April 2023 Update from the Martin's in Thailand

Dwight & Mary Kay Martin in Thailand
April 10, 2023
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Bible Alive workbook
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David teaching with Dwight translating
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Church leaders listening intently 
Dear Norm 

 

This year has flown by with many memorable events. In January, Mary Kay travelled to the US to visit family. In February she went on a road trip with Tim, Crystal and granddaughter Rosalie to Alabama and Florida to be with Dwight. We cherished every moment we spent together as a family.
 
During our stay in the US, we met many of our ministry partners across the country and shared our gratitude for their support. We also had the privilege to speak in churches, connect with existing partners and present our ministry vision to foundations and groups that support our work.
 
In early March, Dwight returned to Thailand and welcomed Dr. David Schroeder (Former President of Alliance Theological Seminary) as a guest lecturer for 122 of the AFT church leaders/planters. Dr. Schroeder taught a course called “Bible Alive”, which covered God’s Plan of Redemption through the Old Testament. 
 
This course was a valuable learning experience for the AFT church leaders, who had never studied the OT this thoroughly before. They gained a deeper understanding of the Bible and how to apply it to their ministry and personal life. 

Dr. Schroeder will return in the fall to teach on the spiritual gifts, the Inter-testament period and the New Testament. We are very grateful for Dr. Schroeder and Pastor Rocky Alvarez, who generously donated their time and expertise to train our leaders.

Last month, Premier Christianity, a British magazine, featured a report on global revivals. Among the places where God is moving powerfully, the magazine highlighted our ministry in Thailand.  Here is what was written:

 

"Thailand has traditionally welcomed missionaries but has also appeared to be resistant to the gospel. Much has been sown into Thailand through prayer and mission but with little fruit. However, in the last few years, the Free in Jesus Christ Association (FJCCA) movement has experienced explosive growth and contextually effective discipleship. Through village-by-village evangelism, thousands of mostly rural house churches have been planted – so many that the relatively new FJCCA has more fellowships than any other denomination or group in Thailand.

 

Mass public baptisms – the last one including 1,435 new believers – are reshaping the perception and impact of Christianity in this strongly Buddhist nation. Dwight Martin, a researcher who is deeply involved with the FJCCA doesn’t call what is happening a church planting movement or a missiological breakthrough, but a revival."

Press on this link  to read the full article

 

Blessings in Jesus,

Dwight & Mary Kay Martin

http://estar.ws
Prayer Requests:
  • The 9th Thailand National Congress on Evangelism for Thai church leaders will take place at the end of April. Dwight will be presenting to thousands of leaders from all over the country on the spiritual need in Thailand. Please pray for him and for the success of the Congress.

  • In May, the AFT is planning two baptism services. One in Khon Kaen province, where we anticipate over 500 people to be baptized. The other in Phetchabun province, where over 1,200 people will be baptized. Please pray that these baptisms will go smoothly and without any obstacles.

  • Chiang Mai has been suffering from severe air pollution for the past few weeks, ranking as the world's most polluted city on several occasions. The main causes of the smog are forest fires and agricultural burning in northern Thailand and neighboring countries. Pray for rain to bring relief to the city and its residents.

115/72 Mu 7, T. Pa Daet, A. Mueng, Chiangmai 50100, Thailand