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300 S Tibbs Rd
• Dalton, GA,
30720-8040 • 706-226-2166 |
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Dalton Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Missionaries Visiit Dalton
Thailand Missionaries Speak in Dalton
“Thank you for your support while we’ve been gone almost six years,” stated Chris Sorensen in his Sabbath sermon here on December 6, 2008.
Chris and his wife, Shannon, along with daughter Alina,
age 3, and Jeshua, age one, are back visiting from northern Thailand for a few weeks. They work with Adventist Frontier Missions in church planting.
 
Sorensen related various experiences of how God has led during their mission experience. While preparing in northern Michigan for their overseas assignment, Chris met a Buddhist lady named “Oh.” She was eager for them to find her mother in Thailand. After much fasting and prayer, lo and behold, she lived in the same town to which they had been assigned!
“We believe without a shadow of doubt that we are where God wants us to be,” stated Sorensen. “I also praise God for my beautiful and supportive wife.”
  
One project on which the couple is working in Thailand is to write several Bible study curricula for the Northern Khmer people. They are Bible story-based lessons that are designed to create a “worldview shift” which basically means that people will begin to see the world the way God sees it. Included will be stories that both deal with their specific cultural sins as well as explain our beliefs in a simple, understandable way, because most of the people are illiterate.
“When these people accept Christianity, their lives often become like ‘Swiss cheese,” he stated. “Because they leave behind many aspects of their culture, such as their typical funeral routines that were tied into spiritism. We are trying to start a church-planting movement where people’s spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs are met. And the Bible study curricula they are writing will be a “baton” that can be passed on from church plant to church plant without the truths being watered down over time. It’s hard to write such a curricula, but “through Christ, we can do all things.” Phil. 4:13.
He reported that they have started small group Bible studies in several villages. When the people go to meetings, they are ridiculed, so it is a challenge to get them to attend, he reported. “But one of the greatest joys,” stated Chris, “is on a weekly basis hearing testimonies of how these people have been faithful in spite of the ridicule.” They conduct Sabbath meetings and mid-week meetings.
One lady became a Christian when Jesus took her depression away. Her husband violently threatened her when he learned that she’d become a Christian, but he soon became too ill to follow through on his threats. After much prayer in his behalf, he got well very quickly. Humbled and healthy, he shouted for joy and later became a Christian! Also, Chris told of how a spirit medium was converted. Songs greatly encourage the Northern Khmer people. With Chris at the piano, he and Shannon sang one of their favorite songs in the Thai language about God’s leading.
One important project at this time is to build a cemetery for Christians, because when church members die, their bodies are currently given to their relatives, who then bury them in Buddhist fashion. This is both an embarrassment and a stumbling block to Buddhists considering becoming Christians. Ten thousand dollars are still needed to complete the cemetery project.
Another important project is a New Life (88.75) radio station. One man pledged to donate the 60 meter tower and 1000 watt transmitter if Chris could provide the building and other equipment. Builders from California went and helped start constructing the station. They also brought $7,000 with them. Then two new student missionaries
wrote solicitation letters. The station has been operating for more than two months now, and has received some positive feedback from the community. They still need someone to do station marketing with signs and brochures, etc. They also plan to offer free tee shirts, books, and Bible Studies to listeners. Some people have come as temporary volunteers for the radio ministry, but many more are needed.
“Please pray that I will learn to say, ‘No,’” Chris pleaded, who has felt that he is often way too busy. “We have needed partners for a long time. One family, Robbie and Kelli Doss, is preparing to come, but they still need supportive funds before they can launch.”
“I encourage you all to get involved in some form of outreach work at home or abroad,” he concluded. “Whatever God calls you to do, you can do. Keep pressing on. We can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens us.”
Thank you, Chris and Shannon our dear friends, for this inspiring service!
Rachel Stearns rendered two beautiful vocal solos during the worship hour.
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Vivian Raitz
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