Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Saturday, January 10, 2015 Volume 3 / Issue Number 2 In This Issue Regional Prayer Requests 10 Reasons not to give up. Feeding of the 1,000. A Modern Day Loaves and Fishes Story! Like Paul on the Damascus Road, Witch Doctor Encounters God in Amazing Way! Australia Gets POWERED UP For Missions! Asia-Pacific Region Welcomes New 365M Family From Canada! More Medical Missionaries Are Needed. Could A Missions Assignment Be In Your Future for 2015? January District Assembly Schedules There are many ways you can be involved in volunteer ministries here on the Asia-Pacific Region. Nazarene News From Around The Globe Asia-Pacific Regional Site providing RSS Feed This Weeks Featured Video The Table Church Pastor Kenton Lee sought Gods guidance as he reached out to those in his neighborhood who are uncomfortable with traditional church. Follow The Table Church as its members seek the Kingdom and break out of the norm to resource the community in new ways. Creating Communications that Connect FB: Asia Pacific Nazarene Twitter: @APNazRegion Web: asiapacificnazarene.org Regional Prayer Requests 9-Jan-2015 Prayer requested for the 2 year old daughter of missionaries in Papua New Guinea. She is finally showing signs of improvement. LINK 7-Jan-2015 Continued prayers for Dr. Clark Armstrong and wife Connie as they follow up with doctors in the US regarding a medical procedure, hoping to be released to return to the field after follow up appointment on Friday January 16. LINK 4-Jan-2015 A beach outing ended in tragedy when a large wave swept several people into the ocean, resulting in two deaths on January 3. LINK 25-Dec-2014 Prayer requested - wife of lay pastor in Myanmar passed away Christmas Eve leaving her husband and 3 children. LINK 20-Dec-2014 Prayer requested for Rendezvous. In early January, high school students serving cross-culturally with their parents on the Asia-Pacific Region will participate in a special gathering. LINK 20-Dec-2014 Papua New Guinea - Kingdom impact is being made, but the spiritual battle is intense. Your prayers are needed specifically December 22-26 as crusades continue. LINK Be sure and visit our Regional Prayer Page for updated Praise Reports and Prayer Requests! ___________________________________ Prayer ~ Changes Things! Send Us Your Prayer Requests ____________________________________ 10 REASONS NOT TO GIVE UP Theyve given up! The commentator remarked on the attitude of the team getting trounced by its opponent on national TV. He pointed out some of the signs: its weakened stance, its lack of execution, its on field demeanor. The final score proved his point. I dont know which side of the score you might be on, or what youre going through now, but I know there are at least 10 reasons you shouldnt give up. 1. YOUVE LEARNED BY YOUR CHALLENGES. Whatever you do next, you will do with the knowledge youve gained during this venture. Now you know what works and what doesnt, what must be avoided or included. Youre an expert by experience. 2. YOU MAY BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO SOMETHING MORE EXCITING. Invention is the step-child of adversity. The tweaks youve made out of necessity may result in the birth of something far greater than what you dreamed in the planning stage. 3. YOUR TEAMMATES NEED TO SEE YOUR DETERMINATION. People not only notice your grace, they also notice you grit. Giving up simply teaches your team how to give in to stuff; going on teaches it how to get through. 4. YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO KEEP GOING. The venture has been a personal investment. Youve spent time and energy. You, and those around you, have paid a price that needs a payoff. 5. YOUR PAUSE MAY BE THE REFRESHER. You turned off the computer, dimmed the lights, and shut the door. But somewhere between that scene and the next, your mind will do a rewind. A second thought may be the game winner. 6. YOU ONLY HAVE TO PROVE YOUR EFFORT. The outcome doesnt have to change the outlook. The grandstanders are waiting to see people on the playing field, not those sitting on the bench. It matters as much that youre IN than if you WIN. 7. YOU MAY BE ONLY ONE QUESTION AWAY FROM A SOLUTION. A colleague may have gone through something like this. The challenge may strengthen your relationship with a person whose skill and experience will give you a missing link. 8. YOU BEGAN BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. What youre going through began as a mission. In your mind and heart, you were the answer to a solution-the gap-filler. You still are! 9. YOUR RESOLVE WILL BE SOMEONES POINT OF REFERENCE. Somebody needs to know how to reach the mountaintop in spite of the obstacles. You will be their inspiration, their push to the top. 10. YOUR PERSISTENCE HAS ALREADY MADE YOU A WINNER. Obviously the percentages are on the side of the quitters. But the trophies keep going to those who keep trying. In George W. Bushs biography of