Institute for Global Opportunities

We have been so grateful for those of you who have supported this ministry with your prayers and gifts in the past few years.

God has blessed the ministry of the Institute for Global Opportunities in many ways. We have seen God open doors of ministry in villages and in Chiang Mai for the Gospel. We are humbled by the opportunities God has brought our way.

My family and I spent the month of October in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I taught one three week course at the Institute for Global Opportunities. I was impressed with the commitment and dedication of the twelve students currently enrolled in the missionary training program at IGo. Most of these young people are planning to spend a significant period of time in the work of bringing the Gospel to others in cross-cultural settings.

In June my son Dallas and I had the privilege of joining some of the IGo board members and staff on a trip to Chiang Mai Thailand. Part of our trip purpose was to learn more about Asia and what God is doing there. As Val Yoder, James Stutzman and I met with various missionaries and Thai Pastors in Chiang Mai, we became aware of the spiritual needs in that part of the world.

The Institute for Global Opportunities has been in the planning stages for almost three years now. During this time the groundwork has been done for the beginning of an exciting mission training program that is designed to bring learning and ministry together in an overseas setting. The first term of classes are scheduled to begin in April 2007. We are in the process of student enrollment and expect to begin the first term with 24 students.

In February of this year, my family and I were privileged to be able to travel to Thailand. It was a new experience for us to be in that part of the world. We came home with many impressions and thoughts regarding the spiritual needs there.

I was impressed with the urgent needs for evangelism among the Thai people. Approximately 98 percent of the Thai people follow the Buddhist faith. Among the tribal people there are real needs for teaching and discipleship.

I am excited about the potential ministry of the Institute for Global Opportunities. For over a year now we have been planning for, and discussing, the possibility of beginning a mission training centre in Asia. The vision begins with providing missionary training in an overseas setting. We believe that combining theological and mission skills, training with practical on the field experience, will be a combination that will result in missionaries that are better prepared for the challenges of mission work.