MTM Overwhelmed by the Grace of God and your generosity in another Banner year of discipleship ministry.

A Very Special Thank You To Each Of You Who Support This Ministry!  May God be Praised!

We are humbled by God’s faithful provisions in 2014.  Over and over our needs were met in advance through individuals, churches, and charity funds.  Blessed be the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth. Your prayers and financial partnering with MTM in 2014 made it possible for MTM to conduct a total of 12 different conferences, in 6 different nations.  Included in that was the first MTM 3 week Himalayan Bible School in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Anticipating the future includes:

1. Long term: how to accommodate 5 different requests for a yearly 3 week Bible School in 4 different nations.
2. MTM is sensing this as a tremendous opportunity to raise up emerging leaders.The vision for equipping native leaders to reach their own unreached for Christ in the 3-5 day pastoral conferences. Currently we have 10 conferences scheduled for 2015 on the calendar.  This includes a 4 day workshop for a Nagaland, India leadership team coming here to Chiang Mai, as well as a 3 week Bible School in Nepal.
3. The Burkholder’s are anticipating a Sabbatical in America from February 12, 2015 to July 4, 2015. During this time, Brother Raymond will be conducting meetings in various places including the Pacific North West.  Click here to see their tentative schedule. If you have interest to schedule a MTM public relations presentation feel free to contact Raymond at  raymond@mtm-global.org
4. Continuing by the Grace of God to be a faith based ministry supported by you, God’s people, both in prayer and finances. MTM staff is all supported by other sources so that your contributions can directly facilitate a Leadership Training Conference, or a 3 week Bible School.

Macedonian Teaching Ministry Overview Video

Thank you, God bless you for partnering with us in Jesus’ great commission to make disciples of all nations.   For information regarding contributions to MTM click here.

For Christ & The Nations,
Merle D. Flory
MTM- Assistant Director

The post REMEMBERING THE PAST, PURSUING THE FUTURE appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

The MTM Teaching Team; Merle & Judy Flory & Naomi & Raymond Burkholder

The Missions Conference has undoubtedly opened the eyes of the believers who had come and had its witnessed. The messages and teachings of Raymond and Merle along with the committed life and supportive ministry of Naomi and Judy; the ministry through songs and different ministerial activities of Joshua and his teams from IGO reaching to the youths and children; everything was simply amazing.

IGo Students Who Were Also Part Of This Ministry Team, L-R; Joshua Slabaugh, Barbara Lapp, Delmar Penner, Teresa Nisly & Austin Lapp

Words will do no justice as it will fail in having express to the fullest of what our heart truly has experienced. It truly is God’s perfect plan that He let us meet because He knew the Liangmai’s need guide, teachers and lovers of God and sent us the MTM at the needed hour in His perfect time. Sincerely would like to say thank you for blessing us so much through God’s word, teaching, correcting, unveiling the minds and hearts of ours through your profound and dynamic preaching and teaching not forgetting the testimonial life you present.

Lastly, but not the least, may I once again request you to kindly consider our prayer for the three weeks Bible School to be conducted in Tening Town of Nagaland. We still want to hear more of MTM teachings! God’s Blessings be upon you and your ministry.

Editors Note; The above article was written by our native coordinator of this conference. Ngulie Rentta, Mission Secretary, Liangmai Baptist Aruang, Tening, Nagaland, INDIA. A very special thank you to you my dear brother Nguile Rentta for hosting this very well organized and professionally facilitated conference. 

CLICK HERE FOR A PICTURE TOUR OF MTM TO NAGALAND, INDIA

The post MTM To NAGALAND, NE INDIA appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

Where Is Nagaland, NE INDIA? 

Our final destination in Nagaland is Tening village, which is in the sub Himalayan region where it is extremely mountainous. Even the natives literally have termed this village “the ends of the earth”. The full team will be traveling by a jeep type vehicle for 5-6 hours to arrive at this village. There at Tening village MTM will be facilitating a pastoral leadership missions conference. The IGo students will be daily traveling to a different village and ministering to children and youth.

