info@otaninfo.org • www.otaninfo.org • Tel: (540) 665-6418
“INFORMING, INSPIRING, & INVOLVING”
Doing what others... Don’t, Won’t and Can’t!
Fall 2013
Table of Contents
From the Director’s Desk ............ 1
To Russia With His Love .............. 1
Inspiring Arabic
Church Conference .................... 2
How Can I Help? ........................ 2
BTW Winter &
Summer Camps ......................... 2
OTAN Women’s Training ............. 3
Equipped 2 Go ........................... 3
Current & Up-Coming
Deployments ........................... 3
Googling God ........................... 4
Newsletter Editor:
Dr. Chris Gnanakan
Editing Team:
Jyl Wommack
Tim Wommack
Arthur McArthur
Sandie Powell
Design & Printing:
Apple Valley Graphic Design
There is NO OTHER WAY than to…
Dr. Chris Gnanakan
S
ome truths I
learn only the
hard way! In
ministry, the means,
or what we use to get
things done, matters!
The end does not
justify the use of any
or every means, and
if the end is to glorify
God, the means must consistently honor him!
God has made absolutely clear that the only means
that pleases him is faith! Faith is the total trust,
unmistakable allegiance and implicit obedience to
him alone! The story of king Asa of Judah (2Chr. 14:211; 16:1-9) illustrates this:
Asa feared the Lord, tore down every idol and did
what was right in God’s sight. That’s what faith looks
like! It’s the sure means or way to please and bring
God glory! Faith is a relationship tested by trials and
temptations yet proven and developed in them!
Judah is attacked by an army of a million men with 300
chariots! Asa turns to God with the most basic means
– prayer! He cries out to God, rallies the nation and
demonstrates utter dependence on his only resource
in trouble! God always rescues all who trust him and
the nation enjoys security and prosperity!
Yet this means, trusting God, is unending. Many start
but sadly don’t finish well. Twenty years later, Baasha
Israel’s king sieges Judah and cuts off supplies. This
time in fear Asa cries to Aram Syria’s king, who
advances toward Israel so Baasha retreats. Judah is
secure and all is well, right? Wrong! In all this, Asa
reveals where his faith lies and the means he relies
on. He gains an earthly ally but lost trust in God,
leaning on his own wisdom, human might and the
number of horse chariots! God calls this “a foolish
thing” and declares that from now Asa will be at war!
What is not of faith is sin!
Like Asa, believers forget God’s benefits and with
a measure of success become self-sufficient in
‘modern’ means - our education, experience and
experts! We soon abandon trusting God to put
confidence in our flesh and others. The just will live
by faith in God’s faithfulness. Let’s humbly ask God
to deliver us from ourselves! The only means that
pleases God is faith in his own enabling grace! This is
evidenced by unflinching confidence in prayer to God
and unreserved obedience in living out God’s Word
day by day.
“But we never can prove the delights of His love
until all on the altar we lay, for the favor he shows
and the joy he bestows are for them who will trust
and obey!”
TO RUSSIA WITH HIS LOVE
TIM WOMMACK
T
his year, 2013, Russia will celebrate its 1025th anniversary of Christianity, and yet
millions are facing a Christless eternity in Hell because they have never heard about
the “love” of God through the name of Jesus Christ truthfully. It’s what happens
when individuals think that, just merely being a part of a religious church or system, will
give you an entrance into His kingdom. When we fail to teach truth, they may fail to hear
truth.
Just a few days after we had arrived here at OTAN, to fulfill our new areas of service, Dr.
Gnanakan approached us with a proposal that he said “we would be very excited about.”
So with my mouth half full of a Subway sub I asked “so what is this proposal?” His reply, “I
want you two to become the new Ministry Team managers of Russia. Was I excited? No.
Did I want to be obedient? Yes! And when we are obedient, we get the excitement and
direction of our Father.
So Jyl and I will become the new Ministry Team Managers for Russia. In December, Dr.
Gnanakan and I will be making a trip into Russia to meet with the pastors we support there and assess the ministry’s “don’t”, “won’t”, and “can’t”
goals and strategies , strengthen the outreach of the pastors to the nationals, encourage these pastors, and do some DCPI training if possible.
Please lift this trip up and the ongoing ministry to the precious souls of Russia and that God will work through us.
Outreach to Asia Nationals - Fall 2013 - “Informing, Inspiring, Invovling”
INSPIRING ARABIC CHURCHES CONFERENCE
Held by OTC in the Greater DC Area!
How Can We Help...
We’re Glad You Asked!
When Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples”,
(Matt. 28:19) it was for every child of his to do, not for a
chosen few. To that end, won’t you take a moment in prayer
to ask Him, “Lord, what would you have me do”. With this
in mind, you can…
Y
ou’ve not met a larger number of Muslim
converts under one roof! During the last
weekend in August, over 60 Arabic church
and mission leaders gathered as Dr. Ibrahim (UK) mentor to Dr Berty - and Dr Sameh from Cairo shared
on ‘“Prayer & Unity”, which focuses on renewing
the Churches in Egypt and the Middle East. Ours is
a Common Enemy and One Commission. It is our
unconditional love for others that makes the Gospel
attractive and compelling to Muslims!
B R I D G I N G
S
Winter Camps
Pray for us: For guidance, strength, provision, protection
and that we bear much fruit! Nothing worthwhile is ever
accomplished if we do not begin on our knees! Could you
be a Covenant Prayer Partner with us?
Go with us: Perhaps the Lord is laying it upon your heart to
join us? So what are you waiting for? Give us a call!
Send us! Would the Lord have you on the “front lines” –
or part of the “supply team”? If you cannot “Go”, please
“Send”.
