Archive for January, 2010

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

These are the words of our Lord and King Jesus Christ. As you all know 3,000,000 fellow human beings have been tragically affected by an earthquake in Haiti. Our Lord is giving us a great opportunity to show our love for Him by helping those who cannot help themselves. Please take the opportunity to help Haiti. There are two things you can do right now. The first and most powerful is pray for the Haitians. Pray that our God will rescue the entire country with the Gospel. The second is give money. There are few ways to do that. The one that I would like you to consider is this: our brethren in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church are organizing relief operations through several missionaries they have in Haiti and will be able to send every dollar you give to those in need. Donations can be sent to the OPC address in Willow Grove:

Disaster Relief
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
607 N. Easton Rd., Bldg. E
Willow Grove, PA 19090-0920

Clearly indicate the gift is for CDM / Haiti earthquake. May our Lord say of us, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

[This article was prepared by Rev. Tito Lyro (BPC of Olympia, Olympia, WA) for the use of his own congregation. Used by permission, and edited for content for our broader readership.]

Oswald J. Smith once said, “The mission of the Church is missions.” Presbyterian Missionary Union was established in January of 1985 to help the Bible Presbyterian Church, General Synod, fulfill its mission. Throughout its history, the work of PMU has been focused upon advancing the testimony of Christ through the BPC. In recent years, PMU has enjoyed a growth in the number of “boots on the ground” on various mission fields around the world, for which we are grateful. Also, we have been serving as the “front door” for many folks as they explore what it means to be a Bible Presbyterian, or how to start a church.

In order to accomplish these ancillary ministries, PMU depends upon the gifts of God’s people. We especially look to local congregations of the Bible Presbyterian Church as the primary source for underwriting the work. We are also very thankful for the loving and faithful gifts of those from other branches of the Body of Christ who take part in regular giving or special projects.

The expansion of PMU’s testimony in the world has been costly, and God has been generous through his people. The work has progressed over twenty-five years to the point that now new vigor in financial and prayer support is needed to maintain the home and foreign missions efforts that have developed so well over the past few years. Still, the question begs to be asked: “Why should I support PMU?” Perhaps the best way to answer this question is through some typical stories from the fields on which we serve.

Compassion

Love for the Lost

Before coming to Christ and responding to the Lord’s call to the gospel ministry, Rev. Mark Baldwin was a successful engineer and systems analyst at GE. He left his lucrative salary and nearly all of his worldly possessions behind to travel to Cambodia in 2004 to serve some of the poorest people in the region. And he does not serve them at arm’s length from an ivory tower, but rather in their midst adopting their customs, learning their language, enjoying their food, and assisting them in their necessity in ways that encourage their dependence upon God and not men. His love for them is palpable, and it demonstrates itself in the fervor with which he applies himself to the “3-D” ministry of the gospel among them.

Love for the Church

In 2004, PMU began working with Rev. Khawlrokima to assist him in his burden to reach his native land of Myanmar with the gospel of Jesus Christ, particularly people groups that were largely passed over by other churches in the country. Starting with a house church in Yangon, the ministry has now grown in a few short years to twelve mission stations, two orphanage centers, and two preschool ministries spread across three of Myanmar’s states. The Yangon body is now a particular church with its own well-qualified elders and is actively working to evangelize the city as well as providing oversight for the mission stations. We share Kima’s passion to develop biblically qualified leadership, and regularly send professors to assist him in providing a seminary level education for the future pastors of the Bible Presbyterian Church of Myanmar.

Care

Of Resources

The world is full of incredible opportunities to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of people. Multiple requests for assistance from around the world are the norm here in the office. In many cases, it is not question of the worthiness of the project being promoted: we could spend our budget three times over and still not meet all the requests that we receive throughout any given year. But we recognize that our donors give to this agency because they entrust us to be careful in how the funds are used. Designated funds go to the designated account; every dime that is given for any particular missionary goes to that missionary’s account; great caution is taken to make sure that General Fund dollars are not squandered on items and services that do not advance PMU’s mission; accountability practices are stringently followed to maintain our financial integrity. And, we use what we have to strengthen current fields first before adding other projects, however worthy additional projects might be. When great needs arise from among our brethren in sister churches around the world, we require accountability for the use of those funds. Occasionally, some on those foreign fields take exception to our insistence of accountability; when that happens, the funds cease to go there. We will not compromise on good stewardship of the Lord’s money which is given through faithful donors.

