ROLLING UP OUR SLEEVES

Welcome to our third-quarter ministry update! Our family is filled with big dreams for our ministry here in Chiang Mai. We are in our second year as a missionary family and recognize that it will take God’s grace to sustain and grow the ministry God has given us. We’re excited to share how God has opened incredible doors of opportunity, allowing us to pursue His heart for Thailand.

– THE CAMPUS ALPHA COURSE AT WRG STUDENT CENTER – 

On August 2, 2024, we launched our first Campus Alpha at our student center. We invited the students who regularly visit Red Panda Cafe, and 20 university students joined us for our Alpha gathering. They continue to attend every Friday. Through the Alpha course, we’ve engaged with the students to build meaningful connections and relationships.

Our heart is to raise a new generation of young Thais who love Jesus and are secure in their identity, purpose, and destiny in Christ. We believe that if God is going to spark a movement in Thailand, it will begin with the young people.

On September 28, we will have our Alpha Weekend Away with the students.  The Alpha Weekend is all about getting away from the busyness of everyday life so the students can connect and connect with God. It’s the part of Alpha that many people say was the turning point in their Alpha experience.  

This will be significant in solidifying the student’s newfound relationship with God. Pray with us, that God will touch the hearts and minds of these young ones.

We want to see a new “Jesus People Movement” in every campus in the city of Chiang Mai.  We are praying for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit among the students.  We want to tip the balance, we want to see the gospel of Jesus Christ impact the lives of thousands of young Thais and see Thailand turn to Jesus.

– CHIANG MAI HOUSE OF PRAYER – 

^6-7 I scrub my hands with purest soap, then join hands with the others in the great circle, dancing around your altar, God, Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, telling God-stories. ⁸ God, I love living with you; your house glows with your glory.

Our heart desires to establish a dwelling place for God in Chiang Mai, where His glory touches those spiritually hungry individuals to become His dwelling place. We know that only the tangible presence of God can truly transform the spiritual atmosphere of this city.

In faith, we stepped out in faith and launched CNX House of Prayer last June. Three months later, God began sending volunteers to help us. Today, people from Thailand, the Philippines, China, the U.S., Singapore, and other nations gather regularly at CNX House of Prayer.

This house isn’t just a place to encounter God; it’s a training hub for local leaders, pastors, and missionaries passionate about planting Houses of Prayer across Thailand. Our vision is to see Houses of Prayer established in different provinces and strategic high places around Chiang Mai, creating a network of prayer-filled communities throughout the region.

Chiang Mai House of Prayer is now open six days a week from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday. Every Thursday, we gather from 5pm to 7pm for our prayer set with WRG staff, local pastors, leaders, and missionaries from various parts of the city.

Through unceasing prayers, we believe this house of prayer will be the epicenter of God’s moment in the city and the whole of Thailand.  

– CHURCH PLANTING PROJECT AT HUAHIA VILLAGE –

We sense a breakthrough is on the horizon in our church planting efforts in HuiHia village, Lamphun.

The villagers have been receptive during each of our visits. For the past two months, we’ve been sharing the gospel tirelessly, and while many are open to embracing Jesus, they remain hesitant due to their deep-rooted animist beliefs.

Please join us in praying for the villagers. Though ready to accept Christ, fear of persecution and superstitions—such as the threat of curses from the village witch doctor—hold them back. Many worry about the consequences of breaking away from their traditional practices.

Still, we are confident that HuiHia will soon experience a powerful transformation as they welcome Jesus into their hearts, and we can’t wait to see the changes this will bring to the entire community.

– MYANMAR REFUGEE MINISTRY –

In August, the Within Reach Global Team traveled to the Myanmar border to deliver relief aid to refugees and support the Civilian Defense Force, which is protecting civilians from Burmese soldiers. We distributed 400 food packs for the refugees and 20 sacks of rice for the soldiers.

Unknown to the world. Myanmar better known as Burma has been in civil war for 68 years.  Thousand of lives have been lost and the future for the next generation is nothing but grim.  The violence of war and extreme poverty have destroyed so many families and communities across the nation.  

Despite the challenges, Christians from all walks of life are standing united, shining their light in the midst of darkness. Three high-ranking generals in the Civilian Defense Force are sharing the gospel with refugees and volunteer soldiers. When asked how they stay motivated through such a difficult time in their nation’s history, one of them said, “The gospel is the hope that keeps us alive.

I encourage you to keep the people of Myanmar in your prayers. We believe that, even in the midst of war, the gospel of Jesus will be preached in every corner of this nation. We’re declaring that the glory light of Jesus will break through the darkest moments in Myanmar’s history and His name will be glorify. 

– THE MAC FAMILY –

The Bible says, ‘Kids are like arrows in a warrior’s hands,’ and we can see that in our kids! They’ve been such an awesome part of our ministry journey.

It’s amazing watching them dive into the youth group at church and their school ministry. Even little Reese, at just 7 years old, already knows she’s got a part to play in God’s big plan—it’s so cool to see!

With everything happening in our ministry, we’re so thankful for the strong bond we have as a family. By God’s grace, we’re thriving and staying connected. We seriously appreciate all your prayers as we continue to do ministry on two fronts – The adventure with the Fusion Student Center in the city and our church-planting efforts with the Karen Tribes in Lamphun. Let’s go!

– HELP US PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE –

Our trusty minivan has been great, but it just can’t handle the rugged mountain terrain we often face on mission trips. To enable us to reach the remote areas, we aim to raise $17,000 for a solid, second-hand SUV or pick-up truck that can handle these tough roads.

Would you consider supporting our vehicle project so we can continue reaching the places where we’re needed most? Every seed you sow into this project will help us continue our hill tribe ministry work. 

You can email us at  john.mac@withinreachglobal.org for more details.

MINISTRY

The Fusion Center 
-Wisdom upon our leadership in building The Fusion Center. 
-Continuous provision and funding.

Alpha Courses and Discipleship
-Please pray for continuous expansion, to empower more pastors and leaders in using The Alpha as a tool for evangelism. Pray that the local churches be on fire for discipleship and that the Lord empowers us in this movement.

FAMILY

Constant Covering and Protection

Please continue praying for our family’s protection and good health.  John now travels weekly to Lamphun Province conducting discipleship training for the local pastors. Please include in your prayers our parents’ health and daily protection in the Philippines.

Provision for Finances

We need financial partners to sustain our work here in Thailand.

1. Children’s Education. Jethro and Kari started going to a Christian school here in Chiang Mai (also an A.C.E. school). It has helped much with their adjustment.  Soon Reese will be attending the same school. We are praying for constant provision for their tuition fees. 
2. We also need health insurance.  This will help us tremendously with our medical needs.

Anointing and Godly Wisdom for the Ministry

We are dependent on the Holy Spirit’s empowering to do the work of preaching the gospel and discipleship in this place.

Sometimes it feels like Thailand is such a hard ground for the gospel but we also know that it’s a kairos moment for this nation for the gospel to explode and bring many souls to the Kingdom of God. We need so much of God’s guidance and anointing to do the ministry.