Eastertide

Greetings from Vietnam!

This Sunday Mark will speak at the Hanoi International Fellowship. We came here to attend the Missional International Church Network (www.micn.org) meetings here next week. We are very thankful for this get-away after a super-busy, super-blessing, Easter season in Beijing International Christian Fellowship. We return to life and work in Beijing next week.

School of Preachers

About a month ago Mark had the joy of team-teaching “Principles in Communicating Scripture” for the BICF Seminary program. About 20 young adults from Zambia, Canada, England, Kenya, Tanzania, and the USA attended. Another preacher/pastor of an International Church here in Beijing was the co-teacher. It was very interesting and informative time together. In a few weeks we will have the follow up class “Practice in Communicating Scripture” and we will listen to – and interact with – our “student preachers.” Our BICF ZGC Good Friday service was a great chance to measure their progress. Mark asked seven of the students to prepare and present “5 Minute Sermons” (is that an oxymoron?!) from our Lord’s words spoken from the cross. I was bursting with pride and gratitude to hear how well they all did! You can hear them yourself if you wish:
http://bicf.org/downloads-and-resources/view.download/39755

Our motto for BICF ZGC is “Gathering, Growing, Going.” It is a great challenge and opportunity to have a congregation of mostly University students from over 70 nations. China has brought the best and brightest here from many lands. Christ has orchestrated is all to transform and train His Ambassadors to go to ends of the earth with Great News. And we have a front-row seat to see this happening! Growing by marriage too, on Easter Saturday!



Easter Hypocrisy?

One of our students groups – and you will see why they remain anonymous – was planning a student Easter camp as part of our BICF ZGC outreach. Their plans and program were going forward. But then the ‘elephant entered the room.’ Two of their active members, whom we had not seen for awhile, came by to talk with Dayna and I. Long story short, they were hurt by gossip and unkind words from this group. So they stopped coming. About two weeks before Easter I had an opportunity to speak to this group. When I mentioned my appreciation of their Easter plans there were lots of proud smiles! I noted that they had done a lot to get ready – food, travel, venue, speakers, music, etc. But there was one concern I had, “Has anyone tried to find out why so and so are no longer coming? We have heard a sad report from them that they’ve been hurt by folks in this group. I am NOT taking any sides. Maybe the problem is their fault? But if we really believe Jesus is Alive and that His resurrection changes all things, can’t we try and sort out this problem before making any more plans for an Easter Camp?” Their silence was deafening! I had to get on to another meeting, but “Mama Dayna” stayed, and stayed, and stayed – after three hours of discussion, tears, and confession. The group resolved to make things right. There were several more meetings with the 2 and the group, again with “Mama Dayna” the mediator. Praise the Lord that Easter Sunday found us breaking bread and singing His praise all together. We pray that our students, who come from many churches and traditions, learned something about true life in the Risen Jesus – we sure did!



Easter Celebration

We had 497 people gather to rejoice in our Risen Lord Easter morning. Five people – from Spain, Rwanda, and USA – made profession of faith in Christ and were baptized. A young lady from Spain and a young man from Rwanda, both students here in Beijing, joined a number of young adults we have baptized here. For the first time since I have served here, we baptized young people – the sons of our Administrator, a Deacon and the daughter of an Elder. This came at the end of healthy process where the Elders searched the Scriptures about the question: “how old must a professing believer be to be baptized?” (BICF is a believer’s baptism church.) Our answer? The Bible does not specify any age, rather the ‘answer’ is whether the person makes a credible profession of Jesus as their Lord and Savior. (We would be glad to send you a copy of the position paper we wrote on this.) We are blessed with lots of believing young people from solid Christian homes in BICF ZGC so the three we baptized on Easter might be the first-fruits of more. What a joy to see the Lord bring people to Himself here in the capital of the world’s populous nation.

California Here we Come

We plan to be in California in July and August. We look forward to seeing family, friends, and supporting churches. We are putting together our schedule now. Let us know if you are available for a visit. We look forward to opportunities to share what the Lord is doing in Beijing. We especially hope to meet those with a burden to work with International Students.

Since our last letter, we have had several friends join our support team. We are very thankful and getting closer to our monthly needs. We are very grateful for your prayers and support!

Yours in Him whom death could not hold! Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Mission
Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive - Orlando, FL 32832 – USA www.pioneers.org

Our Ministry
Beijing International Christian Fellowship - www.bicf.org
Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/english-service

Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com or blairstan@psmail.net (secure)

Our Blog www.blairstan.blogspot.com Skype: blairstan

Our Mailing Address
Beijing International Christian Fellowship / Zhong Guan Cun
Raycom Infotech Park, Tower C, Room B115,
2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100190

Tales from Tonga

Our Ministry
Beijing International Christian Fellowship - www.bicf.org
Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/english-service

Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com or blairstan@psmail.net (secure)

Our Blog www.blairstan.blogspot.com Skype: blairstan

Greetings from the world’s most populous nation!