Of Personnel

Staying aware of changing political and social “climates” in foreign lands and home mission fields is a challenge, but we take this duty seriously. Of course, the personal needs of our missionaries and church planters often shift in response to those changes. For example, on our largest field in Asia, Miriam has found that the only constant thing in that culture is change. Through the years as various crises have occurred in employment, government policy reversals, and opposition to her work, Miriam’s calls for help have been answered by changing policies to decrease Council response time, providing clearer parameters for independent action on the part of field personnel, increasing salary when necessary to meet a sudden need, simplifying reimbursements, defending her against brethren (true and false) who would undermine her labor, and making sure that connections back home stay strong. All of this along with doing what is necessary to keep bank accounts healthy enough to not only keep her on the field, but to help her thrive on the field. Caring for God’s servants is a top priority.

Commitment

To Presbyterian Government and Doctrine

In a day when church government grows increasingly congregational, PMU’s missionaries are standing firmly for the propagation of biblical church government regardless of the cost. In Western Australia, Ed Paauwe’s firm stand on Reformed faith and practice has led to the formation of a new church when his former congregation decided to follow congregational and non-Reformed practice and doctrine contrary to the church constitution. It was a painful time, but the Paauwes and the majority of the Session held firm in their commitment. Today a thriving new congregation has been established in the area and is already active in supporting missions efforts of like character in the region. We praise the Lord for their faithfulness!

Here at home, PMU is committed to operating in a functionally subordinate role to the denomination as a whole. All Council members, and all full-time missionaries, are members of the BPC General Synod as a matter of policy. We do not begin to discuss bringing a missionary or church planter on board unless they are first approved by a church Session or a regional Presbytery. We honor the discipline of the Church and will not subvert it by elevating our own goals above the courts of the Church. We work closely with our Presbyteries and local churches to identify potential church planting locations, recruit qualified workers, and provide such resources as may be useful in the pursuit of the mission of the local church. We are first and foremost a Bible Presbyterian entity that exists to aid the Synod in its appointed task of disciple-making and church planting.

To Like-minded Brethren

While it is not always possible to supply regular support for new mission fields at present, we are delighted to be able to serve the Church at large in occasional ministries that aim at edifying brethren who seek us out for training, counsel, and encouragement. For example, Dr. Pine, working with other members of the PMU Missions Council, has had the privilege of providing training in India on church government and biblical connectionalism as an aid to planting churches with a wonderful group of brethren who are the spiritual progeny of BP missions years ago. That training established a relationship of mutual help and encouragement that may eventually result in more concrete ties in the years ahead as the Lord directs. Whether it does or not, PMU has played a vital part in assisting these brethren in furthering their testimony in northern India, and for that we are thankful. Dr. Pine and other Council members have done similar work in Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bolivia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Peru.

Occasionally we also have the privilege of serving the larger Church among brethren in other Bible-believing bodies here in North America, and we count it a privilege to do so. Ministry visits, concerts, conference participation, and being a general resource on a broader scale is also part of fulfilling our purpose for existence.

To Vibrant, Biblical Christianity

At PMU we do not believe that it is enough to have a presence in a community without actually impacting that community. Our missionary to Bolivia, Rev. David Quisbert, demonstrates his passion for a vital and visible Church in everything that he does. His days are full of evangelism through personal contact, tract distribution, radio ministry, web presence, and youth outreach. He takes advantage of opportunities to minister to the homeless and destitute in Jesus’ name, testify of Christ to national leaders in public and private, train others to plant churches around the country, encourage like-minded brethren in their work in various parts of the city and nation without jealousy, and participate in regional ministries that bring faithful believers together from all over South America for a united testimony to the power of the gospel to save souls. All of this work is in addition to the regular pastoral care that he gives to his congregation through the various ministry efforts of the local church in La Paz.

