OMF Billions May-Aug 2014

May – Aug 2014

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Arrivals & Departures A Personal Call

Together for the Gospel Stories from Vietnam

Missional Characters Children on a Mission

Bringing hope to hard places

We serve the church and seek to bring the gospel to all the peoples of East Asia. We help place Christians with professional skills in China and other Asian countries, and share the love of Christ with East Asians worldwide.

Through God’s grace we aim to see an indigenous, biblical churchplanting movement in each people group of East Asia, evangelising their own people and reaching out in mission to other peoples.

UK NATIONAL OFFICE OMF International (UK) Station Approach, Borough Green Kent TN15 8BG 01732 887299 omf@omf.org.uk www.omf.org.uk DIRECTORS National: Peter & Christine Rowan Finance: Darren Wall Mobilisation: Lenore Gerschwitz (Interim) Candidates: Louise Barker Member Care: Beverlea Parkhill AREA MOBILISERS London 01732 887 299 london@omf.org.uk Colchester Mark Sinclair 07583 551 610 msinclair@omf.org.uk

From The Editor Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour.

– Ecclesiastes 4 v9

The bible exalts partnership.

The results are greater than the sum of their parts. As in life so it is in mission. If you go it alone who will pick you up when you fall? What happens when your knowledge runs out? When taking the gospel to East Asians who better to draw alongside than the churches of local believers. No one person or organisation can achieve the Great Commission, it requires the power of working together.

Chris Watts Editor – chris.watts@omfmail.com

Cambridge Tim Jenkins 07557 237 039 tjenkins@omf.org.uk Hampshire Andy & Jenni Stevens 01865 600 024 astevens@omf.org.uk Bristol & Wales Charles & Liz Chalmers 0117 946 6211 cchalmers@omf.org.uk Manchester 01732 887 299 north@omf.org.uk Glasgow Phil & Cathy Steed 0141 959 4180 scotland@omf.org.uk Belfast Nathaniel & Donna Jennings 028 9073 1266 njennings@omf.org.uk DIASPORA MINISTRIES Keith Wood 07971 418019 ask.diaspora@omfmail.com Registered Charity England and Wales: 1123973 Scotland: SC039645 Company limited by guarantee England and Wales: 6541911 International Headquarters, 2 Cluny Road , Singapore 259570

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News 4 Arrivals 6 Departures 8

Together for the Gospel The changing needs of East Asia

A Personal Call My name’s Levi and I’m a missionary

The Shape of Things to Come 14 5 areas shaping OMFs engagement in mission

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PARTICIPATE 12

Stories from Vietnam The Foreign Religion & Granny's Great Commision

Missional Characters Introducing Priscilla

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Children on a Mission 5 ideas for engaging children

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Bridge Asia 22 'Together in Christ for East Asia'

16 Financial Overview 24 Events 26

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News Selected snippets from OMF's work with East Asians around the world.

Project 2015 4

Members of the mobilisation and communications team recently met with Lester Manley to discuss projects for the coming 2015 celebrations. One idea arising from the meeting was creating a resource pack for churches, including videos and Bible studies about mission. Nadine Woods has offered to be UK Project 2015 co-ordinator. The communications team has also recently made contact with a Christian animator to bring some early CIM & OMF stories to life. Please pray as we continue to make plans and produce material throughout 2014.

Two years on

In May 2012 we heard that Keith and Joyce Wood were about to start working with the diaspora team. Two years on and we get the chance to catch up with them again and see how prayers have been answered.

‘Since joining the Diaspora Ministries Field, life has been encouraging and faith stretching. A few months after joining we agreed to take on the leadership of our European Diaspora Cluster of 25 OMF members and 24 co-workers (volunteers) across four countries.

Alongside this and other admin roles we value our contact with academic visitors from China who attend English Corner in Manchester. We have enjoyed getting to know over 150 scholars through English teaching, outings, holidays, Bible study and arranging a home stay for over 50 in the church where we were married. God is good – and we are seeing Him at work. Visiting a recently returned family in China and hearing them talk of their new and growing faith makes sowing seed all the more worthwhile!’

Please continue to pray for Keith and Joyce Wood along with the whole diaspora ministry team as they seek to bring the gospel to East Asians in the UK and Europe.

Connected Conference 28 Feb – 2 March

Thank you to those who attended the OMF National Conference at the end of February. It was a great time of connecting with OMF supporters from around the UK. We heard encouraging Bible talks from Ian Coffey and intriguing insights into OMF UK and global mission from Peter Rowan. Seminars throughout the weekend helped us tackle specific topics in smaller groups and the workshops provided time and space to work on more practical subjects.

Here’s what some of the attendees had to say about the weekend:

Rosemary Sandbach

‘Having been involved with OMF in the past, about 20 years ago, I lost touch a bit.

Then my daughter started interning with OMF and I remembered how great the National Conferences were, so we went together.’

‘It’s been really great to get re-connected and feel part of the OMF family again. One thing that’s quite amazing is when I look at people’s conference badges I recognise names; I remember them involved 20 years ago! It is tremendous that there are still people serving now who were here 20 years ago.’

