I boarded the flight home upon completing this most recent leg in my mission to Vietnam, I had a strong image of my main mode of transportation within the communities I served: the backseat of a motorbike.
Yet, this image unveils more. My role with the Vietnamese people is a backseat role. In the simplicity of this very basic mode of transportation, I serve as a catalyst, an equipper and mobilizer. What I've come to do is not about me, but those I serve.
Vietnam is an anomaly. Comparatively small and economically behind many others, its people is its most remarkable asset. Innovative and industrious, they are making a mark and creating ripples with their contributions to the global economy.
Within their ranks is a remnant of Christians, who in many regions have paid an extremely high cost for their faith. From Vietnam's economically bleak times of the 80s and early 90s, has come an attitude that has viewed and treated Christians as second-class citizens.
The Timing
However, that is changing, but not without some hurdles. Our God's economy program has come at a pivotal time and is becoming an important part of the change underway, as scores of those attending our workshops have begun establishing their own business enterprises with the goal of serving as a people of influence, who are contributors in building their communities.
The Fruit
Many have traveled distances to attend these workshops. In one we conducted on this trip, some had traveled 200 miles to attend. Since I recognized some faces I'd seen before, I asked who had started a business as a result of one of our workshops. More than 20 raised their hands. Then I asked who was intending to start a business after that workshop. The number responding was roughly another 15. So after starting their businesses, some are coming back to get a refresher on doing business God's way. Many more are coming for the first time to be equipped with the mantle of an economic community-builder. In my backseat role, this is the fruit from just one locale.
We've now ministered in 16 cities or villages across this nation. During this trip, we conducted three workshops in three cities; one being a new area for us.
Most of the entrepreneurial endeavors that we've helped and encouraged, begin their ventures small, serving the simple function to feed a family or to support a pastor in his/her work. When designed to support a ministry, we've given keen focus to non-distracting businesses that are able to quickly cash-flow and begin growing with a minimum time-expenditure. Many have testimonies of fast growth and a shift in the community perceptions toward them, as they start assuming leadership roles as a culture within a culture and a people of purpose and influence.
Something New
Another developing dimension of the "new" is the crystallizing of a plan I've been praying about for an American-Jewish Business Center. While the God's economy program targets the church on a proactive entrepreneurial level, the Business Center would be positioned to attract aspiring business leaders whose values seek an honorable approach to business with a Vietnamese identity. By drawing from a Judeo-Christian model of operating as a culture within a culture; values and priorities would be focused on relationships and the good of the community.
With an array of offerings ranging from seminars, consulting and webinars to high-level briefings, each would reflect the wisdom from experts from business, government, law, economics, psychotherapy, security, banking, entrepreneurship, forecasting, energy, manufacturing and more with updates and a focus on key issues that point to defining the enduring model that has consistently brought increase and blessing to nations and societies. In short, this venture would be an outreach to aspiring business leaders who are spiritually seeking "something more."
Still more in the "something new" category during this mission was the opportunity to minister to some spiritually hungry Charismatic Catholics. What I've learned is that there has been an outpouring of the Spirit within the Catholic community in the Saigon area. This is very similar to the Charismatic revival that took place in the US during the late sixties and into the seventies that got its start at a prayer meeting at a Catholic university.
The Catholics in Vietnam experiencing this renewal are turning to the Protestant Charismatics for insights into this new dimension in their walk with the Lord. Again, in my backseat role, it was a great joy to me on two occasions to minister to these brethren.
There's clearly a turning underway for the Body in Vietnam, as the Lord brings fulfillment to the word I first brought them three years ago that God had made them to be the head and not the tail.
However, what touched me most deeply on this trip was a word that my host-pastor shared with me. He told me while he had recently been praying for me that the Lord showed him something about me. Then very matter-of-factly he said that the Lord had told him that I was a father to many nations, but especially to Vietnam. He went on to say that each time I come to Vietnam that something happens as I bring with me the rain of the Holy Spirit and God's covenant of peace that is planted and spread among the people.
By serving as a catalyst in a backseat role, the Lord is exceeding my expectations and bringing forth much fruit. Thank you again for your prayers and your support.
With every blessing,
Morris Ruddick
Global Initiatives Foundation
http://www.strategic-initiatives.org/
This trip has unveiled a number of dimensions of something new.
In each of the last two missions to this nation, we've learned of congregations acquiring debt-free, through a combination of wise stewardship and some downright miraculous circumstances, their own church facilities. Each one has been new and spacious, able to safely house the activities of the host congregation with far more space than a small crowded home. This trip was no different. Within two days of my arrival, I was bringing the message to still another congregation worshipping in their own newly-built facility.
