Ask, Seek, Knock

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

As a sending church, we currently support an international staff of 71 workers in 25 nations including Australia. Help us continue this vital work as we “ask, seek knock” across the nations.

Two of our international workers, Scott, and Sarah Morrison, live in northeast region of Thailand, working amongst the Isan people. They have some inspirational stories to share.

Each year we set apart 20% of our missions appeal offering for another third-party missional organisation.  This year we are partnering with Praxeis and their project in Kiriwina, Papua New Guinea as they bring in much needed medical supplies and expertise, and plant the word of God in the hearts of these people. 

Opening the way

Scott and Sarah Morrison, with their three young children, have been living in north-eastern Thailand for the last five years. They are reaching out to the Isan people, an unreached people group of about 21 million with only 0.18% Christians. 

Opening the way

Scott and Sarah Morrison, with their three young children, have been living in north-eastern Thailand for the last five years. They are reaching out to the Isan people, an unreached people group of about 21 million with only 0.18% Christians. 

Wherever they are, the most important thing that the Morrisons do is pray.  

“We make sure that we're praying together and praying with our teammates. We're praying individually because we know that nothing is going to happen here if we're not praying, and if God's not directing our steps and leading us in what we're doing.”

Getting out into the community is a high priority for the Morrisons. They go walking, take the kids out on bikes, go to the local market and make as many connections as possible. Being known around town helps to kick start conversations and open the door for people to speak about spiritual things and share their struggles. 

As Scott and Sarah make connections, they look for opportunities to share about Jesus and pray simple blessings of wellbeing, especially with those in whom God is already at work.  

"Being known around town helps to kick start conversations and open the door for people to speak about spiritual things and share their struggles.”

Here to bless the neighbourhood

Scott was prayer walking in a new village with a teammate when they passed four men drinking whisky outside their house. The men invited them to try fried red ants, which they discovered tasted good. One of the men asked Scott what brought them here, so Scott replied that they were here to bless the neighbourhood. 

Here to bless the neighbourhood

Scott was prayer walking in a new village with a teammate when they passed four men drinking whisky outside their house. The men invited them to try fried red ants, which they discovered tasted good. One of the men asked Scott what brought them here, so Scott replied that they were here to bless the neighbourhood.   

One of the men was unable to stand and had been like that since birth. Scooting forward on his bottom, he asked Scott to pray for his legs. He was not a believer but along with his friends, was grateful for the prayer.

A few days later, Scott decided to visit him again with a care package. The man was thankful and invited him to come back tomorrow morning to meet his friends. Scott and his mate returned and were able to share and pray for them all. The man invited them to return again the following week.

“We're just excited at the possibilities of what could be in that”, said Scott.  

Better in community

Earlier this year while prayer walking, Scott and his teammate came across two older women. The ladies invited them to visit as they wove fabrics to sell in the village. One of them had bad eyesight, and the other, Mae Dom, had arthritic fingers that kept locking up so she couldn’t do much of the work. Scott and his teammate prayed for them. 

Better in community

Earlier this year while prayer walking, Scott and his teammate came across two older women. The ladies invited them to visit as they wove fabrics to sell in the village. One of them had bad eyesight, and the other, Mae Dom, had arthritic fingers that kept locking up so she couldn't do much of the work. Scott and his teammate prayed for them. 

Some weeks later, Scott was prayer walking with his teammate again and they came across Mae Dom. She told Scott, “Since you prayed for me, my fingers aren't locking up anymore. I think God healed me!”

Wow - this was a lady who had never heard the good news of Jesus! Everyone was pretty excited. Mae Dom then asked Scott if he had anything else she could read about God, as she wanted to know more. Scott replied, “This is better to do in community. Maybe you could read it with your sister.” She responded, “Oh, my sister doesn’t read. She can't read because of her eyes.” So Scott suggested reading aloud. She was excited and replied, “I could do that. And our nieces could read with us as well!” 

Scott and his teammate dropped around several copies of Genesis. As they read with the family, Mae Dom said, “This is amazing. I always wanted to know how the world and people got here.” 

A month or so after that, they popped in to give Mae Dom an audio Bible. She wasn't home but they found her outside a friend's house. As they handed her the audio Bible, she said, “Hey, Chris, Scott, come here, this lady's sick. She can't see and she can’t hear. We need to bless her.” So Scott asked Mae Dom if she could do it. She said she could but had forgotten what to say, so Scott explained that you simply pray in Jesus’ name and ask God to heal them. Mae Dom then started telling her testimony about how Jesus healed her and how God changed her life. 

Scott explained, “It’s just this cool moment of seeing this lady who is just in the beginning stages of following the Lord. She's there, praying for the sick, praying for the blind, praying for the deaf and sharing her story of what God has done in her life. That was a real praise God moment for the team!”

“She's there, praying for the sick, praying for the blind, praying for the deaf and sharing her story of what God has done in her life.”

Our appeal target is $300,000.

Our international workers live in some of the toughest environments in the world for the sake of the gospel. They do it willingly. So, with a target of $300,000 may we have a generous spirit as we resource our 71 workers across 25 nations. They so appreciate your generosity as you partner with them through this appeal.

 

Crossway Baptist Church
(Not tax deductible)

BSB 083 191A/C 60-914-8267

ABN 26 318 801 524

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