Unprecedented Unity in Thailand

Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them." What about two or three thousand?

Last week, more than 4000 church leaders, including representatives from all 76 Thai provinces and every major denomination and Christian organizations in Thailand, came together for the 7th Thailand Congress on Evangelism - five days of praying, worshiping, planning and encouraging each other for one purpose: to see Thai people know God.

How is this going to happen? According to the Congress organizers, "Through obedience, faithfulness, unity, and synergy... to the glory of God."

During these historic meetings Thai church leaders were encouraged by representatives from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, who shared that there is no other nation in the world with the same unified plan to reach out to the entire nation like Thailand.

Recently the Thai church has reached unprecedented unity through the Thai National Plan for Evangelism, making great strides towards accomplishing the goal of planting a church in every district (77% complete), and a Christian group in every sub-district (48% complete). The beauty of this movement is that Christ as the head is the one who is in charge.

The vision to see at least one church in every district by 2010 will only be achieved when the entire body of Christ works together. It is too large a task for any one mission or denomination to accomplish on their own. In a similar fashion to YWAM 4k initiative and the call2all movement, the Thai National Plan helps provide a context for the entire body of Christ to come together, pray, and share information so that we can all go together to the places that have not yet been reached by the gospel.

At the Congress, leaders were invited to partner together even more by sharing in "My Hope" a nation-wide outreach program planned for this December. At that time, every believer in Thailand will have the opportunity to invite their friends, family and neighbors into their home for a meal, followed by the chance to hear the gospel preached on national TV. At the conclusion of the broadcast, guests will be invited into the hope that is available only in Christ.

YWAMers were involved in the Congress by hosting a hospitality booth, performing several original Thai dances on the small stage, and by leading worship from the front for the final day of the gathering. Throughout the Congress, songs that have been written by Thai YWAMers were being passionately sung in worship, and were clearly shown to be a blessing to the Thai church.

Even more significantly than YWAM's direct involvement in this Congress are the everyday ways in which YWAMers are making real contributions to building up and supporting the body of Christ here in Thailand:

• Helping to lead the way in composing original Thai worship music, which is sung in churches and gatherings all over Thailand
  

• Working with the church for more effective ministry to young people

• Reaching out to college students

• Demonstrating God's love among the poor

• Caring for orphans, widows, and those involved in the sex industry

• Planting new churches in unreached areas

• Encouraging ethnic and tribal minorities

• Training and equipping leaders

• Developing business as mission

• Using traditional Thai dance to share the gospel

• Sending short-term teams to support the evangelistic work of the local church in some of the least-reached areas of Thailand

Please join us in praying for God's continued favor on the Thai National Plan for evangelism, for many to respond to God's gentle invitation during the "My Hope" project, and for the continued deepening of unity among the Church in Thailand. Scripture promises that where there is unity God commands his blessing.

We are grateful for your partnership with YWAM Thailand and the roles that your prayers, gifts, and service are playing in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth right here in the Kingdom of Thailand.

For the Kingdom,
Your friends at YWAM Thailand