his father, George H. W. Bush, he tells the story of an Olympic runner that fell far behind in the race, and limped toward the finish line. The runner answered those who thought he should quit, My country didnt send me all this way to start the race; they sent me here to finish it. So, keep going![Stan Toler] Visit Stan Tolers Website for more great leadership principles. Theres An App for That! Teaching the Articles of Faith to a Generation of Smart Users! Media with a message! Your World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific Team! 100 Years One Mission Eternal Opportunities As NMI celebrates 100 years on October 8, 2015, we know youre ready to party during the year on your district. NMI has gathered a 100th Anniversary committee that is currently working on resources you can use. Be watching future issues of HeartLine and your inbox. And if you have ideas youd like to share, contact Ann Baldwin. If you have any question contact the Asia-Pacific Regional NMI Coordinator. Upcoming Events Dont Miss The Action ~ Asia-Pacific Regional Event. October 21-25, 2015 Yogyakarta, Indonesia ~ District Assemblies October 26, 2014 to March 18, 2015 ~ Send Us Your Events Nazarene Subscription Center Visit this link to review and sign up for various resources available through the Church of the Nazarene. Check it out! Quick Links AP Regional Website Australia New Zealand Melanesia-South Pacific SE Asia Sealands Philippine - Micronesia CAA NCN News Engage Magazine Holiness Today Feeding of the 1,000. A Modern Day Loaves and Fishes Story! Manila, Philippines Feeding 1000 The day after Christmas, an incredible gift came to a barangay (neighborhood) in Taytay, a suburb of Manila, Philippines. Feeding 1000 Impact of the JESUS Film When we first arrived at the designated covered ball court in the middle of the barangay, there werent very many people there, shared Connie Aebischer, Regional Nazarene Missions International Coordinator. Over a short period of time, the children began pouring in accompanied by their parents. Physical food wasnt the only thing shared, the most important was the Gospel message through the JESUS Film. Follow the this LINK for the full story and pictures! FEEDING OF THE 1,000. A MODERN ERA LOAVES AND FISHES STORY! TAYTAY, RIZAL, PHILIPPINES: THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS, AN INCREDIBLE GIFT CAME TO A BARANGAY (NEIGHBORHOOD) IN TAYTAY, A SUBURB OF MANILA, PHILIPPINES. Each Saturday throughout the year, Taytay First Church of the Nazarene, strives to have a special lunch in their neighborhood for children who might otherwise go without. This Christmas they decided to take their special lunch program to a new height. They set a goal of feeding and ministering to 1,000 children. Over the several weeks before Christmas, members of the church were challenged to become involved through giving and volunteering in preparation for this monumental day. What an incredible day it was! The children just began pouring in. Soon the ball court was filled to maximum capacity! The children just began pouring in. Soon the ball court was filled to maximum capacity! “When we first arrived at the designated covered ball court in the middle of the barangay, there weren’t very many people there,” shared Connie Aebischer, Regional Nazarene Missions International Coordinator. “Over a short period of time, the children began pouring in accompanied by their parents.” Generation Congregation Youth from Taytay First Church along with many church members, APNTS Students, barangay government officials and the local Jollibee Restaurants, gathered together to help facilitate the events of the day. Just organizing and seating the many excited children was a real task. The childrens version of the JESUS Film was shown in the Tagalog Language. The children’s version of the JESUS Film was shown in the Tagalog Language. As the children were seated, the Children’s version of the JESUS Film was shown in the local language. “I have been participating in showing of the JESUS Film for many years,” said Todd Aebischer, Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Coordinator. “I am always moved by the incredible impact that this story has on the children. It is a story that never becomes old. It is a story of the greatest gift that anyone could ever receive at Christmas.” Eyes were riveted on the screen. Eyes were riveted on the screen. Eyes were riveted on the screen and emotions were real as the story of our Lord and Savior, his ministry, and death for our sins was portrayed. While nearly 1,000 children were fed physical food on this very special day, they were fed something so much greater, the story of the love of Christ, available to anyone who is willing to receive this gift. Continue to pray for those who were ministered to and for those whose hearts were touched by the message of the Gospel. Continue to pray for those who were ministered to and for those whose hearts were touched by the message of