Newsletter 3-07 Color

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Missions Banner Presbyterian Missionary Union & Venture Guild International

1650 Love Road, Grand Island, New York 14072 u Phone: 716-775-0442 u Fax : 716-775-3405 Email: [email protected] u Web: www.presbyterianmissions.org MARCH 2007, #216 u “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples!” Psalm 96:3

Reflections from the Golden Land It’s always a thrill to watch God work, sometimes slowly and almost imperceptibly– and sometimes the pace is staggering. The fledgling BP mission in Burma (Myanmar) is definitely of the latter ilk. What we had hoped to be one church plant, which over the years would reach out, is already four. This along with the preschool, orphanage, and evangelistic outreaches is incredibly well or-

ganized by Pastor Kima (a member of the Great Lakes Presbytery) and those who have come along side of him in this ministry. National believers are taking the gospel where no foreigner can go and the Lord is using their ministry. The leadership (full time workers and potential officers) from all these works converged on Yangon for the Myanmar Conference on Reformed Theology. Building on the groundwork laid by Dr. Pine, the conference focused on Presbyterian Church Government and discipline. Basic principles of discipleship and church life have not been taught in Myanmar, and this material was received eagerly by students and visiting pastors who saw its practical value. There was also time to devote a day to teaching principles of conflict resolution. I was thankful for the extended time

I had with our church family on this trip This made it possible for me to preach in all our ministries that a foreigner is allowed to visit. There was also time with local leadership, dealing with issues that were of concern to them. The Lord also allowed me to baptize the children of one of our workers (Pa Zar) and some of the first believers among the Intha. The children in our orphanage and preschool were a delight to visit. (When we speak of orphans in Myanmar, it has a different meaning than it sometimes does here in the states. The parents of these orphans may be alive, they may even on occasion visit and contribute to their welfare. However, life in Myanmar is so difficult, that it is often impossible for a family to feed all their children. One woman, whose husband left her had no earthly way to earn enough to feed her children. The orphanage ministry not only saves lives, but also is being used of God to bring a soul saving message to children and their families.) And it was encouraging to have the time to work with the local leadership to plan for expansion, growth and the training of a future generation of leadership for what we earnestly hope will be the Bible Presbyterian Church of Myanmar. In fact, WRS has agreed to partner with us for that very purpose As the congregations sing Christ for Myanmar, I can’t help but thank God for the opportunity to work with such a joyful, committed body of believers, whose faith the Lord is blessing Min gala ba. (“Greetings,” or “blessings to you”) – Dr. Kevin Backus

News to Know Pine Itinerary Changes Just a few changes since last month’s issue! • March 19-31, La Paz Bolivia. • April 9-16, Clearwater Christian College Mission Conference and services at Florida Presbytery churches. • April 20-23, New York City, NY Gospel Mission. Preaching and introducing the work of PMU and the BPC to an independent Reformed work. Zephyrhills BPC Closed For a variety of reasons, the Zephyrhills, FL, church plant has decided to close, in agreement with the Florida Presbytery. The Team Timothy outreach planned for there has been cancelled. We are sorry to see this development, but trust the Lord to continue to build His church in many other places in the US and around the world. Pray for Rev. Brinegar as he and his family seek the Lord’s will for their future ministry in the coming months. Baldwin Ordination Photos of Rev. Mark Baldwin’s February 9th ordination at Grace BPC in Cincinnati, Ohio, are now available on his web site, baldwin.gracebpc.org. Mark leaves for Cambodia on March 12! Please keep him in prayer as he goes to that needy land to lead souls to Jesus.

Presbyterian Missionary Union is a non-profit missions agency associated with the Bible Presbyterian Church. Our purpose is to advance the cause of missions that are biblically based and practiced and to stand against any compromise of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. PMU is directed by a Council of Christian leaders who volunteer their time to guide the ministry. To learn more about missions opportunities through PMU, or about the BPC, please contact us. The Missions Banner is published ten times a year for interested individuals and churches. It seeks to promote the clear stand of the BPC by providing a biblical perspective on issues, fads, and theories in missions and church development. Editor: Len Pine. Publisher: James S. Blizzard

