here. - Langstaff Gospel Hall

Transcription

2012
Missionary
Conference
Langstaff Gospel Hall
Booklets and audio recordings from previous years available for download at:
www.langstaffgospelhall.com
Spec
ia
Mr. Kyle Wilson - Nicaragua | Mr. John See - Malaysia | Mr. David Richards - Russia
cus for 20
o
12
lF
Targeted Bible
Teaching on
selected MissionaryRelated Topics
Mr. John Dennison &
Dr. David Vallance
Langstaff Gospel Hall Missionary Conference
Table
of
Contents
Weekend Schedule.............................................................................................. 3
Missionary Report - Nicaragua..................................................................... 4-5
Financial Support for Missionary Work – Dave Vallance........................ 6-7
Missionary Report - Malaysia....................................................................... 8-9
Excellence in Evangelism – John Dennison.......................................... 10-11
Panel Discussion & Notes Page...............................................................12-13
Missionary Report – Russia.......................................................................14-15
Focusing on the Family – John Dennison..............................................16-17
Relationship between Commending Assembly and ..........................18-19
Commended Worker – Dave Vallance
Sending Financial Support to Missionaries.................................................20
Langstaff Missionary Conference | May 11 - 13, 2012
2009 Langstaff Gospel Hall Missionary Conference
Friday May 11
7:30 – 7:40 PM
7:40 – 8:20 PM
8:20 – 8:30 PM
8:30 – 9:00 PM
Opening Hymn, Prayer & Announcements
Ministry Message “The importance of teaching local assemblies,
reducing/removing reliance on the missionaries” – Mr. David Richards
Prayer Requests Announced
Prayer Session
Saturday May 12
10:00 – 10:10 AM
10:10 – 10:50 AM
10:50 – 11:05 AM
11:05 – 11:45 AM
11:45 – 12:00 noon
Missionary Report – Nicaragua - Mr. Kyle Wilson
My call to Full Time Missionary Service – Mr. John See
Ministry Message – “Financial Support of Missionary Work” - Dr. David Vallance
My call to Full Time Missionary Service – Mr. David Richards
Lunch Break
1:30 – 3 PM (Concurrent) 1:30 – 1:35 PM
1:35 – 2:15 PM
2:15 – 3:00 PM
Childrens Program in the tent Opening Hymn, Prayer & Announcements
Missionary Report – Malaysia - Mr. John See
Ministry Message – “The Value of a Young Life Devoted to the Lord” – Mr. Kyle Wilson
Break
3:30 – 5:15 PM (Concurrent) 3:30 – 3:35 PM
3:35 – 4:15 PM
4:15 – 4:30 PM
4:30 – 5:15 PM
Childrens Program in the tent
Opening Hymn & Prayer
Ministry Message – “Excellence in Evangelism – The mandate, methods,
Movements and more of a successful servant” – Mr. John Dennison
My call to Full Time Missionary Service – Mr. Kyle Wilson
Ministry Message – “Mission Work in the field of multiculturalism” – Mr. John See
Supper Break
7:00 – 7:05 PM
7:05 – 8:15 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION
Lord’s Day, May 13
10:00 – 11:45 AM
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Breaking of Bread
Open Sunday School
2:00 – 3:30 PM (Concurrent) Childrens Program in the tent
Lunch Break
2:00 – 2:10 PM
2:10 – 2:50 PM
2:50 – 3:30 PM
Missionary Report – Russia – Mr. David Richards
Ministry Message – “Focusing on the Family – The contributions,
congratulations, and concerns of missionary wives and missionary kids” – Mr. John Dennison
Break
4:00 – 4:05 PM
4:05 – 4:45 PM
Ministry Message – “The relationship between commending assemblies and commended workers” - Dr. David Vallance
4:45 – 5:15 PM
Gospel Message – Mr. John Dennison
Supper Break
•3•
•4•
Nicaragua
Geography & Population
Mexico
Caribbean
Sea
a
emal
Guat
Honduras
El S a
Ocotal
lvad
or
León
Managua
Taoquil
Jalapa
Esteli
NICARAGUA
Valle de la Laguna
Dolores
Costa Rica
Ocean
Panama
Nicaragua is located in Central America and borders
Honduras on the north and Costa Rica on the south.
