Sept – Dec 2015

PLACESPEOPLE PARTICIPATE

NewsPlace of Prayer

East is East, West is WestDIversity in Ministry

Storytelling

Back to the Future

回到未 來

UK NATIONAL OFFICE OMF International (UK) Station Approach, Borough Green Kent TN15 8BG 01732 887299 omf@omf.org.uk www.omf.org.uk

DIRECTORS National: Peter & Christine Rowan Finance: Darren Wall Mobilisation: Gerard Charles Candidates: Louise Barker Member Care: Beverlea Parkhill

AREA MOBILISERS London Allen and Litsa McClymont 07532 053 956 uk.london@omfmail.com

London – Under 30s Philipa Kalungi 07804 918 707 Philipa.Kalungi@omfmail.com

East Tim Jenkins 07557 237 039 tim.jenkins@omfmail.com

South & South East Andy & Jenni Stevens 01865 600 024 andy.stevens@omfmail.com

South West & Wales Charles & Liz Chalmers 0117 946 6211 uk.waleswest@omfmail.com

North Song Tsai 01732 887 299 song.tsai@omfmail.com

Scotland Phil & Cathy Steed 0141 959 4180 uk.scotland@omfmail.com

Ireland Nathaniel & Donna Jennings 028 9073 1266 Nathaniel.jennings@omfmail.com

DIASPORA MINISTRIES Keith Wood 07971 418019 ask.diaspora@omfmail.com

Registered Charity England and Wales: 1123973 Scotland: SC039645 Company limited by guarantee England and Wales: 6541911 International Headquarters, 2 Cluny Road , Singapore 259570

Moving forward there are so many questions to consider. Where do we go from here? What does God have in store? What are we to continue? What new things are we to begin? What has run its course?

Just as Hudson Taylor’s obedience

involved innovation so must ours if we are to continue serving God in an ever-changing world. We shall see in this issue how pioneering spirit and gospel proclamation are still required but may take us to the busy beaches as well as remote villages. Western theology has helped the west better understand God, but does it connect with cultures we seek to reach? The growing and maturing Asian Church faces new challenges and has different needs today than 100 years ago.

Chris WattsEditor – chris.watts@omfmail.com

As we have looked back through our 150 year history, we have been reminded of the faithfulness of God and the dedication of those men and women who answered his call, to share the good news of Jesus in all its fullness with those who had not heard.

We serve the Church and seek to bring the gospel to all the peoples of East Asia. We help place Christians with professional skills in China and other Asian countries, and share the love of Christ with East Asians worldwide.

Through God’s grace we aim to see an indigenous, biblical church-planting movement in each people group of East Asia, evangelising their own people and reaching out in mission to other peoples.

Heart for Asia. Hope for billions.

From The Editor

2

News 4Arrivals 6Departures 7

Serve Asia 8

Place of Prayer 10The vital role of prayer

The Shape of OMF Today 12The people that make up OMF

Diversity in Ministry 16A snapshot of some of the diverse ministires in OMF

East is East, West is West 18 The theology of the East & West

DIRECTIONSThe Next 150 Years? 20What does the future hold?

Faith and Responsible Action 23Financial review

Storytelling 24 How to tell stories

Events 26

PLACESPEOPLE PARTICIPATE

3,000

40+

p12p16

p18

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News and Stories

新聞和故事

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Exciting Growth in IsaanIsaan is a rural, mostly unevangelised region of northern Thailand. For OMF, it is the youngest area of their work in Thailand, but is now receiving the largest growth. In 2014 the known number of believers throughout the region stood at 67. Now, three new house churches later, that number stands at 113. Coupled with this growth in believers is an expected missionary increase from 30 to at least 50.

All this growth positions the Isaan team to church plant into unreached areas. There are currently 85 districts in Isaan without a church, of which the team are anticipating being able to start work in 23. Please join with the Isaan team, which is made up of not only OMF missionaries but also workers from five other organisations, in praying for the work in Isaan. Pray that the Lord would continue to bless and grow the team and that they would be successful as they venture into the unreached areas of Isaan.

The Aroma of LifeI first met Zhi Han, a young man in our community, several years ago. Since that time, I have often had small, casual conversations with him. Recently, while talking about books, I asked him if he liked to read books about religion. He responded that he really does not like religion and considers himself an atheist.

Wanting to know more, I asked him why? He simply replied, “Because I really hate the smell of burning incense and paper money!” He told me that ever since he was a child, he could not stand the smells associated with Taiwanese folk religious practices. Therefore, as a matter of extreme practicality, he decided that he wanted nothing to do with religion.

After listening to Zhi Han rant about the horrible smells of Taiwanese religious practices, I was able to tell him about Christianity, a religion that does not involve any offensive smells. I shared that there is a God who loves him and wants to have an eternal relationship with him – a God who sacrificed his own Son in order to let Zhi Han be with him.

After listening to this simple gospel presentation, Zhi Han told me that he had never previously heard what I shared with him. Pray that we may be able to have many more conversations like this one with the Taiwanese people who live and work in our communities.Nathan Keller

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New Horizons Christian mission in the 21st century has become the responsibility of a global church’*. Fifteen years into the 21st century, and we see this injunction by Samuel Escobar being fulfilled. As emerging evangelical churches grow in numbers and maturity, they also gain an understanding of their role and responsibility in the great commission.

Over the last years, OMF has been receiving an ever-growing number of inquiries from countries in Latin America, Africa, Eastern and Southern Europe and the South Pacific island nations.

To better respond to this trend, a new unit has been set up; OMF New Horizons, with OMF workers currently deployed in Latin America and Southern and Eastern Europe, and we would like to have permanent personnel in Africa. They make known the spiritual needs of East Asian people, and seek to partner with local churches and mission organisations.

Since New Horizons came into existence three years ago, we have experienced God’s guidance and blessing, as we have a number of personnel from Latin America and Europe already serving with us, and several more in the application process for long-term ministry.