Levi Booth

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Bill Fearnehough

‘I first came (to the National Conference) in 1959; at that conference the Mrs and I got called to OMF and we’ve been attending ever since.’

‘Bridge Asia was the first seminar I attended. We looked at the challenge of bringing missions to local churches. The workshop on Bridge Asia was very positive, discussing how we can fit Bridge Asia teams into local church situations and how they can work to introduce missions to churches was encouraging.’

‘In seven weeks time I will be heading out to start my first term with OMF. I’ve always found the Conference is a great time to spend with other people who share a passion for East Asia and God’s glory. I knew I would get to meet new friends and catch up with old friends, while catching the passion again myself for what OMF does and why its important. My favourite session was with Ian Coffey looking at 1 Kings 18 and Elijah, I was challenged and encouraged by his persistence in faith through tough times.’

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Arrivals Tomek & Laura Returning From East Asia

Returning From Japan

What is your current ministry?

What is your current ministry?

I'm at the final stage of my language studies.

Currently, we are in our training placement at Grace Community in Sapporo. We help out wherever we can, getting involved in almost every aspect of church life, learning a lot about how Japanese church can work.

Highlight of the term?

Learning North East Asian languages and culture as well as witnessing God’s work in the area have been the highlights of my term here.

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Nathanael & Anna Ayling

Highlight of the term?

What can we pray for in your field?

Our second son being born! And seeing a university student become born again.

Please pray for positive changes to take place soon in North East Asia.

What can we pray for in your field?

What can we pray for your future?

Smooth adjustment to life in the UK during home assignment, particularly for Laura, who is South Korean, as she improves her English and learns western culture. Please pray for clear guidance and wisdom for the steps we need to take in the future.

When are you returning and where to?

Beginning of March 2014, Northern Ireland

Pray for more workers for the harvest in Tohoku, the region hit by the tsunami. Pray for pastors and churches to be overflowing with unity and love for each other. Please pray that whole families will believe in Jesus.

What can we pray for your future?

Pray that each one of us would love Jesus more than life and become more like Him. Pray we would glorify God by enjoying Him forever and help others to do the same!

When are you returning and where to?

We are returning midmay 2014 and will be based in South Wales.

Mike & Elizabeth Jeggo Returning From Japan

Dave & Fiona Rickards Returning From Singapore

What is your current ministry?

What is your current ministry?

Currently we shadow Pastor Sozo Ikeda at the Chapel of Adoration in Ichikawa. We have been leading at Sunday schools, preaching at prayer meetings, holding Bible studies and opening our home for Gospel-themed parties (Christmas, Easter etc.) with local families.

Dave has been working as the Organizational Change Project Manager since January 2013. Fiona has started work as the Project Manager for OMF’s Learning Management System (developing tools like e-learning to help individuals grow in Christ-likeness and fruitfulness!).

Previously, Dave & Fiona served as the Field Directors in Cambodia.

Highlight of the term?

Not so much one moment as the gradual change from helpless and clueless newcomers in the Japanese language and culture to sufficient competence.

We have seen spiritual growth in seeking friends, some seem close to believing.

What can we pray for in your field?

Breakthrough! For many years the Gospel has been met with apathy; pray this changes. Also for the church to be more outward looking and willing to consider changing how things are done. For OMF Japan, we have been growing in number; pray for our leadership to resolve some of the practical issues created by this.

What can we pray for your future?

We hope to work with returnees – the Japanese who come to faith while overseas. Returning home entails reverse culture shock; dealing with that causes some to fall away.

Please pray for wisdom as to how we do this and whom we partner with.

When are you returning and where to?

We are returning at the end of March, and will be living in Cambridge.

Highlight of the term?

Dave: Seeing around 50 Cambodian church leaders eagerly participating in the Langham Preaching Course. It was an encouragement to hear one pastor say that this was exactly the type of training that the church needs!

Fiona: Seeing OMF team members persevere into spiritually needy areas in rural Cambodia and into new leadership roles in the field.

What can we pray for in your field?

We are now at IHQ where there will be significant changes over the next 12 months. Pray for a smooth transition from old to new and for a spirit of faith, grace and love in the midst of the changes.

What can we pray for your future?

We will be taking up the new role of Director for Fellowship Services from 1 January 2015. Pray that we would trust in the Lord with all our hearts and that we would acknowledge Him in all our ways.

When are you returning and where to?

We will be returning in April and will be based in Scotland.

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Priscilla

Departures

Destination Designation

Departure Sending Church

Supporting Church

East Asia One year full-time language study, then work (most likely teaching English) 21 April 2014 Beckton Chinese Gospel Church, Beckton St Francis in Selsdon

What’s your favourite meal?

I’m Chinese, I’ll eat pretty much anything!

Mission Journey

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I remember an adult at church camp telling stories of Isobel Kuhn and describing how she’d tidied her home, then had visitors spit on her floor. Thirteen years later, I was in East Asia, experienced an earthquake, and had visitors spit on my floor! But I still want to return!

God called me to Asia when I was at university.