There are three main geographical areas in the country:
the hot, fertile plains of the Pacific Lowlands, the relatively cooler region of the North-Central mountains and the
tropical region of the Atlantic Lowlands, where rainforest
covers much of this sparsely populated area. The country
is susceptible to many natural catastrophes such as
earthquakes, hurricanes, landslides and volcanoes on the
west coast.
Population :................5.7 million
Under 15 years :.......31.7%
Growth rate :.............1.01%
Area :.............................129 494 km2 (slightly smaller than New York State)
Language :....................Spanish (official) 97.5%, Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8%
Religions : ..................Roman Catholic 58.5%, Evangelical 21.6%, none 15.7%, Moravian 1.6%, Jehovah’s Witness 0.9%,
other 1.7%
Government & Industry
Although Nicaragua has seen lengthy periods of military dictatorship, today, it is a democratic republic. Nicaragua
gained independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. Economically, Nicaragua is the 2nd poorest nation in the
Western hemisphere with low per capita income and widespread underemployment. While some progress has been
made in recent years, the country has been forced to rely on international economic assistance in order to meet
financial obligations. Also of interest, Nicaragua is one of only three countries in the world (along with El Salvador and
Chile) where abortion is illegal without exception.
Capital:........................Managua (Pop. 1.7 million)
Head of State :...........President Daniel Ortega Saavedra (Jan ’07)
Poverty rate :.............48% (2008)
Unemployment:..........7.3% (2011) plus underemployment of 46.5% (2008 est.)
Inflation :.....................8% (2011)
Minimum Wage :........$59-$136 (CAD)/month
Industries...................food processing, chemicals, machinery & metal products, knit & woven apparel, petroleum refining
& distribution, beverages, footwear, wood
Major exports :.........coffee, beef, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts, cigars, automobile wiring
harnesses, textiles & apparel
•5•
Nicaragua
Background of Assembly Work
For a country that is still very open to the gospel, it is heartbreaking that there was little to no assembly work started in
the Republic until the late 1990’s. It is possible that there may have been some assemblies planted before the civil war
(1980-1990) that have since shrunk away due to lack of teaching and persecution during that time. As far as we know
however, assembly work first began in 1997 when Oscar and Nolvia Cubas were commended from Honduras, and
began to work in the northern parts of the country. They settled in a remote northern town called Taoquil and saw the
first assembly that we know of planted. They were the first of many Honduran brethren who have left their homeland to
serve the Lord in this country.
In 2002 Ross Vanstone and Mark Bachert visited Nicaragua for two weeks in the month of May. The purpose of their
visit was to see the country, and to see if there were open doors for the gospel. They had the opportunity to have a few
nights of gospel meetings, and after seeing that there was an ear for the gospel, a small group returned in March 2003
for another gospel series in the town of Dolores. Seeing that God was working in the salvation of souls, Ike Fraser and
Mark Bachert rented a house in the little town to continue on preaching the gospel. In the years that followed, the
Lord has guided many more to serve the Lord full-time in this country.
The work has grown steadily since 2003 and the Lord has been very gracious in allowing us to have a united work
amongst the assemblies here. There are 9 Honduran couples and 1 single brother serving alongside the 5 couples that
have been commended from Canada and the United States. There are currently 11 assemblies that stretch from the
north to the south of the country, with 6 of the 11 provinces having an assembly testimony.
As a whole, the door is still wide open for gospel work and there are still vast regions of the country that have not
been touched with the gospel. We see the importance of gospel literature and on a yearly basis are printing hundreds
of thousands of tracts, Seed-Sowers and calendars. We trust that the printed word of God will be able to reach many
areas where perhaps we will never go.
Please Pray:
1) For local leadership to be raised up in the assembly in El Valle.
2) For new outreach work in the surrounding areas around El Valle.
3) For spiritual preservation for those in the assembly.
Langstaff
Gospel
Missionary
Conference
Gospel
HallHall
Missionary
Conference
• 2009
6 • Langstaff
Financial Support of Missionary Work
God wants His servants to depend on Him for Financial Support.