*Samuel Escobar, The New Global Mission: The Gospel from Everywhere to Everyone, p12

Training and Development ConsultationSusan Chapman reports on her time at a consultation of OMF workers involved in training and development.

Earlier this year, around 30 OMF workers involved in Training and Development met for the biennial consultation. This was the first time I had attended, and honestly, I cannot remember the last time I worked as hard as those few days. Hours of needs assessment, reviewing the current training, brainstorming, blue sky thinking, and then synthesizing all of that into action plans involving many colored post-its.

Yes it was hard work mentally. But the amazing part was that it was also fun, rewarding and spiritually stimulating. It was designed and facilitated well, with a wide variety of activities. And it was firmly centered on our mission of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in all its fullness with East Asia’s peoples to the glory of God.

As someone with a focus on the training and development of fellow workers, these few days were significant. I am more equipped to encourage them, and to walk alongside them in enhancing their effectiveness.Susan Chapman

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Arrivals Ali & Cathy Hunt

What is your current ministry?Ali has been mostly working in diabetic foot care at Preah Kossamak Hospital and Mercy Medical Centre in Phnom Penh. Cathy has been providing Occupational Therapy treatment at Ciomal, a hospital for leprosy affected people, and providing life skills training classes for victims of trafficking at Daughters of Cambodia NGO.

Highlight of the term?After having difficulties finding an effective placement, it was a joy for Ali to feel that he was making a difference to patients and connecting with the staff at Preah Kossamak Hospital. Cathy has really enjoyed mentoring and discipling the Khmer social work staff at Daughters of Cambodia.

What can we pray for your field?Please pray for those who have taken on new leadership roles in Cambodia. Pray that they would settle in quickly and discern God's will for the future ministry of OMF Cambodia. Please pray for more gospel workers for the rural areas of Cambodia.

What can we pray for your future?Please pray for Ali as he readjusts back into his job in the NHS in November and Cathy as she settles the girls and considers what the Lord has planned for her future. Please also pray that, as in John 10, we would continue to 'know his voice'.

When are you returning and where to?We are returning for a three-month home assignment starting in August to our home in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow and our fellowship at Chryston Parish Church. As we are Associate members we do not have immediate plans to return to Cambodia.

Phil & Cathy Steed

What is your current ministry? Area Mobilisers for Scotland – Area Mobilisers work to enable more Christians in the UK Church engage in mission in East Asia. They do this through networking and meeting individuals, as well and running events and visiting churches and prayer groups.

Highlight of the term? Sending new workers, long term and short term and seeing prayer group numbers grow.

What can we pray for your ministry context? Scotland needs new Area Mobilisers as our time in this role, after 15 years, comes to an end July 2015. Please pray this role is filled quickly and that the Lord would guide the right person/people to apply.

What can we pray for your future? For the Lord’s leading into the next area of service.

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Departures

Anna Tennent Destination UK and South East AsiaDesignation Media CoordinatorStarting January 2015Sending Church All Souls, Langham PlaceFavourite meal? Breakfast – freshly ground coffee, pineapple juice, my sourdough toast and apricot jam with butter!

Mission JourneyThe Lord originally called me as a child when I heard tales of the daring do of missionaries in Asia and Africa. When I became a Christian in my mid thirties I was hearing that I would be asked to go. However it was not until I was visiting Cambodia 15 years later that the Lord confirmed the call. Since then he has been working in me to grow a heart for the people of the region and in particular unreached people groups. I will be working as a media coordinator which involves helping mobilise prayer, support and personnel. This is a new role and one that the team in South East Asia have been praying would be filled for some time now, so it is a privilege to be able to join them. Being a media person means I can work from anywhere in the world, and for the present time I will be based in the UK with visits to Asia once or twice a year.  

Looking back on my life it seems as though the Lord has been preparing me for this role. I was previously a landscape architect and the design process, project management and the presentation skills that this required have equipped me well.  I will be looking after the prayer and publicity material, including a web presence, social media and printed publications. I am excited to be joining the team and looking forward to the growth of the Kingdom in the unreached peoples of South East Asia.

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Serve Asia

PEOPLE

アジ ア奉 仕

Every year OMF UK has the privilege of enabling Christians interested in mission to serve alongside missionaries in Asia. Here are a few snippets from some going and recently returned.

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James McClureI am both excited and nervous ahead of my trip to East Asia. I have travelled to Asia before, but I am expecting something very different this summer! As I prepare to go, the question going through my head is, 'how will God use me?'

I am primarily going to serve him through teaching English, though I suspect I will learn much more than I will actually teach. Not being entirely sure of the finer details of my placement in Asia is causing me some nervousness, but I know that I will meet many Christ-centred men and women with a heart for Asia – that excites me!

I’d like to share a verse of Scripture that has been a real encouragement to me this year for a whole variety of reasons, but is particularly encouraging as I near my trip to Asia: 'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go' (Joshua 1: 9). The part that seems to bring the most comfort to me is the word 'commanded'. By the authority of God, not in our own strength, we can do what he asks or commands us to do and he will give us everything we need in order to do it.

Angelo LebratoIt was very rewarding to see that people remembered us from the previous year and appreciated our commitment to keep sending prayer teams, sharing the burden of praying for Japan.

I think that because the Japanese people are generally more reserved, regular trips will help to build relationships despite the obvious language barriers. Short term prayer trips are a great blessing and encouragement for the Christians and missionaries in Japan, but probably even more for everyone on the team as our faith is strengthened, and our eyes opened to the spiritual needs of a country.

We started off in Kitami in a lively and active church that has the vision to plant churches in the city of Abashiri, Monbtesu. The prayer vision for the Nayoro church is to plant a church in Wakkanai, the northernmost city in Japan by 2020.