I was petrified. I ignored Him. But He kept prompting until I couldn’t ignore it. So I prayed, which brought great peace, and I yielded. The more I look back, the more I see God paving the way: I grew up in a Chinese, Christian family; I learnt to share my faith at a young age; I met lots of Asian students at university (even when I was trying to avoid them); God ‘coincidentally’ gave me opportunities for evangelistic dialogue (even when I was trying to avoid them); God gave me an opportunity to visit Asia (even when I wasn’t looking for it). So after a long period of stubborn resistance, I began surrendering to God instead. Now I find myself wanting to go.

Lessons learnt: resistance is futile and prayer is dangerous!

Sheila Destination East Asia Designation Teaching English Departure 9 Feb 2014 Sending church Gilcomston Church, Aberdeen

What’s your claim to fame?

I went to school with Annie Lennox. We sat next to each other in the school orchestra. Autographs later please…

Mission Journey I grew up in Aberdeen. I first became interested in mission while I was still at school. I attended an OMF prayer group, and as I prayed for the different missionaries, my interest grew. Later as a primary school teacher I wondered if I could use my teaching skills to help build God’s church in SE Asia. I joined OMF in 1983 and went to Thailand where I worked with the Shan people as part of a church planting team.

After 14 years I returned home to care for elderly family members. During this time God led me into international student work – working with Friends International, befriending students from all over the world, leading evangelistic Bible studies and discipling new Christians.

Over the years my caring role has come to an end. I am once again setting out for SE Asia. I will be teaching English. I’m excited to be living amongst a people group with few Christians and little opportunity to hear the Gospel.

Tony, Rachel, Samuel (6), Alice (2) Destination Singapore Designation International Media Coordinator Departure April 2014 Sending church St Nicholas, Sevenoaks

What’s your favourite meal?

As a family, Chicken and ‘Apricopters’.

Random Fact Tony went to the same school as England International and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand

Mission Journey For me, Tony, mission awareness started with a family friend who went to be a midwife in Niger and my Grandad who read us Jungle Doctor stories by Dr. Paul White. For Rachel it was visiting Serbia with relief supplies on board an Oak Hall coach. And that, we thought, was that ... at least until I started working for OMF. Following a week of media meetings in Singapore, I caught up with Mark Bradley, OMF’s Assistant Director for Mobilisation and Media. In culturally typically Asian fashion we talked about many things, like family, work and media; almost as I was ready to leave, Mark asked me if I'd consider the media coordinator role as a full time position for two years, based in Singapore.

I called Rachel straight away during her lunch break, dropped the bombshell and promptly left for Thailand. It was almost a week before we could talk face to face. She took the ludicrous plan in her stride to move ourselves plus two children to Asia. As we sat down together, we couldn't really think of any good reason not to explore further – apart from who would look after the garden.

As Media Coordinator I hope to help OMF Centres to collaborate on projects and be a central point of contact for resources to share OMF’s vision.

We’re looking forward to this exciting and unexpected new experience as a family.

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Levi Booth ‘Hi, my name’s Levi and I’m a missionary. I like good coffee, bad action movies, and sports. I hate Marmite. And I love Japan. I’ve been there four times now and in May I will head back long-term.'

My aim is simple. To make disciples of Jesus, who can make disciples of Jesus. In Japan.

In other words, I hope to spend the rest of my life training and encouraging Japanese Christians to do church planting.

At university I got involved with outreach to international students. I met students from all around the world, but I found myself specifically drawn to Japanese students.

One day I was invited to an OMF conference.

We were told a ton of information about the church in Asia and I have forgotten all of it… except for one statistic; in Japan the number of students who are Christians is 0.001%. That number lit a fire in my belly that has never been extinguished.

Skip ahead a bit and a ginger kid is stepping onto a plane to spend a year helping with student ministry in Japan. I figured that after a year I would know whether I should consider long-term mission in Japan.

It turns out I only needed a few months. Very quickly I fell in love with Japan: the natural beauty, the food, the people, yes, even the language. Did I mention the food?

At the same time I saw first-hand what I had heard about. The 0.001% turned into names and faces: students struggling to be faithful to their Saviour in universities with only one or two other Christians.

They faced pressure from family to renounce their faith, job prospects that would place them in towns without a church, and a culture that was so enmeshed in Shinto and Buddhism that their friends told them, with a straight face, ‘I can’t become a Christian, because I’m Japanese.’

The needs were huge – and I had come to love Japan – but I still struggled to make a decision about the future.

Name Age Heroes Next up

Levi Booth 30 years old Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan 2 years of language study

I was still unsure as to whether Japan was the right place for me long-term. I hadn’t picked up the language as quickly as I had hoped. I wasn’t sure whether I would really make any impact there.

I wanted a clear call from God. So I prayed and prayed and prayed. I wanted a dream, a vision, a voice.

Something, anything to confirm this sense of calling.

Eventually I realised I had the wrong focus. I was thinking about my need for a call. But what if I focused instead on what Japan needed? Japan needs the gospel of Jesus Christ, that much is clear. More specifically it needs people to go and share that life-changing gospel message.

I had received a call. Not in a dream or vision, but in real life. In Acts 16 we read about how Paul had a vision of a man urging him to go to Macedonia and help them. Paul concluded that God was calling him to preach the gospel in Macedonia. When I was getting ready to leave Japan I had more than one Japanese Christian asking me to come back and continue to work with them to preach the gospel. If a vision of a man calling out was enough to cause Paul to change course, how could I ignore the direct call from my Japanese brothers and sisters?

