Rebuilding After Devastation
Many U.S. Assemblies of God believers gave their time, money and skills this past year to rebuild devastated areas of Indonesia and Thailand. The December 2004 tsunami changed the landscape of several Asia Pacific nations. Seeds of the gospel were planted as AG Relief, Asia's Little Ones and Convoy of Hope partnered with national churches to minister to the hurting.

By supplying food, clothing, medicine, water filtration systems, tools for building homes, school supplies and equipment, sewing machines, and farm equipment, we were able to help children return to school and reach people spiritually. Churches are being established, believers are being discipled, and the Lord is adding to their number daily. Because faithful U.S. believers sacrificed, doors have opened to reach the lost and establish the Church.

Growing Fellowships
Much of the Philippines Assemblies of God’s growth is a result of its church planting efforts. Many of these ventures are part of the Summer of Service plan initiated by General Superintendent Reynaldo Calusay. Churches send believers to unreached towns for eight weeks of intensive outreach. A pioneer pastor remains as various teams come to minister for as many as three months to help establish the new work.

Nearly 6,000 children and parents attend one of the Saturday or Sunday services in the Family Circus tent in Davao City, Philippines, and hear the gospel through drama, puppets, songs and Bible stories. The tent is located in the heart of the largest squatter area in town.

The work in Indonesia, the nation with the largest Islamic population, continues to grow despite the effects of poverty, religious conflict and disasters. In Cambodia, God is expanding the church as Bible school students catch a vision to reach their nation for Christ. To meet graduation requirements, students must participate in a church planting effort during their final year of school. They graduate with the necessary skills to plant other churches.

The Assemblies of God in Mongolia has established churches in various provincial areas. The 2,000-member national fellowship, which includes a church for the deaf, is preparing to send its first missionary to the nation’s northern border.

The church in Laos is growing despite severe persecution and hardship. People are hearing about Christ through compassion ministries and dedicated workers.

Least-Reached People Groups
A primary focus for the Asia Pacific region is taking the gospel to more than 700 least-reached people groups that are often in hidden, remote places. Some of the great stories of God’s intervention cannot be publicized, because churches are being planted in places where animism and religious bondage are woven together. In areas where people believe that supernatural power resides in trees, rocks, mountains or animals, the Holy Spirit is revealing the truth of God’s Word.

Because Hope Clinic opened in a remote area of Vanuatu in November 2005, hundreds of people from the Tiali tribe have accepted Christ as their Savior. As part of a boat ministry in Tonga, Bible school students are planting churches on outer, previously unreached islands. Growing campus ministries in Japan are helping churches reach students for Christ. Christian films are uniquely presenting the gospel to audiences in the Philippines, Cambodia and Mongolia.

These examples of growth and ministry are but a small part of God's work in the region. We look forward to the day when every city, village and hidden place within Asia Pacific has a center where the gospel is presented clearly.