“I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.” (II John 4)
After making my first trip to Thailand in August 1994, I made a decision by August 1999 to dedicate the rest of my life to helping the people of Thailand and Southeast Asia. I set three goals: (1) provide every believer in Thailand with a copy of the Word of God in their own language, (2) help establish strong independent Baptist churches, and (3) train nationals who would provide the leadership needed.
In October of 2000, Pastor Alonggot Jomhong and his son Saint came from Thailand to attend a national conference hosted by Longview Baptist Temple, where I served for nearly 25 years. This was the first preacher from Southeast Asia to attend their conference and to be introduced to independent Baptists. At that time, Andy Long was a student at Texas Baptist College (later renamed Texas Independent Baptist Seminary), and he became acquainted with the Jomhong family.
Fast forward to 2018, Andy Long is now a missionary, serving with his family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he established an independent Baptist church. Andy Long has a vision of building a strong independent Baptist church, led by a Thai pastor who believes the same way he believes—the Bible way. He wants to start a Bible college to train preachers and prepare them to establish other churches all over Southeast Asia.
Saint Jomhong graduated from the same college, Texas Independent Baptist Seminary, and is now serving as a missionary in his home country of Thailand. Brother Long shared his vision with Saint. Saint and his dear wife traveled several times to Chiang Mai to work with the Long family. In December, they preached the Gospel to over 2,600 people in one week in public schools, orphanages, and churches. It was an incredible opportunity.
In January 2018, Saint sought counsel from his pastor in the Philippines, Dr. Armie Jesalva, about joining Brother Long in Chiang Mai. After receiving his parents’ blessing, he and his wife decided to go. I am excited that they will be moving to Chiang Mai in June, where Saint will be the pastor of Bible Baptist Church.
Please pray for this young man of God as he steps out by faith. The greatest days are still ahead for Thailand and Southeast Asia. God is getting ready to do something big! If you would like to invest in something eternal, you can by helping this young couple. I have known Saint for nearly 20 years, and he is worthy. He is the hope of reaching Thailand with the Gospel. I am so glad that God allowed our paths to cross.
Saint’s supporting address is Bible Baptist Church, 55 Katipunan St., Labangon, Cebu City, Philippines 6000, #For the Jomhongs.
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
(I Timothy 4:12)
In keeping with the thought of investing in the next generation of believers on the mission field, another young man God is using is Tan Juntasung. Tan will be 21 years old on July 1, and I have known this fine young man nearly all of his life. In Thailand, he was one of the best workers on my bus route and has served as my interpreter for many years. He is one of the most faithful believers I know and one of the best personal soul winners you will ever find.
Tan is very valuable since he reads, writes, and speaks English and Thai. He has been a faithful worker in the Youth Department in Donmong for the past six years. He is a computer geek! He has produced videos of the work being done in Thailand and Southeast Asia for B.E.S.T.
Brother Tim Shook, leader of TEAM Thailand (sent out of First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana), offered Tan a position in his church in Hua Hin. After praying and seeking counsel, Tan and his widowed mother moved to Hua Hin in January 2018 to work with the team. (Tan has always helped take care of his mother.) He also serves as my representative for B.E.S.T. by receiving the containers of Scripture and orchestrating the distribution of material to men of God in Thailand. He maintains the B.E.S.T. warehouse in Rangsit, and he is now in the process of establishing a distribution center in Hua Hin. B.E.S.T. now has four different locations in Thailand.
Many times, we as preachers forget about the children God has called us to work with as being laborers one day in God’s work. I am so thankful for the young people of Southeast Asia who are taking their place in God’s work. Eve Jomhong graduates from Hyles-Anderson College in May.
The Lord has allowed B.E.S.T. to supply Scripture for new Baptist churches established in other countries. I want to thank BEAMS for supplying us with Bibles for a new church in Belize, South America. They had 103 in their first service, and several were baptized in the ocean. BEAMS and Bearing Precious Seed also supplied us with Scripture for a new church being started in Mozambique, South Africa.
Please remember that there are only three things that are eternal: (1) the souls of men, (2) the Word of God, and (3) the local New Testament Baptist church. Thank you for your eternal investment in training the next generation of believers.
I had a successful neck surgery on March 19, and I am now going through physical therapy. I am still in need of possible surgery on my lower back. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Into all the world,
Bob Bowen
Philippians 4:13