So why Japan? There are two simple answers to that question: Christ calls us to preach the gospel to all nations.

Japanese Christians called me to work with the church in Japan.

Watch and share Levi’s Story

https://vimeo.com/85936761

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共 に福音 のために

Together for the Gospel In his January Billions Directions article, Peter Rowan explained his thoughts on how OMF and the church should respond to the changing needs of East Asia.

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TIM TOOLS

Peter used the examples of Timothy and Apollos as model workers, rather than of pioneers like Paul.

Since then we have caught up with Tim Walker, a mission worker in Japan. During their first term with OMF Tim and his wife Miho have been working in partnership with a Japanese pastor, and trying to follow the example of Timothy and Apollos.

Could you give us short insight into your ministry in Japan?

For our first term with OMF Japan we served in Nanae Evangelical Christian Church alongside Pastor Kimura. A large part of that was about training – both by involvement and observation. We experienced various ministries including children's and youth work, English teaching as an evangelistic outreach, and evangelism in the community.

Why do you think partnership with the existing Japanese church and pastors is important?

In Japan it can be relatively easy for cross-cultural workers to make contact with people and have opportunities to introduce them to Jesus for the first time, in a way it often isn't for Japanese Christians themselves. But of course, the best place for new Japanese

believers is in the Japanese church, which can, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:12, equip them for works of service in their own cultural context.

So I believe it is very important for missionaries to partner with the Japanese church, because by doing so we can combine our strengths to further the Kingdom in Japan. Also, foreign missionaries have an outsider's perspective that can, when humbly offered, be a great help to the Japanese church.

Were there any difficulties you faced?

Since missionaries had been leaders of the church since its earliest stages, there was sometimes an expectation that they would go on giving direction and making key decisions. It was a learning curve for the church to adjust to their very first Japanese pastor leading them, with missionaries serving under the pastor.

For us, it was quite hard when the pastor asked us not to start a new ministry that we would like to have begun. But we realised that he had his own reasons for that and we weren’t there to insist on our own way and had to set aside some of our cherished ideas.

Japan Nayoro Sapporo

Population 127 million Christianity 0.5% Evangelical Christian and in decline OMF ministries Church planting & evangelism, work among the Tsunami affected people and working alongside established Japanese churches.

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What would you tell someone considering cross-cultural partnership?

I think humility is key. It’s vital that you respect their ways of being Christ's Church – even where it is very different from what you’re used to in your own country.

Being quick to point out what you believe to be wrong with the national church or wider culture will work against true partnership.

The cross-cultural worker has to be a permanent student of the culture, always open to learning something new.

You may need to submit to the correction of a national leader or believer.

It’s good to remember that mission workers come and go, but the local church will remain by God's grace until Christ returns.

What are your hopes as you partner with the Japanese church?

We're involved in the first stages of a new churchplanting work, serving alongside Japanese church leaders. Our hope is that we’ll be able to strike a good

balance between what we believe we can offer to the work and what the Japanese leaders would like us to do. We hope to be a true help and not a hindrance to its growth as a genuinely Japanese church.

Do you see this kind of ministry as the natural progression for missions as a whole?

Yes. It is wonderful when God's people from very different cultural backgrounds come together and partner in mission as co-labourers in the harvest field; it can be a powerful witness to the world.

When we partner well together we bring glory to the God we serve, whose mission is to reconcile a sinful and divided world to himself through Christ.

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的東 西 來 的 形 狀

The Shape of Things to Come As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2015, we need to be thinking about our strategic contribution to mission in East Asia and how to engage the UK church in that task. Given the realities of East Asia today, here are five areas I think should shape OMF UK’s engagement in mission.

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1 Partnering with national churches in East Asia.

The starting point for thinking about the strategic ministry priorities of OMF (UK) is the growing maturity of the national churches in East Asia. Are we prepared to partner with and serve under the national churches? As an international body we recently affirmed ‘the importance of intentionally seeking input, ideas, and critique from leaders of national churches into Field discussions and decisions regarding strategy.’ In addition to partnering with national churches, there’s the growing necessity of working with likeminded mission organisations. There are currently 5,000 foreign mission agencies worldwide. Surely we can do more together.

2 Mobilising people with the theological and biblical tools to work with the new churches in East Asia.

In a 1992 edition of East Asia’s Millions, Bong Rin Ro said ‘It is my firm conviction that the chief service of Western missionaries is to train Asian Christians in Asia, so that these nationals can reach their own people on the grassroots level with the gospel.’

This must be done in the context of a partnership in which an authentic interchange happens – offering our best while humbly learning and being enriched from the rest.

Peter Rowan

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Mobilise people for the work places of East Asia.

