Southeast Asia Celebrates the 1st Field-wide Pioneer Ministry Milestones

Dear partners and friends,

I want to share some encouraging news from Southeast Asia and thank you for your faithful partnership in the work God is doing across our region.

From October 26–30, pioneer leaders gathered in Bangkok for the first Southeast Asia Pioneer Leaders’ Meeting. Leaders representing six pioneer areas and ministries—CAA10 Northern, Central, and Southern; Myanmar’s Shan State and Rakhine; and Myanmar Diaspora Ministry —came together to share reports, pray, and plan for the next steps in their ministries. Our theme was “The Gospel on the Move,” from Acts 8:4: “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

Across the seven reporting areas (including Cambodia Southeast Area), the latest summary recorded 128 missional churches; 7,261 members and people connected with these ministries; 125 reported pastors; 170 ministerial students and trainees; and 141 preaching points. The area reports cover different periods and use different categories, so these numbers are best understood as a snapshot of the work rather than a single uniform count.

CAA10 offers a meaningful picture of pioneer ministry moving toward locally led church life. Across Northern, Central, and Southern CAA10, the latest reports record 74 churches and house churches, about 5,585 members and people connected with these ministries, and 90 pastors. In CAA10 Northern, the first District Assembly was held on January 22. One local pastor was ordained as an elder, and 38 pastors received district licenses. Twelve students at the Chapman International College extension center completed the 24-course ministerial Course of Study—the center’s first graduating class. You can read more about this milestone in “From Silence to Celebration: A Historic Milestone for the Church in CAA 10 North”.

Cambodia Southeast is also seeing new communities take shape. The latest report lists 15 church locations and 300 members, with 15 students in theological training. In addition, 47 small-group locations are extending discipleship into more communities. Outreach reporting recorded 1,547 people hearing the gospel and 506 new believers. These beginnings create a growing need for pastoral care and continued training for those who will serve and lead.

Another encouraging milestone came from Myanmar. The Shan Pioneer Area received Board of General Superintendents approval to become a Phase 1 district at its planned 2027 District Assembly. The latest report lists 16 churches, 278 members, 12 pastors, 20 Chapman International College students, and 10 preaching points. The work began in 2020 with simple acts of hospitality and Bible storytelling with a five-year-old child. The mission center dedicated in 2025 now serves as a place for worship, discipleship, and leadership training. Read more in “Alabaster Helps Open Mission Center in Myanmar”.

After each area presentation, we paused to pray for the leader who had shared and for the people and communities represented in the report. We gave thanks for signs of growth, brought challenges before God, and prayed for wisdom, protection, and strength for each team. I was moved by the hope and commitment in the room. The reports were more than statistics; each represented people serving faithfully, often in difficult circumstances. Praying together helped us share not only the work, but also one another’s burdens and hopes.

The presentations led into practical teaching and planning. I led a session on the path from pioneering to district organization. Rev. Mark Eugenio, Chancellor of Chapman International College, helped leaders consider the educational preparation taking place in each area and identify its next step. Each team developed practical commitments for the work ahead. I was encouraged to see leaders connect the growth of churches with the preparation and care of the people who will lead them.

Thank you for standing with us. Your prayers, encouragement, and partnership help local leaders serve their communities and help new churches grow where the gospel is still taking root. I am grateful for the part you have in this work.

Would you please pray with us for these three requests?

1. For pioneer leaders and their families: for strength, wisdom, protection, and encouragement as they serve in demanding circumstances.
2. For theological education and emerging leaders: that students and trainees will be equipped, mentored, and prepared to shepherd growing congregations.
3. For the next steps in CAA10, Cambodia Southeast, and Shan: that CAA10’s new district life will grow in health, that leaders and small groups in Cambodia will be strengthened, and that Shan’s preparation for its 2027 District Assembly will proceed with unity and God’s guidance.

With gratitude,

Bill Kwon
Southeast Asia Field Strategy Coordinator

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