Wrapping up February

The end of February saw a week-long series of connected trips. First to Singapore and Malaysia, then to Taiwan and then back to Malaysia.

In Singapore I was blessed to lead worship with the group of Lutherans that remain there from LCMS activity a decade ago. We had a visitor with us, a gentleman who has spent many years in ministry with the Assemblies of God and some Reformed churches but is drawn more and more towards Lutheran theology that preserves the mystery of God. He enjoyed our time of worship and fellowship and I pray for continuing conversations.

I was in Singapore less than 24 hours before heading to Malaysia. There I met up with a group of young Christians who are also drawn towards the more liturgical style and Biblical basis of Confessional Lutheranism. We had a good evening of fellowship and discussion together that I believe will continue into the future and I pray the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance over.

Finally, I took a quick trip to Taiwan. I’ve been asked to take on some managerial duties for the region including working with several of our Called workers – all of them in Taiwan at the moment. I went to meet with each of them to learn more about what they’ve done and who they are so I can best be of service and support to them in the future. I’ll post more about them in the future, but the basics here should reinforce the impressiveness of the caliber of people the LCMS has serving around the world and particularly here in SE Asia!

Rev. Dr. Tom Park colloquized to the LCMS from WELS years ago and has since served parishes as well as taught at Concordia University Irvine. He and I came on board with OIM at the same time and attended some early meetings together, although not the same onboarding sessions in St. Louis. He served a brief stint for OIM in South Korea before transitioning to Taiwan where he has been busy studying Mandarin.

Melinda Thews has served as a Lutheran educator literally around the world, with classroom experience internationally as well as in the US. For the last seven years she has taught at Concordia Middle School, a Lutheran-founded private junior and senior high school in Chiayi, Taiwan. However last year she accepted a Call to serve OIM as an educational resources expert. Both her enthusiasm and her expertise in creating materials to share the faith with children are incredible!

Finally I met with Andrew Schaff, a Lutheran educator. He and his wife have taught at Concordia Middle School in Chiayi for over 20 years and are passionate about sharing the faith with youth in those pivotal junior/senior high school years. They have steadfastly encouraged the school to keep a strong Christian/Biblical teaching component.

I look forward to working more with these individuals in the future. Please keep them in your prayers as the Holy Spirit utilizes each of us as parts of the Body of Christ to share the Gospel with people in Southeast Asia!