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Network Makes Mission Connections in Asia
Network Director for Mission, the Rev. John Cruikshank recently returned from a mission trip sponsored by the Diocese of Singapore, September 18–28. During the trip, Cruikshank was able to meet with three of the six missionary deans, priests that have been appointed by Archbishop John Chew, Province of Southeast Asia, to coordinate efforts to reach people in the difficult-to-evangelize countries of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Indonesia, and Laos.
In addition, Cruikshank traveled to the Northwest region of Thailand where tens-of-thousands of Karen people are living in refugee camps along the border of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, to see firsthand some of the areas where the Network’s mission efforts might best be directed. The Diocese of Singapore has taken on the ministry needs of the Karen people from helping to provide education, theological training, and evangelism techniques to building churches.
The Karen people have experienced the horrors of civil war since the 1940s. Political instability has led to social, economic and spiritual persecution forcing many people to flee back and forth across the Thailand/Myanmar border.
A local bishop in the Province of Myanmar has a 20–year plan asking for assistance to help build schools in the disadvantaged communities in the Karen. Forward in Faith North America, a Network Common Cause Partner, has already donated the full amount needed to build a community learning center in this diocese. “We need to build nursery, primary, middle and high schools, and, God willing and with your help, we will,” said the bishop, “but our primary need is for English teachers.” Acquiring English-language skills enables young people to find jobs outside of the war-torn region.
A village parish church the team visited at Mae Salit, Thailand, holds morning and evening prayer services every day, and holds six services on Sundays. Vicar Lay Ka Baw apologized that the congregation was “only” 300 in attendance explaining that the elderly members could not make the trek on the steep dirt paths to attend the evening service as there are no lights on the path to go home. The service was packed with young children and their families.
“This is the type of parish that we are encouraging Network parishes to develop mission partnerships with,” said Cruikshank. “Whether you are interested in sending short-term mission teams, sponsoring long-term missionaries, funding projects, or working through Anglican Global Mission Partner (AGMP) mission agencies to develop initiatives and relationships, our goal is for every local American parish to be linked to an overseas parish or diocese. The Southeast Asia partnership is simply the first Network missionary effort to really develop legs.” The Network established a formal mission partnership with the Province of Southeast Asia in the spring of 2005.
Another aspect of the Network’s mission plan is to establish American-based advocates for each of the six deaneries in Southeast Asia who will work closely with the missionary dean of that country. Two advocates have been appointed thus far: Truro Church of Fairfax, Virginia, under the leadership of the Rev. Herb McMullen, will be the advocate for Vietnam; and, the Rev. Norman Beale, of Westford, Massachusetts, will be the advocate for Nepal where Beale holds the title of Dean of the Cathedral.
Parishes interested in finding out more about these and other mission partnership arrangements are encouraged to contact the Rev. John Cruikshank at 412–325–8900 or .