The Nagaland Ministry Team L-R, Joshua Slabaugh (IGo Student), Teresa Nisly (IGo Student), Austin Lapp (IGo Student), Barbara Lapp (IGo Student), Delmar Penner (IGo Student Alumni), Judy & Merle Flory (MTM Teacher), Naomi & Raymond Burkholder (MTM Teacher)

Thank you for your prayers as this ministry team ministers in Nagaland, India.

The post MINISTRY TEAM TO NAGALAND, NE INDIA appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

As supporters of MTM, we had a vision of traveling with an MTM team to a conference. While conversing with Raymond earlier this year we seen God open the door of this vision becoming a reality. October 5-14 found John & I traveling with the MTM ministry team to Dhading Nepal for a youth conference. We were challenged with the hunger and thirst these young people had for God’s Word. Many of them walked for 6 hours of steep rocky terrain from remote Himalayan mountain villages. Then they also needed to ride in a public bus for another 5 hours to arrive at Dhading where the conference was being conducted. There were 160 youth in attendance and they would sit 4-6 hours on the floor each day to hear the Bible teaching. Brother Raymond expounded on the life of David. David only had one passion and that was to know the heart of God. Raymond illustrated what this looks like with two different cups. One cup was filled with money, a small football and many other things of this world. The other cup was empty and then he poured water into it until it overflowed. The meaning was very clear that God fills empty vessels that seek to know his heart with full and overflowing of Himself as a means to bring living water to seek and save the lost.

The full MTM Ministry team L-R, David & Suzane Brown, Raymond & Naomi Burkholder, Paul Smucker from Brownsville, OR, Judy & John Weaver from Berlin, OH … back row center, Brent Boll & Stephen Burkholder

Paul Smucker was the second teacher. His first session was about following the commandments of Jesus. Jesus does not stop asking us to follow Him. He taught about the importance of relationships within the body of Christ. Loving & forgiving each another. Both brother Raymond and Paul stressed the importance of having peaceful relationships with parents as well as brothers and sisters. God will not do mighty things us if you do not have peace within your family relationships. Paul also emphasized the importance of honoring and obeying your parents. The words of David’s Psalm of thanksgiving come to my mind. “And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in Him will I trust; he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge my Savior thou savest me from violence II Samuel 22:23. The cost of living in Asia is far below the American standard. The US dollar goes so much farther in Asia and is wisely used for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom through the ministry of MTM. We were blessed and encouraged to see how MTM is teaching sound, Biblical teaching to the Asian people. May God’s choicest blessing be upon IGo & MTM ministry.

We were also awe inspired to see the Himalayan mountain range.

Editors Note; The above article was written by John & Judy Weaver from Berlin Ohio in USA. John & Judy have been ongoing supporters of MTM for many years. A very special thank you to the Weavers for their much appreciated support of this ministry.

Wonder, Amazement & Lots Of Challenges

For months I had wondered what was going to happen at a youth conference in Nepal at which I had been asked to be a guest teacher. As my wife and I flew to Thailand, then as I flew to Kathmandu, Nepal, and then took a 4.5 hour bus trip to Dhading town, I kept asking God, “What do you want me to teach and how can I be effective in my teaching?” The 2 ½-day youth conference was attended by 160 youth who were dedicated followers of Jesus. Most of them were tribal, from villages up in the mountains. Some walked on trails for 6 hours and then rode vehicles for 6 hours to get to the conference. They were typical youth with typical things to learn. But they amazed me at how willing they were to sit on the floor for 1 1/2-hour teaching sessions, taking notes the whole time. Speaking through an interpreter, it was a little difficult at times to make sure I was connecting with their hearts.

 Dhading, Nepal  Himalayan Youth Conference Group 

The theme of the youth conference was Living for Jesus. I shared with them some of Jesus’s commands that were pertinent to young people. We show our love for Jesus by keeping his commands and I challenged the young people to follow these commands of Christ: Repent, Follow Jesus, Be Reconciled, Love Your Enemies, Honor Your Parents, and Do not Lust. Raymond shared with them from the life of David and challenged them to have a heart after God like David did. The youth conference was full of a lot of challenges for me and I thank God for his help and direction throughout the conference. A number of the youth responded during the final teaching session when Raymond challenged them to let God fill their lives and give them strength for living for Him. As the young people prayed and asked God to help and fill them, my heart was rejoicing that they understood how important it is to follow Jesus on his terms.

