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SPOTLIGHT ON MISSIONS: Siripong & Jessie Yaebeang • Thailand
BT Staff
We weren’t planning on sending our report until the end of this month. But, since we just had our preaching seminar this week, we are excited to share about it with you while it’s still fresh on our minds. Plus, this way we have more room to share about the seminar in more detail.
• The Attendees — The seminar started on Monday, Oct. 28 and ended on Wednesday Oct. 30. We purposefully limited the attendance to 30 men, but a few couldn’t make it at the last minute. The youngest ones were in their mid-twenties and the oldest one was their late sixties. Since we specifically designed this seminar only for men, there were some females who were not happy about it, but we politely explained to them our reason. The men who attended were from churches all throughout Thailand, and we counted that were 14 provinces represented at the seminar. The furthest one traveled over 700 kilometers (400+ miles) to attend the seminar. I had met some of these men before, but I did not know most of them. While some came from the recommendation of other pastors who know about us, some came because they know about our ministry from the videos and books. It’s a blessing how God brought our paths together.
• The Content of the Seminar — The English title/theme for this year’s seminar is “Fundamentals of Expository Preaching.” Since the attendees are mixed with long time pastors, new pastors and those who desired to be one, this module was designed to encourage/challenge all of them. The topics that I taught about throughout the three days include:
• The call to preach,
• The importance of the expositor’s private life (qualifications of a preacher),
• The definition, distinction and necessity of expository preaching,
• The structure of an expository sermon (introduction-conclusion),
• The delivery of an expository message and more.
We had breakout sessions where the attendees practiced what they just learned from the lessons. For example, I gave each group a passage to study and had them come up with an outline for the passage. Also, during the teaching sessions, I paused for the men to ask questions. Surprisingly, the Q&A time always proved to be very useful because I could directly address their concerns/problems. Some questions were serious concerns, while a few were somewhat funny, so, we reasoned and laughed together. Since the content itself was heavy, the Q&A and breakout sessions helped to balance it out.
• Getting to Know the Men — One of many reasons we limited the attendance was so I could get to know them and speak to them personally. I didn’t want them to just come sit through the seminar and leave, so, during the breaks and mealtime, I had several opportunities to meet and talk to the men. They asked me important and sensitive questions relating to their ministries and lives, and it’s humbling that they care to know my opinion on different matters. Some of these issues involved decisions and steps they needed to take upon their return. Lord willing, I hope to go visit some of them and be an encouragement to them in any way I can.
• Church Member Volunteers — Throughout the three-day seminar, some of our church members signed up to help serve the men. Some took off work half a day, some took off one day and a few men took off work all three days to both serve and attend the seminar. They not only served, they did a great job being good hosts and interacting with the attendees. I’m thankful for their serving hearts.
• It’s A Lot of Work — I have to admit that a seminar like this always requires a lot of my energy. During these three days, I probably taught at least 12-14 hours, plus multiple Q&A times and personal conversations with most of the attendees. At night or in the morning, I would be reviewing all the lessons. I was surprised that I even had some voice left after all of this, but the Lord is good to me. While it was very tiring, my heart is filled with joy! A few weeks prior to the seminar, I set aside several things so I could fully devotedly to preparing for the seminar. Now, I have several things waiting for me to catch up on!
• The Feedback — As I mentioned above, it’s a lot of work to get the seminar ready and to teach for that many hours, but, the thing that is so encouraging is to find out how all the lessons blessed the men. There was feedback throughout the seminar that was very encouraging. However, most of the feedback came on the last day as they said goodbye and took a picture together. Each of them expressed their gratitude for attending the seminar, about what they learned and how they plan to apply it in their ministry. The Lord used different lessons to bless and challenge each man differently. I wish I could share all of them, but here are some samples:
• A pastor proudly and gratefully showed me a couple dozen pages of notes he took and told me he planned to take the next couple of weeks to digest all the things he learned and apply them. He stressed how much he learned.
• A young man who desires to go into pastoral ministry told me what he learned at the seminar laid a firm foundation for him and he was beyond glad he got to come.
• Another pastor in his early 40s came by to tell me that all the lessons he learned during these three days will forever impact his ministry and he wanted to make sure I know how thankful he is.
When thinking about all of the feedback, I give glory to God, because He worked in their hearts in such ways. May He continue to grow each and every one of them for His kingdom’s sake.
• Summary — By the grace of God, overall the seminar went extremely well and was considered very successful, according to the conversations we had and feedback we received from the attendees. They all seemed to want to come the next time that we host again. We hope to do another seminar like this on different modules at least once or twice a year. I am already looking forward to the next seminar!
We always appreciate your love and support. Please continue to pray for these men and for us. Thank you!