_____________________Wednesday, January 31, 2007__________________
Wednesday~~
Thailand - Thai Christian Students Association (TCS)
www.tcs.or.th
Country Profile
Population : 64. 9 million
Capital : Bangkok
Area : 513 115 sq km
No. of people groups : 108 (Dominated by ethnic Thai and Lao)
No. of unreached people groups : 71
Primary national language : Thai
Major religions : Buddhism – 94%
Muslim – 4%
Christian – 1%
Some news about Thailand:
Five people were shot dead and another person was injured in attacks by suspected Islamic militants in Thailand ’s insurgency-torn southern provinces, according to police. More than 1,800 people have been killed in three years of unrest in this region.
(http://www.channeln ewsasia.com/ cna/cgi-bin/ search/search_ 7days.pl? status=&search=thailand&id=255336)
About TCS:
Student ministry in Thailand under TCS includes both secondary school and university student work. We work with around 1,000 students. Secondary school ministry is mainly in Bangkok . There are 11 schools with Bible study groups. There are currently 4 secondary school staff workers. We work with around 20 universities all over Thailand . We currently have 8 university staff. Their work is mainly to build up leadership among students.
Activities:
· Bible study groups during term time.
· Training camps during holidays
o Secondary Schools have two training camps; one in April, one in October
o University
§ Annual Training Camp in during 19th-24th March ’07 . It is aimed to train students to carry out their ministry on campus. This is so that they can in turn disciple their fellow members in their ministry.
§ October Training Camp. The focus last year was on Malachi. The students were trained in godly living in various areas with deeper outlooks such as true worship, being a priest, offering and relationship among themselves. All these are linked to the contexts of student life for application.
§ Training camp for graduating students in December. This camp is aimed in preparing the graduating students to be the salt and light of the earth in their workplace when they step out, as well as to stand firm in their faith in the marketplace.
o We actually do not have as many camps this year. This is because we want to go back to focusing strongly and deeply on the vision of the students being the salt and the light in the university.
Thanksgiving:
1) Thank God for giving the students the initiative to do many things on their own; they have a strong sense of ownership of the ministries they run in their schools and universities.
2) Thank God for sending us student leaders to us for training every year. There will not be a lack of church leaders in the future.
3) The students enjoyed the Bible camps. They love the Word of God! Thank God for the fire and passion that is spreading voraciously among the students!
Prayer points:
1) Many of our student groups are already very strong in fellowship and discipleship among themselves. Please pray that they will begin to be more active in evangelism as well.
2) There are many secondary schools and university that still do not have Bible study groups. The students are trying to start something in their schools. Please pray for the Lord’s hand in guiding them and making it happen!
3) We are currently short of staff, and need about 2-3 more staff workers. Please pray that God will provide people who are willing to serve in our ministry.
4) Please pray also, that we will be financially able to carry out all the things we hope to do.