Editors Note; Brother Paul Smucker wrote the above article as his testimony after serving as a guest teacher with MTM in Nepal. Paul serves as pastor of the Brownsville Mennonite church from Brownsville Oregon in USA. A special thank you and may the Lord reward you openly for serving the Lord through MTM in Nepal.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MANY MORE PICTURES OF THIS HIMALAYAN YOUTH CONFERENCE 

The post MTM YOUTH CONFERENCE DHADING, NEPAL appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

Where Is The Dahading Region Of Nepal?

God has brought together a very diversified ministry team and we are very excited at what God will do at this three day youth conference. Paul Smucker comes from Brownsville Oregon and he will be serving as guest teacher at the conference. John & Judy Weaver come from Berlin, Ohio, and they have been faithful prayer and financial supporters of MTM for many years. Naomi & I count it a great honor to host those who carry the Lords great work of MTM on their hearts.

The MTM Ministry Team L-R, Naomi & Raymond Burkholder, Paul Smucker, John & Judy Weaver

There will be youth attending this conference ages 17-25 from all over the Himalayan regions of Nepal. MTM counts this a very special honor and privilege to be ministering to young emerging leaders empowering the church leaders of tomorrow, today. Blessed be God.

Please do pray with us that God would come in an experiential kind of way that these dear Nepalese young people would be made more into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ in holiness, righteousness and follow Him in becoming fishers of men. The conference theme is “Living For Jesus”. Thank you very much for your faithful prayer and financial support of this ministry.

The post MTM Himalayan Youth Conference appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

The MTM Ministry Team L-R, Naomi & Raymond Burkholder, Pastor G Khing (Our native conference coordinator), Phil & Linda Beiler

Conference attendees ranged from 90 to 130 depending on time of day and location. They consisted of pastors and leaders many of which brought their wives. Other individuals attended as well. Whether in the jungle or on the river, we found attendees to be very open, attentive, and eager to hear the Word of God being taught. Their thirst for things of God made it easy to speak to them. I was inspired by their enthusiasm to be at the conferences in spite of difficulties like walking long distances, heavy rains, oppressive heat, or other things we would normally call obstacles. The sessions were interpreted into the respective tribal languages of the attendees. Even with some challenges relating to interpretation process we felt a rich common spirit with the audiences as we worshiped God together. Pastor G informed us that these were to be mission conferences. Thus we presented topics relating to that theme.

A highlight for me was their pertinent questions and discussions. This allowed me to know if and what they were thinking and many times was the key to connecting with their hearts. Their questions included the following. Who made Hell? Is palm reading wrong? Why did God allow the devils to enter into the pigs? Why does God allow Satan to tempt people? Should we resist Satan in every service? Should we speak loud or soft when we do? Why should we verbally resist Satan in Jesus’ name if He is present in our life and He is greater than Satan? Why did God allow Satan to tempt Job and kill his children and destroy his health and properties even if he was sanctifying his children everyday? What is the difference between evangelizing and NT prophecy? Do we have the Holy Spirit if we don’t prophecy and speak in tongues? What if the prayer house (separate worship house especially for prayer) is more important than gathering for the church service? Some of these folks have small prayer houses outside of their church houses where you can meet to pray. At times this becomes a mark of “holy pride.”. Should denominations allow pastors to preach in each others’ churches? What is the problem? All their questions were very good.

The Jongpha Village Missions Conference Group

On Majuli Island the local Catholic priest attended and gave his blessing and encouragement. He had encouraged his people to be there as well. There were confessions and new commitments made at the conferences. We pray for God to grow the fruit. It is safe to say that the people we spoke to and fellowship-ed with inspired us more than we inspired them. We praise God for what he is doing in northeast India and pray for the gospel to continue to shine through the believers there.

