Team Sumatra, a group of five professionals planting churches in Indonesia, was instrumental in gathering pastors from its association for a one-day pastors’ meeting with Chris Hindal, director of Regular Baptist International. About 60 pastors attended, with half of them bringing their wives.
After some singing accompanied by a keyboard, Chris spoke from 1 Timothy 1 on the profile of a Christian soldier. He then facilitated a discussion of the challenges they face in ministry, as well as a Q & A session.
Power struggles seem common between church committees and pastors. Outreach is stifled in any public way. Friendship evangelism seems most effective. Chris showed a PowerPoint presentation of the distribution of Regular Baptist Press Sunday School curriculum, as well as the church-planting efforts of Regular Baptist International partners. Reports of God’s work around the world brought excitement and encouragement.
The group broke for lunch, and afterward they conducted association business. Chris invited them to participate in the All-Partners Conference in November 2017 in the Philippines. Chris will pursue with them the translation of a Vacation Bible School program as an introduction to Regular Baptist Press.