The Year of God’s Favor at the Asia-Pacific Region

The Lord has done many things for the APAC – Asia-Pacific Region in 2018. New churches and partnerships were born, miracles happened, and His mercy was shown abundantly throughout the year. Rev. Roland Lumawag, Regional Coordinator of the AWF-APAC Region, recounts the wonders God has done for us in the last 12 months. We are grateful for His outstanding love for us.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 90:17 “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”

The APAC region of the Alliance World Fellowship is deeply rejoicing in the Lord and giving praise and glory to God for all His abundance favor in 2018 towards the region. This year, the power of the gospel made its way to reach the Vietnamese people in the northeast of Thailand. The Lord, in His own time, sent a couple from Hanoi, Vietnam, in April to plant a church among this people group in a partnership effort of various Alliance families. As a result, this vision is now bearing fruit to more than 15 believers who are regularly meeting for worship and discipleship.

After several years of waiting and praying, God’s favor has come to the thousands of Burmese migrant workers in Thailand. In July, a church was planted for Burmese believers to come together for worship. Praise God for sending a Burmese couple to lead this group.

Considering the great potential for spiritual harvest in India, local Alliance leaders came together in May for the National Alliance Fellowship of India consultation meeting. God willing, this will pave the way for the light of the gospel to spread widely in the four corners of India. So much so, that our Indian leaders are very optimistic that genuine unity and true collaboration will be achieved within the body of Christ through this initiative.

The region is also delighted in God by the newly formed Alliance Church of Korea in April. Praise God for gracing this new body with some experienced and committed workers who passionately started the church planting ministry two years ago. The Alliance Church of Korea is looking forward to work in partnership with its Alliance family in the region and with the AWF as a whole to fulfill the Great Commission. Three of the leaders joined the 2018 APAC Regional Conference in Manila in October.

Personally, my whole family has been favored by God in many ways. First, God is so awesome in providing our needs to build and finish our desired home. Our heart is gratefully thankful to the Lord for using His people to receive such a wonderful gift from Him. Another surprising gift the Lord has brought to us this year as a family, for which we are gratefully rejoicing in the Lord’s kindness, was the promotion of our two sons their respective jobs.

Coming home, after 20 years of missionary service in Thailand, is a double blessing for Nancy and me. Besides our ministry with the region, the Lord opened doors for both of us to serve Him in different ministries. Nancy started to disciple and mentor 13 pastors’ wives in our circuit area through partners in ministry program. She is also meeting several young women in our home church for discipleship once a week. From time to time she had also the opportunity to speak in women conferences, rallies, and group meetings. Influencing these lives for the Lord and to do the ministry is one of her greatest fulfilments in life. Though from time to time I also speak in different churches, one of my greatest joys this year was when I had the privilege to teach a module class in Missions at the Bible school. This teaching ministry gave me a different dynamic and excitement in serving the Lord. Far above, God brought us back here not just only for our children, but we found out that we are here to minister and encourage our hurting loved ones and to help strengthen the relationship of both sides of our family. God has done that for us! Praise God.

Finally, my heart rejoices also for calling me to another coordinating ministry under the Hong Kong Alliance Mission. Praying that God’s favorable hand will rest upon me and Nancy as we are willing to obey and trust Him in bringing the Water of Life to the people along the Mekong River.

“When God grants us His favor, nothing can stop the blessings He has in store for us.”

Rev. Roland Lumawag, Regional Coordinator – AWF Asia Pacific Region