Watching David preach Christ to the president of the country one day, and kneeling down beside a homeless beggar the next day with a plate of food and a tender urging to Christ, we are reminded of the Scriptural admonitions to be ready to boldly give account in the highest echelons of society, and to live out true and undefiled religion in ministering to the poor. In reality, we have now come full circle: this is living out compassion for the lost in ways that are tangible and genuine. We are thankful for such missionaries as these who serve in our ranks.

How Can I Help?

And so our initial question has found an answer. Compassion, care, and commitment add up to an agency that by God’s grace is endeavoring to faithfully do God’s work in the portion of the vineyard known as the Bible Presbyterian Church and its faithful “neighbors.” We are here to help you fulfill your mission. But we need your help in return.

Previous sources of income upon which we built our current efforts were, in the providence of God, unexpectedly terminated in the past year. We have cut extra expenses, trimmed back everywhere that we can while still keeping essential operations going, made regular pleas for additional funds, and still find ourselves coming up critically short. We will soon be tapping limited emergency funds just to keep current efforts going. We find ourselves in the frustrating position of being unable to expand our efforts to meet additional needs that come to our attention. So, the Lord is making it possible for us to see his wonderful provision through his people once again.

Will you be part of that provision through committing to regular contributions, especially to PMU’s General Fund and the account of our Field Director, Dr. Pine? If you already do so, either individually or through your local church, would you please consider increasing the amount that you give? Naturally, pray with us as well:

· That the Lord will provide the necessary resources;

· That he will call people to himself who love the faith “once delivered unto the saints” and want to start churches;

· That he will raise up pastors and missionaries to answer the call to serve;

· That he will preserve us through all challenges to the work.

The work of PMU is vital for the ongoing testimony of Christ through the BPC in this country and abroad. There are many organizations pleading for funds, we know. Presbyterian Missionary Union walks in a unique and committed relationship to the BPC, and in doing so makes itself useful to the larger body of Christ as well. Partnering with you in the gospel ministry is the reason we exist: may God grant that our partnership will be fruitful for Christ for the next twenty-five years. Thanks for your prayerful support.

“What is Christmas like in C-n-a?” The best answer, really, is “a lot like Valentine’s Day.” And while this might seem like an odd answer, I shall attempt to make it clear. Both the holidays are “borrowed” from other countries, with no long history here. Neither, therefore, is associated with family or tradition, and neither is recognized as an official holiday. So without any time off and without any traditions, they have become days for co-workers and friends, particularly boy- and girl-friends, to go out for sumptuous meals and give one another very small gifts. Restaurants around town plan special Christmas menus, and if you’ve ever fancied singing carols round the fire over a spicy, calf-brain hot pot, this is the place for you. Frightening Santa heads leer at you from every door, paper maché Saint Nicks hang above as you shop and six-foot dancing Kris Kringles gyrate nauseatingly to obnoxious songs only distantly related to Christmas.

My own apartment complex is an excellent example of the preferred local style of Christmas decoration. Paper Santa heads, three times life-size, are pasted on every doorway. Although the intended effect is jollity, these Santas have sort of a leering look that makes you glance back nervously over your shoulder. All the bushes and trees are swathed in lights: some white, some colored and some all blue. Some are twisted around trees, and some merely extend in a straight, taut line from the tree top straight to the plug in the ground. Others are thrown on top of bushes at random, sometimes in clumps and sometimes in sinuous twists. When turned on they show a marvelous independence, each one blinking at a different rate and in a different style from its neighbor, and some not at all. The overall effect is as if a few bitter, unemployed elves came down from the North Pole to wreak revenge upon the merry.

