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MISSION PROGRESS REPORT DECEMBER 1990

While Kiatisak was conducting services for the Laotian congregation of the Des Moines Baptist Church (Iowa), he used every available minute in the service of the people.

One evening around 10:30, we took Kiatisak to meet with a young man from Laos named “Sing”. (Believe it or not, there are two other men in the group, one named “Sang” and the other “Song”!)

Kiatisak began to question Sing about his relationship with the Lord Jesus. It was then that a tremendous story began to unfold.

Sing told us how he had escaped from Laos twelve years earlier, and had spent years in a refugee camp in Thailand, near the town of Nong Khai. One day, a preacher came to the camp and remained for a week, preaching and showing two different films on the life of Jesus. These interested him, not only because he could learn of Jesus, but because the actors were all Asian. Up to this time, he had thought that Christ was the god of westerners only.

While the days passed, Sing, as a young boy, sat on the ground listening to the messages telling of God’s love and forgiveness through His Son Jesus. What he heard began to affect him deeply, and before the week was over, there was “a new name written down in Glory!”

After we heard this story, translated to us both by Sing and Kiatisak, we asked if he knew the name of the preacher. Of course, he didn’t, but he could recall the time it occurred.

To everyone’s surprise, it was in the same holiday season and year that Kiatisak had preached for one week in that same refugee camp! Now after twelve years, and over 12,000 miles away, the preacher and young boy, (now a man), met for the first time.

They stayed up all night talking and studying God’s Word, while I did what I do best … sleep.

Today, Sing is an active member and worker in the Des Moines Baptist Lao Church.

THE JON NELMS FAMILY

I often feel like a broken record as I sit to write this note to you each month. I know I’m always telling you of how good the Lord is being to this work, but it’s true!

In any ministry, there are a great number of expenses incurred; utilities, printing, etc., yet for some reason, it seemed that God had impressed upon many of you to send in your money to be used “wherever needed most.” This took care of the expenses problem, but it led to another… we wanted to support more men. While we have been praying for that fund to increase, God has been busy working in your hearts. Here’s what I mean. In the last week alone, we have received pledges of new support (strictly for the national and native preachers) of $1,250.00 each month!

But the blessings continue. We have seen this month, several saved and several called to missions in the services where I have been. Also, we have come in contact with other needy ministries in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico. These works have established well over 100 churches throughout Central America. Many of their pastors have no income, and others receive only $25.00-$50.00 monthly. (They need about $100.00 each month.)

At their invitation, I will be going to visit their works and conduct 10 days of open-air and arena preaching to thousands there this January. You are welcome to come along and help if you like. Just call me for the price and details.

Since we began this work, I felt it expedient to care for the needs of the men overseas, above our own needs. Because of this, they have prospered, but our family is only at the 60% support level. I know many of you didn’t know that, yet we do not want any regular support being redirected to us. If however, you have been burdened to begin helping this work, we could put your support to good use. Additionally, my brother Lewis is at about the same level. Keep us in your prayers, and keep working hard for our soon returning Lord!

Yours for Souls,

Jon Nelms

PERHAPS YOU WILL RECALL…

…THAT IT WAS ABOUT THIS TIME LAST YEAR THAT MY GOOD FRIEND ALBERT PAUDRA WAS KILLED ON A MOTORCYCLE WE HAD PURCHASED FOR HIM TO USE IN HIS MINISTRY.

ALBERT AT THAT TIME WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING MARRIED IN THE UPCOMING YEAR. WHILE WAITING FOR THAT DAY TO “ARRIVE,” HE BUSIED HIMSELF IN THE LORD’S WORK IN THAILAND. YOU SEE, ALBERT WAS A MISSIONARY FROM THE PHILIPPINES. BECAUSE HE WAS ASIAN, HE WAS WELL ACCEPTED BY THE THAI PEOPLE.

WHEN I FIRST MET HIM, ALBERT HAD BEEN PROMISED $75.00 MONTHLY FROM HIS SUPPORTING CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES. UNFORTUNATELY, HE WAS RECEIVING ON AVERAGE ONLY ABOUT $20.00 MONTHLY. FINAL FRONTIERS BEGAN SUPPORTING HIM REGULARLY AT THE AMOUNT OF $25.00 MONTHLY. HE USED THESE FUNDS WISELY AND SHARED THEM WITH THE YOUNG MEN HE WAS TRAINING FOR THE MINISTRY. AMONG THEM WAS BURIAN, WHO WAS RIDING WITH ALBERT WHEN THE FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURRED. BURIAN, AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CYCLE WERE UNINJURED. ALBERT RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY AND WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD SEVERAL HOURS LATER.

