December 17, 2004
My title line borrowed from the film “Field of Dreams," could aptly describe our recent experiences at the new Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Center on the campus of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. For over two years we have dreamed, prayed, planned and finally completed the region's new multi-purpose communications facility. And during it's first month of operation many people have already come. Three highlights might be sufficient to express the sense of synergy created by the new facility.
Even while the last coats of paint were being applied, our field communications coordinators and regional team members inaugurated the center with four days of meetings, November 8-12. In all, 20 participants from 7 fields, representing 15 nations and 9 languages reaffirmed that we are “Called to Communicate" the Gospel by all means possible.
To complete the week, we opened the doors to over 300 guests from dozens of ministry organizations for our “Grand Opening" event on November 12. The attractive communications facility made a great impression, catalyzing dialogue with many about possible ministry cooperatives. Our souvenir event program was evidence of these developing partnerships, as the proceeds became seed money for a “Muslim Friendship Fund," for ministry projects on the Asia-Pacific Region.
Just two weekends later, on November 28, we hosted the first of many professional seminars for the broader Christian community. This first workshop, “Winning Back Gen X-GenY," organized by Rafael Santos, regional broadcast development coordinator, was in response to our growing burden to reach the “MTV generation" on this region. Over 100 participants from 40 organizations were treated to a day of workshops from guest speakers such as Joy Solinas (of True Love Waits), Jordan Escusa (of www.theedgeradio.net), Raffy Santos, and myself. We currently produce youth programs in China, Melanesia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, but realize that much more can be done, so we hope this event fosters key partnerships for more effective outreach to youth.
So in our first month of operation, three major events forecast greater things to come. We do not yet know what the future holds, but we do know God has called us to use every means possible to win people to Christ. And we thank our many partners and friends who stand by us with prayer, financial support, and hard work to make all this a reality. And mostly, we thank God, the author and finisher. He has recently given us a new promise from Scripture that affirms our hopes for the future.
Isaiah 55:5: “Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor."
We have built it and they have come, and will continue to come as God guides.
--Asia-Pacific Region
Isaiah 55:5: “Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor."
We have built it and they have come, and will continue to come as God guides.
--Asia-Pacific Region
--Asia-Pacific Region