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MMI's Order
of St. Timothy Honors Evangelists
Several recent international initiatives were highlighted in October at the first meeting of the newly elected Men's Ministries International board in Indianapolis. The newest, the Order of St. Timothy, was initiated with the induction of two Christian leaders in Taiwan. According to MMI Executive Director Jeff Johnson, the Order of St. Timothy is intended as an "affirmation for those who have excelled in evangelism and discipleship." The award is presented by MMI to lay leaders and clergy, men and women in the U.S. or abroad who have effectively used their gifts of evangelism to expand God's kingdom. Conference superintendents may nominate pastors for the honor and local pastors may nominate lay leaders. Nominations are submitted to the MMI board for review.
The rally, which attracted about 120 people, targeted the Rukkai tribal group, among whom the denomination has a dozen churches. A special feature of the meeting, Johnson reports, was music performed by a Rukkai men's singing group from one of the churches. In his message Johnson stressed that God can deliver men from alcoholism, anger, generational curses and idolatry. Johnson also spoke at the Taiwan Pastor's retreat that brought together pastors of the nearly 70 Free Methodist churches in Taiwan.
While in Asia, Johnson also represented MMI at the Global China Consultation on ministering to Chinese people worldwide. This first China Consultation was a cooperative effort among MMI, the Asian Free Methodist Missions Association and the Board of Bishops. Another consultation is scheduled for 2004. An additional stop gave Johnson an opportunity to speak in a Methodist church in Jakarta, Indonesia. He notes that on one of the Indonesian islands there are eight Methodist churches organized but with no pastors. On another, there are 41 preaching points with only one pastor. Although there is no Free Methodist church in Indonesia as yet, Jakarta is one of the ten cities with significant Chinese presence that the denomination is targeting for ministry. Other MMI programs with international components are Schools of Evangelism and Schools of Discipleship. In the Philippines a two-year program of intensive evangelism training initiated by Lucien Behar in 2002 will conclude with an evangelism seminar in November led by Ken Walls. Eight other countries in addition to the U.S. have conducted evangelism and discipleship training in the past year: China, Venezuela, France, Taiwan, Mexico, England, Belgium and Canada. 2 Timothy 2:2 is expanding, as well. Christian leaders in Iraq, Australia and China have recently asked for sponsorship. At present the program supports nine evangelists and church planters in Europe and Asia including Hungary, Greece, Ukraine, Portugal, Thailand, Philippines and a Middle Eastern country. Women's Ministries International — in cooperation with MMI — has committed to sponsoring five additional women evangelists.
For more information on the ministries of MMI, visit their Web site: www.freemethodistchurch.org/mmi. |
The
first two awards honored Pastor Jimmy Tsai for evangelistic work in Asia
and Superintendent Timothy Lee for training up leaders in the Taiwan Conference
of the Free Methodist Church. Johnson presented the awards at an MMI rally
in Kaohsiug, Taiwan. Each man received a silver Jerusalem cross.