•The Levites (Nm 8:14; 18:21-24). The people paid a tithe to the Lord, and the Lord supplied the Levites. The
Levites did not solicit funds or charge fees for their service, and the people did not regard the Levites as indebted
to them.
• Christ and His disciples (Lk 8:2-3). They derived support from women, not all of whom were wealthy.
•Christ instructed His disciples (the Twelve in Matthew 10:9-10 and the Seventy in Luke 10:4-7) not to
depend on their own resources, nor to solicit funds from others. Instead, they were to move out in faith,
trusting the Lord to provide for them through the voluntary hospitality and support of others. “The laborer
deserves his wages.”
• The Lord Jesus specifically called His disciples to abandon their livelihoods (Mt 4:19-20; 9:9; Lk 5:27-28).
• Paul (1 Cr 9:1-18; Gl 6:6). Paul taught that the laborer should be supported by those whom he has served.
•Paul normally devoted his full time to ministry, stating that those who preach the gospel should be supported by those who benefit from it (1 Cr 9:14).
•Paul reverted to part-time tent-making, his former occupation, in three circumstances:
• Thessalonica (1 Th 2:9; 2 Th 3:8-9)—a young, poor, untaught assembly.
•Corinth (Ac 18:3-4; 2 Cr 12:13)—an assembly with detractors who were suspicious of Paul’s motives.
(Note Paul received support from other assemblies while refusing it from Corinth, 2 Cr 11:8.)
• Ephesus (Ac 20:33-35)—an assembly surrounded by pagan money-making scams.
• Paul stopped making tents when occasion allowed and need demanded (Ac 18:5).
Financial Support is a part of Fellowship or Partnership in the Gospel.
•Philippians 1:5-7. God’s grace enabled and led them to support Paul in his imprisonment and in the defense and
confirmation of the gospel.
• Philippians 4:15-19. Paul provides an example of a local assembly supporting him as a gospel laborer.
• Philippians 4:19; Matthew 10:40-42. God promises to bless the giver financially and spiritually.
• 3 John 6. John mentions helping the servant “in a manner worthy of God.”
Making needs Known: A Critique of Three Models:
• George Mueller. He relied on prayer alone. The Holy Spirit prompted giving without any human involvement.
•Hudson Taylor. He relied on prayer and supplied information. Giving was also prompted by revealing specific
needs without direct solicitation (implicit request).
•D. L. Moody. He relied on prayer, supplied information, and solicited funds. Giving was also prompted by direct
solicitation (explicit request).
The Prayer of Agur (Pr 30:8-9). Ironically, not too much but too little money forces a worker to focus on finances
at the expense of his ministry.
Investing in Eternity: Luke 16:8-12.
•The Proper Use of Current Resources. The “unjust steward” made shrewd use of current resources—which he
was about to lose anyway—and laid up treasure for his future life, where he would have funds that could not be
taken from him.
2009 Langstaff Gospel Hall Missionary Conference
•7•
• Treasure in Heaven. When we are received into our eternal dwellings, we will find that spiritual investments on earth have resulted in heavenly treasure that cannot be taken away. The Lord will base His commendation at
the Bema on our use of spiritual and material resources for the sake of His kingdom.
•Fellowship. Fellowship in the gospel includes a variety of things, including our common sharing of Christ, His
Word, prayer, and suffering for the gospel’s sake. It also includes our regular financial and material support.
Financial Needs.
• F inancial Support. The whole assembly and individual believers should provide regular financial support,
which is not only practically helpful, but also emotionally and spiritually beneficial.
•Basic Personal Needs: Food, shelter, clothing, transportation, communication, education (e.g. home schooling
supplies, or private school tuition), taxes, and savings.
• Start-up Needs: Relocation expenses (e.g. travel to the field, shipping, new housing, language training).
• Ongoing Needs for the Work: Home office, literature and supplies, transportation (safe vehicles, fuel, insurance, maintenance), charity (especially for new believers), building materials,
•Special Needs: Health insurance policies, college funds, large building projects.
