Albert & Jiep Gonzales
There is a time to plant a church and a time to start a bible school. Praise the Lord! The first IPHC bible school in Thailand, Thailand Theological Seminary (TTS), was established on September 26th with 17 students, temporarily using the existing church building as a learning center as well as a lodging place for the students. We thank God that we have qualified leaders and teachers to begin with. We have submitted the project proposal to WMMD for construction of the main building and the cafeteria. Please join us in prayer that this project request can qualify for an Antioch Grant. We will be happy to receive even a drop of funds from this grant to start with, and the remaining balance can be raised through other sources and means. We encourage you to plant a seed to this project by sending your contribution to WMMD – Project # 74520P. Thailand is predominantly Buddhist with less than 1% Christian out of 68 million people. Thailand urgently needs Jesus.
Praise the Lord! IPHC Thailand has 48 churches as of now, (from one church in 2002) with over 2,500 members – and growing! TTS will play a vital role in equipping and training workers for fruitful and prosperous ministries. There are very few bible schools in Thailand and we thank God for giving us the opportunity to have one. Hallelujah!
The Pattamit Don Muang Church camp in August was a success: one received the Lord Jesus Christ and five were baptized. The teaching, worship, message, prayers and fellowship were uplifting and refreshing to the souls. We had about 50 in attendance. We went back home rejoicing and glorifying the Lord.
I was invited to speak at the 69th Anniversary of Bethel United Church of Christ in Tagum, Davao City, Philippines on July 17th. This church was started by my grandfather. There were about 400 people who attended including my relatives. It was a happy celebration and my uncle was touched and grateful to see me there. The last time I saw him was for my mother’s funeral in 2009. He is the only living sibling of my mother among the five. While in the Philippines, I had the opportunity to witness to my relatives. Praise The Lord! There were 22 of them who received the Lord in different occasions.
I was blessed and encouraged by the outcome of my short visit to USA: my social security benefits were processed, my blood tests and the blood circulation tests were normal and my risk of having a stroke is low; I was able to minister to four churches with positive responses; I had a wonderful time with NC Conference Missions Director Doug Barlett and his wife, my brother in Florence, SC, my daughter in LA., and pastors, leaders and missionaries at Missions Fest 2016 in Burlington, NC. I was able to obtain a one year “Non O” Thai visa from the Royal Thai Consular Office in LA. God is good! I flew back to Bangkok on the 22nd of September with thanksgiving in my heart to God.
Thank you for your continued prayers, unwavering support, and generosity. God bless you all.