the Gospel. Thank you to the Taytay First Church of the Nazarene, Students, Gen Con, local barangay officials and Jollibee for making this Feeding of the 1,000 such an incredible success. Please continue to pray for those whose hearts were touched and for the follow up of the Taytay Church of the Nazarene as they continue to minister in their local barangay. Like Paul on the Damascus Road, Witch Doctor Encounters God in Amazing Way! Myanmar, Southeast Asia Field When this witch doctor from Myanmar went to harass the new church plant, little did he know how his life was about to change. God is still in the business of doing incredible miracles. This story will bolster your faith and encourage you to pray for those who are struggling to find their way. Follow this LINK for an amazing story of Gods amazing grace! LIKE PAUL ON THE DAMASCUS ROAD, WITCH DOCTOR ENCOUNTERS GOD IN AMAZING WAY! Myanmar, Southeast Asia Field: The conversion of Paul is famous for its story of how Paul, on the road to Damascus to persecute the Christians, was met by God and changed for eternity. A similar miraculous scenario happened in the country of Myanmar. Witch doctor turned pastorLiving with the Karen people in the countryside of Myanmar was a “witch doctor.” The locals reported that this man would drink huge amounts of rum and yet not be affected. It was also said that ten village men could not restrain him. When a Church of the Nazarene was planted in his area, he went out to challenge the church. However, on his way to confront the pastor, he fell down unconscious. As this man lay stricken on the ground, two Christian girls of around ten years of age came and began to pray for him. They prayed over him continuously for two hours until he revived and was freed from the grip of the demons that had inhabited him. Former witch doctor, now lay pastor! Former witch doctor, now lay pastor! Since this life changing experience, a lot of great things have happened in his life and in the life of the Church! Today the former witch doctor is now a lay pastor in a local Church of the Nazarene. The two young girls that prayed over him have matured and now each one of them is pastoring a congregation in Kayin state in Myanmar. Their ministries continue to be characterized by strong prayer lives. One of the young girls, now grown up and pastoring a Nazarene Church of her own. One of the young girls, now grown up and pastoring a Nazarene Church of her own. One of these young pastors prayed together with her congregation for the correct location to dig a well. After one month of dedicated prayer, the location was revealed to the pastor in a dream. The congregation dug where the pastor had been shown and encountered no bedrock blocking their progress. The well was deep and clear and now provides clean water to the community throughout the entire year. We really do not know what was happening to the witch doctor while he was lying unconscious but one thing is for sure, God encountered him and used the prayers of two little girls to deliver him from demons that for so long had enslaved him. Indeed God is still in the business of meeting and transforming people in places, instances, and ways we least expect. Let this story encourage us to devote our days to the Lord, being alert to His leading and obedient to His call. We never know when the Lord will lead us to that next life that he wants to impact through us! Please continue to pray for our pastors, church members, team members and the work of the Church in Myanmar. (Due to sensitivities in this area, specific names of the churches and individuals involved have been omitted).[Submitted: John Watton, Asia-Pacific Region Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Coordinator][Editor: Terence Lustana] Australia Gets POWERED UP For Missions! NTC, Brisbane, Australia Are you wondering how to engage your church for mission, discipleship and outreach? The Australia Northern Pacific District tried something new this year with great success! A weekend conference served to help Power Up their churches to be intentional about the mission of making Christlike disciples. Follow this LINK to see if it would work for your church! AUSTRALIA GETS POWERED UP FOR MISSIONS! NTC, Brisbane, Australia: In today’s post-modern world, how do we respond to Christ’s command to, “Go and make disciples of all the nations?” This last November, the Australia Northern Pacific District held their first ever “Power Up Day” to help answer this question. Australia - Power Up DayThis Power Up Day, organized by the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries and Nazarene Missions International Councils was held at Nazarene Theological College, Brisbane. The day focused on fellowship, inspiration, practical skill sharing, ministry vision sharing and an “out-of-the-box” thinking time for the mission and the ministries of the Australian churches. Workshops included “Nuts and Bolts of NMI Leadership,” which was directed at new NMI