We are back in chilly Beijing from almost three weeks in warm and friendly Tonga. About 110,000 people live on the 177 islands of the Kingdom of Tonga. We only saw Tongatapu, the largest island. We were in the capital of Nuku’Alofa with their 22,400 citizens. It was humid, hot, sunny, and rainy at the same time! There are many connections in language, culture, and history between Tonga and Hawaii. Some say Tonga is like Hawaii of fifty years ago. Not one stop-light in this kingdom! No Golden Arches, no Pizza Hut, no KFC, no Burger King, and no Starbucks – we REALLY were on a mission! But, despite such afflictions, it was a joy to make many new Tongan friends.



We were sent to Tonga by the BICF to strengthen our ties with our Pacific Fellowship. We were hosted by the young Tongan pastor who serves with us in Beijing. Through Pastor Benny we were connected to many Christian leaders of the nation. We spoke to the students of the Sia’atoutai Theological College. We appreciate the welcome we received from the leaders of this important theological college (pictured here). Tonga is a ‘Christian Kingdom.’ The Royal family members take prominent seats in various congregations. People speak with nostalgia about the late King who wrote hymns and creeds and took his turn as a regular Sunday preacher. Tonga is a very conservative place. On Sunday’s all shops are closed. If you are found swimming you will be arrested. Everyone is either home sleeping or in church on Sundays. But there is more emphasis on morality than about God’s saving mercy in Christ. Various fights and splits have created many different churches in Tonga. And on an island, where everyone knows everything about everyone, the sad stories of church splits, pastoral failures, and hurt feelings are told over and over for generations. We emphasized having a real, living, faith in Christ.



To compound the challenge, you can hardly drive one mile without seeing a new, large, well kept, air conditioned, fast growing Mormon church with their satellite dishes pointed to Salt Lake City. In addition they have large Mormon schools and a Temple too. Tonga has the second largest concentration of Mormons after Utah.



We had opportunities to speak to the leaders of the Tongan Free Wesleyan – the oldest and largest in the Kingdom (above). Dress in the Tongan churches is very formal – at least for the upper part of your body. Pastors must wear a tie or a clerical collar. When you preach you should wear a suit coat. The fact that it is very hot and humid is no reason not put on your coat. Seeing the sweat pour from the preacher is appreciated. I carried my suit coat, putting it on for brief moments, and then played the “dumb foreigner” card and took it off. Tongan men also wear wrap around cloth skirts and then a thatched natural fiber cloth on top, tied with a rope. I stuck with trousers. They either have no shoes or rubber slippers. My first meetings I wore shoes, but soon donned rubber slippers - Happy feet!

We are now Tongan Televangelists! Mark’s “TV Sermon” was shown live and then re-aired three times in the two weeks we were there. We were local celebrities because there are so few choices on TV! My normal opinion is “The best thing about having preachers on TV is that you can turn them off!” Now I am one of them. I spoke from Luke 15 where both the rebellious son AND the religious son were far from their Prodigal Father. Both needed to repent of trying to manipulate their Father and receive His mercy. Religious people don’t think they need grace while rebellious people don’t care that it’s available. Both need to come to Jesus to be found.



Please pray for the people of Tonga, especially the young people whose choices will guide their nation. We have learned much about the context and challenges faced by the Pacific islanders we serve in BICF. We met dozens of Chinese who moved there and run businesses. We tried to be faithful to teach, preach, and model God and His Word of grace, power, and authority. We had smaller meetings with faithful leaders who are trying to stand for real, Biblical, faith in this hyper-religious environment.



And we reminded the Tongans of their own rich mission history. From its birth in the 1820’s the Tongan church has been a missionary church. Many of the islands of the south Pacific were first reached by Tongan missionaries. Now, sadly, most Tongan Christian leaders who go out from Tonga leave because they are too radical for the oppressive conservatism there. More Tongans live outside the kingdom – in New Zealand, Australia, and the USA mostly – than inside. We urged believers and leaders to re-kindle their mission calling. There are still hundreds of islands in the Pacific with no Christian witness today.

Now we’re back in Beijing - eager to begin a new season of ministry. The dozens of Universities that surround our church location are packed with students from all around the world. This Spring Mark plans to preach through the letter of Paul to the Galatians. Pray that we will, like the author, “never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6.14). Ask the Lord to make His Word alive to our members, mostly students, from over 70 nations. Pray they will return to their nations, like Tonga, and declare His marvelous grace. Mark will also be team-teaching three seminary classes through our BICF seminary this spring. Lots of great opportunities ahead! May we have strength and wisdom for the many tasks!

Finance Update

We have heard from our mission that we need to raise more support. Who doesn’t!! We are almost $1000 a month below what we need. We’d be grateful for your prayers about this. We have been generously supported for so many years! We are very grateful. If the Lord prompts you to put some coins in our bank to keep us going for a few more laps of Gospel service. Truly, we thank God in every remembrance of you!

