God is at work all around the world. That shouldn’t be a surprise to any of us… yet (as the saying goes) God works in mysterious ways.
In September I went o Myanmar to train pastors and to see the church and children’s home that had asked to “affiliate” with us. Based on a brief phone call (in which I apparently didn’t say “no”) the church changed their name to Mosaic Church of Myanmar. At Mosaic we had always talked about being a multiplying church, but this really came out of left field – way, way out of left field. It was inspiring to see those committed followers of Jesus doing what they sensed God was leading them to do in spite of all sorts of obstacles and with little or no infrastructure or funding.
So, I came home pretty excited about the fact that in a distant land, a dedicated group of believers in some way “affiliated” with us. I was surprised to get a message from Pastor James Mana Hung on January 20th saying that they had started another “Mosaic Church” about 15 miles away. The new church was/is lead by Pastor Myant Tun. But we are not done, yet. On February 16th in another message from Pastor James, I was informed that a third Mosaic Church had been launched in a remote area far away from the city of Yangoon. Pastor Nay Tun is the pastor of that group. So, right now I am counting three new Mosaic Churches in Myanmar since September, but that number could be inaccurate, I haven’t checked my messages for a few minutes.
I have to admit to being a bit embarrassed and really excited. I have been claiming to be a church planter… two church plants in 30 years. Pastor James and his team have three church plants in about five months! I have to “up my game” if I continue to hang out with these guys (imagine my embarrassment if I go back to see them next year with zero new church plants).
I am excited about the ways that God is at work around the world! I am excited and a bit challenged in seeing the ways that God is blessing those who step out in faith and follow Him in spite of hardships and obstacles. I’m excited to see clearly that God blesses commitment and obedience as much as or more than well put together business plans and funding strategies. I am excited and humbled to be on the same team as Pastor James, Pastor Myant & Pastor Nay.
Would you please pray for us? As you prayer, thank God for His amazing work around the world. Pray, too that God would bless and provide for the work in Myanmar and in Aurora and in every corner of this often dark world.
Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself. Mosaic is three congregations in one. The Korean congregation led by Songmin and the Spanish congregation led by Carlos. You could say that is three churches planted there!