According to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), the average cost to support a missionary
from North America is approximately $6,032 per month. However, support needs range from a low of $1,895 a month
up to over $12,000. Factors which influence this variation include: the cost of living on the field of ministry, number of
family members, the choice of school for children’s education, ministry expenses, and start-up costs.
•8•
Malaysia
Th
ai
la
nd
MALAYSIA
Kota
Kinabalu
Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
Sarawak
Kanowit
Kuching
Indonesia
Located in southeastern Asia, Malaysia occupies two geographic
regions separated by the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia (or West Malaysia) is on a peninsula south of Thailand and
Malaysian Borneo (or East Malaysia), the northern third of the
island of Borneo, borders Indonesia and Brunei. The terrain
ranges from coastal plains rising to densely forested hills and
mountains. As it sits just north of the Equator, Malaysia’s tropical
climate sees high temperatures and rainfall 150 – 200 days out of
the year. Annual monsoons drench the southwest from April to
October and the northeast from October to February.
Population :................29.2 million
Under 15 years :.......29.6%
Growth rate :.............1.54%
Area :.............................329 750 km2 (slightly smaller than Newfoundland & Labrador)
Languages :.................Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai, indigenous languages (East Malaysia)
Religion :......................Islam (official) 61.3%, Buddhism (19.8%), Christianity (9.2%), Hinduism (6.3%), Confucianism,
Taoism & other traditional Chinese religions (1.3%)
Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, gaining independence from the United Kingdom on August 31, 1957. In 1963,
Singapore, previously part of the Federation of Malaya, became independent and the name Malaysia was adopted.
Economically, Malaysia has transformed itself from merely a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy. As
an exporter of oil and gas, Malaysia has also benefited from the rise in energy prices in recent years. Malaysia’s largely
export-based economy is heavily dependent, however, on commodity prices and the strength of the global economy.
Capital:..............................Kuala Lumpur (Pop. 1.6 million (Metro. 7.2 million)
Head of State :.................King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (Apr ’12)
Head of Government....Prime Minister Mohamed Najib bin Abdul Razak (Apr ’09)
Poverty rate :...................3.8% (2007) (however, many have disputed the way in which poverty has been defined by the
Malaysian government, suggesting the rate is actually much higher)
Unemployment:................3.1% (2011)
Inflation :...........................3.2% (2011)
Minimum wage :...............$309 (CAD)/month
Industries : .....................rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging, petroleum production & refining, agriculture processing
Major exports :...............electronics, petroleum & liquefied natural gas, wood & wood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles,
chemicals
•9•
Malaysia
Assembly principles, as far as can be determined, were first taught and practised on the island of Penang - two miles
off the northwest coast of the peninsula - by Mr. and Mrs. William McDonald in 1866. The work was mainly amongst
the Hokkien-speaking Chinese who had arrived in Malaya to work in the tin mining industry. After a visit to New
Zealand, Mr. McDonald was joined by a number of workers from that land and there was an encouraging spread of the
gospel and the establishment of assemblies in the main towns - Bukit Mertajam, Taiping, Kuala Kangsar as far as Kuala
Lumpur. Many devoted men and women spent their lives in the gospel and gathering saints from the Chinese-speaking
people into assemblies built on scriptural principles through the western states of colonial Malaya.
Finding the truth of gathering unto the Lord’s Name whilst studying in Plymouth, England, in 1993, and received into
fellowship with the company of believers gathered in Saltash Gospel Hall, in Cornwall, England, John See returned to
Malaysia, to complete his final year (1995) of Teacher Training in Kuala Lumpur, where he came amongst the saints
who meet in Paramount Gospel Hall, Petaling Jaya. It was here that he first met Mr. Thomas Bentley and Mr. James
Allen, who had laboured in the country since the 1950s. In those days, both men were actively serving and helping 3
companies of the Lord’s people who desire to adhere faithfully to the principles of assembly testimony, namely, believers at Paramount Gospel Hall (est. 1969), Eng Ann Gospel Hall (est. 1970s), and Malacca Gospel Hall (est. pre-WW2).
In 1996 upon graduation, John See, of his own exercise before the Lord, chose to teach in Sarawak, East Malaysia
(Central Borneo), with the desire to see some blessing in the gospel in the school where he would be posted to.
Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, with a population of over 2 million people, has had no assembly work since it
joined Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963, and for the most part of the entire state, is still very much rural. The population
is mainly made up many native tribes, the largest being, the Sea Dayaks (known also as ‘Iban’), who just a couple of
generations before had the reputation of being called the “Head-hunters of Borneo”.
One month into teaching, a young boy of 15 enquired concerning “the Bible and Science”. Several other young people
came to the knowledge of salvation subsequently, and a little work commenced with these learning the Scriptures
weekly. John and his wife, Susan, continued teaching there in the rural town of Kanowit, Sarawak, until 2002. Being
exercised by the spiritual need, he was encouraged to return to Peninsular (West) Malaysia by Mr. Bentley and eventually seek commendation to full-time work, which was already upon his own heart.
The saints gathered at Paramount, Eng Ann and Malacca were then engaged in local outreach work with a view to
seeing new assemblies planted. Paramount saw 2 new assemblies planted in USJ4 (2007) and Puchong Utama (2008).
Eng Ann believers saw their outreach work in Kota Kemuning establish permanently in 2004. Malacca had a new
company formed in the town of Bahau. In 2005, a small company of believers gathered out to the Lord’s name in the
northern town of Ipoh. Going full-time in 2007, John had the privilege of helping in the USJ4 outreach, and the young
assembly in Ipoh. In 2008, with 15 other believers, and baptizing 8 more the following week, sat down to remember the
Lord in Puchong Utama.
Meanwhile, one of the believers, his former student, from Kanowit, returned from university as a teacher to teach in the
town (accessible only by river) of Kapit, Sarawak. In 2009, John visited him, and in the school the opening was made to
preach the gospel for 4 nights. More visits followed, and soon, a small company of about 20 students met for the learning of the Scriptures in a rented room for 2 hours every Sunday. In January 2011, John and Susan, with their 3 children
(8, 7, and 2 yrs), began visits to the capital city of Sarawak, Kuching, where were a few believers interested to follow
the Scriptures. More visits were made till March 2012. They rejoiced to see 6 more souls receive Christ as Saviour. With
the full support of the assemblies associated within the West of Malaysia, the anticipation now is to return to Kuching,
Sarawak, in June 2012, permanently to continue the work until the Lord be pleased to see the first assembly formed on
the soil of Borneo.
Please Pray:
1) For the formation of an assembly and the furtherance of the gospel in Sarawak, East Malaysia;
2) For the preservation of new believers, and brethren raised for the work, full time or otherwise;
3) For the preservation and progress of new assemblies formed in recent years in West Malaysia.
• 10 •
Excellence in Evangelism
Reading: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 6:3-7; 8:4-9, 12-15, 20-22, 25-31, 35, 38-40; 21:8
I.
The Mandate for Evangelism
A.
The Precept in the Commission
“Go”
B.
The Parts of the Commission “…,…,…”
C.
The Participants in the Commission “ye”
D.
The Purpose of the Commission II.
The Messenger in Evangelism
A.
Capabilities of the Messenger
Acts 21:8
B.
Character of the Messenger Acts 6:3
C.
Confidence in the Messenger Matthew 28:18-20
“make disciples”
“the saying pleased the whole multitude” Acts 6:5
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”
--Hudson Taylor
• 11 •
III. The Methods of Evangelism
A.
Possibilities B.Priorities
C.
Principle The “process” and the “product” are equally important to God.
D.
Problems WARNING: We are all capable of falling into the following:
Acts 8:5,12,25,35
Acts 8:5,14,35
1.
Approach Number 1: Ruts ‘til the rapture!
2.
Approach Number 2: Wowed with what works!
3.
Approach Number 3: Social improvement over spiritual intervention!
TOUGH QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF
Note to self: Be honest!
a.
Does this method/effort have a gospel flavor or a gospel focus?
b.
Am I enabling people or am I evangelizing people?
c.
Is this effective or is this enjoyable? IV. The Movements in Evangelism
A.
Direction in his movements
Philip was guided…
1.
Scripturally v. 5
2.
Objectively v.1
3.