Our Mission
Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive - Orlando, FL 32832 – USA www.pioneers.org

Declaring His Praise in the Islands, Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Mailing Address
Beijing International Christian Fellowship / Zhong Guan Cun
Raycom Infotech Park, Tower C, Room B115,
2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100190

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Beijing!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Beijing!



It is cold enough for snow but skies are clear…even blue!...here in the capital of the world’s most populous nation. We rejoice that news of the coming of the Savior of the world has captured the attention of this land. Christmas Eve has become a ‘hot date’ night for young people – and even some old folks! And it was extra special this year on a Saturday! Many stores and shopping malls are open all night. English language (not widely understood) Christmas carols play continuously. Haidian Christian Church, the large Chinese church just 2 kilometers from BICF ZGC, held ‘Christmas Eve’ services from 9 am to beyond midnight. Their pastors urged church members NOT to attend so their large venue could be filled by seekers. Hundreds stood in long lines, in the cold, waiting to get into the next service! Indeed, God created us to know Him, and ‘wise men’ still search for Him.

Our BICF ZGC family held our ‘International Christmas Concert’ in that Haidian Christian Church. Their pastor kindly invited us to use their sanctuary one Friday night in December. What a great night the Lord gave us! More than 1000 people came, dozens had to stand, to hear and see how Jesus is worshipped in many lands. The various fellowships of our church presented songs and skits from Russia, Indonesia, Africa, USA, Pacific Islands, Korea, and even China! It was especially wonderful that we were able to invite our local friends and many in our congregation took full advantage of the opportunity.



On Christmas Sunday we worshipped Him who came for us. We had the same problem of not enough seats! Lots of people watched our kids sing and tell the story. Three people gave Jesus themselves on His day through baptism, two members of the Pacific fellowship and one from the Russian. It was a joy to partner with their pastors as they baptized them. This picture taken by our son Nathan gives a glimpse of the global family of faith in BICF-ZGC. Mark was just starting to preach, not too many are asleep…yet.



Another great time of sharing the news of His coming was caroling in our office/worship building. For five days before Christmas we sang and distributed Christmas tracts to the hundreds of employees



Next week we will be in Shanghai where Mark will teach a day long course on the General Epistles for the Saturday school of the Shanghai International Fellowship. We’ll celebrate our 30th anniversary there on January 9, 2012! We praise the Lord for His wonderful faithfulness.

Thanks very much for your encouragement, prayers, and support throughout 2011! It is our privilege to partner with you in the year to come. Let’s see what the Lord has in store for all of us.

In Him who Changes Not, Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com
or markblair@bicf.org or blairstan@psmail.net (secure)

Our Mission
Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive - Orlando, FL 32832 – USA www.pioneers.org

Our Blog www.blairstan.blogspot.com

Skype: blairstan

Our Ministry
Beijing International Christian Fellowship - www.bicf.org
Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/english-service

Our Mailing Address
Beijing International Christian Fellowship / Zhong Guan Cun
Raycom Infotech Park, Tower C, Room B115,
2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100190

Thankful in Beijing

Dear Ones,

Here in China the last Thursday of November is a normal work day (as is December 25). But our hearts pause to thank God for His many, many blessings - for a homeland that (even with its faults) still has a day to express gratitude, and for you whose prayers, gifts, and friendship have sustained us in many years of overseas Christian service.

As a pastor in an International Church, with people from over 70 nations, we’d be celebrating holidays every day if we kept all our nation’s days. But Thanksgiving (which is held on different days by different nations) has broad support in our International church. One sure reason is that we are called to be a grateful people – every day! But another is people know that Americans eat, and eat good, on this day….and hey, that is a global pleasure! So we had a Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant owned by members of our BICF Korean congregation. We had a wonderful evening with people from Angola, Panama, Vietnam, Ghana, Mexico, Uganda, Australia, South Korea, England, China, Gabon, Jamaica, Malaysia, and the USA



This Sunday Mark will preach from Acts 28, ending the sermon series through Acts we began in February. Some have wished there were more chapters to this great book! Pray that God will use our people to take the Good News to people who have still not heard, inspired and instructed by the noble example of the first century Church. We plan to study Genesis (chapters 4-11) and Galatians the first part of 2012.



Dayna got wrapped up (literally) when she attended the International Day at Renmin University just a few blocks from our church. Three members of our BICF Pacific Fellowship are here with their Mama Kahu. A young woman student from Palau, two young men from Samoa, and a Chinese friend (with red lei), joined Dayna for some island festivities. A Chinese professor who attends our church presented a drama based on her life, “The Mighty Hand” to 500 people in the auditorium of this University last month. She made a bold stand to share her faith in the mighty Lord Jesus Christ. A great curiosity has been sparked, with a significant cost to her standing among the authorities.

