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UPDATE
October 17th, 2007
Dear Saints:
We at ICM believe in the power
of prayer. We continue to depend on your prayers as we equip
rural-based church planters and pastors to be key agents in the
evangelization and discipleship of God’s people in the Asian
nations. Thank you for standing with and believing in us! We too
wish to pray for you and your personal needs. Can you write to let
us know how we can pray for you?
It has been a source of great joy to us to receive feedback on our
updates from some of you. The other day a brother, who prays for
this work to grow, came by the office to drop off a cheque and
prayed with us, in direct response to our September update. We want
to say this again, ‘Your prayers and financial support is the
necessary human factor that compliments the God-factor in driving
ICM’s role in God’s end-time harvest’.
Join me in reflecting on Exodus 1:15-22 briefly. This passage
carries the story of Hebrew midwives who feared and trusted God
sufficient enough to disobey ‘unjust and unrighteous’ laws and
systems ordered by an oppressive ruler of Egypt. They were wise
enough to realize that there was no ‘United Nations’ to mediate,
there was no ‘international pressure’ to impose restraint on the
oppressive regime and they were part of an insignificant and migrant
slave population that could easily be annihilated. They therefore
devised a plan to cover up their ‘non-violent resistance’. Against
Pharaoh’s decree to make all Hebrew baby-boys victims of State
sponsored infanticide, they let them live.
The passage makes very interesting and inspiring reading:
 ‘
… “When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on
the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him, if it is a girl, let
her live” The midwives however feared God and did not do what the
king of Egypt had told them to do, they let the boys live. Then the
king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you
done this?” Why have you let the boys live?” The midwives answered
Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women, and they are
vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive”…’
This passage aptly reminds us to pray that God gives wisdom to the
4% Christian population of Myanmar (89% are Buddhist, 4% are Muslims
and other religions form the other 3%) as they may be faced with the
daily challenge to obey God rather than unjust and unrighteous
systems and legislation.
ICM Myanmar: Bible School In A Briefcase
Training of church planters in the midst of political
turmoil:
Viewed against the backdrop of so much political and economic
turmoil and
 hardships
on the ground, the ongoing Bible School In A Briefcase training by
ICM in Myanmar becomes even more critical as God’s vehicle to
transform individuals and society.
Pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks in Myanmar, are
currently dominating media bulletins worldwide. Myanmar is one of
the world’s twenty poorest nations that has been a hotbed of dissent
over economic mismanagement and political repression by its military
government over the years.
The headlines of a special report on Myanmar in ‘The Straits Times’
of Singapore reads,
Myanmar’s Misery: How much longer?
The report went on to highlight five reasons why pro-democracy
protesters hit the streets in Myanmar i.e. (i) soaring costs of fuel
and food, (ii) forty five years of repressive and military rule,
(iii) rampant corruption, (iv) monks take the lead and (v) support
from overseas dissident group.
Throughout these months, we called on our leaders and supporters to
pray for the people of Myanmar, especially our ICM brothers and
sisters in Myanmar and ICM missioners and trainers who continue to
take risks by going there
 despite
the political tension. They want to ensure sustained momentum in the
training of church planters and leaders. As you continue to stand
with us in this God-given mission to reach the nation of Myanmar for
Christ through equipping previously marginalized local leaders with
evangelization and church planting skills, many more un-reached
peoples can be reached. Without you giving of your treasure, time
and talents as well as praying for us, we at ICM would not have
achieved any of this. We thank you.
Four ICM Training Schools launched in Burma
The following is a report from Arnold Khoo, our ICM country director
for Myanmar.
‘June saw the launch of 4 ICM training schools in Burma, on one the
western border near India, another near the northern border with
China and two in and around the main cities. The students that came
to the latter were hungry and expectant. The presence of God has
been very evident and some of the students have sacrificed a lot to
be there. In total about 100 students will be trained in the 4
schools in the area of church planting thanks to the support of
Jesus the Messiah Church in Indianapolis, pastored by Senior Pastor
Dehner Maurer.
When we were in a main city, one student showed up at the door after
having many days by foot and bus from northern Chin. He was delayed
by the floods along the way and arrived late after all the seats
were taken. He pleaded to be allowed entry and was granted. Another
girl became ill when going through another Bible school several
years ago
 and
has such a burning desire to be equipped to serve God that she said
that she would rather die than not go through this time.
