THAILAND TEAM TRANSITION TIME
This is the last update I will write as the leader of the Thailand Team. The past six years have been a time of tremendous blessings and extreme trials. We have seen over 40,000 people turn from false religion to trust in Jesus Christ as their Saviour. We have planted two independent Baptist churches that are now growing and thriving in the middle of the Devil’s territory. We have worked to adapt to a new language and culture, and we have endured a devastating flood that destroyed our homes and closed our church for two months. We have watched our new converts grow and begin winning their own people to Christ. We have had five babies born to our team ladies. We have started multiple truck routes. We have learned to love Thai food. We cried when Brother Kalapp graduated and went to his reward. We were sad when Brother Moore transitioned from being the director of FBMI. We rejoiced together when the First Baptist Church of Hammond voted in Brother John Wilkerson as their new pastor. Through it all, God has constantly blessed.
Bro. Tim Shook will be replacing me as the new team leader and pastor of the Independent Baptist Church of Hua Hin. He and Missy are both our family and our friends, and I am very pleased to be leaving the team in such capable hands. Their family arrived in Thailand four weeks ago, and the overlap time has been very special. Our children have enjoyed playing with their cousins again. The Shooks have 3½ years’ experience serving the Lord here in Thailand, and I am impressed by how much Thai they remember. Please pray for them as they assume their new responsibilities.
My family will be returning to America on the 12th of July. I will be working at the First Baptist Church in Hammond as an assistant pastor in the areas of ministry and finance. I will also be teaching missions at Hyles-Anderson College two days a week. Our five younger children will enroll in the Hammond Baptist schools, and Matthew and Sarah will be moving back home. As you can imagine, our emotions are very mixed and we would really appreciate your prayers during this time.