DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (CHRISTIAN STUDIES)

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Lord Jesus Name!

May I first begin by sharing the happy news that I have been offered a chance to study towards a Doctor of Ministry (Christian Studies), that is, D.Min, on a scholarship.

I have 2 - 3 years to complete this correspondence course. Meanwhile, I can still continue my mission work. At the same time, I am also pursuing a Diploma in Healthcare and Social Welfare to further equip myself in counseling. Indeed, God is good all the time!

With regard to my earlier report “Future Mission Plan”, so far I have received little feedback from you all - can I have more feedback from you about this proposed plan I have?

We need to work together in step with God. So let us all work and pray together to reach our common goals in serving the Lord.

Proverbs 16 verse 9 says: “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps”.

Jenny and I might not attend the Don Moen’s Worship Concert on August 3rd, 2010, as we are a bit short on funds, and it is an expensive event too!

The Word of God to remind ourselves, Proverbs 4 verses 23 to 27 said "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil". Our heart, our feelings of love and desire, dictates to a great extent how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon tells us to guard our heart above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires, don't go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don't get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

God bless!

Blessings,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok

Candidate of Doctor of Ministry (Christian Studies)

THE FUTURE VISION MISSION WORK IN THAILAND

Shalom All,

Greetings from Thailand once again, brothers and sisters in Christ!

This is just another brief report from me, to update and share with you about my upcoming work plans for the Lord. I pray that you will have the time to read it.

As you all well know, my initial calling 3 years ago originally was to evangelize to the Jews, but the Jewish Rabbis that you read at mission blog “Concentrate on the Lost Tribes” and “First Mission in Thailand”.. I had contact with did not open this door for me. Even so, I am certain the Lord loves and cares for the Jews, despite their steadfast stubbornness, and that one day, He will find a way for me to serve this community.

Then the Lord directed me to go to India. By faith and without much preparation, the Lord opened this doors for me, helping, equipping and teaching me to evangelize along the way, and even leading and annointing me to cast out demons in His name. (these activities have been covered in earlier reports). Isn't God’s amazing?

I am sure God has a plan for me ahead, as He never fails in His promise. But I am waiting for a clearer direction from Him. After 3 years even up to now, I have a burden and a desire to make contact with one of the Lost Tribes of Israel, to bring them back to the true Jerusalem and into the lasting Kingdom of God.

Yet the time does not appear to be now, as there are too many issues and obstacles for me in this path right now. For one thing, my government still imposes a very strict ban on its citizens from entering the State of Israel.

Then also, living cost in Israel is too high for me to be there.

And thirdly, Jenny is not ready for this journey just yet, even if I am ready. I can't just leave her behind in Bangkok - that would not be the right thing for me to do. No, we must work together for the Lord as a pair, since the Lord has joined us in marriage. Therefore, I am still seeking and praying that the Lord will work out a way, and find us an opening for both of us, if not for the Jews in Israel or elsewhere, then some other place.

The other option for us is to stay put in Thailand. Here, we also have a great desire to serve the Thai people, as there are many needs we can see. One vision we have is to start a "One-Stop-Mission Centre" (OSMC), in a shop house or any suitable place. We are particularly encouraged to have the boldness of this vision after our recent work of one year at the Olive Farm in Kunming.

As we see it, the objectives of such OSMC will be:

1. To provide handicraft training for the poor, such as in cross stitch, knitting etc. This work will help the poor to generate some income to support their family, as well as provide us an opportunity to serve the Lord.
2. We will have a place to sell the handcraft made, as well as to sell Christian books, gifts and music.
3. Once we have established a proper footing, we can and will open this venue to all Christian denominations visiting Bangkok/Thailand, in joint efforts to preach the Gospel and extend the Kingdom of God throughout the land.

We are praying for God's hand to make this come true. One way is to incorporate a company or a foundation, and to find a way to get the company/foundation, exemption from tax. This is not something we can achieve overnight. It will necessarily have to be a longer term plan, but we need to open it up for input of ideas, to deliberate, discuss and pray for God's leading, to bring about a project such as this to bear fruit for God's people.

Just another thought. Initially, we could plan to rent, say a three-storey shophouse in the outskirts of Bangkok … the ground floor to be used as the proposed handicrafts center cum coffee fellowship place ... the second floor to be used for children ministry, Bible studies place, library, prayer room and for worship service … the third floor to be used as guest rooms for missionaries/Christians on their way to or from Thailand, who can also contribute in some way to promote the activities of the center.

Last week, I have had a brief sharing about the above ideas with the pastor and elders of a sizable church in Thailand. They seem to find this vision interesting.

With prayer and the support of everyone, perhaps we can all work together to bring to fruition.

God is always great, Glory to the Name!