Presidents, Cross Cultural Ministries, Discipling and Mentoring, Prevailing Prayer and Building a Church. The workshops were led by various pastors, NMI leaders, missionaries, and representatives from sister organizations. Specific information was provided on child sponsorship through NazCare (the Australian arm of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries). Australian Nazarenes are currently sponsoring 90 children in various countries around the world. The weekend started with a dinner Friday night, jointly hosted by NMI and SDMI, acknowledging pastors and leaders who had served throughout the year. The devotions, music and plenary sessions were all lead by emerging leaders who started out with worship and group prayer. This set the tone for the enthusiastic participation that the event enjoyed. Feedback indicated that it was a huge success and that next year promises to make an even greater impact. Making Christlike disciples in the nations, more than a slogan, it is a focused way of life for every Nazarene. Could your local church have a Power Up Day for Missions? Looks like Australia has provided a great model! Board of General Superintendents Announces District Merger in Australia.[Submission: Pauline Sheppard and Steve Walsh] Asia-Pacific Region Welcomes New 365M Family From Canada! Manila, Philippines (APNTS) Click on the Image to see how! Just what is 365M and what does it mean? That is a good question. In this case it means a family of four, study abroad, missions focus, 201 centimeters and a new Dean of Students! But youre going to have to click on the story to put the puzzle together, or go out to the APNTS basketball court and find out what it looks like in action! The complete story is just a click away! ASIA-PACIFIC REGION WELCOMES NEW ‘365M’ FAMILY FROM CANADA! Manila, Philippines: Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) and the Asia-Pacific Region are excited to welcome a new family who will be serving on the Region. DSC_0048 (left to right) Graiden, Dr. Grant, Abram Dr. Grant Zweigle, with his two sons Graiden and Abram, recently arrived in Manila, Philippines, in advance of their wife and mother, Aisling, who will follow in one month. The call to serve in the Philippines came to Aisling who is a ‘365 M’ student in a Cross Cultural Ministry program with Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS). This program gave her the opportunity to travel to the Philippines to be mentored by Rev. Luz Tamayo in the area of Holistic Child Development. Aisling will learn from local Filipino leaders who are working with at-risk children in Manila. See the short video above for more information about 365M through NTS Dr. Grant Zweigle has moved to the Region in support of his wife. He has just recently completed a Doctor of Ministry at Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS). Grant will serve as the Dean of Students at APNTS. Working with the administration, his goal is to help resource and empower the seminary students in reaching their full potential. Graiden and Abram, 13 & 11, were born in Seattle, USA. They are passionate basketball and soccer players who will fit in perfectly studying at Faith Academy here in Manila. Grant & Aisling have pastored multi-cultural Nazarene churches, most recently serving 9 years in Vancouver, Canada, and prior to that, 5 years in Seattle, USA. The Zweigle family is grateful for being invited to serve & learn on the Asia-Pacific Region. They are looking forward to contributing to the great work already being developed locally on the Region. The Region is very happy to welcome the Zweigle family. Oh, and at 6’7″, (201 centimeters) he is already challenging the APNTS students to improve their athletic skills on the ball court[Submission: Enoch Tee] Dont Miss This Mission Opportunity to Teach in Asia...Is It For You? Korea Nazarene University, S. Korea Are you looking for an opportunity to take your teaching skills overseas for a cross-cultural mission experience? Korea Nazarene University, is in search of English professors. Check out the qualifications and download an application at the below link. Click here to see more information! DON’T MISS THIS MISSION OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH IN ASIA…IS IT FOR YOU? Korea Nazarene University, S. Korea: Korea Nazarene University (KNU) has announced that it is in need of English professors. Application Deadline January 26th, 2015 KNUfront Teaching at KNU is an experience that cannot be defined in words. The culture, atmosphere and people make it truly a unique place to teach English and to serve the Church of the Nazarene. There are almost endless opportunities to share your talents beyond the classroom. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAComing to KNU as an English professor is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge of cultures and religions. Korea, being an eastern nation, has a deep and rich history in Buddhism and Confucianism which has strengthened its people and defined them as a truly communal nation. Since KNU is a Christian University, you will have the opportunity to see that rich history transformed and used in unique ways in serving God and helping others find Christ. Teaching English is only the beginning of your journey at KNU. With over 15 different countries represented among the faculty, staff and student body, there are plenty of opportunities to learn, share, and grow with the people around you. The international community of faculty and students have so much to offer as we share each other’s holidays, birthdays, food and stories. Often you make new relationships you never knew where possible or thought about before coming to KNU. The positive atmosphere and close community guarantees you will always have something new to try. If you are thinking that you will be alone at KNU do not worry yourself. Many of us have been here a lot longer than we planned and love helping new professors begin their journey at KNU. This opportunity, of course, has its challenges and hardships but any new adventure does. If you are willing to get your feet wet and jump in, take the plunge and join us here at Korea Nazarene University! See document below for more information including; Salary, Benefits, Requirements. Download (PDF, 371KB) — Submitted: Professor Adam Jantz, General Education International Coordinator, Korea Nazarene University. More Medical Missionaries Are Needed. Could A Missions Assignment Be In Your Future for 2015? Nazarene College of Nursing, Papua New Guinea Staci Rutledge PNG Click on the image for the rest of the story! Staci Rutledge, BSN, knew that God was calling her, she just didnt know where at first. She is now serving as a nursing instructor at Nazarene College of Nursing in Kudjip, Papua New Guinea. How did she get there? Could God be calling you to be the next instructor in Nursing? See her amazing story of taking it, One step at a time. Also, see the current opening for a nursing instructor in Kudjip. It starts with a click...HERE! COULD A MISSIONS ASSIGNMENT BE GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU THIS YEAR? TAKE IT “ONE STEP AT A TIME!” Nazarene College of Nursing, Kudjip, Jiwaka Province, Papua New Guinea: From Illinois to Papua New Guinea: “Just One Step at a Time” An interview with missionary Staci Rutledge, Nursing Instructor at Nazarene College of Nursing. Please give us some background information about yourself. My name is Staci Rutledge. I grew up in Illinois, and gave my life to Christ at 5. I then felt a call to missions at 16 when I went to a Nazarene Youth Congress. Unsure of where God wanted me to go at that time, I pursued my other calling of nursing and graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). My first “mission field” was the Army, where I served as an officer in the Nurse Corps for 4 ½ years and then returned home. It was during this time back in Bloomington/Normal, IL, that God was really working in the life of our church and the Northwest Illinois District. A lot of emphasis was being given to prayer, discipleship and church planting. It was then that God called me to come to Papua New Guinea (PNG). After 8 months of preparation, I came to PNG in January of 2013. I have just finished my second year of nursing instruction at Nazarene College of Nursing with plans to stay for at least another year. How did God lead you to this assignment? At 16, God had just told me to “Go”, and did not say where specifically. The path He laid out for me since then has mainly been just one more step at a time, each of them preparing me to say “yes.” Students on the Ward at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital. Students on the Ward at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital. One night in 2012, He woke me up early in the morning after an evening prayer meeting and brought to mind many pictures I had seen at a recent mission night. The Thompsons (current missionaries to PNG) had visited my church. I wasn’t really sure what all of that meant but I got online at 2am, and went to the Website of the Nazarene Hospital in PNG. There, on the Nursing College page, was a little notice that “tutors” where needed and to contact the college president. I sent off an email to him and was then able to fall back to sleep. Waking up 3 hours later I had a reply and a clear leading that PNG was where God wanted me to go. The Nazarene College of Nursing is currently looking for an additional Nursing Tutor/Instructor. Interested? Find out more information by clicking here! https://secure.nazarene.org/WMPersonnel/PersonnelRequest.jspx What has been most rewarding part of this assignment? When have you felt most energized? Serving and “tutoring” on the wards. The most rewarding times are with the students, anything from our Wednesday night fellowship worship times, to being with the students on the wards, helping them do procedures for the first time; and I’ve been