Early on, the team had the impression that the Lord would give these churches creative ways to present the gospel in their own context. We felt this was confirmed when they told us about a new course called FUMINETO (i.e: don’t step on the net).

This is a fun way to connect with elderly people while singing and activating coordinated movements to prevent memory loss. It was also in Kitami that we experienced three small earthquakes. But the greatest news was to meet a woman who had been having bible studies with a friend and now accepted Jesus as her saviour, on the first afternoon of our visit.

We finished our prayer tour in Tokyo, praying for the city and doing a street outreach in Yokohama and Akihabara.

Megan WoolcockJesus is the only one who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us.' (Acts 4:12) *

It’s a very simple truth. In fact, it’s the biggest fact in the universe and the only truth that we can hope to rely on. This will be the theme of Kids’ Gospel 2015; Jesus saves. Original eh? But something that so many people in South East Asia, and particularly Japan, do not know.

Through a mixture of singing, wacky games, Bible teaching, and hopefully learning a word or two of English, we are going to run two holiday clubs in central Japan, which will be attended by primary school aged children.

By partnering with two amazing churches, who have great links with their local communities, our holiday clubs will culminate with a concert of the songs that the children have learned with testimonies and a Gospel presentation for the parents.

It is our prayer that the children will start to see that they are known, loved and treasured by the King of the Universe and that their worth will not be bound up in their job, their status or their looks. We want them to know that they are never alone or forgotten, never forsaken.

I would love it if you can partner with us in praying that the children who attend this year will carry this wonderful truth in their hearts, so that this big world will not overwhelm them, because God is holding them in his hands. 

Visit the websiteomf.org/uk/serveasia

* International Children’s Version.

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Place of Prayer

禱 告的地 方

Taylor’s life is filled with stories of prayers answered. Even before he was born his father had prayed that the Lord would call his son, should he have one, to serve in China. The primary place of prayer in Hudson Taylor’s life has been an integral root in the growth of the CIM and OMF. This has not changed. Through the decades, missionaries and ministries have come and gone, strategies and plans have changed, but prayer has remained of utmost importance.

The China Inland Mission was birthed through prayer. Hudson Taylor’s great belief that people could be, ‘moved by prayer alone’ put prayer central to all operations. Any obstacle or hindrance to the

‘The Power of Prayer’ – A familiar phrase to many Christians, especially those who have read Hudson Taylor’s biography, A Retrospect; the first chapter is devoted to it.

advancement of the Gospel was met with prayer and the conviction that God was sufficient to complete his own work.

J.O. Fraser stands out as a man who called others to prayer. Situated in Lisuland, Yunnan, he saw the seemingly impossible task of leading tribal people to faith. He asked his mother to gather together a group to regularly pray for victory over the forces of sin and evil. As they prayed so God worked and when the stronghold was broken, soon he was baptising thousands of people; the Church among the Lisu was born. From this example other people formed similar prayer groups.

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New missionaries were encouraged to start groups among their friends who would pray regularly for them. These groups continued faithfully for decades

and sometimes the prayed-for missionaries outlived their support group. Newcomers to OMF

often express concern about how old prayer group members are, not realising

that they were young when drawn together to pray. Nor do they realise that previous generations

expressed similar fears. Prayer groups often remember the details they have faithfully prayed for, and returning missionaries are amazed at their questions,

which reveal an insightful grasp of their unique situations. The longevity of prayer groups’ leaders

has been remarkable. One man reluctantly laid down the task at the age of 98. And the prayers of previous generations continue to have effect. One group leader, who retired in her nineties, sadly did not live to see her own grandson join the mission.

After the exodus from China, prayer became the only means of ministry into the country. Exiled missionaries gave themselves to prayer through the twenty-five years of almost complete silence as the Church experienced real persecution. Faithful prayer was not dependent on up to date information. Despite all the fear in the fifties and sixties that Chinese Communism would overwhelm East Asia, there was a prayerful expectation that God would not abandon the work. When we look at the Chinese Church of today we can be thankful for all the prayer that went up in those years.

As the CIM became OMF and moved into new countries, new patterns of prayer were developed. Missionaries were encouraged to write regular prayer letters to a group of prayer partners. Alongside the personal letters there were prayer diaries compiled both for inclusion in Millions (the former name for Billions) and then prayer letters for specific countries. Alison Pateman was the person who ran the prayer department for many years. Reading her prayer diaries today is a spiritual treat as one sees the skill with which topics were chosen and the steady answers to prayer. Country letters were generally compiled by serving or retired OMF members as they worked

through the mass of field letters, communications from missionaries and their own continuing contacts, to present a balanced picture of the prayer needs of specific countries.

The modern computerised wired-up world gives the opportunity for instant knowledge of the work in East Asia. This can be both a blessing and a hindrance, the wealth of information available to everyone presents a challenge to persistent believing prayer, since one can easily become distracted.

But still prayer groups are being formed to support those going to the countries of East Asia. God’s ear is still open to the cries of his children. We can look back at 150 years of prayer with thankfulness to God for those that have achieved so much by regularly coming into his presence with their prayers. Without such people, humanly speaking, what would have happened in East Asia? A prayer group of ageing people is a strange sight in the modern world. Regular prayer meetings are a distant memory in many churches. But these are those who have overthrown empires and achieved untold victories and for who we should add some verses to Hebrews 11. They will have their reward.

In March 2015 OMF International UK had the opportunity to thank National Conference attendees for standing with us in prayer for East Asia. A large part of this was the special thanks to the many prayer groups around the country, both new and old, who have dedicated themselves to prayer over the years. We hope that this article, along with the video shared at the conference, will serve as a reminder that the prayers of these faithful groups have been, and will continue to be, vital in all that we seek to do.

Prayer Groups Animationvimeo.com/134711160

Janice & Ray Porter

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The Shape of OMF Today

今日的內地 會

How many members are there in OMF currently? 1 We currently have more than 1400 members – those serving with us long-term, mainly working cross-culturally.