The Majuli Island Missions Conference Group

Editor’s Note; Brother Philip Beiler is an ordained minister at Pequea Amish Mennonite church in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, USA. Phil & Linda and their family have also served 10 years in Romania with CAM teaching ministry. A very special thank you to Phil and Linda for serving the Lord through MTM. 

Click Here For A Picture Tour Of MTM Double Missions Conferences In Assam State Of  NE INDIA

The post Double Mission Conferences In Assam State, NE INDIA appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

Where Is Nagaland & Assam State of NE INDIA

MTM will be conducting two different conferences in Nagaland’s neighboring state of Assam. Assam state is very different than Nagaland state. Assam state is predominantly Hindu and there are great Gospel opportunities in this state. Actually we will be traveling in both of these states. But it is in Assam state that God has called MTM to conduct two different missions’ conferences in two different regions within this state. From Sept 17-19th we will be at Karbi Anglong and then Sept 20-22 we will be at Majuli Island which is the world’s largest river island.

MTM Ministry Team L-R, Naomi & Raymond Burkholder and Phil & Linda Beiler. Phil & Linda Come From Lancaster County PA -USA

Specific Prayer Requests For The Ministry Team

1. Flight and vehicle travel safety. We will be doing a fair amount of travel in these rugged regions of NE India

2. Good physical health for the ministry team

3. Beautiful team unity that would testify that God the father sent His son Jesus for the salvation of all men

4. Demonstrations of the beauty of Holiness as Jesus Christ is exalted

5. Overflowing grace on the teachers, translators and attendees

6. Humility and Christ likeness in every motive

7. Spiritual grace and strength to preach & teach God’s word and heart.

The post MTM TO NE INDIA appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

 Where Is South Nias Island Among The 18,000 Islands Of Indonesia

The MTM Teaching Team, L-R; Richard Anderson Our Indonesia Coordinator, Raymond Burkholder, Merle & Judy Flory, Marian Yoder & Rosa King

To our surprise we discovered upon our arrival that it was a Dutch Mennonite Missionary who first came to North Sumatra Province and baptized the first new believers. Nias island is a administrative division of North Sumatra province.  The Dutch Missionaries name was Verhouven and he was from the Mennonite church of Holland.  He baptized his first two converts, who formerly were soldiers in the the Padri army, in Pakantan village of North Sumatra mid-1834. This was the beginning of Mennonite missions with many more Mennonite missionaries being sent from Holland to this region of Indonesia. This year is the 180 year anniversary of Mennonite missions in the whole of North Sumatra. What a joy to see faith in Jesus Christ being lived out to this very day on this Island with a population of 750,000 people. Indonesia is the largest Islamic populous nation in the world…but due to one Anabaptist missionary this island, as well as most of North Sumatra, is predominantly Christian. Today there are more than 1000 churches on this island that is only 1842 square miles with very little to no Islamic influence. What a joy and what a privilege was ours to be part of what God is continuing to do in building His Kingdom in Indonesia.

Nias Island is a beautiful tropical island with towering coconut palm trees, cocoa groves, beautiful tropical flowers, Indian ocean beaches and surfing waves abounding (do not miss the picture link below to see for yourself) … but the most beautiful aspect of the island is God’s Kingdom people abounding with love for Jesus as well as overwhelming Indonesian friendliness and hospitality.

The Full Conference Group At South Nias Island, Teluk Dalam

Every day starting Monday the 18th to Thursday the 21st our teaching team taught in the pastors conference as well as our sisters teaching a women’s conference in a separate teaching hall. Then each evening, after teaching all day at the conference, we would travel to some remote tribal village, most times more into the mountainous interior of the island, and conduct evangelistic/revival type meetings. Those dear village folks would come out to the evening services by the hundreds to hear the gospel preached. When the invitation was given they would respond freely to the gospel call of, ye must be born again, to surrender all to Jesus, Jesus as the way the truth and the life, what must I do to experience eternal life, and where is your faith? At most every service the team would be praying for the responses for a very long time after the service. By the time we finally were able to get back to our rooms to retire for the night the clock was telling us AM had already arrived. All of the MTM team fully understood what Paul meant when he said he labored for the cause of the gospel night & day (I thess 1:9). Blessed be God !!!