Subjectively vv.26, 29
Duration of his movements Assessment
B.
1.
Test of Accountability
“Jerusalem”
2.
Test of Availability
“Samaria”
3.
Test of “Stickability” ”Caesarea”
There is no joy in the world like the joy of bringing one soul to Christ.
-William Barclay
• 12 •
• 13 •
Notes
• 14 •
Russia
Arctic Ocean
d
lan
Fin
St. Petersburg
Moscow
Siberia
Russia
Penza
Novosibirsk
Kazakhstan
Mongolia
Russia is the largest country in the world by area, spanning
eleven time zones across much of the length of the Eurasian
continent. Russia’s topography and climate vary greatly
due to its massive size. Great spans of plains that are
densely forested in the northern regions cover the majority
of the country with tundra along the arctic coast. The Ural
Mountains divide European Russia from Asian Russia while
mountains can also be found along the far southeastern
regions of the country. These mountains in particular which
block warmer air currents flowing from the Indian Ocean to
the south mean that Russia’s climate is influenced in large
part by much colder Arctic and northern Atlantic systems.
Population :................138.1
Under 15 years :.......15.2%
Growth rate :.............-0.48%
Area :.............................17 098 242 km2 (largest in the world - 1.7 times the size of Canada)
Languages :.................Russian (official), many minority languages
Religions :....................Russian Orthodox: 15-20% (note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; there are large
populations of non-practicing believers and of non-believers, a
Muslim: 10-15%
legacy of over 70 years of Soviet rule)
Other Christian: 2%
Russia has undergone several fundamental changes in government over the last century. The fall of the Russian
Empire with the Russian Revolution in 1917 ushered in communism and the Soviet Union which lasted for most of the
twentieth century. Boris Yeltsin came to power in June 1991 and the USSR was official dissolved in December of the
same year. The next few years of transition from communism to democracy were difficult economically for the country.
Today, Russia is a federation and a semi-presidential republic where the President is the head of state and the Prime
Minister is the head of government. Since the turn of the century, fueled by rising oil prices, Russia has seen significant economic growth and is today considered one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Capital:................................Moscow (Pop. 10.5 million)
Head of State :...................President Dmitriy Medvedev (May. ’08)
Head of Government:.....Premier Vladimir Putin (May ’08)
Poverty rate :.....................13.1% (2010)
Unemployment:..................6.8% (2011)
Inflation :.............................8.9% (2011)
Minimum wage :.................$145 CAD per month
Industries : .........................mining & extractive industries, machine building, defense industries, transportation equipment,
communications equipment, agricultural machinery, construction equipment, power generating
equipment, medical & scientific instruments, consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs
Major exports :.................petroleum & petroleum products, natural gas, metals, wood & wood products, chemicals, various civilian & military manufactures
• 15 •
Russia
Assembly work in Russia is not a recent phenomenon. There were assemblies of Christians in Russia prior to the Russian Revolution (1917). Independent churches were forced to amalgamate with denominational churches. Hence, most
assemblies apparently were incorporated into the Baptist Church, losing their assembly distinctiveness. One hears
rumours of assemblies that continued to exist throughout the Communist era, but we are not aware of any such assemblies.
Jesse Fitch, with his son Andrew received permission to visit Russia in 1991. They arrived on June 25 and spent five
weeks in Tobolsk, Siberia. They were kept very busy, visiting prisons, schools, factories etc. All who were willing to
listen were presented with a Bible. Before leaving Tobolsk, Jesse sought and obtained permission to return in 1992 to
distribute books, and preach the gospel.
In 1992 they returned to Tobolsk on two occasions, in the summer and autumn. Louis Smith and Mark Walvatne accompanied them on the first of these occasions, and Louis Smith and Larry Perkins on the second. Other cities and
villages heard of what was going on and invited them to come. The mayor of the city of Surgut, in northern Siberia,
asked them to come in April 1993 with 50,000 Bibles. Other places in the south of the Tyumen Region also requested
literature, totalling 350,000 pieces of literature.
In the summer of 1994 the assembly in Surgut commenced. An assembly was also formed in Tobolsk in 2000. Thus
commenced the work in Siberia and the Ural Mountains region.
