2011 was an awesome year of ministry in SE Asia for Ignite the World Ministries. The Lord directed us by way of the "Man of Macedonia" divine appointments to five countries- Myanmar(Burma), Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Here we were able to establish "missionary outposts" of evangelism and church planting in key areas. The Lord also allowed us to partner with key pastors and missionaries that we call our "igniters". These bold, courageous men and women, now numbering over 150, are "fanning the flame" of hope and faith to their countrymen. Hundreds have come to Christ and several churches have been planted. Through the teaching sessions with the leaders, they have gone on to "do likewise" to train their leaders in evangelism and church planting. It's the simple, but powerful Paul-Timothy princple found in 1 & 2 Timothy. In addition to preaching and teaching, the Lord healed many people of sickness and diseases. We are still receiving testimonies of healing and deliverence as our igniters are "laying hands on the sick". As we applied the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God granted us favor with governments, religions, and multi-denominational churches. There was peace, safety, supernatural occasions, and much fruit.
We ventured into Military Junta and Communist countries with little or no incident. The solar audio bibles went out in force with many illiterate and blind people hearing the scriptures for the first time. We had many reports of villagers coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as they resonded to the invitation on the solar players. Our "pouring the cold cup of water in Jesus' name" ministries also flourished and developed. Several villages are now enjoying clean water to drink, cook, wash dishes, and bathed in. Medical and dental clinics treated hundreds in Cambodia and Myanmar. And rice was distributed to the poor and hungry as the Monsoon rains destroyed many of the rice fields. Because of the compassion relief projects, many villagers testifed that it was the love and action of the Christians, not the Buddhists or the Government, that caused them to open-up to Christianity, and come to faith. There are so many more stories and testimonies to tell. Your support and prayers have made the difference. God bless you in your faithfulness to the Gospel! Thank you for your partnership in 2011, and continued "pressing on to the goal" in 2012!
Here are some of the year's highlights:
- Hundreds of people came to Christ through evangelistic crusades.
- Many miraculous healings occurred.
- Five countries, ten major cities and numerous villages were visited.
- Several house churches were planted in Cambodia and Myanmar.
- Conducted six training conferences with pastors and missionaries in evangelism and church planting.
- 150 pastors and missionaries("igniters") committed themselves to accelerated soul-winning and church planting.
- 110 solar audio bibles were distributed to villages-over 260 distributed since 2009!
- 9 new clean water wells were installed-a total of 34 now sponsored!
- 10 latrines sponsored in Cambodia.
- Over 1000 lbs. of rice given out.
- Two medical/dental clinics were conducted.
- Ministered in two Burmese refugee camps in Thailand.
- Baptized 34 children who came to Christ in the Kalaymyo River in Myanmar.
- Ministered to the sick in Yangon, Myanmar hospitals.
- Ministered in the underground churches in Vietnam and Laos.
- Provided International Partnership Funds to projects in the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
- Provided Typhoon relief funds to our ministry partners in Mindanao, Philippines.
- Conducted four "Fireside Gathering" Meetings for local, Portland-area evangelists, missionaries, and mission-project workers.
- Grew our donorbase to 132, mailing list to 500, and email list to 315.
- Presented the ministry to Portland-area churches, civic groups, local businessmen, and on Christian radio.