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Celebration Missions Night at Central Heights Church |
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Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy Name to sing, help us to praise!
Father all glorious, o'er all victorious,
Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days!
With this great hymn and others, the Willingdon MB Church choir and orchestra, under the direction of Pastor Ron Clark, filled the sanctuary of Central Heights Church
with music to praise our Glorious God on the evening of Sunday, June 19, opening the Celebration Missions Night presented by MBMS International.
Hosted by Carlin Weinhauer, MBMSI's Mobilization & Media Director, the Celebration featured wonderful music by the orchestra, choir and congregation, an exciting and challenging message from Randy Friesen, MBMSI's General Director, and a video presentation of the work that MBMSI is doing in Southeast Asia in the wake of last December's tsunami.
Beginning with Habakkuk 2:14, "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea," Randy Friesen told of recent baptisms held in south Thailand. At the baptism ceremony on the beach this verse was quoted, and the people there were challenged: some souls are content to stand and just look at the ocean; others go snorkeling near the surface of the water, while a few daring souls strap on scuba gear and go deep down into the water, to see things they've never seen before. God is like that; the greatest things are revealed to those who dare to plunge deeply into His Glory.
Speaking to a congregation of 738 gathered at Central Heights Church, Friesen told about some the wonderful things happening in the south of Thailand since the tsunami. Through the work that God is doing through Operation Rebuilding Lives and other Christian agencies, people in southern Thailand are turning to Christ, and others are giving serious thought to a relationship with Jesus. Friesen told of a national public debate going on in Thailand, around the question: Is it possible for a Thai person to become a Christian? Because "to be Thai is to be Buddhist," this debate has sparked tremendous interest throughout the nation.
Friesen recalled Paul's passion for the salvation of Israel (Romans 9), extending that passion to recall that the desire of God's heart is for Thailand and all other nations to be saved.
The video presentation focused on the work of Operation Rebuilding Lives (ORL), and on the tremendous needs and the response to that calamity. After the video Amanda and Judy Griffioen, and Harv Wiens, all of whom have been to south Thailand, spoke movingly of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, and of the response of the Thai people to the work of ORL.
Celebration Missions Night was a wonderful event, and an opportunity to focus on the greatness of our God, who desires the salvation of every nation.
(photos available)
Upcoming Celebration Missions Night events
REEDLEY, CA Sunday Sept. 11, 6:00 PM - Reedley MB Church
WINNIPEG, MB Sunday, October 2, 6:30 PM - North Kildonan MB Church
ST.CATHERINES, ON Saturday Oct 29, 7:00 PM - Grantham MB Church
WATERLOO, ON Sunday, October 30, 7:00 PM - Waterloo MB Church
FREEMAN, SD Thursday Nov. 3, 7:00 PM - Salem MB Church
HILLSBORO, KS Sunday, Nov. 6, 7:00 PM - Tabor College Gym
FAIRVIEW, OK Monday Nov. 7, 7:00 PM - Fairview MB Church
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