At about the same time a work commenced in St. Petersburg. None of our brethren were involved in its commencement, but Louis Smith and others subsequently visited this assembly and sought to help. David Booth and his family
spent a few years there up to 2000, when they left due to health issues. Sabrina Booth moved there at the beginning of
2005.
More recently another assembly was commenced in St. Petersburg through the labours of Theo Hewitt.
Please Pray:
1) for greater freedom to share the gospel in Russia.
2) for unity amongst the saints.
3) that the Lord will raise up teachers in the assemblies.
• 16 •
Focusing on the Family: MW’s and MK’s
Reading:
+
+
MW’s : Acts 18:1-5, 18-21, 24-26; Romans 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19
MK’s : Acts 21:8-14
I.
The Contributions of the Missionary Wife
A.
Her Spirituality
B.
Her Service
C.
Her Sacrifice
D.
Her Sensitivity E.
Her Secret
Acts 18:26
Acts 18:2-3, 26; 1 Corinthians 3:9
Acts 18:3, 11; Romans 16:3-5
Acts 18:2,18,26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19
2 Timothy 4:19
“If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor,
how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?”
-David Livingstone
II.
The Children of the Missionary and His Wife
A.Privileges
B.Potential
Note: The S.H.A.N.U.H. Phenomena
• 17 •
Acts 21:8-11
IIl. The Children of the Missionary and His Wife
A.
Fishbowl Phobia
B.
Moving Madness C.
Deception Infection Frauds, fakes and other mistakes! D.
Doldrums Disorder
E.
Worker Worries (See question 8 in the Q&A Section)
F.
Doctor Dread
Health Care Concerns
G.
School Drool
“If we were at home we would…”
“Left THEM”
Italy – Corinth – Ephesus (Acts 18); Rome (Romans 16:4); Ephesus (2 Timothy 4:19)
1.
Education Possibilities:
2.
Education Perplexities:
H.
Acts 8:9-24
Focus Fatigue Romans 16:3
IV. The Commendation of the Missionary Wife
Romans 16:4-5
The church that does not evangelize will fossilize.
Oswald J. Smith
Langstaff
Gospel Hall
Gospel Hall Missionary Conference
• Langstaff
18 •
The Relationship between a
Commending Assembly and Commended Missionaries
Commendation (Ac 13:2-4; Gl 2:9).
• The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit equips men for evangelism and calls them to this work.
• Paul and Barnabas had already been active in local gospel work (Ac 9:22; 11:19-26; 12:25).
• They were commended to the work, not to a geographical location.
•Fasting and Prayer. The assembly and the workers need earnest prayer in order to discern the Lord’s calling and to
commit the servants to His keeping.
•The Laying on of Hands. This sign of fellowship is a total endorsement of and commitment to the workers. This partnership—sharing in the work—includes doctrinal agreement, public alliance, dedicated prayer, and material support.
• Sending Away. When the time as right, the assembly “sent them away.”
•The commendation is from a single assembly. Although a commending assembly may consult with other assemblies and inform them of the commendation for their prayer and support, the responsibility for the commendation lies with the workers’ local assembly alone.
Accountability (Ac 14:28; 18:24-28; Pr 27:17).
• Missionary Report Meetings and Communication
•Understanding. Promotes a general understanding of the work and specific information for intelligent, detailed
prayer.
•Accountability. The assembly should be involved with the worker and request regular reports. This provides a
means for the missionary to give an account of himself and his teaching. Lack of contact may lead to a dangerous “free agent” mindset.
•Counsel. Overseers should be available for counsel and be willing to serve as a sounding board for the worker.
Communication allows assembly believers to support or even to challenge the missionary’s thinking, teaching,
and decisions.
Encouragement (Rm 1:10-12).
•The Need for Encouragement. We expect missionaries to come and encourage us, but they too need encouragement—at times more than we do.
• The People. Mission fields are often hostile to the gospel.
• The Authorities. Religious and political powers oppose the worker.
• The Post-Christian West. Our society has grown increasingly antagonistic to missionary work.