We’d love to share with your church or group what God
is doing through OTAN! Call us today at (540) 665-6418 or
email us at info@otaninfo.org.
T H E
W O R L D
Summer Camps
ince 2009 Bridging The World has held Winter Camp
for Chinese students in the US. Winter Camp was a
result of the students desire to further their English
and experience American culture first hand.
This year we have inquires from five different cities in
China to come to Winter Camp. Camp will be held in midJanuary. Pray that the love of Christ would be shown
through local churches as they host these students.
We now have brochures and new applications ready for the 2014
summer camps in China. Please go to our website at
www.bridgingtheworld.org if you are interested in applying or if
you need more information.
T
his summer 64 Americans went to China to serve in
three different Bridging The World Summer English
Camps. Camps were held in Beijing, Jinan and
Qingdao. Many Chinese want to learn American English
and we go to serve them, but our true purpose is to reach
their real need, which is to introduce them to Jesus Christ
and the Gospel. We pray that they see the love of Jesus
in each one of the Americans and by doing so, come to a
saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Many seeds were sown
and several in each of the camps came to Christ.
This year, for the first time, we held a summer camp here
in Lynchburg, Virginia. The purpose was not so much in
teaching English but rather to prepare the Chinese to go
to American middle and high schools as well as college.
Creative thinking skills were taught as well as working
together as a team through the many activities. For
the first time, these students actually did a “hands on”
Chemistry experiment themselves and were so excited to
do so. Timberlake Baptist Church hosted the students and
one of these student came to Christ this summer.
SEPTEMBER 2013 VIETNAMESE
OTAN WOMEN’S TRAINING
CURRENT & UPCOMING
DEPLOYMENTS
Training Leaders: Roxanne Goodwin, our Women’s Ministry Manager, Lily Hildago & Kimberly Sorensen
Praise God for a good trip to Vietnam this month. Thanks for the many prayers.
T
wenty-two precious Vietnamese women attended the OTAN
Women’s training for three days. The theme for the training
was “Growing Through the Bible”. The sessions included “How
We Got the Bible”, “How to Study the Bible”, “How to Understand
the Bible”, “How To Apply the Bible” and “How to Share the Bible”.
Also, a session was conducted on “Knowing Your Spiritual Gifts”. In
devotions we studied Lydia, Dorcas and Mary Magdalene.
Nineteen, “key women” signed a commitment form, promising that
they would attend all the training sessions over the next couple of
years. Pray that the Lord will use them to reach their own people with
the Gospel of Jesus Christ - that they will seek God and pray to use
the gifts that the Lord has given to them to go forward and serve in
some form of ministry. This is the goal of OTAN “Nationals Reaching
Nationals”.
A survey was conducted and two-thirds of the women want to
be involved in children’s ministry, and all want to have more Bible
Training. The women were focused, took lots of notes and were
faithful in completing their homework. What a blessing to see how
eager these women are to study, to learn and to prepare to serve
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pakistan:
Ilyas Masih is currently there
Cambodia: 9/30
Bob & Judy Logan and Sandie Powell
Bhutan & Nepal: 10/6
Gary Turgeon, Adam Marquis
& Chris Gnanakan
Burma: 10/15
David Stansbury & Leroy Eldridge
China – Hunan Province: 10/16
Al & Peg Horton
China – Shenyang: 10/22
Woody Wooldridge, Dave LeBlanc &
Bud Everett
Russia: 12/06
Tim Wommack & Chris Gnanakan
Please pray as our team members travel
and minister for our Lord Jesus Christ!
EQUIPPED 2 GO!
OTAN 2013 Retreat, Bangor, Maine
O
ur Annual Retreat was
held in Bangor, Maine.
Words cannot express our
gratitude for the wonderful care we
received from Pastor Jerry Mick and
the precious members of Bangor
Baptist Church, who sponsored the
entire weekend for us. Many of us
were hosted by several of its members, who took us into their homes and into their hearts! A full day of training was followed by a
day trip to beautiful Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain (with some great seafood along the way!). It ended with 3 services Sunday
morning where Ministry Managers shared the work that God is doing in OTAN’s 9 Countries that they oversee. It reminded us, that
truly we advance the gospel with an Army that God has designed. Some are on the front lines – others are in the supply lines!
Thank you Bangor Baptist for your graciousness! We have been truly blessed beyond measure!
...And We All Had A Great Time!
GOOGLING GOD
Sandie Powell
V
Durable
ery few are as challenged on the
computer as I am. In my learning quest,
I have discovered the informational
advantage of “google search”. It is imperative
that one be determined, intentional, and
specific to gain the desired and required
information from Google.
From that vantage point...I have spent the
last year since losing Henry...”Googling God”
through Scripture and Prayer. My search for
ministry directives have been determined,
intentional, and specific. In that search, I have determined I do NOT
have the ministry skill set that made Henry a wonderful devoted
pastor and an enthusiastic passionate missionary.
A cancer survivor
Flexible
God is stretching me
Teachable
A most needy student and God is a most
patient teacher.
Portable
Have car, will travel.
Available
However, I have much experience as an assistant. God has also
revealed to me through my spiritual “google search” I am...
The ones I cared for are waiting for me in
Heaven; Henry, my parents, Henry’s parents.
No pets, no small grandchildren, I don’t even
have any plants to water .
“My search for ministry directives have been
determined, intentional, and specific.”
Finally and most hopefully..
Profitable
For the Kingdom
Look For This Feature In The Up-Coming Issue:
OTAN’s New Cross-Cultural Study Center
“Equipping You With the Tools to Get the Great Commission Done”
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