This past September, the national leaders of Asia, Australia, and Oceania (AAO) gathered in Singapore for a time of training, prayer, and fellowship. Some of these leaders face intense persecution, and all of them labor under adverse and challenging conditions. In fact, Bishop Khan of Pakistan was unable to attend due to a warrant out for his arrest simply because he is a Christian leader, but thankfully, his wife and daughter were able to come and represent him. Nonetheless, even under times of great persecution, these leaders have continued to labor for the Lord faithfully and have produced amazing results.
Classes at the leadership conference were taught by Duke Stone, Daniel Felipe, Tim Coalter, Shaun McKinley, Cathy Payne, Hunter Roberts, Sheena McCaleb, and Tim McCaleb.
On the way to Singapore, Bishop Tim and Sheena McCaleb and Bishop Dennis Casey traveled to Sri Lanka and conducted training for the local leaders there.
Although the Church of God of Prophecy has no church in Vietnam, Bishop Gary Langley had met a couple (pictured on p. 31) who lead several congregations there. They were invited to the conference and were greatly moved by the love and welcoming spirit of the COGOP leaders.
A highlight of the conference was the outpouring of love bestowed on Cathy Payne by the leaders in celebration of her years of faithful service to missions. They all brought gifts, words of appreciation, tears, and hugs for her as she prepares to step out of her current role. It was reminiscent of Paul praying with and saying goodbye to the Ephesian church leaders as they knelt, prayed, and wept on the seashore at Paul’s departure (Acts 20:36–37).
Another activity in the AAO region took place in December. Bishop McCaleb visited Malaysia to participate in a Christmas event where one of our lead churches has been asked by a large public mall to do a Christmas program there for the past two years. This opportunity is truly amazing because this is a Muslim nation, but they have found that the sights and sounds of Christmas open doors.
Pastor Esther (pictured on p. 33) lives in Malaysia. Even though she does not have much of this world’s goods, she has a heart to help others. She ministers to refugees like those from Myanmar who have fled the war there. Above is a picture of one of the refugees who is translating for her. She feeds, clothes, houses, and cares for the elderly, children, and the poor.
This past January, approximately one hundred pastors received training in Katmandu, Nepal. In this photo, the pastors are happily displaying their certificates. Teachers included Simon Rock from Germany, Jonathan Olavarria from New Jersey, and Dale Buckingham from Wyoming.
After the conference, the team headed high up into the mountains to share a one-day conference and to visit more churches. The journey to one of our remote churches is a very strenuous six-hour hike. The climb was worth it, though, being greeted with a delicious lunch at the end.
The Church of God of Prophecy is a wonderful fellowship of Christians that are bound together in Christ for the common purpose of reconciling the world to Him. Thank you all for your prayers, encouraging words, and financial support for these ministries and many more throughout the region of Asia, Australia, and Oceania.