If we include staff, high-impact volunteers, retirees, children and partners for whom we have a responsibility, then that number rises to over 3,000 people. In addition, more than 500 short-term workers participate in our Serve Asia programme each year.

We must also give thanks to God for the many who are faithfully giving to and praying for the work of OMF International.

 How many nations do workers come from?Over the last 20 years, the range of nationalities within OMF has increased significantly. OMF now has workers from more than 40 nations, representing the continents of North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australasia.

What is the ethnic make-up of OMF today? 2A person’s ethnicity can be very hard to pin down. Several ethnicities can be represented in one person who may also claim a different nationality from their ethnic background. We now have several centres that are majority ethnically Asian.

Dozens of ‘mother-tongues’ are spoken in OMF which often relate to ethnicity. Some centres have more than a dozen different nationalities and fifteen or more mother tongues!

500

3,000

100,000

40+ 15+

1,400

Our Assistant General Director, Steve & Anna, shed some light on the people that make up OMF International today.

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Steve & Anna Griffiths

centering on the peoples of the high plateaus of North Western China and Mongolia to embracing the challenge of China’s 50+ minority peoples.

Most recently we have seen fresh opportunities in Myanmar and Vietnam. Myanmar is poised for growth with major changes in the political landscape creating new possibilities. The Vietnam team is longing to see a commitment sparked in sending contexts providing people to take up the range of opportunities currently available.

How long do OMF workers serve?Although there may be some errors, over the decades CIM/OMF have been careful in keeping records. The total number of those on our 150 year old registers as long-term workers is just over 7, 500 individuals.

It may seem a relatively small number of people but they gave many years of service. The average length of service for all those joining CIM in 1919 was about 33 years per person. The average length of service today is about two decades, with workers often giving the most productive years of their lives.

Offering Christ to the peopleJohn Wesley, the influential preacher and theologian who saw an indigenous Biblical church movement ignited across Britain, kept a journal of his itinerant ministry. Day after day, he would write at some point, 'Today I offered Christ to the people'. Like Wesley, we see our primary calling as offering Christ to the people. Whatever the changes we may see in the years to come, may we be found faithful and obedient, with our focus on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in all its fullness with the peoples of East Asia to the glory of God.

How about marriage and singleness in OMF?Around 80 per cent of the long-term workers are married. There is approximately a 40/60 male female split in OMF. The vast majority of our single workers are women with 10 single women for every single man.

Where are we seeing growth in sending contexts?In the six years from 2008 to 2014, Australia and New Zealand have shown the fastest growth, and a high proportion of their new joiners are from ethnic Asian churches.

Asian homesides have also grown rapidly by nearly 15 per cent overall in this time period. There are now hundreds of long-term workers being sent from the countries we have traditionally sent workers to.

The number sent from Western Europe and North America remains stable, with a rise in interest in and commitment to cross-cultural mission from ethnic Asian churches in these countries.

Have there been changes in where OMF places cross-cultural workers?Over the last 25 years we have seen a 200 per cent increase in those working in creative access contexts while still maintaining a commitment to open access work.

In open access contexts, we have stopped sending workers to South Korea and Hong Kong in view of the strength and maturity of the church in those locations. In Japan field size remained steady over a 20 year period, but more recently there has been growth with a large number of young people heading there. Our work in Cambodia has seen rapid growth that was an impossible dream thirty years ago. Working with the Asian Diaspora in Africa has been another interesting development with OMF placing workers in East Africa for the first time.

For creative access contexts, since 1990, work in China and related regions has changed beyond recognition and vastly expanded. With China re-establishing political and trade links with the world during this period, we have seen hundreds of cross-cultural professional workers pouring into China. We have teams in a diverse range of roles from working among influencers in busting cosmopolitan cities;

1. Data source for responses is the International Personnel System2. In several countries we are not allowed by law to collect data

on ethnicity so we can’t report on this quickly and easily.

Today I offered Christ to the people

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私は

、音楽家です

。

Diversity is important in OMF’s ministry

多元 對內地 會 的 重要 性

I’m married to a teacher, a man who has spent many years refining his skills teaching teenagers. God is using him to help missionary families stay on the field by teaching their children in an international school in Japan.

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I’m not a teacher but I write and edit. I’m the managing editor of Japan Harvest, a magazine that supports and encourages missionaries in Japan. I’m also an Occupational Therapist and use this skill set in volunteer work with missionary children.

My husband and I are two OMF missionaries. We’re one family unit, yet with diverse gifts and ministries.

Typical?How do you describe a typical OMF missionary? Can you do it in less than 10 words? I can’t. OMF missionaries come from more than 40 different countries; we are a diverse group. Not only do we come to OMF with different passports, we come with diverse gifts, personalities and skills.

How do you describe a typical East Asian? Can you do it in less than 10 words? I can’t. East Asians are as diverse as the missionaries who seek to reach them. East Asians live in remote settings and in megacities. They are educated and illiterate, rich and poor. They are international and parochial. They have specific interests, personalities and skills, just like missionaries do.

How do you describe a typical OMF ministry? Can you do it in less than 10 words? Our OMF leadership couldn’t. They’ve written this mission statement for OMF International: ‘We share the good news of Jesus Christ in all its fullness with East Asia’s peoples to the glory of God.’ We serve in diverse contexts that require varied approaches.

私は、料理人です。

料理が大好きです。

Wendy Marshall

私は、芸術

家です。

私は、医療

従 事者で す。

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No single wayThere is no single way to do cross-cultural ministry. At the time Hudson Taylor began his ministry everyone was doing it 'the British way'. He decided to do something different and reach Chinese from a new angle. So he began the CIM with the emphasis on learning language and culture and living the Chinese way.