BE SURE TO VISIT THIS POST AGAIN SOMETIME SOON TO READ THE TESTIMONIES OF SOUTH NIAS ISLAND BROTHERS WHO ATTENDED THE MTM CONFERENCE.

MULTITUDES OF GOSPEL OPPORTUNITIES & ISLAND BEAUTY CLICK HERE 

The post ONE ANABAPTIST MISSIONARY MAKING A STAGGERING DIFFERENCE appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

July 24-August 4, 2014

Invited to participate in the 2014 Dhangadhi Conference as one of the teachers, I hardly knew what to expect.  And, in retrospect, had we begun with only our expectations, our great and glorious God would certainly have shown us how small our human horizons are.  The Dhangadhi Conference was an experience truly unlike any other I had ever encountered. Sister Janie and I arrived at Dhangadhi, Nepal, on Sunday, July 27 in the very capable hands and enjoyable accompaniment of Brother Merle and Sister Judy Flory.  The four of us had such sweet fellowship with each other and with the Nepali believers during our week-long stay there.  We found a church that was vibrant, active, and hungry and thirsty for righteousness and the word of God.

 Nepal MTM Teaching Team L-R, Merle & Judy Flory, Curt & Janie Wagoner

The four-day conference began on Monday and continued through Thursday.  The teaching topics were Three Vital Relationships (Our Relationship with God, Our Relationship with Others, and Our Relationship with the World) and six messages from Romans 12 (Presenting Ourselves as Living Sacrifices, Transformed through Renewed Minds, Faithful Men are Humble Men, Being Members One of Another, Love that is Real!, and Living Peaceably with Others).  The venue was an old theatre that God had miraculously provided for the attendees who averaged approximately 270 people each day.  The Spirit of God visited us in a mighty way, though the enemy attempted various means to distract and to discard the good seed that was sown.

The Pastors, Leaders & Men Who Attended The Conference Unto The End

From our experience, the Nepali church would seem to be largely a first-generational church and a church that predominates with youth.  In the midst of this zeal and youthful exuberance, there were numerous older pastors exercising with shepherds’ care and gentle husbandry of the planting of the Lord.  We saw many young brothers who appeared to be budding church leaders and who were being carefully tended by these older men.  God provided capable interpreters, health for the teachers and team, and a very suitable location for the conference, even in the midst of extreme heat; and the Spirit of God moved mightily with soul-stirring, foundational teaching and physical healing for many that came with infirmities and distresses.  God heard the cries of His people and showed Himself more than sufficient in every trial that was encountered.  The gentle spirits of the Nepali people were a candlestick upon which the Spirit of God made Himself gloriously known.  And the glowing countenances of the believers in this once-Hindu kingdom provide a clear testimony of the mighty work of God in Nepal.  Alleluia!  Jaymisee!

Editor’s Note:  Special thanks to our guest teacher who wrote the above article, Brother Curt and his wife Janie traveled from West Alexandria, Ohio meeting the MTM team in Kathmandu, Nepal.   Together we went on west to the conference in Dhangadhi.  It was a blessing to have them stop in Chiang Mai for 2 days after the conference. Thank you very much for your sacrifice of time and resources and your labor of love.  God bless you. By His Grace alone, Merle D. Flory

Ps Deepak Giri’s Served As A Native Coordinator For The Dhangadhi, Nepal MTM Conference.  Here is a Portion Of His Testimony. “Conference like this was never before regarding the participation of pastors, leaders and believers and some even non-believing ones who were converted and baptized the following day…” Click Here To Read His Complete Testimony

Click Here To View A Picture Album Of MTM To Nepal  

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MTM To Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

July 30-August 7, 2014

Delivering Life to Vietnam

Who can recall the Vietnam War without remembering the riots and rebellion that escalated, until in 1975 the United States finally withdrew under pressure and the communistic Viet Cong of North Vietnam took over the country?  In 1971the United States Draft Board assigned me the lottery number of sixty-nine that was chosen for the date of my birthday.  With a number that low, being called into service was quite certain.  While many of my public schoolmates left to join the war, I served in an alternate service program under the Northern Light Gospel Mission in northwest Ontario.