Historically, most cross-cultural mission has been done by ordinary Christians on the move from one country to another, taking the gospel with them into work places and communities they let Christ be seen and heard from their lives. Taking jobs in the work places of East Asia is important for three reasons: (a) so that missionaries can significantly fund themselves and not be reliant on mission agencies and finance from their sending context; (b) working in a professional capacity gives credibility and provides a clear identity; (c) being employed demonstrates whole-life discipleship. If we want to encourage indigenous mission movements, we need to see beyond the professional missionary and mission agency and overcome the secular-sacred divide, which has been ‘a major obstacle to the mobilisation of all God’s people in the mission of God’ (Cape Town Commitment).

Mobilise people for the cities of East Asia.

By 2050 some 70 per cent of the world’s population, about 6.3 billion people, will be living in cities. The significance of this becomes more important when we define urbanisation in terms of a city’s ‘ecological footprint’ – meaning the social, geographical, economic and cultural impact that a city has beyond its geographical boundary. The speed of urbanisation in China is staggering: ‘If current trends hold, China’s urban population will hit one billion mark by 2030… By 2050, China will have 221 cities with one million-plus inhabitants’ (Jonathan Watts). East Asia’s cities will see tremendous growth over the next 25 years. Living and working in them will be challenging and costly, especially when one considers the shocking levels of air pollution. As an organisation, we need to do more in developing our theology of urban mission because, as one writer puts it, ‘being urban will be the challenge of the twenty-first century’ (Andrew Davey).

By 2050...

6.3 billion

people will be

living in cities

5 Embrace a more integral understanding of mission.

Integral mission is about connecting word, deed and character in making the good news of Jesus known. Sometimes in churches and mission organisations there can be an unhelpful divide between, say, church planters and professionals, between what is seen to be primary ministry and secondary.

Many professionals serving in mission feel they are labeled as ‘second class mission partners’. The reality is that professionals serving in medical work, poverty relief or in a range of other areas are deeply committed to the totality of what God has called the church to do in mission. There is a breadth to our ministries in OMF that isn’t sufficiently recognised and which we, as an organisation, don’t articulate well enough under an integral understanding of mission.

If you’d like to explore the possibility of getting involved in one of these areas in particular, or if you’d like to comment on any of these five areas, then please get in touch. uk.nd@omfmail.com

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Những câu chuyện ở Việt Nam

Stories from Vietnam For more than 1000 years, Vietnam was heavily influenced by the traditions, culture and religion of China. Confucian ideology, Taoism and Buddhism became prevalent and remain so.

The Foreign Religion

When the Christian faith came to Vietnam it began to challenge some family traditions. Most families practiced ancestral worship and some believers tried to continue, in addition to following Christ.

This remains the biggest hindrance for the Vietnamese when it comes to putting their faith in Christ – worshipping one God. People who choose to do this are seen as having no love and respect for their parents, grandparents and ancestors. Some agree with the teachings of the Bible; but stopping ancestral worship is a big obstacle. It’s like an insult to the family.

For many, Christianity is a foreign religion. The Vietnamese say that Christianity is an American religion and that Buddhism is the national religion.

They are more open to other oriental religions as they think we’re of the same mind.

If people hear the name of Jesus, some turn away. They’re ready to study other religious books but not the Bible, as the name Jesus feels alien to them.

By Son, a 25-year-old from Hanoi

Prayer Please pray that every Vietnamese person meets a believer with an authentic relationship with the Lord. Please pray that believers have sensitivity when witnessing to the Vietnamese, but also have the boldness to challenge when needed.

Granny’s Great Commission

As part of our training, Bible school students have to visit other provinces to tell them about Jesus. In July 2013 I went on a trip to the Highlands. There I met an amazing 76 year old woman, who turned to Christ in 2004.

She was illiterate, but wanted to read the Bible.

She prayed to God for this and He did a miracle for her. She started to be able to read, short words at first, and step-by-step was able to read longer words and now she can read the entire Bible.

She has many sons and daughters, and through her, more than 100 relatives have put their faith in Jesus. She has evangelised whole families within her wider family. For example, her son, his wife and their eight children all believe in God. Every month, she goes on a short mission trip throughout the Highlands.

She wants to go to the middle of Vietnam and has been desperately praying for an opportunity. She’s even willing to travel by motorbike. She is weak and thin, but a fiery spirit of evangelism is burning Please pray for protection inside her. When the youth of Vietnamese Christians at our church talk about in rural provinces, her and her boundless where believers often energy, we are challenged. face greater scrutiny

By Anh, a 21-year-old and persecution by local Christian living in Hanoi authorities. Please pray that local Christians are given the resources to witness.

Prayer

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宣教 人物

Missional Characters – Introducing Priscilla Prisca (or Priscilla) and her husband Aquila were close friends of Paul and were some of the first members of the Christian Church. Paul's letters record their long friendship from first meeting to the bitter farewell not long before his death.

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We are introduced to Priscilla and Aquila in Acts 18. We hear how they came to meet Paul and read of them teaching Apollos, an influential scholar.

In Romans 16, they return to Rome and, in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and to Timothy, we read of fond greetings and farewells between them and Paul.

Although there are only a handful of references to Priscilla in the New Testament, a lot can be gleaned about her and her husband, their lives and ministry.

Take some time to read: Acts 18 (making note of: v 2–3 , v18 and v26), Romans 16: 3–4, 1 Corinthians 16: 19, 2 Timothy 4: 19.