Paul also said that ministry could be done in diverse ways, ‘I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some’ (1 Cor. 9:22b, NIV). In other words, to reach Asian businessmen, sometimes we need to send a businessman.

Diverse giftsIn 1 Cor. 12 Paul compared the body of believers to a human body. He affirmed that we aren’t all alike, that we have different gifts and are all enabled to serve in varying capacities in the Church. That doesn’t change when we hop on a plane. We take those gifts with us. It is true that missionaries are frequently called upon to do things we didn’t anticipate, or that we aren’t skilled in. But there is good sense in having the latitude in our ministry, as a mission that allows missionaries to use their specific abilities and gifts to further the kingdom of God.

OMF’s diversityOMF is deeply committed to church planting, telling God’s truth and building his Church in East Asia. There are no substitutes for evangelism, discipleship and church planting. However, OMF is also committed to creative ways of doing these.

There is more than one way to spread the good news, and this is reflected in the vast

array of ministries you see OMF missionaries involved in.

In OMF we have teachers, street dancers, mums, cooks, students, chaplains, musicians, business managers, IT experts, leaders, hosts, doctors,

accountants and many others. We’re all using the abilities God

has given us to reach East Asia’s peoples with the good news.

OMF is not about letting missionaries just do their own thing, but neither do we force

missionaries to fit into a rigid blueprint of how to do ministry. Each field has historical experience of a variety of ministries, and a strategic plan that encapsulates how we visualise ministry continuing in the future, but leadership is also open to new ideas.

There is no typical OMF missionary. Nor is there a typical East Asian nor typical OMF ministry.

Let’s embrace the richness of our diversity.

私は、スポーツ好きです。

Let’s embrace the richness of our diversity

私は、芸術

家です。

私は、ダン

サーです。

私って、すごいんです。

私は、ビジネスマンです

。

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Diversity in Ministry

服侍中的多元

Here is a snapshot of just a few of the diverse ministries OMF workers are involved in. Please take time to pray and see if God has gifted you with skills that you could to use in mission.

Linda McFerren – Taiwan53 and counting!  No, that's not my age, that's the number of grandchildren I have!  Having worked at a home for children from dysfunctional families, it's a joy to see many of them grown up, married and having children of their own.

So often I've felt that unless I had the gospel to share with these children, then things would be pretty hopeless. Rejected, hurt, abused, fearful. All are from non-Christian backgrounds, so it's their first contact with the gospel. Bible stories, devotions in small groups, one-to-one time. What an open door!

All our staff are Christians but we have many volunteers who come to help the children with homework. "What are you doing here?" they ask – always curious about the foreigner the children call Mum.

Seeing the children who have grown up teach their children about the Lord, or praying for parents who have hurt them, are big encouragements.  

"Grandma Linda, will you come to my house for dinner on Sunday evening?  My other Grandma and Grandpa will be there too – we need to tell them about Jesus." – a request from six year old Melody.

God opens many doors through little children.

PLACESPLACES

…unless I had the gospel to share with these children, then things would be pretty hopeless

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Richard Killer – JapanSharing the good news with men in Japan is hard – most men are busy with work having little time for people outside their “circle”. Getting into the “circle” is almost impossible, especially for a foreigner – but not totally impossible…

I have discovered that the Japanese are far more open to people who share a similar interest. In my case this has been surfing and snowboarding! I have teamed up with a like-minded colleague from Germany, and we have been praying for a number of years, seeking how this “different” ministry opportunity might take shape in Hokkaido.

Although it is still early days, last summer we were able to host a short-term team of surfers from California who helped kick-start the ministry. They distributed tracts at popular surf spots and invited surfers to attend an evangelistic surf movie night. Recently we started a small group for local Japanese Christian surfers – lots of great ideas are flying about and things are starting to happen – God is at work!

The reality is this: on a Sunday morning in Japan, there are many more surfers in the water than people attending church! The needs are great, the opportunities are many, but we are so few! Please pray that more would join us… It will be exciting to see how God shapes this ministry over the coming years.

Lynn – East AsiaThe unreached people group close to my heart have their own distinct language and culture and can be found all over Asia; but they often go unnoticed when it comes to outreach. Who are they? The Deaf.

My own journey began ten years ago as I felt a prompting to learn Sign. God opened an opportunity for me to teach at a deaf school. There I realised that many had never heard about Jesus before. However, I also discovered Sign Language’s great ability to express a wealth of ideas in a single action. The universal sign for Jesus is to extend both your middle fingers outwards and point to the opposite palm showing that Jesus was nailed to a cross. So even before you understand much about Jesus you already know he is the crucified one.

What should a deaf church look like? Over the years we have learnt more about deaf culture, such as how the church must be visual. When telling a Bible story, using images or acting it out makes a world of difference. True fellowship is vital. One boy, who was visiting the church, was hurt and angry because he felt outside of society. He was impressed by the fellowship in the church, he could see people cared about each other. They had joy and a place to belong; he wanted that for himself.

Although hearing people started the fellowship our vision is to train up deaf people to lead. It’s been wonderful to see young deaf students learning how to lead worship, prayers and Bible Studies. As these students graduate and disperse I pray that through them more deaf people may come to know Jesus.

多様性

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East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet

Although Kipling's famous poem The Ballad of East and West begins by highlighting difference, his main theme is mutual respect, as the second line reveals, ‘But there is neither East nor West…when two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of the earth!’

PLACESPLACES

I have been involved in teaching theology for the last eight years or so, for six years in Singapore and since early 2014 at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. My main areas are contextual theology and mission.

Singapore symbolises the young, expanding Church, while Oxford represents the great heritage and uncertain future of the Western Church. The two places illustrate the movement of Christianity towards the South and the East, away from “Christendom”. Yet, while the majority world is now home to the body of Christ, my teaching experience on two continents suggests that the brain is still primarily in the West.

