Global Reach, Mighty Plans: East Asia
By T. & C.N.
The N. family has been very connected with East Asia for many years, T. has led a dozen or so short-term ministry teams there, while C. and the rest of the family joined in when possible. Most recently, C. had the privilege of working in East Asia as a first-grade TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) teacher. However, her time was cut short due to the lockdowns of the COVID19 pandemic. This became a major obstacle in family plans to live full time in this coastal city and work with the underground church and other ministries throughout the region.
T.’s background started with working at a major university in Virginia as a leader of many overseas mission endeavors, which developed into also becoming a professor of Global Studies. He was able to lead groups of university students to other parts of the world, changing lives with a broader worldview, one through God’s eyes. He became the Executive Director of this department, and throughout his 19 years of employment there saw many students devote their lives to Christian ministry all over the world. After a slight career change and major move to Colorado, T. was asked to serve as a director alongside a team of mobilizers for an international missions organization. T. helped develop mobilization strategies for the organization in his first two years and then was tasked with the responsibility to revamp the mentoring and training of the long-term appointees. “It was during that time,” T. says, “we realized what God wanted us to do next: commit ourselves to full-time ministry in East Asia, utilizing our experience in education and ministry to make disciples for Christ amidst some of the least reached in the world. We have been pursuing this calling ever since.”
C’s backstory starts with going back to school to earn her master’s degree in education. After her children were of school age, she earned that degree and began teaching. C.’s teaching experience in Virginia and Colorado spanned all the way from elementary education through high school. She has experience and certifications to teach English and the Arts at all grade levels. C. has taught in both private and public-school systems and shortly before departing for East Asia taught English as a Foreign Language online to East Asian students for several months. This specific experience further burdened C’s heart for those in Asia and was a big part of what God used to give her a glimpse of what He has called her to do. In 2019, C. applied for several international teaching jobs and was accepted as a Primary Teacher at a bilingual school in a major coastal East Asian city.
After her first semester was over, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The timing could not have been worse for the family, as T. was in the process of finishing his responsibilities in Colorado and downsizing possessions so that he and their son could move to join C. on dependent visas through her place of work. The government in East Asia continued to wrestle with the pandemic and while doing so kept adjusting processes for visa approvals. This resulted in the family being separated half a world away from each other for over a year. With no change in sight after one year of separation, they were advised to cut C.’s contract short and return stateside to reunite the family while awaiting the Lord’s next steps for them.
“Now,” T. shares, “with the pandemic in check and growing more distant, as well as our children being grown, we are excited for the new ways in which God can use us in East Asia. While living in another, perhaps ‘more flexible’ part of the region, the work that the Lord has called us to may now come to fruition in East Asia.” While C. works as an educator, T. is excited to fill the role of Regional Director of East Asia for SLM!
“We are thrilled for the days ahead and the opportunity to spend many years devoted to the direct mission and ministry of SLM. While in East Asia, we will be able to help DTBs with discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2), theological training of church leaders (2 Timothy 2:15), and the mobilization of His church (Acts 1:8) throughout East Asia.
T. continues:
“We know that this calling from the Lord is not an easy one. However, we only need to look to the Scriptures to see how God provides and cares for those that are called by Him. His continued providence and strength through the last 3 years of transitions and uncertainty is evident every day. Whether it be finances, jobs, opportunities to gain important certifications, or connecting with family, God has truly provided everything needed along the way. He has strengthened our faith in immeasurable ways.
“Many may like to know of an exciting new partnership that has recently formed for SLM in East Asia. The partnership is with a ministry based out of Singapore called Global Reachout (GR). GR has a strong footprint of work amongst Chinese in Singapore, in mainland China, and throughout other portions of East Asia, with a focus of spreading the Gospel through media resources. Their mission is: “Gospel through new media anytime, anywhere.”
“This partnership with Global Reachout has been formed to further disseminate Gospel literature in Asia. Together, we will further accomplish our mission by reaching more Chinese with our Gospel literature in efforts to evangelize the lost, edify believers, and work to strengthen and establish local churches. Join with us in praying that joint efforts with GR will carry God’s Word to the millions within Asia who desperately need to learn of Jesus Christ and grow in a mature relationship with Him.”