Cathy Steed

Questions

1. What can we learn about Priscilla and Aquila’s knowledge of the gospel from this verse?

– Is there anything we can learn from the way that Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos? Acts 18: 26 – How did Paul’s friendship with Priscilla and Aquila start?

2. What characteristics did Priscilla and Aquila display that made Paul speak fondly of them? Acts 18: 18, 2 Timothy 4: 19, Acts 18: 2–3, Romans 16: 3–4, 1 Corinthians 16: 19

3. What was Priscilla and Aquila’s profession, and how did it play a part in their ministry? Acts 18: 2–3, Romans 16: 3–4 – What are some modern day ‘tent-making’ ministries? Are there other ways we can reflect this model of ministry in Asia or the UK? 4. What sacrifices did Priscilla and Aquila make for the sake of the gospel and the church? Romans 16: 3–5, 1 Corinthians 16: 19

What an encouragement to us that scripture records the ministry of Priscilla and Aquila. Whilst they moved to various cities, working together for their livelihood, they held fast to the word of God, leading and supporting other believers and the church. They were bold enough to take an eloquent and learned man aside to expound from scripture what was lacking in his teaching.

Both were tentmakers by profession and used this to support their ministry.

They humbly served the Lord, whether starting a church in their home or enabling others to become leaders. Priscilla and Aquila’s consistent desire to establish local churches, wherever they lived, is a testimony to the importance of the parts of the body of Christ working together for the kingdom.

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小孩也宣教

Children on a Mission

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5 ideas for engaging children with mission in East Asia. With summer holidays on the horizon, why not spend some time getting your children thinking about the wider world? We hope these ideas will not only bring a new challenge to the family but will open up opportunities to talk about mission with your children.

1. Try your hand at some Chinese characters

In Chinese, there are more than 50,000 characters. By the time you leave school, you will know how to use the 26 letters of our alphabet. In China, when leaving primary school, you'd be expected to have memorised 5000!

Whilst some characters are just a few lines, some of them are very complicated. Why not try for yourself?

See if you can write the phrase ‘God is love’ (shen shi ai). This activity is a great way of better understanding some of the challenges missionaries face as they land in the country they will serve. Worksheet available to download from omf.org/uk/writingchinese

God (Shen)

is (shi)

love (ai)

2. Make and eat Asian flags

Make or buy some plain rectangular biscuits and try recreating flags from across East Asia using icing.

Then enjoy eating your delicious creations. In case you haven't committed Asian flags to memory, visit: go.omf.org/flagbiscuits. Why not take some time to learn a few facts about the countries whose flags you are eating?

6. Take an Asian day out

3. Send a parcel to a mission partner

In the days of 24-hour news, social media and email, actually receiving post is something most people relish. It's pretty tricky to send someone their favourite UK chocolate via email, so why not make up a package and send it to a missionary you know or support at church?

Things to include: • a photo of you and your family • a letter giving them an update on school, holidays, church and family • a tasty treat that will remind them of home • a magazine or small gift for the children

4. Create Asian paper craft

The list of things you can make with a humble sheet of paper is limited only by your imagination.

Why not have a go at some Asian paper craft, whether it's a mouse, a Chinese lantern or even a durian? Find tutorials here: go.omf.org/omfpaper

5. Have an Asian evening

Pick a country and have a themed evening – try to include some food eaten in that country (find a local restaurant or takeaway if you’re not confident to make it yourself). Maybe have some games or a quiz and take time to pray for your mission partners in that country.

Why not spend a day having some fun, experiencing new things and learning a little history? Here are a few suggestions:

Chinatown These concentrated areas of Chinese communities, restaurants, supermarkets and shops are a great way to get a taste of East Asia. Find them in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Leeds. Or just visit your local Chinese restaurant and try out some new dishes (and be sure to use chopsticks!)

Riverhill Himalayan Gardens – Kent An outdoor adventure with opportunities to meet a Yeti, build dens and explore 10 acres of beautiful gardens. http://www.riverhillgardens.co.uk/

Museum of East Asian Art – Bath A collection of almost 2000 objects from as early as 5000BC. The museum offers a wonderful insight into the culture, history and art of the countries in which OMF now operates. http://www.meaa.org.uk/

Horniman Museum & Gardens – South East London A family-friendly museum with gardens which also boasts a superb collection of East Asian artefacts. http://www.horniman.ac.uk/

Share your activities

Have you enjoyed any of these activities? Why not take a photo and share it with us on our Facebook page?

facebook.com/omfinternationaluk

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PARTICIPATE

連接

亞洲

Bridge

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Asia

For OMF UK, 2014 brings the growth of a new adventure, Bridge Asia. Our vision is to see committed teams of volunteers working together within the UK church to encourage others in world mission, with a particular focus on the people of East Asia.

For Bridge Asia to reach its full potential it requires people with different abilities and interests. People like you who value support to grow in your journey in mission and develop your skills. That’s why Bridge Asia roles are so important. Bridge Asia teams are recruiting and training Mission Mentors, Mission Advocates, Event Coordinators, Prayer Groups Coordinators and Mission Presenters.