•Nominal Christians. “Emergent” Christians want to be “missional,” but not missionaries. Most nominal
Christians are universalists who see no need for people to be converted.
•Secularists. Those who despise Christians, ironically see great value in the indigenous religions and
“spirituality” of aboriginal people, and strongly oppose converting people to Christ.
• Loneliness. Mission fields are often lonely, discouraging places.
• Some Means of Encouragement.
•Expressing Support. We must stand behind workers, endorse their desire to preach the gospel to every creature, and remind them of what they already know: The work is about the glory of the Lord Jesus and bringing
people everywhere “unto the obedience of Christ.”
•Sending News. Send gossip-free news from home about gospel series, baptisms, receptions, Bible readings,
messages preached by local brothers, etc. News from home gives the missionary family a needed boost.
•Visiting the Field. Encourage believers from the commending assembly to visit the field and give a lift to the
missionary and his family.
•We should go to help and to encourage, and to set an example. We do not go to hit the beach in the
• 18 •
• 19 •
daytime and then expect supper and entertainment in the evening.
•Elders and other mature believers who visit can help the new believers in the mission field learn more
about where the worker comes from, how he receives behind-the-scenes support, and to whom he is
accountable in the work of the Lord.
• Visitors give new believers a sense of connection to assemblies worldwide.
Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:25)
•The Work of Prayer. Praying at home and in the assembly for missionaries empowers the work. God’s blessing the
missionary’s work can be directly attributable to the prayers of assembly believers.
•The Habit of Prayer. We should make a habit of regular, informed, and specific prayer for the activities of the worker
and for the welfare of his family.
•The Worker’s Family as an Object of Prayer. We should take a special interest in the wife and children of the worker,
instead of giving the worker himself all the press and attention.
• Keeping a home and raising children can be extremely difficult in the mission field.
•We should pray not only for temporal salvation, but also for the eternal salvation and spiritual progress of the
worker’s children.
•We should encourage the missionary family by letting them know that the commending assembly is a place
where their work and sacrifice are appreciated, and where they are welcome at any time.
• 20 •
Sending Financial Support to Missionaries
The following three agencies offer exceptional services to assist Canadian residents in sending financial
support to those involved full-time in the Lord’s service. If the worker(s) you want to support are
registered with one of these agencies, then it is definitely advisable to use that channel to send your
gift(s), as this will ensure the safe and efficient transfer of the monies to the recipient, and can also
provide you, as the donor, with a tax receipt for deduction on your personal tax return.
If you are comfortable doing so, It may be a good idea to communicate with the intended recipient(s)
ahead of time to see if they are registered with one or more of these agencies, and if so, do they have a
preference which agency the funding is channeled through. If you wish to send your funds
anonymously, these agencies can all accommodate that as well, but it would be a good idea to contact
the agency first to see if your intended recipient is registered with them.
Gospel Trust Canada
80 Robarts Drive
Milton, ON
L9T 5P3
Website: www.gospeltrust.ca
E-mail: info@gospeltrust.ca
MSC Canada
101 Amber Street, Unit 16
Markham, ON
L3R 3B2
P: 905-947-0468
Website: www.msccanada.org
E-mail: msc@msccanada.org
Gospel Perpetuating Foundation
Kerrisdale Professional Center
360-2025 West 42nd Avenue
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6M 2B5
P: 604-266-5677
Website: www.gpfcanada.org
E-mail: gpf@gpfcanada.org
For those residing in the USA and wishing to send financial support to the Lord’s servants, a similar
service is available through:
Truth and Tidings Gospel Trust, U.S.A.
3228 Blake Road
Wadsworth, OH 44281
USA
Website: www.gospeltrustusa.org
2012
Missionary
Conference
Langstaff Gospel Hall
Booklets and audio recordings from previous years available for download at:
www.langstaffgospelhall.com
Spec
ia
Mr. Kyle Wilson - Nicaragua | Mr. John See - Malaysia | Mr. David Richards - Russia
cus for 20
o
12
lF
Targeted Bible
Teaching on
selected MissionaryRelated Topics
Mr. John Dennison &
Dr. David Vallance

here. - Langstaff Gospel Hall

Transcription

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