We count it a great privilege to be here for hundreds of young students who are far from home. Many of them are their nations brightest, here on scholarship from the China government. Even more they are bright stars in His Kingdom, with tremendous opportunities to make known the Lord Jesus Christ in word and deed. Wednesday night we attended a Small Group in a room at the International Dorm of the huge Beijing Science and Technology University. We sat close in a packed room as they asked lots of great questions about Scripture and the Christian life. Two young African students, both Deacons in our church, walked us from the big dorm across the campus to the gate where we caught a taxi home. The Tanzanian quietly asked, “Can I come to your apartment and visit? I am far from my dad. I need you to be my dad here.” Of course, I agreed, Dayna and I are happy being Mom and Dad to so many fine kids.



No we have not been in Tonga (yet!) but we were present for the Tonga National Day dinner in the Beijing Marriott. Here we are with their dancers. The King’s granddaughter, ambassador, and the Royal Band of Tonga were also present!

Here are a few dates on our horizon:
December 3 – Dayna hosts monthly Mother/Daughter craft fellowship in our apartment
December 9 – Mark speaking to Men’s Breakfast at 21st Century of BICF
December 13 – Dayna speaking to the women of the African Outreach Ministry of BICF
December 14 –Dayna speaking in assembly of International Academy of Beijing
December 16 – BICF ZGC International Christmas Concert
December 24 – Christmas Eve services/outreach
January 7 – Mark teaching course on General Epistles in Shanghai Community Theological Centre (SCTC)
January 9 – Our 30th Wedding Anniversary
January 30-February 12 – Ministry in Tonga (Pastor’s Conference, Seminary Teaching, speaking in Churches)

Thankful, Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com
or markblair@bicf.org or blairstan@psmail.net (secure)

Our Mission
Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive - Orlando, FL 32832 – USA www.pioneers.org

Our Blog www.blairstan.blogspot.com

Skype: blairstan

Our Ministry
Beijing International Christian Fellowship - www.bicf.org
Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/english-service

Our Mailing Address
Beijing International Christian Fellowship / Zhong Guan Cun
Raycom Infotech Park, Tower C, Room B115,
2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100190

Autumn in Beijing

Aloha from Beijing,

We are full of grateful praise unto Him whose love has no bounds. We are healthy, busy, and fulfilled in our Gospel work here in Beijing. With our church venue surrounded by dozens of large universities, life begins in the Fall. Again this year we have many students and faculty joining the services, small groups, and activities of Beijing International Christian Fellowship Zhong Guan Cun. Our vibrant congregation is a sea of eager faces from throughout Africa, the Pacific islands, all directions in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Wow! This Sunday we will baptize new believers from Samoa, Rwanda, Antigua, and Indiana.


Dayna made a cake to say ‘farewell’ to a Tongan sister who has gone to study in Shanghai.

Our ZGC leaders have launched a long term plan to more systematically reach the thousands of international students in our neighborhood with the love of God. We have taken a tip from James Engle whose ‘scale of receptivity’ to the Gospel reminds us that some are hungry to know Jesus while others have no idea He came. People are opening their homes and hearts to befriend newcomers into this mega-city. After each Sunday morning service we have members ready to help people in their adjustment, from the nearest subway stop to the tastiest burritos! We can serve, but only God can save! We are grateful for your prayers that we can seize these many opportunities to show and speak the Gospel.

In late August Mark had the privilege of preaching at Haidian Christian (Three-Self Protestant) Church just near us here in Beijing. They have the wonderful problem of too many people, more than 7000 so far. People queue for half an hour to push their way into the five services each




http://english.hdchurch.org/html/news/2011/0828/260.html - entire service and sermon text!

Sunday. The 1500 seat auditorium, numerous overflow rooms, and crowded corridors with TV monitors are full. This church is open to all people in China and is faithfully preaching the Gospel on Sundays and throughout the week. Their crowds affirm the deep interest in Christianity in China that is being recognized even in the secular press.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14838749 Article has a picture of Haidian Church.

http://shanghaiist.com/2011/09/11/true-believers.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/liao-yiwu/christianity-china-god-is-red_b_960498.html

Thank you for the many birthday wishes in August. We managed to keep Dayna’s 60th birthday lunch a surprise! Not only did most of our church join us for the celebration, our sons Josiah and Nathan and daughter in law Heather were with us. Dayna got 60 leis from our church family!




Nathan and Heather have moved here to Beijing. Within their first month they both got jobs, Heather teaching English to high school students in the Beijing Royal School and Nathan as an Industrial Designer at “M.A.D.E. Innovation”. Having just finished their schooling they now start their careers in this vibrant economy with colleagues from all over the world. We are very glad to have them here. Josiah and Maylee are still ‘next door’ in Kazakhstan and Aaron is across the pond in Oregon.