Blessing,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok and Sister Jenny P Kok

RETURNING FOR MISSION IN THAILAND AND BACK HOME IN MALAYSIA

Shalom All,

Greeting in the Lord Jesus Christ’s Name!

The Word of the Lord lifted me up when I read 1 Timothy 4 verses 12 - 15 said that “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you”.

Most likely, so for many people around us. Each day we have many opportunity to support and inspire family members, fellow workers and even total strangers. People need help and affirmation all along the way. Paul modeled six important principles to help us to encourage others. Start with encouragement whereby people who know we will encourage them will be happy to work with us. Secondly expect of others only what you expect of yourself such like people resist being held unfair standards. Thirdly, we need to develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity and experience, it is important to be patient with slow learners and distracted. Fourthly, we require to monitor our expectation to others as changing circumstances something require revised or reduced expectation. Fifthly, to clarify your expectation with others. Lastly, end with your encouragement as people love to be thanked for a job well done.

Jenny and I will be in Hatyai from Bangkok from July 8^th till July 12^th, 2010 to renew my Thailand Visa at the border post. We will also be meeting my cousin’s family from Penang in Hatyai and also visiting Jenny’s relatives in the Province of Pattani before returning to Bangkok.

On August 3^rd, 2010, Don Moen, an American singer-songwriter, pastor and producer of Christian worship music will be having a Worship Concert in Bangkok. When Jenny mentioned this to me, I found it hard to believe until she showed me the website. We are so excited about this coming event as it is going to be a great concert. We trust the Lord will provide us the funds to see the concert.

Here is our mission report, with photos:

On May 18^th, 2010, we were invited by a local church pastor in Kunming, China to spent a few days with a Thai community in Wangchan District, Province of Rayong, Thailand, close to the border with China. It was good to have this opportunity to fellowship with these people in a remote part of Thailand in their homes. We were brought to see an elder of the church ill with stomach cancer, who has not been able to attend church for many months now. The pastor asked me to pray for this brother. Using the olive oil for anointing, I called on the name of Jesus to heal this brother, laying my hand on his stomach. After the prayer, he felt better. On Sunday, I was preaching in the local church and this elder felt fit enough to attend church to worship the Lord. Praise the Lord for this. Give Him Glory .

We also celebrated Jenny’s birthday that Sunday. It was a big surprise to me that the local pastor has arranged for so many of his flock to celebrate Jenny's birthday. May God continue to give my beautiful wife strength and joy in serving the Lord, according to His Plan and Will.

During our visit in Wangchan, we also took the opportunity to visit a pastor serving in Pluakdeang, a well as another friend from Sa Keow. We were brought to a member's home for fellowship. One member in this family has not accepted Jesus. We shared the Word of God, the Love of God and the saving grace of our Lord, with this family and prayed for the Holy Spirit to be with them. Then the unbeliever was moved by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord, one more soul is won for the Lord's Kingdom. We heard from the pastor recently that every member of this family now attends church.

On May 27^th, 2010, we returned to Malaysia for three weeks. Thanks be to God for friends giving us free accommodation in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, as without such providence we would not be able to afford the accommodation for this stay .

The following day, we went to the Bible College of Malaysia to attend its Carnival Sale. It is good to meet up with some old friends at the Church We attended some of their cell group meetings, where I have the opportunity to share the Word of God and my walk with God in the mission field. I felt so good sharing my life and experiences serving God, also as an encouragement for them to serve God in whatever way they can Faith in action is one way to lead others to do more for the Lord.

I was also invited by a pastor from the Kelana Jaya to preach the Word of God in his church. After preaching, we went to the children ministry and spent time with children from different races. God makes us in different shades and colors, but we are one in Christ. Amen!

On June 4^th, 2010, while we were crossing the road from the prominent Kuala Lumpur Twin Tower Building to the Public Bank Head Office Building opposite, all of a sudden, a large crowd of about 15,000 people appeared in front of us, staging an Anti-Israel Protest and Pro-Palestine March. The demonstration was heading towards the US Embassy. We were caught unaware in the middle of this street protest. It was scary ,but the Lord protected us. Praise the Lord!

We had to rush back to Bangkok on June 13^th, 2010 to attend the launching of a new sister church in Nakhon Luang, Province of Aytthuya. There were about 20 members who turned up for the official opening. When we arrived, the people were happy to see us and told us they had prayed for us every day. Our God has touched and transformed their life. All Glory and Honor to God Almighty!

I have been invited by the main church pastor to teach English and to conduct Bible Study in English with the local people there, while Jenny will teach them handicraft. We are praying for God's hand in this area of work.

I have written to you briefly encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you are in Christ!

Blessing,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok and Sister Jenny P Kok