AS CHRISTIAN FRUIT IS OFTEN PRODUCED ONLY AFTER IT HAS BEEN SHOWERED WITH THE BLOOD OF MARTYRS; HIS DEATH WAS THE IMPETUS FOR GREAT GROWTH IN A MINISTRY THAT HAD BEEN FOR YEARS STRUGGLING. BELOW IS A LETTER FROM HIS FIANCEE, AND ON THE NEXT PAGE, FROM BURIAN. BOTH HAVE BEEN EDITED BY JON NELMS.

A Letter from Albert’s Fiancée

BELINDA HUBAC
to her church in the Philippines:

First, I would like to praise the Lord for allowing me to visit the place where Albert spent the last six years of his life serving the Lord of the Harvest.

The Lord has been revealing wonderful truths and promises to me. I must confess that after Albert’s accident, I became unsettled in my commitment to serve Him in this country. I had depended so much on Albert. Now that he is gone, I have to take the responsibility of knowing for sure whether the Lord is calling me to Thailand. I do not want to be sentimental because I know that being a missionary is a definite calling from God. And I do not want to make the mistake of coming to Thailand just because Albert was here. Now that I have visited and seen the work in Sakon Nakhon and Bangkok, the Lord has confirmed to me that He wants me to return as a full-time missionary.

The burden in my heart is great. Indeed, there is so much work of sowing and harvesting to be done in this country.

I have made my decision, and with joy and thanksgiving, would like to share this commitment with you all officially. I am praying God will lead me back here soon, but I also realize that you have requirements for me to complete before I return. Thank you all for your part in my life. May God richly bless you all. I thank God for you.

THE ANNUAL CAMPING MINISTRY IN THAILAND PRODUCES “FRUIT THAT REMAINS”…

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By Jon Nelms

The ministry of FINAL FRONTIERS was raised up by the Lord, in order that Believers with an abundance, might be able to assist Believers who are lacking, according to the principle set forth in II Corinthians 8:1-15.

We began by supporting several key and worthy men who had personal needs, and soon we expanded to supporting their ministries and various projects. This was of course provided the project was proven to be fruitful and productive. Such projects would include Bible translation and printing, radio ministries, etc. One of the most successful of these projects is the camp ministry.

Each year, the Believers who make up the Fellowship of Rom Phrakhun Baptist Churches conduct four separate camps; i.e., Family Camp, Youth Camp, New Converts Camp and Adult Camp. This article will hopefully serve as an informative composite of the four.

We felt this to be a worthwhile ministry because over the years it has produced a great harvest in souls for the Kingdom. This past camp alone saw 29 souls saved and baptized in the Gulf of Thailand. In addition to the salvation decisions, many of the pastors and church leaders have been directly influenced by the camps.

The campers were, for the week, divided into the blue team (above) and the red team (below). The blue team won most of the physical events, but still could not win the overall camp crown. Yet they provided a lot of fun as they grunted and groaned through many of the contests. Some said it took them two weeks to recuperate after the one week of camp. The red team came away with the overall high points of the week. They accomplished this by winning most of the quizzes and intellectual events. 

The first camp held years ago saw the salvation of Pastor Kiatisak, who is the leader of this Fellowship of churches, and of Somboon Angunsri, the most prominent deacon.

Though the camps take place at several locations throughout the land, the favorite spot is at Pattaya Beach, about a two-hour drive from Bangkok. The facility there is owned by the Southern Baptists, who generously rent it to other groups. Four of the dorm rooms are air-conditioned and are reserved for any missionary families who are able to come. The rest are used by the campers themselves.

Generally speaking, a week at camp, including transportation, food, lodging, and a team T-shirt, costs about $12.00. One of the ministries of FINAL FRONTIERS is to provide “half-scholarships” for slum children, who can only attend if they will earn the rest of the funds themselves; and full scholarships for the workers, who up to now, have paid their own way in order to serve God for the week.

The benefits of this ministry are enormous.

From the children’s standpoint (who attend the various slum churches), the week of fresh air and play are indescribable. Besides this, they have an opportunity to mix and mingle with the other saved children, allowing some positive Christian peer pressure to have an effect upon them. In addition these factors, they have the influence of the adults who serve as counselors. Most of these slum children come from Buddhist or Moslem homes, and other than Sundays, never feel the warmth of genuine love that only a mature Believing adult can give to a child.

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Secondly, there is the benefit that the workers receive by being exposed to the various teaching methods they learn from the other workers at camp. This opportunity to teach and observe others at work enable them to “stretch” their own abilities and skills.

