Dear Norm 

 

As we reviewed our past prayer letters, we noticed we have shared our ministry from many viewpoints. However, one viewpoint we have not shared is from your viewpoint - that of our ministry partners.  Since July of this year, after the Thai government loosened Covid19 restrictions, we have had dozens of ministry partners visit us.  It is always a joy and a privilege to meet with you and have you experience first-hand what God is doing. 

 

We want to share with you what ministry partners who visited recently have said about what God is doing amongst our work with the Association of Free Churches in Thailand (AFT).  We know you will find these testimonials encouraging:

Aaron Smith, Venture

 

“What's happening through AFT is something that missionaries have waited hundreds of years to see. It's a movement of God birthed in the hearts of Thai people and it's spreading like wildfire through Thailand. The message of Jesus is setting people free and transforming communities. Buddhist people, who have worked so hard to earn merit for their next life, are finding grace in Jesus and hope for a better eternity. ”

 

Mark Durene, Change the Map

 

“In my 30 years of ministry in Thailand, I have never been more excited about a move of God in this country. My visit to AFT showed me a humble, hard-working, faith-filled leadership that is wholly committed to bringing the Good News to the entire nation. The work of AFT has renewed my faith that this nation can move towards Jesus in a big way .”

 

Pete Keirstead, Lead Pastor, Thrive Community Church

 

“How quickly can a person go from being a new convert to a spiritually sound leader in Christ’s church, overseeing the evangelism and development of leaders of leaders?   What is required academically to prepare a person for such a weighty assignment?   These are questions I have pondered over the years as a Lead Pastor.  The first disciples had about three years to become the foundation of the global movement originally known as “The Way”.  So I knew it was theoretically possible for the process to take far less time than the 6yrs+ of an M.DIV.  But that was theory.  Can it still be that way today?   

 

The house church revival I observed in Thailand is everything I read about in the 1st century revival of the Book of Acts.  New believers are quickly empowered and trained to evangelize their neighbors and friends. In doing so, they become house church leaders in short order. The house church is brought along in the foundations of Christianity with a 26-week discipleship curriculum by other house church leaders who are trained to lead and develop other leaders. It’s the most strategic and organized system of evangelism and discipleship that I have ever seen! My experience in Thailand has shown me that the theoretical is happening every day!”

Dr. David Schroeder, Chancellor Pillar College

 

“Having had opportunities to view Christian missions in many countries, I had never seen anything like what I saw with the Association of Free Churches in Thailand. What impressed me most was the zeal of the new followers of Jesus as they introduced Him to people in villages where there were no Christians. These evangelists were not employed or sent by a mission agency. They shared their stories of how Jesus was real to them and meeting their needs. They would tell their neighbors, and soon a house group would be formed, and the group would learn 26 important principles of Christian teaching over the next several months. And before long, many groups would come together to form a district church. I imagine that was how the early church grew so rapidly and strong.”

 

Randy Kennedy, Strategy Director, The Maclellan Foundation

 

"This is truly a grassroots movement that has grown up spontaneously in the heart of Thailand. This is the first church planting movement I have seen in Thailand . Those like me who have been there for over 20 years are amazed, we never believed this was possible!  Rev. Somsak is self-employed and self-funded. He and his family are not asking for personal financial help. All the foreign funds they receive are for 'accelerant' to help the movement grow more quickly. If all foreign funding were to end, this movement would continue - only at a slower pace."

Norm Shulz, President 10-Talents

 

“Understanding Thailand’s dark spiritual history,  what I experienced in my recent visit was nothing short of a supernatural move of God…  people’s hearts are so open and receptive to the Gospel. The  leadership is effective, committed, and passionate and leads with servant hearts! The army of volunteers is the engine of the whole movement! The data platform ensures that every ONE is important and accounted for and followed up!  The vision and plan to reach the whole country is very believable.  Outstanding!”

Dr. David Yoon, Ormund Beach, FL

 

“In this season of thanksgiving, I am particularly grateful for the sacrifices of missionary giants on whose shoulders we stand today.  I am especially reminded of selfless sacrifices of my friend Dwight Martin’s missionary parents in Thailand.  Without their tireless efforts to further the gospel despite harsh conditions and unspeakable suffering we would not be celebrating the milestone of reaching a whole province of Phichit where the gospel has reached every village and a church established in every district. 

 

Recently, I witnessed firsthand the fruits of obedience to God by Dwight and Mary Kay Martin along with AFT in reaching a whole province with the gospel.  Dwight has been able to leverage technology to reach remotest parts of Thailand with the gospel. There were many enthusiastic young pastors and church leaders celebrating the lives transformed by this ministry. 

 

People who previously did not know who to pray to—now give thanks to the one true God, our Lord and Savior Jesus because of this church planting movement.  I am thankful for Dwight and Mary Kay for continuing the legacy of his parents.  May God grant their vision to reach every village in Thailand with the gospel.”

We are thankful for each one of you - our ministry partners.  Many of you have been part of this ministry for over 16 years and have faithfully supported us through prayer and financial support. You are an integral part of what God is doing in Thailand.

Thank you for being faithful!

 

Dwight & Mary Kay Martin