Over three issues of Billions, we are profiling each of these roles. Here we look at the role of a Mission Presenter.

Are you a Mission Presenter?

Mission Presenters love to preach and present; they have a special passion for world mission and want to share it with others. They attend churches, Christian groups and mission events, speaking about the needs of East Asia and how national churches and OMF missionaries are working in partnership to share the gospel. They may choose to focus their presentations and preaching on a particular country or people group or they might take a more general approach.

If you enjoy preaching and presenting and have a heart for mission, Bridge Asia Mission Presenting might be for you. To find out more or get involved visit omf.org/uk/bridgeasia or contact Trevor Warner – trevor.warner@omfmail.com (Bridge Asia National Coordinator)

Introducing Robert Myers Location Belfast,

Northern Ireland Ministry Mission Presenter In January we introduced Bridge Asia as a bridge to connect the hearts of people in the UK with the hearts of people in Asia.

Since then we have appointed our first team member, Robert Myers.

Robert has joined Bridge Asia as a Mission Presenter. We asked Robert a few questions about what attracted him to Bridge Asia.

What first attracted you to Bridge Asia?

‘I was closely involved with OMF a number of years ago as a member of the Irish OMF Council, and felt guided to attend the OMF Irish conference in the autumn of 2013. There I met Trevor Warner, attended his seminar on Bridge Asia and was immediately interested in getting involved, due, I believe, to the guidance of the Lord.’

How did you decide that Mission Presenter was the role for you?

‘I have had preaching experience over many years in a number of churches in a variety of denominations and I preach regularly in the Belfast Chinese Christian Church.’

‘Recently I completed the Accredited Preachers Course of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Since then I have had opportunities to lead and preach in a number of churches, including my own congregation where I am also an elder. Hence it seemed appropriate to apply for this role within the Bridge Asia team.'

What do you hope to see as a result of joining Bridge Asia and becoming a Mission Presenter?

‘My aims as a Mission Presenter are: 1. to excite people about the missional nature of Bible teaching; 2. to motivate and inform congregations in their commitment to the Great Commission in both their immediate and worldwide contexts; 3. to encourage individual Christians to prayerfully consider if the Lord is calling them to explore missionary service; 4. to encourage Christians and congregations to engage in Diaspora ministry; and 5. to encourage and motivate myself in my responsibility to the Lord’s worldwide missionary strategy, including Diaspora Ministry, as I both learn about and communicate what He is doing through OMF.’

Why do you recommend Bridge Asia to others?

‘It is an amazing opportunity to be more deeply committed to the building of Christ’s worldwide church. Also it is very exciting and motivating to see the Lord working in the lives of churches and Christians in calling them to be involved in the Great Commission.’

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Darren Wall

Director for Finance & Corporate Services

Financial Overview 2013 ‘Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread’ Proverbs 30:8

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I am pleased to report that in 2013, OMF UK received 97% of its estimated financial requirement for the year.

We praise the Lord for this level of income, which along with some of the funds received in excess of need during 2012, enabled all OMF UK members to be fully supported financially in their life and ministry in 2013. Unaudited income figures are shown on the opposite page.

In many commercial organisations, the priority is maximising profit. Strategic decisions are often taken with this as the overriding objective. For OMF, the priority is maximising benefit to our beneficiaries; seeing as many East Asians reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ and becoming his disciples as possible. In this regard, we do not seek poverty or riches, but only the daily bread required for us to live and minister as the Lord desires.

Nevertheless, our experience has been that the Lord often chooses not to send monies to us in equally spread batches; instead there are times of plenty and times of scarcity. As did Joseph, so too do we seek to ensure all members receive their full required support today, and to keep in reserve any amounts leftover if there is a clear foreseeable need for such resources. In 2013, it was anticipated that such extra resources would be required and the same is anticipated for 2014.

OMF’s non-solicitation policy remains, as does our principle of dependence on God through prayer. Through our approach to finance we are seeking to combine dependence on the Lord with reasonable action in accordance with the circumstances we face. Once members leave for their fields of service we trust the Lord will provide for their financial circumstances, whatever changes may subsequently occur in personal, world economic or other situations affecting them.

It may be that our members will not always be fully supported through the financial channels we anticipate, but we can be sure that they will have neither poverty nor riches in circumstances of faithful life and ministry. Although there may be temporary shortfalls, we know the Lord will supply what is required through other miraculous means at His disposal at just the right time.

Please pray that the Lord will graciously provide again during 2014 and that we would remain faithful and totally dependent on him during any times of poverty or riches.

Our audited income and expenditure for 2013

OMF Financial report 2011

2013 £000s

2012 £000s

£4,892

£4,320

INCOME Support gifts General donations

£746

£675

Legacies

£382

£2,694

Other income

£91

£82

Total income

£6,111

£7,772

Mobilisation

£1,220

£1,1184

Evangelisation

£4,095

£3,584

Mission support

£489

£507

Admin Support

£468

£459

Education

£36

£33

Retirement

£595

£514

£38

£38

Total expenditure

£6,944

£6,322

Taken to / from reserves

£(836)

£1450

EXPENDITURE

Other

Expenditure 2013 Other 0.5% Education 0.5%

Retirement 8.3%

Admin Support 6.6%

Mobilisation 17.1%

Mission support 6.9% Admin Support 7.3%

Evangelisation 57.3%

Notes: • Support Gifts includes income received for supporting members and OMF projects, including approx. £100K received for the Philippines disaster relief fund.