Spring Festival Opportunities

Miriam at the School

During Spring Festival, we have taken the opportunity to have some short seminars on subjects such as “how to study the Bible.” Many people have jobs that don’t allow them to go home during this time, and they had a few days off and not much to do. We very much enjoyed this time, and hope it was a blessing to the ladies who came. This week we begin regular studies again—suspended during the holiday for those who DID go home—and so from Wednesday afternoon till Sunday afternoon I’ll be quite busy. Please remember these different ladies: two are older and have been Family for some time. Please remember them that they will be encouraged and be able to encourage others. Some are younger ladies who have been Family for varying lengths of time, but none over two years or so. Please remember them as they study together with us, for their own friendships with each other (it is difficult here to find believing friends at times), for the peculiar difficulties they face in family pressure to marry quickly, regardless of a man’s faith or lack of it, and job pressures. The young working adult in this city now makes a good wage and lives solidly in a “middle class” environment. But that comes at a price, as the average work day even for the middle class runs till 6:00, begins at 8:00 am and does not include an average 1.5 hour one way commute. The work week is usually six days a week, and sometimes seven. The third group is several younger unbelieving ladies whom we are trying to reach. Schools begin again on Monday, March 5, and I would appreciate your thoughts as I begin again teaching the adults in the educational program of which I am a part , preparing them to go to the West for their post graduate education. Once again, the vast majority of the students come from places and minority groups normally unreached, and I hope in the Father’s will that this will be a good opportunity to reach them. — MF

The Australia-Myanmar Connection: Paauwes Head Up Ministry Team All praise and thanks be to God for a safe and blessed missions trip to Myanmar, February 19-26. Deacon Jimmy Orchard and his wife Florence, of BPC of Western Australia, went with us. We had a great time with the Christians of BPC in Yangon, Myanmar. Pastor Khawl Ro Kima, his wife Mawite, and son Andrew Nathan, welcomed us at Yangon Airport. Thus began a most interesting week in “The Golden Land”, known for its many golden Buddhist temples and pagodas. The purpose of our going to Yangon was to conduct leadership training for the Christians in the church. For four days, February 20-23, the four of us were involved in teaching, with Pastor Kim and Mawite interpreting into Mizo (the language of one of the tribes in Myanmar). The classes were held in a rented room in a health club. Ed taught the Beatitudes, and Christians as salt and light, Matthew 5:1-16. Jimmy taught four lessons in Basic Bible Knowledge: False Teachings in the Church, The Holy Spirit, Baptism, and The Importance of Knowing God’s Word. Florence taught public health, personal hygiene and safety. Lehia taught Music Theory and keyboard. There were about 30 students who listened attentively from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a lunch break in between. Florence and Lehia also taught the children in the church kindergarten on Creation, and The Birth, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There were about twenty children, ages 3-5, who were very eager and responsive to the Gospel. Both ladies also taught a Sunday School class, which is an outreach to unsaved children. On the Lord’s Day, there were about forty-five people in attendance. Deacon Jimmy gave a word of testimony on being faithful to God. Ed preached from John 14:1-6 on “Heaven—a Prepared Place for a Prepared People.” After the church service we had a time of fellowship with the Christians. They expressed their thanks to God for His blessings and leading the four of us to visit them. We thank Him for the privilege of serving the Lord together with them. We thank God for the love and support from the Christians of BPCWA for the missions work in Myanmar. They have given generously for God’s work in this needy field. The children in the Junior Youth Fellowship gave gift bags containing useful items to the children’s ministry of BPC in Myanmar. How encouraging it is to know that a connection has been made with this group of Bible -believing Christians in the land of Myanmar! Here in Perth we have been busy preparing for the starting of classes at Evangel Bible Institute, now in its third academic year. Subjects offered this semester are New Testament Survey, Crisis Counseling, and Greek. We are looking forward to BPCWA’s Second Bible Conference, April 10-14, and to the coming of Dr. and Mrs. Gary Cohen. Dr. Cohen will speak on Revelation, which will be held in Busselton, about three hours south of Perth. The church theme for 2007 is “Occupy Till Jesus Comes.” Please pray for God’s richest blessings and guidance for these two important ministries. We are indeed grateful for your faithful prayers and support for God’s work in Perth. We praise and thank the Lord for His love and care for each one in our church and in our family. We pray that all glory and honor be given to Him. We pray for His richest blessings and safe keeping upon you. — Ed & Lehia Paauwe