Where the LORD has placed me currently
1) Karen Baptist City Church, Chiang Mai
Associate Pastor
In an example of going where God leads you, I literally walked into this church one Sunday and by the next, was invited to preach and share communion. Joking aside, that’s what it is about making oneself available and seeking His guidance. The first Sunday I visited, I was actually keen to head further north to Chiang Rai to attend an event there, but time and circumstances prevented my doing so, so I asked “LORD, it’s Sunday. I missed the morning worship. Is there anywhere you needed me to be?”. Then I remembered a friend who’s serving here.
What I do here: As an associate Pastor, I preach and lead or assist in the church’s ceremonies. We’re trying to build up an English service for the benefit of the Thai / Karen worshippers as well as international worshippers.
We are also trying to establish Christian fellowships with this church is the local universities, namely:
1. Chiang Mai University (CMU).
2. Chiang Mai Rajabhat University (CMRU).
3. Chiang Mai Meajo University (Maejo).
God willing, we’ll have very active students fellowships there before the end of 2023.
Notes for you: English Sunday Worship at 4pm. Google map location here.
2) Kids of Destiny
Web designer and media producer
There had to be a reason why the LORD foisted a Business IT certificate on me – I love to tinker with computers, love new tech and who would have thought that a skillset all missionaries needed was being able to manage technology?
Kids of Destiny was spearheaded by Dr. Jim Randall, a friend and someone whom I met very early in Chiang Mai. A well travelled American and having been in this part of the world for a long time, he felt there’s a need for more contextualised Gospel literature for outreaches.
Since 2020, there are Thai, Burmese, Vietnamese, Khmer, Chinese, Karen and Lahu translations of our literature. We are always keen to add more and link up with locals and missionaries wherever they are.
What I do here: Maintain their website, social media and etc. Always looking for creative ideas, content.
Notes for you: Visit our website for more information. (kidsofdestiny.org)
3) Christian Outreach Centre
Administrator
Christian Outreach Centre (COC) has a church in Chiang Mai called House of Praise, an international church and it was the first church I attended when I moved to Chiang Mai. Within their building and compound, they also ran a small international school called the COC Daycare Centre (licensed name).
COC is a properly registered foundation under Thai Law and has the right to issue visas for volunteers.
In 2020, I became a full time volunteer with them. My role is mainly administrative and initially, I took care of the legal office, overseeing the care of our missionary members. When the pandemic hit in 2021 and people left, I took on the role of the COC School / College administrator.
It’s a privilege to be associated with them as, given this is my “home church” in the early when I came to Chiang Mai. They are a foundation able to issue visas and I’ve met many great people of God coming through to bring the Gospel to Thailand, to hear their testimonies in a foreign land where you truly have to live a life of faith in a nation desperate for the good news of Jesus Christ.
I can say that being here definitely gave me a lot to learn as a Christian in Thailand.
What I do here: Administrator (one and only currently) for the school, and for the church (visa matters). I handle inquiries (for both!), finances, supplies, etc. Things were quite slow during the pandemic as it is currently but as things pick up and finances improve, COC will be on the lookout for more staff.
Notes for you: Consider COC is you’re considering coming to Thailand as a missionary, short term or longer. Likewise, they have a school for international students that adheres to the Australian school curriculum (ACARA). Google Map location here.