Following on from last week's story of the couple, who have believed and have been "competing" for time to read the only Bible they have, we received word this week about the sad but true "normal" occurrence here in Thailand. The pastor or a member from a church in town 30 km away, looked up this new couple. They said, "We would now like you to come and be a part of our church. We will come and pick you up each week, invite you to our meetings, etc."
Ellie and Sam felt very said that this continues to occur here in such a strong way, but they said to the couple, "You need to decide where you will begin to go to church. Either you decide to go to the little village church here, where you have believed, were you are prayed for and are being discipled or you decide to go to the church in town, who will come and pick you up each week, but where you will only become a "bump on the pew" from Sunday to Sunday!!"
The couple told the pastor/member without too much hesitation, "We believed here, our friends are here, we will stay here!!" PTL.
- It is a dilemma when churches compete for the new believers. Pray God will bring about a transformation in Christians hearts here, so they are eager to do evangelism, eager to see people come to Christ, and welcoming new believers to go to the most reasonable place for fellowship!
- Pray the Christians/churches will work together for the evangelization of this country, rather than fighting to keep their pews filled.
- Pray for wisdom about how to disciple and encourage the Christians to follow Christ, rather than influential people, and to have a mature attitude amidst such confusion!
- Please continue to pray for the Teacher, his family, and the fear that others are experiencing.
