We strive to be Christ-centered missions outward reaching with the desire to help others see and undeniably know we care by purposeful and intentional acts of service. By doing so, we can impact individuals and communities near and far by our example and a testament of faith that Christ’s love is real, sharing the gospel and keep hope alive for those who are in doubt and despair. We accomplish this in two primary ways:
- Community Service, raising Awareness, providing Support
- Bridging gap between church and local Nichada community members
Key highlights to mention for this year include:
Financial Support – 10% Church General Fund – supports various ministry and missionary partners. As of April 20, 2022 financial update, this is approximately 131K THB that serves those in need in various locations, local to Nonthaburi and remote areas.
- The majority of this year’s assistance benefits NGOs that provide services that include expression of love through acts of kindness, supplies and financial assistance to meet daily needs to orphans, youth in foster care, those with special needs or disabilities, and adults and children that are displaced geographically.
- Local Thai charities such as Thanksgiving Home continue to be one of our beneficiaries because it has built and maintains a Christian ministry to local Thai people and provides care and help create self-sustaining skills to disadvantaged and “at-risk” Youth to help them support themselves.
- iServe – Missionaries Dong & Zip: Missionaries who are 100% self-funded living in Thailand that continue to need our support! Their programs are tailored toward training and discipling youth and adults to develop their heart to serve the Lord within and external to their social network.
- Thoo Mwe Khee (TMK) School refugee camp located in Mae Sot, Northern Thailand; providing assistance to feed and provide for daily living needs to over 200 youth of all ages.
Service Projects & COVID Emergency Relief
During this past year, we continue to answer the call to provide emergency assistance to church members and those affiliated with the CCC community. After 2 years, we continue to receive updates that people are being impacted by the COVID pandemic. In some cases, it involved providing financial relief for those who had lost jobs or opportunities to sustain cash to meet basic essential needs – food, housing, and medical. In addition to the 131K THB funding spent from church funds, well over 80K THB was donated through fundraising efforts to help go above and beyond what the current budget would allow. This point is important as it shows that we are a body of Christ believers connecting with community external to the walls of our church building that is making a difference in the lives around us.
In addition to COVID relief project, we continued to provide a small cash gift in addition to supplies to various individuals and community groups such as the Nichada security guards, local street workers and neighborhood gardeners. Members of CCC and non-members donated cash, supplies and their time to help assemble packages that were hand delivered directly to those in need. There were many smiles, prayers and lives impacted by the generous giving of others. The blessings came from not just giving money and supplies, but also the opportunity to connect community members who are not attending CCC to our church service projects that provide a way for everyone to serve through various acts of kindness together.
Local and Remote Outward Charity & Missionary Support
We continue to team up with iCare’s Michael Andreassen to serve the neighborhood slums. Nonthaburi’s local missionary Michael Andreassen and his team serve all over Thailand and can always use our help. Volunteers can donate cash or supplies; help assemble packages at iCare facility or actually go into the service field and witness first-hand the need is something every member of CCC should experience to say the least. This fiscal year-to-date, our church giving allowed us to donate blessings outward to the tune of 50K THB. This helps to serve over 100 families in need.
In addition to providing assistance to Christian based NGOs, our church provides support to missionaries sharing the gospel in remote areas beyond our reach. Namely, we continue to partner with missionaries that CCC has a long-standing relationship in providing support for self-funded Chiang Mai missionaries, Dong & Zip.
Their updates continue to show that they are actively discipling young business leaders of today, while making it a priority to meet with and provide food and supplies to hilltribes that can only be reached by off-road vehicles. Missions Outreach’s budget that includes this disbursement of the church 10% tithe has been vital
in offering financial assistance to iCare, Dong & Zip and other remote and locally known Nonthaburi mission-based groups. Although church giving has decreased substantially over last 3 years, we continue to provide proportionate share of the church giving as part of our church’s tithe to help those who are serving the poor, elderly, disabled, orphans and so many others who rely on acts of kindness to encourage faith and keep hope alive.
Community Events – regular, seasonal or just because…
As church community outreach coordinator, it has been a continued passion to connect with newcomers and introduce them to various common places and tips for adjusting to “Life in the Bubble.” Although “After-The-Boxes” is no longer funded by the church, many in the community continue to associate this network and related social tours with the church so I am proud to keep it going and facilitate a way for the conversation about Jesus and our welcoming church family if anyone is searching for a church home or willing to visit to see what CCC is about.
The local golf cart tour, river taxi and tours of popular spots continued this past year that have helped to encourage friendships to be formed and a way to connect both church and non-church members.
Another event in line with this objective and with Nichada’s blessing, a group of church and community members gathered in front of Villa Market to sing various traditional and contemporary holiday favorites. We hope this can be an annual Christmas holiday fellowship event as we continue to strive to be relevant and connect with Nichada community members who do not attend CCC. Feedback this past year ‘s event was positive and encouraging as many locals continue to find it challenging to travel and return to their home country for the holidays. The importance of events like this is to bring smiles and cheer to the Nichada community with a reminder that Jesus is the reason for the season through songs.
In summary
We show “love” to our community when we provide a service and help them feel welcomed and encouraged during seasons emotions may be all over the place. It has been a pleasure and personal ministry to look for opportunities to do this even while conditions continue to be challenging as the anxiety and remnants of what the COVID pandemic left behind and continues to sprinkle around us today. We continue to monitor and adhere to social distancing protocols. It is my personal goal to continue to serve the community through various initiatives that include a message of love, faith and hope in the community and encourage acts of kindness. Your continued prayers, support and commitment to these important characteristics of Missions & Outward ministry are always appreciated!
Livonia Winkles – Ministry Lead.
For more info please contact:
office@cccthailand.ort
Livoniaw@cccthailand.org