Here are some upcoming ministries we would be grateful for you to lift up in prayer:

September 25 – Preaching at 9th Anniversary service of BICF Filipino Congregation

October 8/9, 15,16 – Teaching Systematic Theology course for BICF Seminary

October 23 – Seminar on Preaching and Leadership for BICF ‘Next’ Congregation

October 30 – Preaching at BICF Korean Congregation

And most Sundays Mark continues to preach through the Book of Acts for the ZGC English congregation. We continually give thanks for your faithful support, prayers, and friendship as we serve the Lord here in Beijing.

Yours in His Joy, Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com
or markblair@bicf.org or blairstan@psmail.net (secure)

Our Mission
Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive - Orlando, FL 32832 – USA www.pioneers.org

Our Blog www.blairstan.blogspot.com

Skype: blairstan

Our Ministry
Beijing International Christian Fellowship - www.bicf.org

Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/english-service

Our Mailing Address
Beijing International Christian Fellowship / Zhong Guan Cun
Raycom Infotech Park, Tower C, Room B115,
2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100190

Safari to Uganda

Ni Hao!

We got back to Beijing very early Friday. Joyful! Busy! Fruitful! Safe and Healthy! Restful! Enjoyable! Humbling! Stirring! So many feelings as we look back on our month of ministry in Uganda. Stepping back into a place you left over 20 years ago is a rare opportunity. Seeing how God has been so faithful to expand His work was stunning. Arua, in northwest Uganda where we lived from 1983-86, is now a busy, secure, thriving town with paved roads and internet! Ringili, the theological center where we once taught about 40 students is now Uganda Christian University, Arua Campus, with 580 students!


On Sunday July 17 in Arua, Mark preached three services in the Emmanuel Cathedral (Anglican) and Dayna taught the Sunday school children…over 1000…packed into 6 different classrooms! While in Arua we spoke on ‘Voice of Life’ radio for six nights. During the ‘call in show’ on the final night we heard from former students, colleagues, attendees in conferences we spoke in long ago – who continue in His Kingdom service! Serving now in Arua are these two Africa Inland Mission (our board in the 1980’s) workers and the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Isaac Chandia.


Most of our time was in Mukono (near Kampala) where we lived from 1987-1990. We left Bishop Tucker Theological College with about 250 students. We returned to Uganda Christian University with 7500

students – with BTTC just one of their numerous faculties. Our primary task was the UCU Missions and Ministry Conference, both of us speaking about a dozen times in 8 days.

Following the conference we enjoyed staying on the beautiful UCU Mukono campus, sharing with a number of students who are grappling with God’s call on their lives. We were stirred by their zeal to take the Good News to the ends of the earth. Pray for the Lord to guide them to fruitful fields. The UCU Leaders (left to right) – Dr. John Senyonyi, Vice Chancellor; Rev. Frederick Baalwa, Chaplain; and Doug Fountain, Deputy Vice Chancellor – were very kind hosts and great friends!

We will share more about our safari in Uganda next time. Back in Beijing we’ve jumped into a busy summer at Beijing International Christian Fellowship. This week we have an English camp for the children of the Raycom Infotech Park where our church meets. This is a great time to share God’s love in word and deed with over 50 children. Through this camp we hope to strengthen our relationships with the thousands of employees in our building complex. This summer our elementary Sunday school children have made cardboard cars to sit in, and eat popcorn, while they watch McGee Adventures drive-in movies! We are continuing our sermon series on Acts (chapter 15 this Sunday) and our team of young preachers (below) are doing a great job preaching through 1 Timothy on Sunday evenings.

It is a joy to encourage and advise these young guys from eight different nations as they sharpen their skills while we serve the Lord’s people here. Who would have thought this restricted land would be a training center for sending Gospel messengers to the nations of the world?

We know these are not easy times. We do not take lightly the sacrifice you are making to support us with your prayers and finances.

Gratefully in Him, Mark and Dayna Blair

Visit to West Nile, Uganda

Programme for the Visit

 of the Blairs to West Nile

July 4 to 12, 2011                   

Date	Item	Remarks
July 4-9	30 minute programmes on VOL (8.00-8.30pm)	Isaac and Jonathan to organize
July 4	Arrival of the Blairs from Entebbe on Eagle Air	Will be met at the Arua Airfield by Diocesan Staff and HIL
	Visit the Bishop and other places in Arua & rest
July 5	Travel to Yumbe to HIL projects	Isaac and Elly to organize
July 6	Speak at UCU Arua Campus. All meetings are from 3.00pm to 5.00pm	UCU director and Chaplain to organize
July  6-9	Workshop with Mission Coordinators, some clergy and invited Christians	Rev. Canon Isaac Candia to organize.
July 10	Speak at Three services at Emmanuel Cathedral	Very Can. Onzima to organize
July 10	Leave for Goli from 3.00pm	Sister Kim to organize
July 11	Leave Goli for Arua at 2.00pm	Sister Kim to organize
July 11	Have Dinner with Bishop Joel and some invited Guests	Rev. Can. Isaac Candia to organize
July 12	Leave for Entebbe from Arua Airfield	Seen off by Diocesan staff and HIL.
May our Lord’s will be done! Proverbs 16:9

