22 Sep Chinese-Language Church Plant in Thailand

Pastor HM Lee preaching.

Our two churches in Thailand are located just south of the Chinese border. Many persons living in these mountain villages speak either Akha or Mandarin Chinese, but not Thai. While learning to speak English may be popular in some places, most people in northern Thailand want to learn Chinese.

Rev. H.M. Lee recently started a United Brethren Chinese-language church plant. This third church will strengthen the efforts of our two existing Akha-language churches planted in the past 15 years.

22 Sep A New Staffperson in Global Minstries

Frank and Ginny

Global Ministries has hired Frank Y as a new associate director (for security reasons, we won’t use his full name on our websites and will be vague about some of his work). He becomes the fourth member of the staff, joining Jeff Bleijerveld (director), Donna Hollopeter (associate director), and Peggy Sell (administrative assistant). Frank and his wife, Ginny, are members of Emmanuel UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Frank was born in China. He came to the States at age 7, when his father came here to earn his Master’s and PhD in Engineering at the University of Florida. Frank spent his childhood in several east coast states, but mostly in New Jersey, where his parents now live.

A relationship with a Taiwanese Christian woman–which started when she found his father’s lost wallet and returned it–eventually led to Frank’s family becoming Christians. The story also involves a serious heart condition Frank had, a hole in his heart. His mother began reaching out to God by praying over Frank…and he was completely healed. As he says now, “My heart is God’s.” Frank himself made the decision to follow Christ in junior high.

Frank earned an engineering degree from Cornell University, and then came to Fort Wayne in 2002 to work with Lincoln Financial Group. He worked in various departments, including strategy, marketing, and operations. He began worshiping at the Love Church in downtown Fort Wayne, but also attended a Bible study at The Chapel in the western suburbs. He and Ginny, who grew up in Fort Wayne, met at that Bible study, and were married in 2004.

In 2007, Frank and Ginny relocated to Asia, where Frank taught English with a like-minded organization for four years, and also worked three years in member care. Frank and Ginny recently completed graduate degrees at Wheaton College in Illinois. Frank’s degree was in Intercultural Studies and Ginny’s in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

While attending Emmanuel during summer furloughs, Frank got acquainted with Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries. That relationship eventually led to Jeff approaching Frank about joining the Global Ministries staff. Frank started September 15.

Frank and Ginny live in Fort Wayne, and are expecting their first child–a boy–in October.

Frank’s responsibilities will focus on three areas:

1. Supervising the overseas Global Ministries staff.
2. Dealing with new applicants and candidates.
3. Business as Mission.

Donna Hollopeter, in her associate role, will focus on short-term volunteers, internships, and staff care. Jeff Bleijerveld will devote his time to mobilizing local churches, promotion, and coming alongside our international partners in their church planting and mission endeavors.

21 Sep Turkey: Seven Churches Tour in Oct 2012

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Global Ministries is working in partnership with IN Network’s work in Turkey. As one of the initial steps in building this relationship, we have been invited to participate in an exclusive United Brethren tour of the Seven Churches of Revelation and other Biblical Sights.

Dr. Mark Fairchild (right), who chairs the Bible & Religion Department at Huntington University, will be our guide. He frequently conducts biblical study tours to Israel, Greece, and Turkey.  Also participating will be Rody Rodeheaver of IN Network, the organization with which we are partnering in Turkey.

Bishop Phil and Sandy Whipple will take part in the trip, as will I and my wife, Charlene. Bishop Whipple writes:

“I want to invite you to come and experience Turkey, a land that is rich in history. Many sites from the New Testament are found in this land. Come and join my wife and me as we see the same locations seen by the apostle Paul. I am excited to see the scriptures come alive in a new way on this trip. I am looking forward to learning from Dr. Mark Fairchild and sharing a wonderful experience with all of you.”

Turkey is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for those wanting to experience the Biblical sites of the early Christian church. In many ways, the Christian church began in Turkey. The first non-Jewish Christian congregation was established at Antioch (Turkey), and it was there that believers were first called “Christians.” The apostle Paul was born in Turkey and 80% of his missionary journeys occurred in Turkey. A large portion of the New Testament was written to congregations in Turkey.

The total cost is $3,595 per person. That includes air fare, lodging in 4-5 star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, an air-conditioned motorcoach , entrance fees, taxes–pretty much everything you’ll need. Early Bird pricing–a discount of $200–ends November 30. So check out the brochures and submit your application to ensure your place on this exciting trip.