In Thailand, there are no “quarterlies” or Christian periodicals that can be referred to for teaching methods, and development of style. Whatever you learn is by your own experience, or the experience of others, who are delighted to share with you.

Thirdly, there is a benefit received by the couples, who are able to spend some “quality” time with each other, and the other Believers present.

This time of fellowship allows husbands to interact with husbands, and wives with wives. There is always a positive experience, as the mature couples are able to teach the younger couples their Biblical roles and responsibilities. In addition to this, it gives the men who are new in Christ the chance to observe the gentle manner in which a mature Believer treats his wife, which is generally contrary to the Asian way of life.

Finally, the entire family is benefited, which is the most important effect of all.

You see, Thailand, having a struggling economy, requires both father and mother to work long hours. Many fathers hold down three jobs, while the mother may have two. This is done in order to survive.

Most families say their “goodbyes” at about 6:30 a.m., and don’t see each other again until about 7:00 p.m. The father usually gets home around 9:00 p.m., or later. The sad reality is that there is no time at all for the families to be together.

While most people in Thailand are never fortunate enough to get a week off, those that do usually like to spend that time together as a family. Thus camping provides a ministry to the entire family, where the children are able to have time with mom and dad, while also having other children to play with.

You may wonder if FINAL FRONTIERS sponsors these families to camp. The answer is NO.

Our sponsorship is merely with the staff and slum children. And while we believe this is a worthy and necessary ministry; we would never want to use ministry funds for a family outing.

The purpose of this article was for you to see some of the work being done by our preachers; their wisdom in ministering to the entire family, and the results they are having. I hope it has blessed you.

DRUNKARD AND LOAN SHARK SAVED BY JESUS CHRIST

By Charles Holmes, Bangkok, Thailand

Chit could never turn down an invitation to have a drink with the local neighborhood fellows. Drinks came more often, and over the last few years, he was rarely sober in his home. His wife Somboone worked full time while Chit stayed home and took care of their little boy. She lost respect for him and found release in her own business of loan-sharking. Money came in, but it couldn’t buy happiness.

A Christian lady invited Chit to our new church. As he studied in the free English classes, he was required to remain for the Bible lessons. Soon he was saved. Somboone noticed a real change in her husband. He quit getting drunk and remarked, “It was like getting married all over again!”

She began voraciously reading the Bible from cover to cover, came to the church, and was also saved.

Chit quit drinking, and Somboone quit loan-sharking. Both have opened their home for a weekly Bible study for the neighborhood children. They are loyal members of the new Rom Phrakhun Baptist Church, where they have been a help to many. Both have given their testimony before unbelievers, they are also quite active in their own tract distribution. We praise the Lord for the addition of Chit, Somboone, and their little boy, Chetsak.

The MISSIONS PROGRESS REPORT is a monthly publication of the FINAL FRONTIERS FOUNDATION, INC.; and is distributed free of charge.

The purpose of FINAL FRONTIERS is to effectively take the Gospel to those who have never before heard it—over three billion souls.

Currently, we minister in Thailand, Assam, India, Bhutan, Tibet, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia (Kampuchea), Viet Nam, Laos, China, and Mexico. (Primarily in countries closed to American missionaries but open to FINAL FRONTIERS because of our unique method of missions.) Various outreach ministries include: Bible translation and distribution, radio and television broadcasts, camps, Bible schools, outdoor evangelistic campaigns, prison ministries, correspondence courses in Biblical studies, and most importantly, church planting through the efforts of our missionaries and the national and native preachers supported by this foundation. Additionally, for missionaries and believers in America, we also offer mission trips and training.

It is our belief that the training and subsidizing of national and native preachers is the most efficient and effective method of global evangelism. As such, we seek to raise prayer and financial support from believers in America for God’s servants abroad.

Selection of those we sponsor is dependent upon their doctrinal beliefs, need, and worthiness. We seek to support only those who are serving by faith, never those who are waiting for a salary in order to serve. Worldwide, the average preacher in a third-world country needs as little as $25.00 each month to survive.

FINAL FRONTIERS, as a non-profit, religious corporation, is governed by those serving on the Board of Directors, whose names are:

• Rev. Jon Nelms, Founder-chairman
• Mr. Gregg Vernon, vice president
• Mr. Mack Nelms, secretary-treasurer
• Rev. Nelson Baker
• Rev. Robert Wynveen
• Rev. Tommy Tillman
• Rev. Gene Carpenter
• Mr. Raymond Chin
• Rev. Michael Corsini

Contributions and gifts to this ministry are tax-deductible and are applied to the ministry’s worldwide evangelistic outreach. FINAL FRONTIERS is classified as a 509(a)(1) non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.