Our Part in God's Mission

Uganda Christian University Mission

INVITATION TO PREACH AT ST. FRANCIS CHAPEL MAKERERE

P.O. BOX 7062 Kampala Uganda                       Tel: +256 141 531367 (office)

Cables: “MAKUNIKA’                                Mob: +256 772 490525

THE CHAPEL OF ST. FRANCIS

CHAPLAIN: The Rev. Canon Dr. Johnson Ebong

June 16, 2011

Dear Rev. Mark

RE: INVITATION TO PREACH AT ST. FRANCIS CHAPEL MAKERERE

Christian greetings and love from the St. Franciscans. This is to invite you to preach at St. Francis Chapel in all the services at 7am, 9am, and 11am on the 03^rd July 2011. Our theme for this year 2011 is from Romans 12:2 “Be transformed by renewing your mind” and the subtheme for the month of July is ‘The kingdom of God.’

Background

The church of Christ today is struggling in the area of holiness. The message and teachings on the grace of God have also been watered down among some churches, which say that once one is born again, it does not matter what they do as long as they are born again. In other words, they condone sin because they believe that God’s grace is sufficient. In May and June, we examined ourselves with reference to the seven churches in the book of Revelation.  Now we are moving onto assessing ourselves as the children of the Kingdom of God by beginning with Jesus as ‘the way’ into the Kingdom.

Through out the month of July we will be holding teachings on the Kingdom of God. We are therefore requesting you to look at the following readings: Proverbs 4:10-18; II Corinthians 4:11-18 and John 1:1-11 and preach on the topic “Jesus is the only way” as God’s Spirit will lead you.

The Congregation

The congregations at St. Francis have three main categories; 7am predominantly older people (lecturers, professors, old people) 9am (predominantly students) 11am (predominantly young marrieds 1- 15 years in marriage) however all congregations have at least a mixture of the three.

  

We request that you preach for a maximum of 30 minutes. You can send your sermon outline on ages29@yahoo.com and rev.jebong@gmail.com or incase of any queries contact me on 0772 490525 or Esther on 0414577722 or 0772581560.

We appreciate your acceptance to come and bless us at St. Francis Chapel and we look forward to your ministry with us on Sunday 3^rd July 2011. Be assured of our prayer support. In case of change in mind or program kindly let us know as soon as possible in order to make the necessary adjustments.

God richly bless you as you prepare

In His Grip

Rev. Canon Johnson Ebong

Rev. Canon Dr. Johnson Ebong

CHAPLAIN

Comings and Goings

Greetings from Beijing!

Dayna is still in Almaty, Kazakhstan enjoying some more ‘mom and grandma’ time with Josiah and Maylee (now 7 ½!). I got back from there Friday night for weekend services here in Beijing International Christian Fellowship.


During my week in Almaty I had the privilege of teaching in a local church. About 40 people came for a nightly study of the book of Revelation. We had the joy of spending a Sunday with the International Christian Fellowship in Almaty. They remain strong, with many new people, despite the increasing pressure against churches and mission workers now being applied in Kazakhstan. Thanks for praying for His faithful ones in Central Asia.


Back here in East Asia, we’re preparing to leave for East Africa on Monday. As we have shared, we have been invited for a teaching mission in Uganda. We will teach in both of the Church of Uganda (Anglican) theological colleges we served over 20 years ago. We are quite eager to see old friends and hear their testimonies of His faithfulness. We are bracing for surprises. The regional school in Arua (northwest Uganda) was about 50 students when we were there. Now we’re told they have 500! The central school in Mukono was about 300, now there are 10,000 students in various disciplines – Uganda Christian University. Mark will also be preaching at Makerere University in Kampala. Mark is to speak nine times in for the Missions Week at UCU. Two of the talks will be presented to the entire faculties - “Global trends in mission: what is the role of the African Church?” to the Theological Faculty and “The role of a Christian University in God’s Mission” to the entire Faculty. This responsibility feels overwhelming to a dumb guy in China! Your prayers are much appreciated.

This Spring the Ambassador from Rwanda to China invited BICF ZGC to lead a service of worship in remembrance of their holocaust in 1994. It happens that our family was on a two month mission visit in the neighboring country of Uganda at that time. We listened with shock then as Rwandan church leaders came with stories of atrocity, seeking the prayers of Bishop Kauma our host. (The leader of Uganda Christian University is now Bishop Kauma’s son in law!) Seventeen years later I sat with the Ambassador who told more tales of woe. Over a million were brutally killed for belonging to the wrong tribe. Church leaders actually advanced the slaughter, some pastors emptied their machine guns on their own members! This horrible example of those whose vocation is to be ‘like Jesus’ – my vocation! – made me wonder what could I say in Beijing’s Rwandan Embassy?
Fortunately, our ministry here in Beijing is team ministry. What a joy to join a worship team from our BICF ZGC, led by a Rwandan believer in our church, with members from seven nations. The gathering of Ambassadors, Chinese leaders, NGO workers, must have been surprised when this diplomatic gathering became a celebration of the mercy, justice, forgiveness, and grace of Jesus Christ. For my part I shared about the ‘Good Samaritan’ – showing how none of us really love our neighbors as we should and how only Jesus himself displays a love far beyond imagination for our salvation. Just a few weeks later the Rwandan Ambassador and his family joined us for Easter service at ZGC, and we went out for lunch, followed by ice cream!


