Karen Burmese Refugee Report
by David Jacobson SOC Director
In 1997, our Karen director and the team experienced a genuine revival in the fullest sense amongst the Karen hill tribe of Northern Thailand. This was no small move of God as village after village followed us from village to village as we traveled through the region preaching the Word of God.
Mighty signs and wonders accompanied the Word as repentance, miracles, healings, and deliverances manifested in every area. This outpouring lasted for more than two years and resulted in much fruit; but not without much persecution. So after the initial success of the move of God, we were brought before the Pharisees of that region and were forbidden to continue in the work. Even our Karen director was threatened for his life as a result.
But the love of God was in his heart even for these religious leaders. So he patiently sowed seeds until finally one pastor who was over 13 churches received the teachings of the SOC and was baptized in the Holy Ghost. This then spread to the 13 churches he oversaw. From there it spread to 40 other churches in that region.
This resulted in the following conference described by the following:
Hidden deep in the northwestern jungle of the Thai mountains are the Hill Tribes of Thailand. Many diverse groups are located there, but our main focus has been with the Karen tribe of this nation.
On the 26th of February we conducted a four day leadership conference in the Omkoi area with the first two days focused on pastors, elders, and leaders with 300 registered in attendance. The theme was the "Blessings of the Lord" while the goal was to establish 400 SOC churches over the entire area which would eventually reach over 250,000 people in that region.
Pastors from 40 churches attended the day and night meetings having been sent by their leader who attended a SOC function last year. Many other leaders and elders were in attendance as well. From these 40 churches we believe that the teachings of the SOC and the leadership conference will lead to the establishment of the above listed church total.
It was a difficult location in the natural for foreigners as the customs and food are very different from western cuisine. Nights were exceptionally cold; while days heated up much with wind and dust blowing constantly during the day.
The evening meetings were very cold and blankets were required during early morning prayer at 6:00am.
There were no sleepy eyes as Bro. Daren Downs and Bro. David Jacobson shared the Word of God with these leaders.
Many questions arose during the conference concerning tithing, church leadership structure, and other relevant leadership requirements as well. They were very hungry for the Word of the Lord and wanted answers to specific questions.
A young woman testified how her family was so poor that they had very little to eat. They studied the SOC and learned about tithing and giving. Her mother decided to give their only cow to the church. The church didn't accept it but told her that God saw their heart and would bless them. Now they have 10 cows and have been able to accumulate money to give regularly to the church.
An on fire woman had prayed for four years that God would send Bro. Daren who taught the Karen SOC to come and minister personally to them. She has prayed for revival for the area and believes that now it will come. Some had prayed as long as 7 years. The Karen don't give up and do receive their answers to prayer. Revival will come to Omkoi, Thailand.
During the final two days, we ministered to the local and nearby villages and taught lessons on prayer and faith from the SOC and ministered to the questions of the students and leaders. We also taught on tithing and fasting as well upon their request.
We ministered to students who wanted to serve Christ in their lives as well as backsliders who wanted to come back to Christ.
The conference concluded with a water baptism in the morning of the last day and a communion service to finish that evening.
Many testimonies came forth of how the school has impacted all and there is a great expectation of revival amongst all. Plans are underway to follow up in Omkoi in the future.
In His Service
David Jacobson
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