When I was serving with OM Thailand I met Boyd, the youth-pastor of a local church in Bangkok. He is very kind and has a serving heart. From driving the church van, renovating church offices to assisting his pastor, he did everything he could. I learned that he was also serving on the Logos Hope for about 5 years, before he started working in his church.
I'm very thankful that he shared his story with me, so I can share with you:
Boyd: My testimony would be the importance of the great commandment. It is something that we as Christians have to do. It is the great opportunity for both the individual and the church will have a divine experience during the mission journey. The mission cannot be completed without the supporter financially and prayers. Personally, I believe that It is the challenge for our church that if we want to be mature and be blessed by the Lord, we have to be part of this journey. Even some Christians in my country said that in Thailand has more than 95% of nonbelievers, we have not enough people to work in our own country. Why do I have to do missions somewhere else?
Me: So, what did you answer the people who said stay in Thailand?
Boyd: The Lord thinks differently. If [Apostle] Paul would have thought the same way like some Christians think, Thai people would have never heard the gospel and never know God. So, the command is COMMAND. As I have done missions around the world, I believe it is the big picture that everyone will have a part to play and world missions. It's like circulated water (live water has oxygen because it is circulated) people inside go out people from outside come in. If it is not circulated IT IS DEAD WATER; NO OXYGEN. In Thailand it's like this. Sometimes nonbelievers don't listen to their own people, but listen to the people from another country.
Me: How it works with the waters is really a good picture! Also, when we only receive and don't give, we become like the dead sea. Blessings also need to be in a flow!
Boyd: And the bottom line is that if the Lord told us what he commands us to do. I believe it is the best way to do mission because it is HIS ministry.
Me: Can you give an example how your experience changed you personally?
Boyd: Throughout the whole journey ups and downs depended on the Lord during the impossible mission. I've learned how to pray in everything and have faith in God in every situation.
Me: Would you have ended up being the youth pastor like you are now?
Boyd: The difficulties have made my character and when I came back, I had more confidence to serve the Lord in any career that the Lord would lead me. But he led me to work full time in the church.
Me: How did this affect your church?
Boyd: Because of that many young people in my church and also in Thailand are inspired and encouraged. They are not so afraid to go out for the missions anymore. A lot of people in my church decided to go out in the mission and come back to serve here, others are serving in different countries now.
Me: Thank you so much for sharing this with me!