Thailand
Educating Christian leaders
Helping three students attend seminary in Thailand
Education & Training
The Need
Nestled into the mountains of western Thailand in the Chiang Mai district, the village of Huay Nam Kao is home to a small but growing church. However, local pastors and leaders have faced numerous challenges.
In Thailand, Christians make up less than one per cent of the population, and most people in isolated rural regions practise a mixture of Buddhist and animist practices. The small Christian presence in Thailand has made it incredibly difficult for churches to find leaders who can support spiritual growth in their congregations. There is a desperate need in many Thai churches for strong and mature pastors, teachers and evangelists who can meet the spiritual needs of their communities. However, not many are willing or able to pursue formal theological training. Students who do want to go to seminary often can’t afford it, as the government of Thailand only provides grants and loans for those attending secular colleges and universities.
Out of a desire to reach the most vulnerable children and families, the local church in Huay Nam Kao is partnering with Compassion to share the gospel and support children’s holistic development. Three young beneficiaries from the centre expressed a deep sense of calling to serve their local church and the desire to study at seminary. However, growing up in poverty meant their families could not afford the school fees. Church leaders knew that equipping these students for full-time ministry would make a huge difference to their community, but they couldn’t cover the fees either.
Our Response
With your generous support, all three of these dynamic young leaders have successfully completed four years of seminary and are already active in various leadership roles in their local church, including preaching and teaching.
All three students received funding to cover the cost of tuition and basic living expenses while they attended seminary. Lamueto enrolled in Bangkok Bible Seminary and Umporn and Kanokporn both enrolled in Omkoi Bible Seminary. Compassion centre staff provided ongoing encouragement and prayer support. The students studied a variety of courses including Hebrew, the Pastoral Epistles, preaching, Christian ceremonies, applying personal giftings, leadership skills and ministering to children. The COVID-19 pandemic made studying a challenge, but the funding through this intervention was able to supply the learning materials all three students needed to continue their studies.
All three students were able to overcome various challenges through their studies over the four years. Lamueto, a young man who grew up in poverty, is so grateful for your support. His family did not initially support his studies and struggled to accept his sense of calling. This was difficult for Lamueto, but only served to deepen his relationship with God. He also faced the challenge of becoming more fluent in the Thai language, which is different from the local dialect he grew up with. However, Lamueto persevered and has thrived in his studies. His final graduation ceremony will be sometime in 2023, but he is already serving at the church in a number of ways and leading evangelistic initiatives.
Kanokporn and Umporn, two bright young women who are passionate about serving the Lord, are so grateful for your support, which has helped cover their tuition fees and living expenses for the last four years. Kanokporn completed a challenging but fruitful internship with Piampraporn Christian Dormitory, a boys’ dormitory in Mac Wang district. She now works as a care worker in the Compassion centre and regularly preaches and leads the youth group in her local church.
Umporn was grateful to be able to complete her internship locally with the Huay Nam Kao church, after her original plans were altered due to the pandemic. Like Kanokporn, she found it challenging at times to work with so many young, energetic children but is so grateful for God’s sustaining grace, strength and wisdom. Now, Umporn is a consultant for youth in the village about continuing education, oversees the youth group and preaches and teaches at the church.
Activities
Evangelism: Students have been actively engaged in evangelism, including a Christmas outreach in a village where there are currently only two Christian families.
Church life: Umporn and Kanokporn are already preaching regularly at the local church and in small groups. Umporn is leading the youth group at her church, and Kanokporn is mentoring and discipling younger girls.
Faith mentors: Centre staff mentored Umporn and Kanokporn. Now both young women serve as mentors for the current youth. It’s exciting to see these men and women pass on their faith from one generation to another.
Child protection: Lamueto has been involved in leading child protection training for parents at the Compassion centre.
Your Gift Provides...