Several Christmas trees will usually be placed at random throughout the complex. Usually three feet or shorter (one poor specimen lost it’s top somewhere), they have lights thrown around them at random, sometimes with a vague suggestion of being wound around, and sometimes simply thrown in a heap on one side. The garland, which can be red, green, blue, silver, purple, pink, or orange, and often a combo of all, is often clumped in one area, or pulled straight in one line from the top to the bottom of the tree. It is not uncommon to see all the decorations hanging on just one side of the tree, and not necessarily the side most seen. One little shop in my complex last year had somehow acquired a blue Christmas ball that was the size of a soccer ball. It was made of styrofoam or something like it, and when they placed it on the tree, it pulled down the poor, tiny thing. So, to balance it, they put all the remaining balls and other ornaments on the opposite side of the tree, with nothing in the middle.

In the midst of this artistic chaos, I like to think of my apartment as a refuge for the deco-weary. And this somewhat accounts for its popularity as a Christmas destination. There are really three major uses for my home at this festive time of year. The first is for missionaries. A number of them enjoy having a traditionally decorated place to which they can come (and bring their children), to rest for a few hours from the maelstrom without. Part of the draw, in fact, is being able to take their children to a place where they can “see” Christmas much as their parents remember it from their own childhood. It’s also a chance to sing carols and other hymns in a group, in their own language, which for many of us is a rare and eagerly anticipated event. So our home is, we trust, a favorite gathering place for those who labor here, at that time of year most suited for waxing nostalgic about tradition.

The second group that often appear within the Christmas Palace (as my home is often denominated during the winter months), are those of our local Christian friends who hope to reach out to their friends, family and co-workers. The believers here often have a difficult life, being made to feel that they are utterly alone. Their coworkers despise them for being so weak as to fall for the “opiate of the masses,” while their families harangue them for departing from tradition or following a foreigner’s religion. But at Christmas, people who would normally not listen to anything about the Bible or Jesus Christ are suddenly willing to at least sit and listen, provided such discussions are held within the context of explaining the origins and traditions of Christmas. They are especially willing to do so if they can go to a foreigner’s home and see some of the traditions associated with the holiday. They are often stunned when they arrive at my home, to find that Santa does not play the slightest part in the decorations, and that there are plenty of places where Christmas is celebrated without him. (Of course, to be fair, they are also usually stunned to find that pink is not a traditional Christmas color, but that’s another story.) My home then, often plays host to such people. Sometimes I invite them and sometimes local Christians bring along those they hope to reach with the gospel. I often invite other local Christians to join us. This is to counter the common idea that Christianity is for foreigners only. Seeing a number of local Christians, hearing them witness of grace of the Lord, is often a stunning experience for a native person. Many believers here consider Christmas their most important witnessing opportunity of the year, and a number of people have come to know the Lord they were first introduced to as part of a strange and foreign custom.

The final group involved in our Christmas holidays are single believers of all nationalities. On Christmas Day, anyone without believing family is welcome here. In the morning, our home is usually filled with foreigners only. This is because Christmas is not recognized as a holiday, and no native person would have this day off. Most working contracts for foreigners, however, specify one day off for Christmas. Normally, we serve brunch to anywhere from three to ten guests and then gather around the tree, where we sing, pray together, read a variety of Christmas sermons by various authors (usually long passed away) and sometimes exchange gifts. The main meal comes around four, and we are joined by a number of local friends who want to celebrate, but have no one with whom they can unless they want to go to a big meal and watch their coworkers get drunk. There is a lot of eating, more singing, chocolate, plenty of laughter, and when it is time to go home in the evening it’s hard to imagine where all the day could have gone.

So for us, Christmas is an essential time for outreach, as well as for fellowship. We all appreciate your prayers each year as this time rolls around again: prayers for us as we prepare, prayers for those who visit with us and open hearts for them. – Miriam

Christmas carols are some of the best-known hymns of the Christian church. They are greatly loved by countless people in Australia. Every year, beginning some time in November and right up to the end of December, Christmas carols will be sung by groups or individuals and/or played on musical instruments.

Here in Perth, one notable event in the month of December is “Carols by Candlelight,” which is organized by some church groups to celebrate the birth of Christ. As the name indicates, it is a wonderful time to remember the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and praise Him Who is the Light of the World. Rejoice, for God has sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world! The angel had announced, “Thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. Indeed, those who believe in Jesus must shine for Him and be lights in this dark world. They must proclaim the Gospel and evangelize lost souls.