Although “Western theology” is seen as the norm, there is often a disconnection between what is taught in majority world seminaries and the cultures and worldviews of the students who learn it, and the congregations they serve. The non-western church is now seeing increased interest in local or glocal theologies. Reflective foreign missionaries and local

東 是 東 ，西是西，永 遠 都不會合

pastors are now asking if the message we take, the theology behind it, and the churches formed by it can really fit into non-western culture and transform people’s lives.

The West and its Church are undergoing a crisis in confidence. Our economies are not as strong as before and our influence not as great. In today’s world, East Asia is rising and the “BRICS” nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are emerging. In the former Christendom we now live side-by-side with Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and many others. So is the increasing interest in contextual theology, and its explicit or implicit criticism of Western theology, simply an expression of the West's crisis of confidence and identity? I don't think so.

Theology, the study of God and that which is associated with him, is primarily a human endeavour. Christians affirm the inspiration of the Bible, God directing human authors to ensure that his message

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arrived on paper faithfully. But the distillation of Scripture

into a thematic system of thought which can be taught and applied results

in theology inherently limited by our minds. Western theology has shaped and been shaped

by two thousand years of Western philosophical and intellectual tradition.

Andrew Walls tells us that theology was developed as the gospel crossed cultural boundaries and answers had to be found to new issues. Paul’s advice to the Corinthians about meat sacrificed to idols would have required innovation on his part; likewise, his integration of Jew and Gentile in Galatians. Paul used his knowledge of Gentile culture to facilitate a Jewish gospel’s engagement with and transformation of an alien civilisation. This process of extending our theological understanding and approach continues to the present day at the frontiers of mission.

Clearly, contextual theology for East Asia is not syncretism, Christianity merging with East Asian religions. Neither is it the renegotiation of core doctrines accepted by the church for almost two millennia. Perhaps we can draw a dotted line between essential and peripheral doctrines; naturally, the position of the line may vary with denominational background and individual personality.

East Asian theologies will not challenge traditional views about the Trinity, for example. However, we may derive new insights and fresh understanding. The theologian Miyahira reflects on the Trinity using Japanese notions of space and harmony; the individual members create spaces for each other and for us, while harmony is a metaphor for the overall unity.

Arguably of greater significance are peripheral issues and applications, which enable Christians to respond and bring transformation to specific contexts in East Asia. Consider some classic, albeit rather black-and-white polarisations of Western and East Asian cultures. Westerners tend to be individualistic, while Asians emphasise community.

Western logic and science produce statements of fact whereas many majority world cultures employ narrative. Some might distinguish between written word and

experience or tradition. Although the Bible is mostly narrative, theologising results

in some propositional statements. While rich human experience

and long Christian tradition are rightfully recognised as helpful, without the anchor of the written word we could slide into questionable territory.

As we question the suitability of Western theology

for East Asia, rather than reject centuries of Western reflection and

scholarship, we can explore how the East Asian context can contribute to what

we already have. This is what Korean theologian Lee Moonjang means by reconfiguring Western theology. This is a task for the whole Church in East Asia; theologians from East and West and local pastors and believers must work together on theologies which draw from and speak into the Asian context. May God send us Kipling’s strong men and women to stand face-to-face and work hand-in-hand to his glory.

Paul Woods

theologians from East and West… must work together

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DIRECTIONS

接下來的１５０年

The Next 150 Years?Humility is required when speaking about the future, and its probably best to take John Naisbitt’s advice, he said, ‘The most reliable way to anticipate the future is by understanding the present.’ Whatever the future holds it seems that a number of things will characterise the content of our missional engagement, as well as the context of that engagement.

未来

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What does the future hold for Christian mission?

A future that needs the joy and hope of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The world will keep on changing, as will OMF, but our core reason for existing must continue

to be the proclamation of the unique, saving message of the cross and resurrection.

A future that recognises the importance of partnership. This is not simply a useful idea – it is part of the essence of what the church is. Hwa Yung

writes that, despite the fact that, ‘the centres of Christian growth are now largely found in the non-Western world… the centres of power remain largely in the North… This imbalance can grossly distort our perceptions of global church realities… Consequently, we remain blinded to changing global realities and locked into outmoded courses of action.’

A future where multi-directional mission will be a reality. The missionary structures that characterise organisations such as OMF will change.

Structures that were set up for one-way traffic – for sending and giving, will need to change to facilitate two-way traffic. Mission from everywhere to everywhere.

A future that will insist on more-than-Western expressions of theology and practices of mission. Until the latter half of the twentieth

century, Western expressions of theology and mission dominated the global Christian landscape. But now, with the growth of the global church, there are many more diverse communities reading the Bible, theologising and engaging in mission – OMF must play a part in joining their voices to those from the West.

A future in which East Asian Christians will need to be salt and light across all the dimensions of life and society. In OMF we are committed to seeing

churches birthed, but as Melba Maggay points out, ‘experience shows that having more Christians does not necessarily ensure a just society.’ A key reason is that, ‘people may experience saving faith, but may not necessarily move towards the far-reaching social implications of that faith’ Changed hearts do not necessarily change societies. We must aim for deeper discipleship that is faithful to the whole-counsel of God, bringing the gospel to bear, not just on the individual heart but also on the structures and patterns of human interaction.

Peter Rowan

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A future for agents of reconciliation. The future of mission will be one where Christian witness continues to be carried out in a troubled and violent world. In many

places across East Asia we will need missionaries gifted in building bridges between communities where ethnic tensions exist, or where there is inter-religious violence; mission partners who can see beyond the planting of churches for just one ethnic group at a time, but recognise the biblical imperative to establish multicultural communities of reconciled people who model the gospel of peace.

A future for tent-makers. One of the best ways for East Asians to see and hear the gospel, and to observe whole-life discipleship, is for Christians to be rubbing

shoulders with non-Christians in the workplace. This isn’t about using a skill or profession as a “platform” in order to do real ministry. This is about valuing the work itself, doing a good job for the glory of God.