Easter in BICF ZGC was a wonderful celebration. It was a great joy to baptize three new believers. And rejoice together in our Risen Savior. Every chair we had, almost 500, was filled, with many standing. Dayna joined with Pacific Island Fellowship for their ‘action song’ ie. ‘hula’ during the worship service. And that night in a special meeting seven from the islands received Christ as Lord and Savior.

The coming that we’re most excited about is our son, Nathan, and his wife, Heather moving to Beijing in early August. They’re both graduating in Portland, Oregon and will work here – Nathan: Product Design, and Heather: Teaching. It will be wonderful to have them here in this city.

Your prayers and support keep us coming and going! We are very grateful.

Yours in the Faithful One, Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Email blairstan2@gmail.com
or markblair@bicf.org or blairstan@psmail.net (secure)

Our Mission

Pioneers - 10123 William Carey Drive - Orlando, FL 32832 – USA
www.pioneers.org

Our Blog www.blairstan.blogspot.com

Skype: blairstan

Our Ministry

Beijing International Christian Fellowship - www.bicf.org

Hear Mark’s sermons at: http://bicf.org/sermon-zgc

Our Mailing Address

Beijing International Christian Fellowship / Zhong Guan Cun
Raycom Infotech Park, Tower C, Room B115,
2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian District, Beijing, China 100190

Invitation to Uganda Christian University

Blue Skies over Beijing

Dear Praying Friends,

Springtime greetings on this blue sky day in Beijing! We’re both sore from a hike to the top of a peak overlooking this mega-city yesterday. Grateful to be healthy!


Lots happens here, just in the last week we:

- Met with leaders of the BICF Russian Fellowship as they strategize to reach out to the hundreds of Russian speakers, many from Central Asia, who are studying in Beijing’s universities.

- Appointment with young Lawyer in our congregation about the challenges of serving in a Chinese firm.

- Shared with a Professor of Religion in a large university who has a witness to many students in his large classes.

- Joined with the BICF Elders to support a Sunday school project in Africa. A Zimbabwean woman who has worshipped at BICF for several years has learned here to teach Sunday school, quite well I hear AND to teach others how to teach. She returned home this week resourced with seed money to start projects for kids and teachers around Zimbabwe.

- Prayed with the BICF Leaders about His future direction for our ministries and churches in this city.

- Prayed with wives who heard the Gospel while studying abroad and are now back home in China, trying to relate this new faith to their homeland.

- Struggled to find the words for a man in our church who wanted to be baptized. In calling to confirm our meeting location his cell phone was answered by his live-in girlfriend. Surprise! No baptism yet.

- Chatted with a young man studying in a semester abroad here who is seeking advice about seminaries.

- Was approached by a University student after the service who sincerely wonders if there is any proof for the validity of Christianity which could persuade him to believe.

- Served dinner for a church family who found that all their worldly-goods stored during their six month home leave away from Beijing were kept in a ‘leaky’ room!

- Greeted a Jewish man who teaches English here that comes almost every Sunday to church. He listens to the sermons with greater attentiveness than most Christians!

- Met the Ambassador from Tonga to China who is a lay-preacher and now, along with his family and staff, regularly worshipping in our Pacific Fellowship at BICF ZGC. He said he’s working on getting his fellow Ambassadors from other island nations in the Pacific to come too! Here we gathered after Sunday worship:


- Encouraged an African student who is pregnant with their first child. Her husband already graduated and needed to take a job back in Africa.

- Prayed with the Pastor of the BICF Japanese congregation whose members are very concerned about their families back home.

Serving the Beijing International Christian Fellowship is a great joy to us. People from 70 different nations and at least that many denominations come together to worship and work for the Lord Jesus Christ in this mega-city. Most of our work is focused on the ‘west side’ Zhong Guan Cun church. But once a week Mark meets to share with the other BICF pastors. (BICF has 16 worship services, in 9 languages, in 4 Beijing locations.) The Lord is working many ways in the lives of the 3500+ who attend BICF – and through them around the world!

This week we enter chapter 4 of the book of Acts. Mark borrowed a theme from the Lausanne Conference – ‘The Whole Church taking the Whole Gospel to the Whole World’ – for this sermon series. Pray that God would use this ancient account of mission to inspire our congregation to faithful and fruitful service for Him in our day.