● Financial support for four years of seminary for three students:
○ Tuition
○ Living expenses
ReportA message from those your gift helped
I was one of the children who grew up in a hostel. I had been in the hostel since I was six and a half years old. I studied at Huai Nam Khao School from kindergarten to middle school. As for high school, I studied at Mae Tuen Wittayakom school, and my goal was to study medicine. But it seemed like God wanted me to be a spiritual doctor. I was confident in the calling of God, so I decided to study at Bible seminary, but I did not know where to get the money to pay for the tuition. I went to study the Bible with faith in God’s calling upon my life. He would take care of me even if I didn’t get financial support from anywhere. I have God, I’m relieved. He provided this intervention to support me.
This intervention has been a huge impact on me and my family. Because I don’t have to worry about tuition and expenses, I am able to fully devote my life to studying and serving. As for my family, they don’t have to worry about affording my tuition. I will finish my bachelor’s degree and I have a church to serve already. Neither me nor my family have to worry that I would not have a job in the future because God has prepared it for me. I already have served God in the church and I plan to serve God for a while, but if it’s the will of God, I would like to study further in a master’s degree.
I’ve learned that it’s better to help someone without any obligation to them. If one day I help someone I will not expect anything in return like I received from this intervention. Giving with a heart is very important. My tuition and fees were not small, but through this intervention you gladly helped me. So, I learned that giving is happier than receiving. But sometimes getting the help from someone else who is willing to give with joy is also a blessing.
I would like to give thanks to the donors and sponsors who have supported and helped me through my studies. I never thought I would get this intervention, but God always provides beyond our expectation. I am very glad and grateful for your support to me. I don’t know you and we have never seen each other before, but I’m so thankful for you who’s helped me. I pray to God to bless donors and supporters with His blessing in every way, a hundred and a thousand times. God bless you abundantly.
ReportA message from those your gift helped
As a child, I grew up in the mountains. I wanted to learn new things and have a good future like everyone else, but I didn’t have enough money for higher education, so I’d spend time praying to God. He has never come late. My prayers have been answered, and I thank God for always being on time. He has provided me with the opportunity to learn at Bible seminary, according to my goal. I was given a good chance to follow my dream intentionally to accomplish my goal, and I have graduated to another level of life. Since completing my studies, I’ve served in the church according to the gift of God and calling upon my life. I’m taking care of a group of women in the church. I’m growing up with God every day and have more faith in Him.
This intervention has impacted my life. I know that God’s grace is upon my life and family. I have developed more faith and trust in God, and I would like to share the blessings of God with others as well.
I’ve learned about giving. It’s to give with love and without regret because we have received grace and love from the supporters who do not expect anything in return. I’ve learned about sacrificing what we have to share with others. We do not need to be rich, but we can give whatever we have now. You have sacrificed for us even though we do not know each other, and this sacrifice was a blessing to us. You have never met us but love us and are glad to give to us. I’ve learned to love your neighbour as yourself.
I would like to give thanks to the supporters and donors for giving us such a great opportunity to live a better life and serve God according to our gifts and talents. Thank you for the love, care and sacrifice you have given, even though we’ve never met before. May God bless you and keep everyone in your family happy, healthy and safe. I hope you achieve whatever you hope for through the guidance of the Lord. Thank you.
ReportThank you for your generosity
With your financial support and prayers, these three students have been formally trained at seminary, and are equipped with the theological foundation they will need to lead and pastor others. They have also gained practical, hands-on experience in how to reach people in their community and beyond with the love of Jesus.
Lamueto, Umporn and Kanokporn are so grateful for your generosity. This experience has been life-changing and is already impacting their families and community in a profound way. All three students are fully embracing the sacrificial call on their lives to serve and build up the church and to share the gospel with those who haven’t heard it yet.
The local church in Huay Nam Kao is grateful, too. Church leadership is never easy, but for small, isolated churches in a largely non-Christian culture, the challenges can sometimes feel insurmountable. Your support is equipping this local church to grow and thrive, so they can meet the spiritual and physical needs of people and lead many more to Christ. The church has learned to equip children and prepare them to study at a higher level. They also gained experience coordinating with higher education institutions, as well as following up with students through social media.
Because of you, a new generation of Christian leaders is rising up and making an impact for the Kingdom of God. Thank you for your belief in these students and for your generous gift, which will transform lives in Jesus’ name!