Based on reports by Debbie Vik, an Alliance international worker serving in Thailand
Each year thousands of Alliance people travel overseas to connect with Alliance long-term efforts to complete the Great Commission. From building churches and schools to hosting evangelistic campaigns or doing relief or medical work, the opportunities are unlimited.
This February, more than 1,000 patients in at least seven Thai villages received treatment during a medical outreach by a Salem (Oregon) Alliance Church team. Team members, in partnership with their Thai coworkers, saw several people make decisions to accept Jesus.
Follow-up Challenges
As is often the case with many missions trips, follow-up is often challenging. Some of the new believers grow and thrive in their Christian journeys, while others may falter in their commitment.
One family in the village of Mae Klong Yai began attending services and immediately met with church leaders for discipleship. Since then, however, the husband has stopped coming to church; pray that he will renew his commitment to Christ. His wife continues to attend. Pray for her to remain strong in her faith.
More Workers Needed
This congregation does not have a pastor, so the elders have conducted follow-up. It is difficult to do so regularly because they work in the fields and have families to care for.
Another new believer, Yeng, lives in a village quite far from the church where the clinic was held. The pastor has been able to visit her only once.
“This is a difficult situation,” says Alliance international worker Debbie Vik, who participated in the outreach. “Yeng’s village is such a distance from the church, and there are no other Christians in the area.” Please pray for Yeng’s ongoing discipleship and for God to use her to lead other villagers to Jesus.
What You Can Do
Pray for long-term, lasting impact from Salem Alliance’s ministry. Continue to intercede for the new believers to grow in their faith. Pray too for wisdom and Holy-Spirit empowerment for those engaged in follow-up and that God will call more workers to disciple those who made commitments.
The need remains urgent for devoted Jesus followers to take His light to the last missions frontiers—some of most spiritually dark places on earth. Check out opportunities to serve with The Alliance around the world.
Learn more about short-term missions opportunities through The Alliance in the “Envision” article in the upcoming May/June issue of Alliance Life magazine.