Jim and Kathy Radcliffe, serving in Papua New Guinea
Please pray:
For our times of sharing in the churches and different groups here to be anointed from the Lord.
For Jim as he shares at the Bromley district men's gathering in June
For energy and strength to complete what the Lord wants us to do here
For Kathy in some extra duties she has along with some childcare she is enjoying with her grandsons
Read more requests from the Radcliffes in the Printable version of PML.
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Liza Halbrook – UPDATE
Pray for Liza Hallbrook who has been diagnosed with abdominal cancer that is inoperable. Pray for God’s provision to cover the treatments and for Liza’s miraculous healing. She currently serves as the Systems/Network Administrator for the Asia-Pacific Resource Center and has served in several other capacities for the past 15 years.
GLOBAL CONCERNS
Kidnapped Nigerian Girls
A call to prayer from Open Doors: April 14 marked the one-year anniversary of the horrific kidnapping of the girls from Chibok, Nigeria. As we consider their plight, and that of their parents, their families, and the entire Chibok Christian community, let us unite in focused and hopeful prayer for the next seven days. Read more in this “take action” call on the Open Doors website.
Thank you for praying.
We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God,
who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.[Brother Lawrence, French lay monk and writer]
____________________________
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