A future that is urban. David Smith has observed that, ‘theologians have been strangely indifferent to the issues and challenges posed by the growth of an

urban world.’ The East Asia Millions in 1991, included an article by Harvie Conn who wrote how, ‘The cities, in fact, were part of Taylor’s strategy from the moment that the first team of CIM missionaries arrived in 1866.’ Together with the churches in Asia we have work to do in developing a theology for urban mission.

A future that looks for authentic messengers who are transformed by the message and who are prepared for sacrificial, costly service. An extract from our Principles and Practices

1891, section six reads: ‘They must count the cost, and be prepared to live lives of privation, of toil, of loneliness, of danger – to be looked down upon by their own countrymen, and to be despised by the Chinese’ Christian witness in the future, as in the past, will go hand-in-hand with suffering. It is through our weakness and vulnerability that the authenticity of our message is seen and heard.

A future that recognises the crucial place of prayer. In 1925, at a CIM Diamond Jubilee meeting in Brighton, Samuel

Zwemer gave his listeners this challenge: ‘that the China Inland Mission must not lean on its laurels but must advance on its knees to complete victory throughout China.’ The same applies in 2015. Whatever the future holds, we move forward on our knees.

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Faith & Responsible Action信心 和 行 動

Actual income £2479KTarget income £2360K

Member Support Gifts £1783K 76%General Donations/Other Income £259K 11%Legacies £423K 18%

I have received a couple of comments since my last article in Billions concerning the statement that in ‘2014 OMF UK received income to cover 105 per cent of its expenditure requirement’. Those commenting felt it was misleading since members are required to have an objective indication of the levels of personal support they will likely receive whilst serving in their OMF ministries, thereby leading to delays (re) commencing their ministries in some cases. Had we not had this policy, I do not think we would have seen our members fully supported over the last three years.

I must highlight that we see this approach as an appropriate outworking of what it is to be totally dependent on the Lord, whilst also being responsible in actions according to the context in which the Lord puts us. Our financial situation is clear – taking into account the average amount of general funds and legacies we receive each year, we need to see personally designated support for our members at approximately 85 per cent of their individual required support figures, for our books to balance over the medium term.

This does not mean that we have changed our values of prioritising prayer and non-solicitation.

We know that God is totally capable of providing miraculously at any time, however we must take note of how he may be guiding us through the circumstances in which we find ourselves. It has been encouraging to hear the testimonies of some who have been delayed for financial support reasons, explaining how the Lord has taught and prepared them for future ministry through this time. Lack of finances are also a way the Lord can use to indicate that a particular ministry avenue is coming to an end and that he has other plans for a member.

Riding this tension of being totally dependent on the Lord whilst also being fully responsible in actions has been the most difficult aspect of my current role. Please pray for wisdom and conviction for our Leadership Team as we seek to please the Lord in this; please also pray on for his continued provision for OMF UK too.

As indicated below, we are grateful to the Lord for provision which also sees income at 105 per cent of expenditure requirement for the first five months of this year.

Darren Wall

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StorytellingStorytelling is as old as civilization itself. It is universal.

There are tribal chieftain storytellers chewing tobacco and explaining to

villagers why the crops have failed, and dynamic individuals giving TED 1 talks to curious global audiences about the power of introverts or why education kills creativity. Songwriters, historians, politicians and parents all tell stories because storytelling is a powerful and natural way for people to make the connection between the lesson and the listener.

Well-told stories are captivating and persuasive, as we know from our Christian heritage: the Bible is made up of countless short stories dovetailing into one overarching narrative. These stories are powerful tools for evangelism as Ruth2 discovered

講 故事

when she moved to a remote mountain village in Mindanao where there were no believers. Most people were too busy foraging for food to listen to her stories, except Susa who was too ill to work. Every day Ruth would pull another story from her Bible treasury. She began with how God created the angels and the beautiful Garden of Eden; she described the pride of Lucifer and the tragedy of sin entering the world. Day after day she walked through the Bible, and day after day Susa became more intrigued by the God who featured in all these amazing stories. Each night Susa would retell the stories by the light of the fire as her family cooked the evening meal. Before the year was over a small church emerged and Susa became the chief Sunday school teacher. Last time I saw Susa she was learning to read these stories for herself.

PARTICIPATE

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1. TED is a non-profit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks

2. Ruth’s name has been changed to conceal her identity.3. Aristotle’s original list comprises: Plot; Character; Iidea;

Speech; Chorus; Décor; Spectacle; I have maintained his themes but used different terms to accommodate my acronym and make them easier to remember.

4. Augustine wrote extensively on storytelling and Aristotle’s means of persuasion in preaching.

5. P47 Gallo, Carmine. (2014) Talk Like TED; London: McMillian6. Cosper, M (2015)The Stories we Tell: how stories and

movies long for and echo the truth; Illinois: Causeway;7. Matthew 28:19

‘Stories are just data with soul.’ – Brene Brown

So how can you and I become great story tellers?If we examine the world’s greatest story tellers, from the writers of the timeless Greek tragedies to Bollywood screen writers, we will discover that they all follow the seven golden rules of storytelling, devised by Aristotle 2300 years ago 3. According to Aristotle:

Stories have a beginning, a middle and an end; they are defined by the struggle of the weak against the strong, good against bad, and love against the odds.

The theme is the single thread visible throughout the story stitching together the characters and the plot, weaving a solitary lesson.

Oration means choosing each word as carefully as you choose jigsaw puzzle pieces, each one fitting perfectly with the others to create the finished picture in the minds of the listener.

Real life characters are created by vivid details and fascinating descriptions enabling the listener to relate to the people and events in the story.

Images and gestures of the storyteller are not inconsequential and can embody or obscure the most carefully prepared story.