In our Bible-Presbyterian Fellowship, during the month of December, we sing the Christmas carols in the worship services and in our fellowship meetings. We will have a worship service on Christmas Day in which Rev. Edward Paauwe will be preaching, and the youths will sing a hymn of praise. The Sunday School children will present a special song on the Lord’s day. The Junior Fellowship will be devoting their singspiration time to the singing and learning of Christmas carols. One of the young ones has requested to learn, “The Birthday of the King.” The faith of the Juniors will be built up by the learning and singing of the words of Scripture and the Gospel message in the Christmas carols. Each child has a copy of A Classic Christmas Caroling Songbook which has 30 well-known and favorite Christmas carols.

It is a blessing to commemorate the birth of our Saviour when we do so worshipfully and meaningfully. In the Junior Fellowship the children are taught that the birth of Christ is described in detail by the Gospel writers Matthew and Luke. The Christmas carol, “The First Noel,” portrays in vivid, narrative style the story of Jesus’ birth. They love these Bible stories, old but ever new. They know the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they are looking forward to His second coming as King of kings and Lord of lords; this is written in the last stanza of “Joy to the World!”

The Juniors also learn that the Gospel writer, John, has a Christmas message for us. In I John 5:20, John declares that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus Christ Himself is the True God and Eternal Life. This is the significance and purpose of our praising God in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, God come in the flesh, the only One Who can save us from our sins, meet our every need, and give us a home in heaven. What a glorious message of comfort, joy, hope and peace. We pray that all believers will share this Good News with the unsaved this Christmas time! “Go, Tell It on the Mountain that Jesus Christ is Born!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:14.

Beginning in November, we work with our children, practicing for the Christmas Cantata and a drama about the birth of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to reach new families and invite them into our church. Our desire is that they will appreciate the Christmas story and accept Jesus as their personal Savior. Our kids definitely enjoy the Christmas singing and meeting with other children. Our church prepares one hundred gifts. This year, the Christmas program for the children will be held on December 20th. Please pray for our program.

Our Christmas Eve celebrations will begin at 8:00 PM with special music, hymns, and a sermon. The families of our BPC will be participating. We will distribute candles to every worshipper; when the congregation holds the candles it will remind them that Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.” At the end of the service, we will serve a toasted panettone with hot chocolate. Then all the church members will return to their homes to have the traditional Bolivian dish with their relatives.

May God bless you this Christmas. – Rev. David Quisbert

Cambodians love a party. Over the course of a year, most Cambodians will attend a number of parties, often fifteen or even twenty. You get invited to every friend’s, relative’s, neighbor’s, acquaintance’s, etc. wedding, funeral, housewarming, religious fundraising, etc., party. Most parties are held under a tent in the road in front of the house and feature food, music and dancing. If you are invited you are expected to pay some money, even if you don’t attend. If you attend you usually give more money than the cost of your share. At certain times of the year, the streets are backed up with cars because the roads are all down to one lane as the rest of the road is blocked by a party.

Since Khmer Christians – and especially their non-Christian neighbors – do love a party, we chose to celebrate Christmas with a FREE party for all who would come. We advertised, by word of mouth, the party and that we would be sharing the true story of Christmas. People came from far and wide, including a good Khmer pastor from an half hour away and the local village leader. It was very hot, so many stayed outside and looked in the windows during the preaching and singing time. We told the story of Christ’s birth through reading the Bible passages and singing hymns. Christmas, in a non-Christian country like Cambodia, is an excellent evangelistic opportunity.

- Rev. Mark Baldwin

The 2008 Christmas service was so special because we celebrated Christmas together with David and Dorcas Pang, members of the BP church from Perth, Australia. Following the usual practice among the Mizo Christians, we met together at the church for the midnight service on December 24th. Before the service, we first had a time of fellowship through singing. We sang together the Christmas songs mostly composed by the Mizo in the past. There are about 100 Christmas songs composed in the Mizo traditional tune. After around three hours of singing, we began the midnight service. Mr. David Pang, our special guest, delivered the Christmas message. The midnight meeting was concluded with light refreshments.