• During 2013, approx. £1 million was received in legacies. Due to accounting regulations, legacies notified before 2013 with the funds being received during 2013, have been included in previous year’s legacy figures.

• Evangelisation Expenses include gifts received for the Philippines disaster and other overseas projects. OMF UK was also able to send an additional £100K from General Funds during 2013 to assist with other projects around the Fellowship.

• Administration Support is separated from Mission Support.

The former relates to standard admin expenditures ie finance, IT, human resources. The latter relates to mission specific support ie candidate processing costs, member care support costs.

• Our reserves policy requires us to hold cash to cover 6 weeks expenditure. When estimating our financial requirements for the following year, if deficits are anticipated, our policy allows us to carry over additional funds if available to cover such deficits.

It was such funds which were carried into 2013 which enabled all members to be fully supported financially, helping to keep them on their fields of service.

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PARTICIPATE

www.omf.org.uk/events

Events 2–4 May

Keep in Step – Annual Scottish Conference

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6:00pm Windmill Christian Centre, Arbroath, Angus We pray that through joining with us at this conference you will be challenged and equipped to keep praying for East Asians.

Speakers include • Roy Murray • StJohn and Ellie Perry • Keith and Joyce Wood and more.

Contact Phil and Cathy Steed Email cathy@omfmail.com Tel 0141 959 4180 6 May

OMF Bristol Day of Prayer

10:30 for tea /coffee, 11:00am to 3:00pm 174 Redland Road, Bristol, BS6 6YG Contact Charles Chalmers Email west@omf.org.uk Tel 0117 946 6211 12 May

SWAN Business as Mission Breakfast 7:30am Holiday Inn, Filton, Bristol, BS16 1QX Contact Charles Chalmers Email west@omf.org.uk Tel 0117 946 6211

27–30 June

GOfest 2014

WEC International Bulstrode, Oxford Road, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, SL9 8SZ, UK Gofest is a weekend to inspire a global vision and provide opportunities to explore and celebrate what God is doing worldwide.

See how you can play your part and discover exciting pathways to help you on your journey of following Jesus.

There’s a packed programme of speakers, seminars, worship, exhibition space and youth and children’s programmes and you can camp for the weekend or attend for a day. Find out more at gofestival.info and sign up for the latest newsletter.

Email info@gofestival.info 4–6 July

OMF Welsh Weekend

6:00pm Cefn Lea Conference Centre Newtown, Powys, SY16 4AJ Contact Charles and Liz Chalmers Email west@omf.org.uk Tel 0117 946 6211

12 July

OMF Bristol Mid-Year Day of Prayer

10:30 for tea /coffee, 11:00am to 3:00pm 174 Redland Road Bristol BS6 6YG Contact Charles Chalmers Email west@omf.org.uk Tel 0117 946 6211 12 July

God’s Plan for Japan

10am–4pm All Souls Langham Place (Clubhouse) Speakers who have worked in Japan for many years will explain the cultural mix that is Japan today.

Learn how to share the Gospel with Japanese in the UK and abroad.

Speakers include • Roger Stevens, 14 years in Japan now serving the Japanese in Cambridge.

• Graham Orr, author of "Not so Secret" about Evangelism in Japan.

Contact Tim Jenkins Email Tim.jenkins@omfmail.com Tel 0755 723 7039 3–5 October

OMF Irish Conference

Glenada Holiday & Conference Centre 29 S Promenade, Newcastle, Co. Down, BT33 0EX, Northern Ireland Contact Nathaniel Jennings Tel 0793 545 3864 Email nathaniel.jennings@omfmail.com

OMF will also be at: Keswick 2014 REALLY? Searching for reality in a confusing world

19 – 25 July & 26 – 01 August keswickministries.org 2–8 August

New Horizon

University of Ulster, Coleraine newhorizon.org.uk 22–26 August

Soul Survivor – Momentum 2014 Bath and West Showground Somerset momentum.co.uk 22–20 August

Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention worldwidemission.org

China's Cities: A Prayer Guide for Urban China What is God's heartbeat for China's cities?

Thirty years ago, 80 per cent of people in China lived in rural areas.

Today, more than half the Chinese population lives in urban areas.

These stories reveal the power of God that is already pulsing through the metropolises, yet they are also stories of longing, desperation and pain among China's urban dwellers. May these accounts move and burden you to pray for China to experience the grace and love of Christ and bow to his lordship.

£2.00 To purchase Call 01732880318 Visit ukshop.omf.org/

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OMF International (UK)

媒 體 實習生

Media Interns Borough Green, Kent September 2014 OMF are looking for design graduates to learn about serving God in mission with their skills.

全 球 使 命 實習生

Mission Interns Borough Green, Kent September 2014 OMF is looking for people who want to develop their skills in mobilising others for short-term mission and experience East Asia for themselves.

For more information visit

omf.org/uk/interns