But there is more. Stepping outside the system and entering God's economy with private business ownership lifts the lid on potential opportunity. Vietnamese Christians who have paid a high cost for their faith are serious about making God their Senior Partner and actively seeking Him in the planning of their business enterprises. God is blessing some in this category beyond their wildest expectations, as they in turn serve as good stewards with the mantle of Abraham, to be blessed to be a blessing.
Expanding the Scope
Yet, this image unveils more. My role with the Vietnamese people is a backseat role. In the simplicity of this very basic mode of transportation, I serve as a catalyst, an equipper and mobilizer. What I've come to do is not about me, but those I serve.
Vietnam is an anomaly. Comparatively small and economically behind many others, its people is its most remarkable asset. Innovative and industrious, they are making a mark and creating ripples with their contributions to the global economy.
Within their ranks is a remnant of Christians, who in many regions have paid an extremely high cost for their faith. From Vietnam's economically bleak times of the 80s and early 90s, has come an attitude that has viewed and treated Christians as second-class citizens.
The Timing
However, that is changing, but not without some hurdles. Our God's economy program has come at a pivotal time and is becoming an important part of the change underway, as scores of those attending our workshops have begun establishing their own business enterprises with the goal of serving as a people of influence, who are contributors in building their communities.
The Fruit
Many have traveled distances to attend these workshops. In one we conducted on this trip, some had traveled 200 miles to attend. Since I recognized some faces I'd seen before, I asked who had started a business as a result of one of our workshops. More than 20 raised their hands. Then I asked who was intending to start a business after that workshop. The number responding was roughly another 15. So after starting their businesses, some are coming back to get a refresher on doing business God's way. Many more are coming for the first time to be equipped with the mantle of an economic community-builder. In my backseat role, this is the fruit from just one locale.
We've now ministered in 16 cities or villages across this nation. During this trip, we conducted three workshops in three cities; one being a new area for us.
Most of the entrepreneurial endeavors that we've helped and encouraged, begin their ventures small, serving the simple function to feed a family or to support a pastor in his/her work. When designed to support a ministry, we've given keen focus to non-distracting businesses that are able to quickly cash-flow and begin growing with a minimum time-expenditure. Many have testimonies of fast growth and a shift in the community perceptions toward them, as they start assuming leadership roles as a culture within a culture and a people of purpose and influence.
Something New
With an array of offerings ranging from seminars, consulting and webinars to high-level briefings, each would reflect the wisdom from experts from business, government, law, economics, psychotherapy, security, banking, entrepreneurship, forecasting, energy, manufacturing and more with updates and a focus on key issues that point to defining the enduring model that has consistently brought increase and blessing to nations and societies. In short, this venture would be an outreach to aspiring business leaders who are spiritually seeking "something more."
Still more in the "something new" category during this mission was the opportunity to minister to some spiritually hungry Charismatic Catholics. What I've learned is that there has been an outpouring of the Spirit within the Catholic community in the Saigon area. This is very similar to the Charismatic revival that took place in the US during the late sixties and into the seventies that got its start at a prayer meeting at a Catholic university.
The Catholics in Vietnam experiencing this renewal are turning to the Protestant Charismatics for insights into this new dimension in their walk with the Lord. Again, in my backseat role, it was a great joy to me on two occasions to minister to these brethren.
There's clearly a turning underway for the Body in Vietnam, as the Lord brings fulfillment to the word I first brought them three years ago that God had made them to be the head and not the tail.
However, what touched me most deeply on this trip was a word that my host-pastor shared with me. He told me while he had recently been praying for me that the Lord showed him something about me. Then very matter-of-factly he said that the Lord had told him that I was a father to many nations, but especially to Vietnam. He went on to say that each time I come to Vietnam that something happens as I bring with me the rain of the Holy Spirit and God's covenant of peace that is planted and spread among the people.
By serving as a catalyst in a backseat role, the Lord is exceeding my expectations and bringing forth much fruit. Thank you again for your prayers and your support.
With every blessing,
Morris Ruddick
Global Initiatives Foundation
http://www.strategic-initiatives.org/
In each of the last two missions to this nation, we've learned of congregations acquiring debt-free, through a combination of wise stewardship and some downright miraculous circumstances, their own church facilities. Each one has been new and spacious, able to safely house the activities of the host congregation with far more space than a small crowded home. This trip was no different. Within two days of my arrival, I was bringing the message to still another congregation worshipping in their own newly-built facility.
But there is more. Stepping outside the system and entering God's economy with private business ownership lifts the lid on potential opportunity. Vietnamese Christians who have paid a high cost for their faith are serious about making God their Senior Partner and actively seeking Him in the planning of their business enterprises. God is blessing some in this category beyond their wildest expectations, as they in turn serve as good stewards with the mantle of Abraham, to be blessed to be a blessing.
Expanding the Scope
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Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your head from the Lord Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People
Charlotte, NC USA