On the Christmas day, December 25, we gathered together at the church and enjoyed the lunch fellowship prepared by the church. We then started the Christmas service at noon. The Christmas message was once again delivered by our brother David Pang.

After the service, David and Dorcas brought the orphanage children to a park where they played games together.

- Rev. Khawl and Mawite Kima

As we approach the end of 2009 and look ahead to the coming year, we rejoice in God’s provision of all that has been needed for the work of PMU thus far. In His providence, we are also experiencing the effects of the economic downturn and the challenges of being committed to serving the missionary program of a small denomination. Some of our missionaries’ accounts are doing very well indeed: we praise the Lord for the abundant support for Rev. Mark Baldwin’s work in Cambodia. The Paauwes’ support for their work in Australia is also in good shape. Our other accounts need your help and prayers. Miriam’s monthly support is about $500 under budget. The Kimas’ support is short about $350. Rev. Quisbert’s support will increase next year as the Lord provides. We currently will need an additional $600 monthly to meet the Bolivia mission needs. The General Fund is about $800 short every month. And Dr. Pine’s account is in the greatest need, averaging $1,550 below budget monthly. All support accounts currently have positive balances in them, praise the Lord, and we are able to function. But those balances are not large, and those that are running at a deficit will soon be depleted without assistance from God’s people. We have cut our budget as much as possible while still being able to carry on. Can you help? Pray with us that the Lord will provide through His people so that the vital work PMU missionaries are doing will not be hindered in the coming year. Thank you very much.

Our Lord was gracious beyond comprehension as He enabled Dr. and Mrs. Pine to travel to Cambodia and Myanmar last month to help Revs. Baldwin and Kima in their labors on those fields. First, He supplied all the funds necessary to go. Second, He prepared the hearts of young people and parents from two different Cambodian villages to desire to attend (and keep attending!) a first-ever VBS program in the countryside. Over two hundred children participated and heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, many for the first time. Third, the Pines enjoyed the fellowship of not only Rev. Baldwin, but also Miss Miriam, who came down from her field for a “holiday” of fellowship and mutual labor with the children. The Pines and Rev. Baldwin were blessed by her help and company. And, the face-to-face opportunity to take care of vital business related to the ministries on their respective fields was of great value. Fourth, at our Sunday services in the village of Prey Pdao, a man who has been hostile to the work of the gospel there slipped in during the service and sat quietly through the message, attentively taking in every word. This man has been instrumental in hindering the work there prior to this, so we are praying that the Lord will use His Word to soften a hard heart and win this man to Christ.

The blessings continued in Myanmar. Miriam returned to her field, so the Pines arrived on their own in Yangon to work for about ten days in primarily adult ministries. Dr. Pine taught a concentrated course in biblical interpretation to the lay pastors of the mission churches in the Shan State and to interested elders as well. They were excellent students! The course was in cooperation with Western Reformed Seminary in Tacoma, Washington.

Karen Pine taught a seminar to the ladies of the churches on the roles of women in the church and home, and that seminar was very well received. One of the pastors’ wives in the Shan State will take this material and teach it again in her area (a village where foreigners cannot go). In addition, Karen did Bible clubs with the Yangon pre-school and the Mingala Children’s Home, which the children loved. As in Cambodia, the clubs were filled with Bible lessons, crafts, music, and games. The Pines also were able to host the children at the Yangon zoo and an adjoining amusement park on a Saturday. Dr. Pine preached in the Yangon church both Sundays the Pines were there, and the blessing of fellowship with God’s people in Yangon was incredible. For more on this great ministry, see Dr. Pine’s online blog at http://lenpine.wordpress.com.

The Pines are extremely grateful for the prayers of God’s people while they were traveling; for the hard work done by the ladies of the Grand Island BPC to prepare all the craft materials for the ministry (30 lbs. worth!); for the donors who gave so generously to underwrite the expenses of the trip; and to the Lord for His safe keeping and blessing as He demonstrated so clearly His presence in these wonderful works.