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is home to a War Museum which is as gruesome to walk through as the World War II Holocaust Museum of Washington D.C.  The carpet bombing, the gruesome execution of mothers and children, the napalm fire bombs that charred the bodies of villagers, and the Agent Orange destruction of forests and vegetation which left the civilians with poisoned water sources and useless gardens and fields. As is the case in all wars, both sides engage in criminal acts and justice is at a low ebb. The West brought incomprehensible horror to the Vietnamese while attempting to deliver them from the atheistic communism of the North.

There was a deep sense of restitution in me as Barbara and I joined Raymond and Naomi Burkholder to conduct a MTM Conference in Ho Chi Minh City.  Raymond taught about the Kingdom of Christ in which the principles and policies are holy and guided by the sacrificial love demonstrated by the King, Jesus.  We are citizens of a Kingdom that transcends all countries and people groups, a Kingdom that does not take up arms against any earthly kingdom yet invades them all with the Gospel of Peace.

Vietnam Ministry Team L-R, Tim Our Native Coordinator, Val & Barb Yoder, Naomi & Raymond Burkholder 

As I was teaching about raising Godly families, it was exciting to be able to invest in the lives of Vietnamese families and children.  God models how fathers are to bless their children by the way He blessed Jesus when He spoke out of Heaven twice to say to His Son, in essence, “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  Hear ye Him” (Matthew 17:5).   Paul further underscores this parental responsibility by saying, “As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children.” (I Thessalonians 2:11 – emphasis mine).  Instead of destroying future generation of Vietnamese children in warfare, the Kingdom of God fills them with truth and divine love.  What a joy to deliver Life to Vietnam, rather than death.

While in Vietnam, it was an added affirmation to discover that the Napalm Girl, Phan Thi Kim Phuc, (shown in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo by Nick Ut, which turned the tide of Americans away from the war) was not able to find freedom from the horrors of her past until she found and studied the Bible.  We have the awesome privilege to represent the Kingdom that brings forgiveness and Life.  The Kingdom of Christ is unstoppable and will one day have uncontested rule of the universe.

 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Conference Group

 Editors Note:  The above article was written by brother Val Yoder.  Val & Barb Yoder serve as IGo field administrator here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is the seventh time brother Val has served as a guest teacher with MTM. A very special thank you Val & Barb for faithfully serving the Lord and the dear brothers and sisters of Vietnam through MTM. Blessed Be God, Raymond Burkholder 

Click Here To View A Picture Album Of MTM To Vietnam  

The post MTM TO NEPAL & VIETNAM appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.

 The Flory MTM Teaching Team; Merle & Judy Flory,  Jane & Curt Wagoner from West Alexandria, Ohio

The Flory MTM teaching team will be traveling to Dhangadhi, in far western Nepal, July 24th unto August 4th. This is the first time that MTM is conducting a pastoral training conference in this remote region of  far western Nepal. Our native coordinators are projecting 200 pastoral leaders will be attending the conference.

The Burkholder MTM Teaching Team; Val & Barb Yoder, Naomi & Raymond Burkholder

The Burkholder MTM teaching team will be traveling to an undisclosed country. Due to security issues and gospel restrictions we are not revealing where this is. The dates are July 30th unto August 7th.

Specific Prayer Requests

1) Flight connections & safety for the teams

2) Divine protection and that the eyes of authorities would be blinded for the team that will be ministering within a restricted country.

3) Health for the teaching teams

4) Demonstrate the beauty of Holiness as Jesus Christ is exalted

5) Overflowing grace on the teachers, translators and attendees

6) Humility and Christ likeness in every motive

7) Jesus would increase while the teaching teams would decrease

The post MTM UNTO THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH appeared first on Macedonian Teaching Ministry.