Dayna is once again studying Mandarin every day. She is in class every morning and studies several hours after that. In her class, there are students from Spain, Italy, Poland, Australia, Japan and Korea and see it as a mission field to be a witness for Jesus there. Along with that she’s resumed her “Mama Kahu” (pastor’s wife) ministries – counseling young ladies, praying with young mothers, teaching Sunday school, feeding visitors, and planning baby showers. Some of these she now does in Mandarin…at least pidgin Mandarin. Keep praying for Dayna as she works hard to become more fluent.

Along with all the doors open here in Beijing, another wonderful ministry opportunity is before us. We are invited to return for a teaching visit to Uganda this summer. This came out of surprise meetings Mark had with Ugandan leaders in Cape Town in October at Lausanne 3. We left Uganda in 1990 after 8 years of teaching pastors/leaders there. Now a number of them are key leaders.

In order to go, we need prayer and financial support. We need about $4500 to get ourselves to Africa this summer. We need to book tickets fairly soon.

The specific invitations we have received are from –

1. Uganda Christian University

We taught there in the 1980’s when it was Bishop Tucker Theological College. Now they have 7000 students in many faculties. Mark would speak ten times for their Missions Conference. Mark is pictured below with John and Ruth Senyonyi in Cape Town. John is the Vice Chancellor of UCU and had his Chaplain extend this invitation:


Dear Mark,

RE: INFORMATION ABOUT THE MISSION AND MINISTRY CONFERENCE
(19th to 26th JUNE, 2011)

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

We are so delighted to know that you accepted our invitation to you as our Main Speaker during the above conference at Uganda Christian University.
The conference begins on Sunday 19th June, 2011. The Missions and Ministry conference attempts to respond to the real need in the churches of sensitizing and challenging the Christians in our congregation and particularly our young people about the work of Missions and Ministry. Our desire is to instill in our graduates the spirit of serving God as agents of the gospel either ordained or in a lay capacity in the churches and at their stations of work subsequent to their study at Uganda Christian University. The conference theme is: “Extending God’s Kingdom: Our mission”.

You will speak in 10 sessions, 5 of which will be an hour each and 5 of them of 30 minutes each. There will also be two "special" sessions. A session for the senior administrators and lectures on the topic: “The role of a Christian University in God’s Mission” and the other will be for the Pastors, the students being prepared for ordination and the faculty members in the School of Divinity and Theology on the topic: “The current Global trends in Mission: The role of the church in Africa”. However if God leads you to speak to us (in these special sessions) on any other topics feel free to do so.

Our target audience is all students irrespective of their courses of study and the staff members.

Frederick J. Baalwa
UNIVERSITY CHAPLAIN
http://www.ucu.ac.ug/

2. Makerere University

One of our former students is the Protestant Chaplain there. It is the largest University in Uganda. Their chapel ministry is very strategic.

Dear Mark,

It is wonderful to hear from you again. As you mentioned, it was a divine opportunity for us to meet again is Cape Town. I am overwhelmed with joy for your visit to Uganda. Seeing from the UCU Mission schedule, you will close on the Sunday of June 26. If you were to stay on until July 3rd, I would arrange for you to preach at St. Francis Chapel. Indeed, it will be a great blessing to us to have you speak in the Chapel. We have three services: 7:00-9:00; 9:00-11:00; and 11:00-13:00. We have, however 13:00-15:00 for Lugbara and 16:00-20:00 for the youth. You will speak for the morning services only, ending at 13:00. I will send you a topic for the season. This year's theme is "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This would be a very good opportunity for your members of BICF to enjoy the warmth of worship we have. Looking forward to seeing you all.

Canon Johnson
Johnson Ebong Oming (The Rev. Canon Dr.)
Chaplain
St. Francis of Assisi
Makerere University Kampala
http://mak.ac.ug/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=145

3. Madi and West Nile Diocese / Arua, Uganda

We lived and taught here for four turbulent years of civil war in the 1980’s. The present Bishop and his wife were both our students – Joel and Joy. He wrote saying:

Dear Mark and Dayna,

I am delighted to hear from you and in was great meeting you in Cape Town. This is even a greater surprise for me to hear you are coming to Uganda in June! I am gladly surprised. I will consult with my friends here in the diocese and the Arua Campus Director of UCU on how we can make use of you. I want to say welcome to Uganda and to Arua in particular. Joy and the rest of the family joins me to send you all a warm christian greeting.

Bishop Joel
http://churchofuganda.org/dioceses/madi-west-nile

You can see there is much we could do. We are very grateful for your support and prayers. It seems that with all the upheaval in our world – political, military, tectonic, and economic – people are asking more questions than ever. How grateful we are to know HIM who is the ultimate answer – now and forever.

Grateful for your partnership in the Gospel, Mark and Dayna Blair