'Jesus Revolution' Hits Thailand
By Lucille Talusan, Jay Esteban
CBN News - Asia
July 9, 2007
CWNews.com - CHIANG MAI, Thailand - The Jesus Revolution began as a ministry to stir up Filipino youth with a passion for God. Now it's becoming a force for spreading that passion to other Asian nations - and it's already started in Thailand.
Cindy Jacobs gave a prophesy at the Azusa Street Centennial Celebration in Los Angeles, Calif. in April that the Jesus Revolution would spread the gospel throughout Asia. Just one month after this prophecy, the Jesus Revolution - a Filipino youth movement - launched an outreach to Thailand.
Seventy-nine young men and women left the comforts of home to spread God's Revival fire to this Southeast Asian nation.
In the tsunami-stricken South, the young participants helped build community centers in Khao Lak and Phuket. They also visited tsunami victims in their homes and prayed for them.
Edee Shinsato is a Jesus Revolution participant. She shared with us about how the tsunami victims, who are mostly Buddhists, are now open to the Word of God.
"Many times, we will pray for them," Edee said. "We express God's faithfulness to them verbally, or we will share from the Bible. We ministered to one new Christian since she has moved into the village, since the tsunami. And so we believe that slowly but surely, people are coming to know the Lord."
Up north in the city of Chiang Mai, the Jesus Revolution ministered to the different tribal groups, doing street evangelism and bringing Revival to the Christian churches.
Pastor Cris Navarro is a Team Leader with Jesus Revolution. He led a team that ministered to the Karen tribe. She shares how a whole village was stirred up by the intensity of their worship.
"At one point, we were so desperate for the Presence of God. We were just worshipping from our spirit, and the whole village literally heard us worshipping the Lord," Pastor Navarro said. "And came this pastor knocking at the door. And he said, 'I heard you worshipping and it sounded so good. I like the fire that you brought here. I'd like to have that fire. I'd like to see revival in my church'."
Pastor Adisorn is the man who asked for prayer. He pastors Karen Tribe Christian Church. After worshipping with the Jesus Revolution team, he attests that he noticed a big change in his prayer life.
"After praying with the Philippine team, I got energy from God," he said. "My church doesn't pray like the Filipinos, but now I believe we will pray like they do, with so much passion."
With only one percent being Christians in Thailand, the Thai Christians are encouraged as Jesus Revolution opens their eyes to the bigger work of God throughout the world.
"God is bringing a new season in Thailand where the Filipinos and Asians come together." Pastor Jerome Ocampo, founder of the Jesus Revolution movement, explained. "This time, not just to have a burden for their own country but for each other's country. Next year when we bring young people here, instead of just reaching out to the Thai churches, we can invite some of the Thai young people to go to Cambodia, to go to Laos, to go to Vietnam and minister together, side by side."
As the Jesus Revolution has been a blessing to the Thai people, its team members say that they too have been blessed by the experience, especially when they shared about Jesus to the children.
One unforgettable moment occurred when they visited the Buddhist school for the handicapped children.
Everyone was moved by how the children are able to sing praise to God despite their physical and mental disability. As the children expressed their longing to be embraced, the place just overflowed with God's love.
The 20-day mission trip culminated in a Jesus Revolution General Assembly held in the capital city of Bangkok. These young people are jubilant over the success of the Jesus Revolution 'invasion' here in Thailand.
Now more than ever, the Philippine team, together with their Thai counterparts, are determined to spread the Revival fire to other nations - until a whole new generation of Godly people is raised up, who will bring about positive change in the world.
By Lucille Talusan, Jay Esteban
CBN News - Asia
July 9, 2007
CWNews.com - CHIANG MAI, Thailand - The Jesus Revolution began as a ministry to stir up Filipino youth with a passion for God. Now it's becoming a force for spreading that passion to other Asian nations - and it's already started in Thailand.
Cindy Jacobs gave a prophesy at the Azusa Street Centennial Celebration in Los Angeles, Calif. in April that the Jesus Revolution would spread the gospel throughout Asia. Just one month after this prophecy, the Jesus Revolution - a Filipino youth movement - launched an outreach to Thailand.
Seventy-nine young men and women left the comforts of home to spread God's Revival fire to this Southeast Asian nation.
In the tsunami-stricken South, the young participants helped build community centers in Khao Lak and Phuket. They also visited tsunami victims in their homes and prayed for them.
Edee Shinsato is a Jesus Revolution participant. She shared with us about how the tsunami victims, who are mostly Buddhists, are now open to the Word of God.
"Many times, we will pray for them," Edee said. "We express God's faithfulness to them verbally, or we will share from the Bible. We ministered to one new Christian since she has moved into the village, since the tsunami. And so we believe that slowly but surely, people are coming to know the Lord."
Up north in the city of Chiang Mai, the Jesus Revolution ministered to the different tribal groups, doing street evangelism and bringing Revival to the Christian churches.
Pastor Cris Navarro is a Team Leader with Jesus Revolution. He led a team that ministered to the Karen tribe. She shares how a whole village was stirred up by the intensity of their worship.
"At one point, we were so desperate for the Presence of God. We were just worshipping from our spirit, and the whole village literally heard us worshipping the Lord," Pastor Navarro said. "And came this pastor knocking at the door. And he said, 'I heard you worshipping and it sounded so good. I like the fire that you brought here. I'd like to have that fire. I'd like to see revival in my church'."
Pastor Adisorn is the man who asked for prayer. He pastors Karen Tribe Christian Church. After worshipping with the Jesus Revolution team, he attests that he noticed a big change in his prayer life.
"After praying with the Philippine team, I got energy from God," he said. "My church doesn't pray like the Filipinos, but now I believe we will pray like they do, with so much passion."
With only one percent being Christians in Thailand, the Thai Christians are encouraged as Jesus Revolution opens their eyes to the bigger work of God throughout the world.
"God is bringing a new season in Thailand where the Filipinos and Asians come together." Pastor Jerome Ocampo, founder of the Jesus Revolution movement, explained. "This time, not just to have a burden for their own country but for each other's country. Next year when we bring young people here, instead of just reaching out to the Thai churches, we can invite some of the Thai young people to go to Cambodia, to go to Laos, to go to Vietnam and minister together, side by side."
As the Jesus Revolution has been a blessing to the Thai people, its team members say that they too have been blessed by the experience, especially when they shared about Jesus to the children.
One unforgettable moment occurred when they visited the Buddhist school for the handicapped children.
Everyone was moved by how the children are able to sing praise to God despite their physical and mental disability. As the children expressed their longing to be embraced, the place just overflowed with God's love.
The 20-day mission trip culminated in a Jesus Revolution General Assembly held in the capital city of Bangkok. These young people are jubilant over the success of the Jesus Revolution 'invasion' here in Thailand.
Now more than ever, the Philippine team, together with their Thai counterparts, are determined to spread the Revival fire to other nations - until a whole new generation of Godly people is raised up, who will bring about positive change in the world.
