On the first two days, I explained the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and the hopelessness of man without Jesus Christ. On the third day, we explained the Gospel — the salvation of God through Jesus Christ. On the last day, I shared about the basic foundation of a Christian life.

The Gospel was well received. Four men were baptized on the last day. There are others who have received Jesus but are not yet ready for baptism due to the danger of persecution from their families, relatives, and communities. — Rev. Khawl Ro Kima

In January, the Grand Island Bible Presbyterian Church gifted the Bible Presbyterian Church of Myanmar with a boat that will serve as “church bus” for the Inle Lake region under the leadership of Brother Pazar. Since the center of ministry is a village on stilts in the middle of the lake, such transportation is vital to spread the gospel and build up the saints.

Last October, Dr. and Mrs. Len Pine traveled to Myanmar for training purposes. While Dr. Pine taught hermeneutics to the men who are training for ordination, Mrs. Pine held a seminar with the ladies on the woman’s role in the church and home. While Rev. Kim continues training efforts for the men in vital areas, the ladies of the church have begun to train other women in biblical truth. In December, two missionary wives, Mawite and Thangte, taught the ladies of the BP churches of the Shan State on the matter of biblical roles of women. Such multiplication of teaching is a common occurrence in Myanmar. Both Khawl and Mawite Kim have a burden to train the people in God’s Word in appropriate ways.

The next opportunity for partnership, Lord willing, will be this coming summer when Dr. and Mrs. Kevin Backus travel to Myanmar for more training. Dr. Backus will continue the seminary training of those seeking ordination, focusing on theology. Mrs. Sharon Backus will be raising funds to join him in this partnership ministry. Her focus will be teacher’s training for the women. Her years of experience training adults in the art of teaching, as well as her experience as a children’s teacher will be extremely valuable to the women of Myanmar.

While Rev. Kim continues to follow his calling to reach Myanmar in a myriad of ways, we here in the US are blessed to partner with him. Would you partner with Rev. Kim in reaching Myanmar for Christ? Without leaving your home, you can pray for this ministry. Please also consider supporting this work. PMU’s monthly support to Myanmar partially supports Rev. Kim personally; however, the largest portion is sent to support the ministry itself. Ministries such as the orphanage, pre-school, and all the missions stations and missionaries are supported through PMU. PMU is also presently helping with famine relief in the Chin State.

For your prayer time, we leave you with some requests from Rev. Kim. Thank you for partnering with us and Rev. Kim for the sake of the Gospel in Myanmar.

• Salvation camp is to be conducted in March 25-28 in the Shan State
• Pray for the orphanage children that God may continue supply the needs of their daily living. Pray that God may give them individual sponsors.
• Pray that the Lord may provide us a permanent place for the church meeting and worship.
• Pray that the Lord may provide us one house for the orphanage center. The orphanage children are living in a rented house now.
• Continue to pray also for the missionaries/church planters in the Shan State
• Pray for the BP church at Thinglei as they are praying to build a sanctuary in this year.
• Pray for the churches in the Southern Chin State as they are suffering badly from the rat infiltration (worse than last year).

]]> http://presbyterianmissions.org/partnering-in-ministry-with-myanmar/feed/ 0 http://presbyterianmissions.org/fulfilling-your-mission/ http://presbyterianmissions.org/fulfilling-your-mission/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:14:27 +0000 pmu http://presbyterianmissions.org/fulfilling-your-mission/ 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.

]]> http://presbyterianmissions.org/fulfilling-your-mission/feed/ 0 http://presbyterianmissions.org/christmas-brightened-by-friends-from-down-under/ http://presbyterianmissions.org/christmas-brightened-by-friends-from-down-under/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:02:03 +0000 pmu http://presbyterianmissions.org/christmas-brightened-by-friends-from-down-under/ 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

]]> http://presbyterianmissions.org/christmas-brightened-by-friends-from-down-under/feed/ 0 http://presbyterianmissions.org/pmu-facing-tremendous-financial-challenges/ http://presbyterianmissions.org/pmu-facing-tremendous-financial-challenges/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:57:49 +0000 pmu http://presbyterianmissions.org/pmu-facing-tremendous-financial-challenges/ 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.

]]> http://presbyterianmissions.org/pmu-facing-tremendous-financial-challenges/feed/ 0 http://presbyterianmissions.org/blessed-opportunities-in-cambodia-and-myanmar/ http://presbyterianmissions.org/blessed-opportunities-in-cambodia-and-myanmar/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:46:59 +0000 pmu http://presbyterianmissions.org/blessed-opportunities-in-cambodia-and-myanmar/ 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.

]]> http://presbyterianmissions.org/blessed-opportunities-in-cambodia-and-myanmar/feed/ 0 http://presbyterianmissions.org/ministry-team-to-asia-prepares-for-service/ http://presbyterianmissions.org/ministry-team-to-asia-prepares-for-service/#comments Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:15:18 +0000 pmu http://presbyterianmissions.org/ministry-team-to-asia-prepares-for-service/ On September 23, Dr. and Mrs. Pine will take flight for Cambodia and Myanmar, where they will spend three weeks visiting with Rev. Mark Baldwin and Rev. Khawl Ro Kim and family. These visits will include joining in with the ongoing work on these two fields in a major way: conducting two VBS programs in the countryside of Cambodia, and training church leaders with a WRS course in Hermeneutics (Len) and training ladies in matters of biblical perspective on women’s roles in church and home (Karen) in Myanmar. The Pines will also conduct a one-day Bible school with the orphanage children in Yangon.
Please pray for the Lord to provide all the funds needed to cover the expenses of this costly effort. Pray, too, for safety in travel, and wisdom and excellence in all the many areas of preparation necessary to carry this off. We thank the Lord for the able and eager assistance the ladies at the Grand Island BPC have given for the crafts portion of the VBS ministries. Rev. Baldwin is expecting as many as two hundred children to attend! Miriam is coming to join the team and help with the VBS program in Cambodia. Please pray for her safety in travel and an uneventful return to her own field. The Pines and Miriam will be in Cambodia until October 2, and then the Pines will travel on to Myanmar, where they will remain until October 13.

Pray for the training of the young men ho are working in these churches. Two orphanages continue as a part of the BP ministry in Myanmar caring for 24 children. Five children are at Aungthapyi campus and 19 children at Yangon.

We thank God that Rev. Kim will be attending this year’s PMU Annual Meeting and the 72nd Synod of the
BP Church.