2020 Asia Pacific Region End of Year Message

“You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” Psalm 40:5

Before the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll worldwide and halted domestic and international travels, God in His own perfect time brought me back home from a three-day leadership gathering (January 27-30, 2020) of the National Alliance Fellowship of India (NAFI) in Gujarat, India. Praise God that for the first time the event was attended by nearly 50 related Alliance ministry pastors and leaders from the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Assam, and Kolkata. It was a time of fellowship that brought an atmosphere of Christian joy and reconnection of relationships. One pastor mentioned, “This is my very first time to attend this pastors and leaders gathering after 30 years of serving as pastor in Maharashtra Synod. I am so blessed to be able to come to this meeting.”

In mid-2020, the Lord did something wonderful to the Vietnamese-Thai church-planting ministry started in the Nakhon Panom province of Thailand. A new church planting among this people group was opened in Mukdahan Province. This group is meeting regularly for Sunday worship services and discipleship during the weekdays.

Beginning in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The number of people being infected and dying from the new coronavirus was increasing rapidly. As a result, all my scheduled ministry trips were cancelled. Nevertheless, amid the ongoing health crisis, God is still sovereign. Looking at who He is gives a powerful motivation to keep moving forward and making my personal life, my family and ministry more productive than they were before. Besides our local church ministry, one of the most exciting things the Lord has opened to us is the opportunity to minister to our extended families in the midst of this crisis. Twice a week we have virtual prayer time and Bible study. That strengthens each other’s relationship as well as deepening one another’s understanding of God’s Word and increase in our relationship with God.

Finally, we are grateful to see our youngest son, Denzel, following in our footsteps to serve the Lord in ministry. Responding to God’s call, he has started studying in the seminary online to be equipped for service the Lord has prepared for him.

To our dear Alliance family worldwide, thank you so much for all your support in prayer and finances in the Lord’s ministry. Praying for all of us to have a wonderful Christmas celebration and a very fruitful New Year.

Blessings,

Rev. Roland Lumawag
Regional Coordinator Asia Pacific Region