Eloquence and rhyme, rhythm and repetition make a story like a song using tone and voice, pause and intonation to create the melody.

Special effects and simple props like a red hanky or sharp dagger produced at just the right time and wielded in the right manner can heighten hope or elicit fear in an engaged audience.

More than his seven golden rules however, it is Aristotle’s means of persuasion that have shaped and dominated storytelling down through the centuries 4. Aristotle believed that a clever combination of logos (words, statistics and data), ethos (the credibility or the speaker and the validity of the story) and pathos (the passion of the speaker connecting with the emotions of the listener) provided the most powerful means of impacting an audience. I find it incredible that 2300 years later Carmine Gallo in her seminal book ‘Talk Like TED 5’ analysing some of the most powerful TED talks discovered that they all told stories and contained the three ingredients necessary for persuasion as defined by Aristotle!

I believe that the Christian tradition has the edge on storytelling. The stories we tell have their genesis before the beginning of time and have been retold through the centuries in every continent to every generation. They contain the truth which all other stories long for and echo 6. We have the ultimate logos, the God who became man, and the credibility of the story is bound up in the authenticity of his name and character. If your life has been transformed by this story that will be evident by the passion with which you retell it; you will find yourself naturally telling these stories, and persuading the people you meet that this is the only story that matters 7.

Irene McMahon

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Events

31 August–4 September

UCCF: ForumOMF will have a stand in the exhibition area so come and visit us to see what exciting opportunities there are to get involved with.

5 SeptemberMission at Home and Away9:30am–12:30pmA morning conferenceHoly Trinity Combe Down ChurchBath, BA2 5JJContact Sarah CharlesEmail gas@psmail.net

8 SeptemberBristol Day of Prayer10:30am–3pmLight lunch provided174 Redland RoadBristol, BS6 6YGContact Charles and Liz ChalmersEmail uk.waleswest@omfmail.comPhone 0117 9466 211

19 September

Hard-pressed but not crushed10am–4pm The church in East Asia yesterday and today£5.00 (includes a Chinese take-away lunch) St Leonards Church, Exeter Devon, EX2 4NGContact Charles ChalmersEmail uk.waleswest@omfmail.comBook omf.org/uk/events

26 SeptemberCelebrating OMF’s 150th Anniversary10am–1pmThe Tron Church 25 Bath Street Glasgow, G2 1HWContact Ralph & Ailsa MartinEmail ralph.martin@omfmail.com

Sept 27–October 1

Scottish Northern Convention11am Morning Bible ReadingsLunchtime Mission Focus and Church Leaders Event7.30pm Evening Convention Meetings Speaker – Jonathan Lamb, Mission Agencies MarketplaceCastle Street Church of Scotland, DingwallContact Phil & Cathy SteedEmail uk.scotland@omfmail.com

2–4 October

OMF Ireland Annual Conference – ‘Outrageous Hope’www.omf.org.uk/ireland2015 Glenada Holiday & Conference Centre, Co. Down, BT33 0EXContact Nathaniel JenningsEmail nathaniel.jennings @omfmail.com Phone 028 9073 1266 Or 07935453864

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www.omf.org.uk/events

10 October

150 Years of God’s Faithfulness: UK, China & Beyond10am–3:30pmEmmanuel Evangelical Church, Rutland Place, Newport, NP20 2ELContact Charles and Liz Chalmers:Email uk.waleswest@omfmail.comPhone 0117 9466 211

18 October

The Heart of God For His World: Celebrating 150 Years of God’s Faithfulness10:30am Morning Service2:30pm Chinese Church6:30pm Evening ServiceCambray Baptist Church, Cambray Place, Cheltenham Gloucestershire, GL50 1JSContact Charles and Liz ChalmersEmail uk.waleswest@omfmail.comPhone 0117 9466 211

3 NovemberBristol Day of Prayer10:30am–3pmLight lunch provided174 Redland RoadBristol, BS6 6YGContact Charles and Liz ChalmersEmail uk.waleswest@omfmail.comPhone 0117 9466 211

7 NovemberShaping Japan in Prayer10am–2pmAll Souls Clubhouse141 Cleveland StreetLondonW1T 6QG

7 November

‘Why go? Why stay?’ You and God’s mission at home or away10am–4pmExplore cross-cultural ministry options overseas or at home with speakers from SIM, Wycliffe, Friends International and OMFSt Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, St Andrew’s St. Cambridge, CB2 3ARContact Tim JenkinsEmail tim.jenkins@omfmailcom

November 21 Half day Japan conference10am–1pmChapelfield Methodist ChurchNorwichContact Roger StevensEmail roger.stevens@omfmail.comPhone 01223 517248

9 JanuaryOMF New Year Afternoon of PrayerOrangefield Presbyterian Church, 464 Castlereagh Road Belfast BT5 6BHContact Nathaniel JenningsEmail nathaniel.jennings@omfmail.comPhone 07935453864

3 October

China: Impossible? Difficult? Done?10am–4pmExploring what was, what is and what may be to come for China’s churches.St John’s Church, St John’s Close Colchester, CO4 0HPContact Tim JenkinsEmail tim.jenkins@omfmail.com

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SHOP

Live for the holidays?

a holiday for life

word alive

Great teaching and training, joyful celebrations, and activities kids love - all lasting long after the journey home. Bring your friends, family, or church. Bookings open 8 July 2015

2–7 April 2016 www.wordaliveevent.org

word_alive_EN_180x257_02.indd 1 27/05/2015 16:42

Family MattersFamily Matters is an anthology of stories focused on family life in cross-cultural context The stories in the book describe how the protection, the provision and the presence of God have been experienced in very real and personal ways by 29 missionary families.

Many are first-hand experiences, written by those for whom these stories form part of their own family history. They are powerful testimonies that we hope will inspire, move, challenge and encourage you.

£5 Visit: ukshop.omf.org/ Call: 01732 887299