Asians for Christ started in 1997, when Stephen and Derek were studying at Lincoln Christian Seminary. They had a vision to evangelize and reach the people in Southeast Asia. Looking back from when we first began, we have seen how God is working through us. We have educated villagers on how to grow coffee and partnered with many organizations to help the community such as relief work among other successful projects. More importantly, we have planted many churches in villages, baptized thousands of people, and trained many servant leaders.
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| Stephen and Derek excited for the commencement |
This year, AIS celebrates 33 graduates. All of them have
served full-time in the ministry of God’s Kingdom across Thailand and Myanmar.
Some work as Bible teachers in Bible training centers and Christian colleges,
while others serve on the front lines of mission, sharing the gospel with
people who have never heard of Christ. Others shepherd congregations as pastors
in their local churches. These students have dedicated their time and efforts
to join each class; some have even joined online classes where warplanes flew
over them and bombs exploded nearby.
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| Commencement of the 33 graduates |
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| Over 400 people attending this commencement event |
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| The graduating class of 2026 |
Among these graduates, Daniley carries a particularly unique responsibility. He serves as the chairman of a fellowship network of pastors and teachers in Shan State, Myanmar, a group consisting of eighty-three pastors and teachers serving in villages and churches throughout the region. Because many of these churches are independent and not connected to a specific denomination, Daniley plays a crucial role in fostering communication, encouragement, and unity among them. He frequently travels to visit these pastors and teachers, strengthening their fellowship and encouraging them to remain faithful in their ministry.
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| Daniley graduated! |
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| Daniley traveling by bike to visit various ministries |
Daniley’s work often requires long and difficult journeys. Many churches are located in remote mountain villages where transportation is limited, and roads are challenging. Despite these difficulties, he faithfully visits them, listening to their struggles, praying with them, and encouraging them to persevere in serving the Lord. When Daniley discovers a church without a pastor or preacher, he encourages young believers within the community to step forward and serve. He believes that God can raise local leaders to shepherd their own people. Through his encouragement, several young men and women have begun serving as leaders in their churches.
In addition, Daniley is deeply committed to evangelism. He
regularly travels to remote villages to share the gospel with those who have
never heard the message of Jesus. His ministry also extends to practical care.
In many remote villages, both believers and unbelievers do not know how to seek
medical treatment when they become seriously ill. Daniley often helps sick
villagers travel to hospitals in the cities. He guides them through the
process, translates for them when they cannot speak Burmese, and helps them
receive the care they need. For many families, he has become not only a
spiritual leader but also a compassionate helper in times of crisis. With such
ministry, many unbelievers were led to Christ.
What makes Daniley’s ministry especially remarkable is that
he serves without receiving a salary. Instead, he lives simply through small
personal gifts from believers and through farming. Despite limited resources,
he continues to serve faithfully, motivated by his love for Christ and the
people he serves.
For Daniley, ministry is not a profession but a calling.
Whether encouraging pastors, training new leaders, evangelizing remote
villages, or helping the sick reach medical care, he serves with humility and
dedication. His life stands as a testimony that true ministry flows not from
financial reward but from a heart wholly devoted to the Lord.
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| Daniley was point man for one of AFC's relief projects |
Equipping
The week after the commencement ceremony, Derek Voorhees,
taught a weeklong intensive Bible course to the students. Derek and his wife
Nell flew across the ocean to join the commencement and spend time with the
Wongs. Even with the jetlag from the time difference, they were pushed through
and stayed up until the evenings. All the students felt very blessed and full
of joy to have guests from the West come and spend time with them. Our family
are very grateful for the Voorhees dedication to this ministry.
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| Derek and Stephen equipping the AIS sudents |
We look back to the hundreds of Kingdom workers we have trained in the past couple of decades and feel very honored to be a part of this ministry. The students live throughout Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and China. We are proud of all the students as many of them serve at a certain capacity in their relative churches and mission field. It is evident that God is moving in Southeast Asia and China and we are excited to continue to see how His kingdom will continue to grow.
Nick officially graduated from his master’s program early
this month with a 3.98 GPA. He spoke at a mental health
conference at the end of March. Most people in Asia view mental health related
issues as spiritual reasons: a demon is oppressing the individual. While this
may be the case, a mental health problem could be a better answer so that
treatment could be more effective. With his new knowledge, he has begun setting
up a couple classes for future students at AIS. In Asia, mental health is not a
concept that people in remote have never heard of. One class will be on basic
mental health. This is just to give the students an understanding of mental
health disorders like depression and anxiety; on top of this they will be able
to understand suicide prevention and be able to help people who may be
struggling with this. Another class will be on pastoral counseling, how to use
the bible in counseling, such as during grief counseling.
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| Nick presenting at a mental health conference |
Empowering
During the graduation week, many of the students, both
graduates and alumni, were present to join us in the celebration. One of the
grandest moments was during the graduation ceremony, the professors and pastors
in the area gave speeches to encourage the students to use their new biblical
knowledge to support their ministries. The messages from all the professors
combined to empower the students to continue to humbly serve God. One of the
students then got up and gave a speech on behalf of all the students. He gave a
speech in English, and as he stuttered through the speech, he remarked how “it
was a blessing to be able to study the Bible at such great depth” and that the
entire class “would use what they learned to serve God and serve their
community.” This brought joy and tear for all of us as we have seen how many of
them have sacrificed so much to study the Word.
Evangelism
In
Thailand, 96% of the population is Buddhist with only .5% of the population
protestant Christians. We are in the process of setting up a course to educate the leaders to reach out to the Buddhist community. Last year, we helped the people in
Mandalay after the large earthquake in Myanmar. This relief project, partnered
by IDES, impacted the Buddhist community as they questioned us about our faith.
Even the Buddhist monks in the area were impressed and gave AFC a certificate
of appreciation in our relief efforts despite the country going through a civil
war. Our evangelists in Myanmar do not know how to reach the Buddhist people so
that is why Stephen is refreshing up on his Buddhist understanding in the
efforts to create a class for the AIS on how to reach Buddhist people in
Southeast Asia.
Family
The family is doing well. We have had guests or events nearly every week, which have been filled with joy. We now have a couple of weeks of normal tasks until another set of events. Mary continues to manage the house and makes sure things run smoothly. Becky has been teaching the neighborhood kids English and that’s been keeping her busy; many of the kids are now able to communicate in basic English which has been very successful. Nick had just finished speaking at a mental health conference in the scientific topic of how relationship with God helps with mental health; on top of this, he spends his time reaching out to the college students. John has currently set up an English educational center which targets Chinese learners and has been growing. Recently, he had to go register for the military draft. Isaac is currently in the process of moving to a more competitive university in Bangkok.
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| Reunited with Derek and Nell |
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| A visit from the team from Kaimuki Christian Church |
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| Mountain visit with Thai air force captain |
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| John doing a military draft |
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| Worship with the new graduates |
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