ICM students get involved in compassion ministries
Bro. Arnold Khoo goes on to report on some compassion ministries
that ICM students in Myanmar are involved with. He says, ‘some of
the students are already involved in outreach ministries. In one
place we went to, they were reaching out to really poor kids. We
were told that some times, these kids’ fathers had to go out and
gather plastic rubbish to sell and only returned in the evening with
just enough rice for the family. In a hot, small and dark wooden
shed in the middle of a slum, the message of salvation was preached,
and although it was difficult cross culturally, there were many who
received salvation. Another school also took care of orphans in
their midst; it was a joy to see such love and care from the people
of God. The entire school comprising students, teachers and some
family members plus orphans live in the small house on the right in
the picture at the bottom.
ICM partnership in Myanmar with the blended Jesus the
Messiah Church of Indianapolis: Mission Trip: 14th
–22nd June 2007
For Pastor Dehner, this was a pioneering trip. On the 14th
of June they traveled
 through
Yaung U, a territory of the Bagan tribe from which the English word
“Pagan” originates. It is a place of religious and spiritual
strongholds and one from which Buddhism in Burma grew. We were
headed to a place called Pukuku to plant the good news of the
kingdom of God and lay foundations for future Church Planting
Institute training schools for local church planters and pastors. We
also traveled to the borders of Myanmar and China to explore
possibilities existing for the establishment of ICM training
centers. A lot of the time, it was really hot for our friends from
the Church! Their shirts were wringing wet with perspiration. There
was often no power even for light sometimes. We really appreciate
our brothers who have a heart for Burma and gave so generously of
their resources and time to reach Burma. The picture here shows
pastor Dehner trying out a field mouse for lunch!
ICM Malaysia celebrates 15 years of ministry and growth
On the 22nd October 2007, we join ICM Malaysia in celebrating 15
years of God’s faithfulness and blessing. A fundraising dinner with
the aim of raising funds towards ICM Malaysia’s Church Planting
Institute and Short Term Mission trips is organized to coincide with
these celebrations. ICM’s Chairman David Vardy from the United
Kingdom will be the guest Speaker. Among the honored guests will be
a Malaysian Government Minister, the Honorable Dr. Max Ongkili who
will also address the dinner guests. Please pray that participants,
donors and well wishers will give generously and that pledges made
will be honored in a timely manner.
Graduation of 100 ICM leaders from the Isaland of Nias,
North Sumatra
Following the 15th
Anniversary dinner, David Vardy, Edwin Marsden and I will travel to
the island of Nias to attend the graduation of 100 pastors and
leaders who completed ICM’s training course. Some of the leaders are
already pastoring congregations in the earthquake-devastated island.
More reports will follow in the coming months.
ICM Inc. holds an International Strategic Consultation 23rd
October 2007
On the 23rd of October ICM
Inc. is holding a one-day international strategic consultation in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Please pray for me as ICM Inc. President,
David Vardy as ICM Chairman along with Edwin Marsden, our Executive
Vice-President and Leader of our International Ministry Team as we
lead this strategic consultation. Pray for submission to God’s will
as we respond to His commission.
Once again, we at ICM count it a great privilege to be in
partnership with you as we work together to bring in the bountiful
harvest of these Last Days. We warmly invite YOU to join with us to
spread the Good News of God’s Glorious Kingdom.
May I end with this Blessing of Paul as he writes in 2 Cor
9:10-11
“Now he who supplies seed to the Sower and bread for food will also
supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest
of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that
you can be generous on every occasion and through your generosity
will result in thanksgiving to God”
We appeal to you to participate in this end-time ministry. Please
pray and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and direct you to help us
with a strong financial gift for this project. Please send your gift
to us at Suite 2040, 17300 North Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas
75248, USA or at 126A Rangoon Road, Singapore 218404.
Please visit us at http://www.icmission.net. We love to hear from you.
Our Love and Blessings.
Khoo Hin Hiong
President/Founder
International Christian Mission
E-Mail:
icm@pacific.net.sg
E-Mail:
icmglobal@gmail.com
Web-site:
www.icmission.net
Tel: (65) 6291-2477
Fax: (65) 6292-0996
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