with them for a LOT of procedures! From taking vital signs to delivering numerous babies, it’s their enthusiasm or sometimes their nervousness that inspires me to keep going. I also love classroom instruction times, especially when we can do hands on things and I am able to see the students really understand the information. Tell us about one situation that has impacted you greatly since you have been in this assignment. Placing towels around the students after their baptism. Placing towels around the students after their baptism. I was asked to place the towels on the students who were baptized this year after they came up out of the river at our special Independence Day baptism service. In all, 11 students were baptized and 13 joined the church that day (out of our 92 students). Celebrating with the students after the baptism service. Celebrating with the students after the baptism service. Having this bird’s eye view of their baptisms and hearing their testimonies of God’s work in their lives blessed my heart so much that day. It is now a memory I go back to when the challenges seem overwhelming. These students have overcome so much more than I can even imagine. How has this assignment changed your view of our mission to make Christlike Disciples in the nations? Being here has enhanced my feelings of what discipleship is all about. After a study on Daniel my first year here, one idea that really stood out to me was “influence the influential.” Serving to influence the influencers. Serving to influence the influential. There are PNG nursing leaders, administrators and pastors here that have been influenced by one or two prior missionaries or Christians and they have gone on to build churches, to build up the college of nursing, to send Christian nurses out all over the country, and many other things. I don’t know if their predecessors saw them as the “influential” or not at the time, but they certainly have become so. These nursing students are all going to be influential. It’s the nature of their job, and getting to influence them for Christ on a daily basis has been my goal. It doesn’t have to be hard work (as some would view discipleship), but it is often intentional. Building relationships, asking the hard questions in love, being fair with rules and standards, but also extending grace when needed – all of these things have become means of discipleship for me. What is one challenge God has helped you to overcome? When I came here I thought I was going to be a tutor, in the US version of that word, meaning someone who helps small groups of people in an area where they need additional help, and in a sense, coaches them. So, I had quite a big surprise that first day when they began to explain I was not going to be assisting another teacher but becoming the PNG version of the word “tutor!” Learning what the word tutor means in PNG. Learning what the word “tutor” means in PNG. Here tutor means instructor, professor, the one in charge of 45 first-year students for 10 hours a week, with lessons to create in the remaining hours! I’ve never been much for public speaking, but loved one-on-one and small group interactions. God helped me through creating and giving each one of those lessons these past 2 years. Now I actually can say I prefer the classroom time with the students (on most days) to being on the ward supervising students. Both give me joy, but on the classroom days, I’m with all the students, not just a few. What would you tell someone who is considering a mission assignment? Make sure wherever or whatever it is, it is what God wants for you. You will have challenges, you will have joys, you will experience hardships and frustrations, you will see many things that change your perspective for the better. You will not feel qualified for some things required of you, you will have wonderful days, and days you wish you could forget. You will mess up the language, you will make people laugh (hopefully you can laugh too). But as long as you have a clear sense that this place is where God has called you to, or the task He has for you, you can rest assured and face the day with Him, having faith He will help you through. The Nazarene College of Nursing is currently looking for an additional Nursing Tutor/Instructor. Interested? Find out more information by clicking here! To read more about Staci’s ministry in PNG, check out her blog [Compiled and Edited by Dave Hane, Asia-Pacific Personnel Coordinator] The Time is Now for Prayer. Schedule of January District Assemblies on the Asia-Pacific Region. Asia-Pacific Region Do you believe in the power of prayer? We do, and we are asking that you commit to pray for the upcoming district assemblies here on the Asia-Pacific Region. You can visit the below link and weekly pray for those who will be meeting across the Region in January. ____________________________
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 21:53:07 +0000
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