Missionaries are like comets…
Simeon (Sim) – Singapore
Joyce – the Burgh and Mon Valley
40 years Serving as Missionaries in Asia
God’s dream for the World & for Asia
The Bible uses various pictures to express God’s dream for the world
Here are 2 such pictures:-
(Along with each, I will share a missionary story from Asia
Of which Joyce and I have the privilege of serving alongside)
Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth shall be filled
with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord;
as the waters cover the seas
Indonesia – An Introduction
- World Largest Island Country (map)
- Indonesia has over 18,000 islands;
- around 2000 are inhabited,
- Many inhabited islands can only be accessed via the sea.
- Peoples of Indonesia
- Population: 270 million (US: 330 Million)
- Languages Spoken: 700
- Ethnic groups: 1,300
- Religion
- 87% Islam
- 10% Christianity
- others
Imagine – God will fill Indonesia with the knowledge of His glory – just like the waters that surrounds her.
An Indonesian Missionary Story
Franky & his Dream of a boat ministry
Long Gestation –12 years of consistent and persistent prayer!
Their Dream, has now also become our Dream!
To see a viable boat ministry
reaching out to unevangelized islands of East Indonesia
by 2030
through evangelism, medical, and community development projects.
Joyce & I are like mid-wives helping to prepare for the birth of this ministry
Next year – we are hoping to go to Indonesia again, spending time with the boat team, and continue helping this birthing process
Psalms 97:1
The LORD reigns, may the earth rejoice; May the many islands be joyful. –New American Standard Bible
Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord; as the waters cover the seas.
Another picture in Scripture that expresses God’s dream for the lost world:
Mark 1:38
And Jesus replied,
“We must go on to other towns as well,
that I will preach to them, too.
That is why I came.”
Jesus’ heart was that all may hear the Good News of the Kingdom!
Nepal – An Introduction (Map)
Famous for its World’s Highest mountain – Mt Everest
and its mountain range – The Himalayas
Population: 28 million people
Nepal & PA
Nepal is about half the land size of PA;
But has 2x the population of PA (13 mil)
Religions
81% Hindu
1.5% Christianity
Others
A Nepali Missionary Story
Bharat, the Church Planter
One Village One Church
Go to villages who have never heard – Nepali Church Planting
Acts 1:8 – Witnesses Near and Far
Just before he was taken back into heaven, Jesus instructed his disciples –
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
And in all Judea and Samaria,
And to the ends of the earth.”
Many may remain at home in the Mon Valley (our Jerusalem)
– and be witnesses here;
While God will send some (like Joyce & I) to faraway places (to the ends of the earth)
– like the comets that He launched us into the outer universe.
But the time will come –
When islanders in Indonesia come to know Jesus through the boat ministry;
When Hindu villages in Nepal turn to worship Jesus through this church-planting ministry
You at home here at Christian Center will share in the reward!
Equal Share: 1 Sam 30:24
“The share of the man who stayed with the supplies
is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle.
All will share alike.”
God promises through his Word that you will have a share in the reward.
More pointedly, Your shares will be the same as Joyce’s and mine!
Because, you stayed with the supplies.
You are not only fighting and defending the home-front,
You prayed for us. You supported us.
Not just us, but for all those who were sent out from this body,
And all God’s ministries you have prayed and supported.
For each, you will have an equal share!
In our case, this church has continuously supported us for 4 decades!
Tell the person next to you, “I have a share in Joyce and Simeon’s ministry!”
“The share of the man who stayed with the supplies
is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle.
All will share alike.” – 1 Sam 30:24