SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE SINGAPORE

Pasir Panjang Church of Christ

347 Pasir Panjang Road

Singapore 118688

CLASS SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY 13, 2010 – MAY 21, 2010

SCHEDULE OF SIBI CLASSES: ***Revised 02-04-2010

[CHAPEL 9:30 to 10:00 am --- Monday through Friday] (Lunch will be served at 12 noon following all morning classes) [Applicable to all day classes]

FEB 13 – 21 Chinese Lunar New Year Week (No classes)

[Feb 20 Mark Hooper and Phil Jackson from Missions Resource Network arrive. They will be accompanied by H.M. Motsinger, President of NewLife Behavior International]

FEB 22 – 26 Mark Hooper and Phil Jackson teaching “Theology of Church Planting” from 10:00 to 12:00 noon (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

FEB 22 – 25 Mark Hooper and Phil Jackson teaching “Theology of Church Planting” from 1:00 to 2:45 (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

Feb 26 – 27 NewLife Behavior Seminar w/ H.M. Motsinger, Fri 1-5 pm, Sat 10 am to 4 pm (lunch served) [Those wishing to be certified to teach this seminar will be required to spend an additional 3 hours of class time with bro. Motsinger, either Sat evening or Sun afternoon… further announcements will be made about this]

[No classes in March, mission trips, seminars, and recruiting abroad]

[March 31 Ed Wharton from Sunset International Bible Institute, Lubbock, TX arrives]

APRIL 2 Ed Wharton preaching on “The Commission To Make Disciples” from 9:00 to 11:00 AM followed by group discussions at the Pasir Panjang Church Retreat 2010. [This is an all church, one day, once a year camp]

April 5 – 9 Ed Wharton teaching “Acts of the Apostles” from 10:00 to 12:00 noon (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

APRIL 5 – 9 Ed Wharton teaching “Acts of the Apostles” from 1:00 to 2:45 pm (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

APRIL 9 – 25 Ed Wharton teaching “Book of Galatians” in the SIBI Classroom [Weekend schedule 7:00 to 9:45 pm Fridays; 2:00 to 5:00 pm Saturdays; 2:00 to 5:00 pm Sundays]. [Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

APRIL 12 – 23 Ed Wharton teaching “Acts of the Apostles” from 10:00 to 12:00 noon (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

APRIL 12 – 23 Ed Wharton teaching “Acts of the Apostles” from 1:00 to 2:45 pm (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

APRIL 26 – MAY 7 Charles Cook teaching “Survey of Bible Topics” from 10:00 to 12:00 Noon (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

APRIL 26 – MAY 7 Charles Cook teaching “Survey of Bible Topics” from 1:00 to 2:45 pm (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

May 10 – 21 Tom Goracke teaching “Equipped For Every Good Work” from 10:00 to 12:00 Noon (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

May 10 – 21 Tom Goracke teaching “Equipped For Every Good Work” from 1:00 to 2:45 pm (M – F) in the SIBI Classroom. [**Mission Interns, Full-time Students, Auditors, Foreign Students]

Notes:

**Mission Interns — Young people from PP church, upon following their studies with us, will go to Myanmar and Indonesia to put their mission learning into practice.

Full-time Students – These are both local Singaporeans and foreign students from India and China and perhaps others places who are considered either full-time or part-time students of SIBI Singapore.

Auditors – These are Singaporean church members and citizens who sign up for our classes but attend only for the Bible knowledge, not to receive credit towards a certificate or degree.

Foreign Students – For now this category refers to foreign students who come on short-term visitor visas, later it will also refer to students holding long-term visas enrolled in the two year program.

This schedule is subject to necessary changes from time to time to accommodate both students and instructors.

Shortened Courses – We are offering some courses and seminars with less classroom time in order to accommodate visiting foreign students on short term passes as well as visiting instructors. This will also allow local residents with busy schedules to attend more of our classes. Our instructors are making every effort to maintain class-time quality under this arrangement.

Fulltime SIBI students are required to attend the Wednesday morning OBS classes (10:00 to 11:00 am) and the Wednesday evening SPC classes (7:30 to 9:00 pm) – credit can be given for attending all these classes. Talk to one of the SIBI administrators.

FOCUS ON ASIA

SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE

SINGAPORE

Newsletter of Charles and Tamara Cook

Pasir Panjang Church of Christ

347 Pasir Panjang Rd.

Singapore 118688

   ccook00@gmail.com                             http://focusonasia.wordpress.com

February, 2010

Our guest instructors for January were Ben Walker [left] who works with Adventures In Missions (AIM) at SIBI Lubbock, Texas and Tony Yeung from Shanghai, China. Both men did a splendid job of delivering just what their respective classes needed. Ben taught 14 young people from the PP Church who are being trained to do short term mission trips.  They are in fact with Ben and his wife Natalie and Winston Chong, one of Pasir Panjang Church’s elders, on the Island of Nias in Indonesia as I write this newsletter.  Tony [right] also taught this class of interns along with his weekend course on the Gospel of Mark. Each of our guest teachers taught two courses. To this same class I also taught two courses, The Identity of The N.T. Church and Christian Evidences. These were all scheduled in January because all foreign students were here on limited short term visas.  As I have been telling you for the last six months, when the Singapore government finally issues our registration we will be recognized as a private educational institution authorized to apply for long tern student visas.   Even so, we are looking for more groups of short term students for February through April.  Tom Goracke and I will be teaching them and will be aided by Mark Hooper and Phil Jackson from Mission Resource Network at the end of the month.  They will be teaching a week long seminar on Church Planting.  Traveling with them will be H. M. Motsinger who will hold a weekend seminar for SIBI and the whole PP Church entitled: NewLife Behavior.  Ed Wharton will join us in April and teach 2 courses.  This will be Ed’s second year with us.

Meanwhile, with the mission internship students and Walkers in Indonesia, Tom Goracke and I have continued teaching selective courses to the 5 students (all females) who came to Singapore on short-term visas and without the benefits of our registration papers simply because they wanted to study the Bible and see what SIBI Singapore was like.  Two of them so far have been baptized as a result of  these studies. 

In addition to the regular SIBI classes, I have been teaching the ongoing series called Open Bible Studies and for the first 10 weeks of the year a Wednesday Evening series called Fishers of Men.  Those attending are SIBI Singapore students and PP church  members alike.  Tamara is shown below with 2 very active PP members, Sandra Chan and Dorothy Tay.  The other photo shows the OBS Wed Am class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Dear Supporters  We are planning our first furlough after more than 2 year here in Singapore.  Working with the Goracke family and all the wonderful Christians here, and watching SIBI Singapore take shape has been one of the highlights of our more that 30 years of mission work.  In mid-May we will travel to Texas to meet with as many brethren as time will allow and then to California to see our granddaughter graduate from high school.  Please know that we would dearly love to visit all of you, but we have to be back in Singapore by the first week in June.  June is the all-important “camp month” with the PP Church.  This annual camp has become very important for the simple fact that it brings Asian Christians together from many places and we always make vital contacts for recruiting students there.  Nat Cooper will be this year’s camp speaker.

In Christian Love,                                                                                             Charles and Tamara Cook

Photos from January:

Sunset International Bible Institute Pte. Ltd…Singapore!

Greetings from Singapore!
Yes, the Goracke family is once again back in Singapore! After a few days of recovering from jet lag, we are back in the saddle again ready to get back to a busy schedule of a few months of classes at SIBI Singapore. But that will be reported at the end of January. This is actually our December 2009 newsletter, so let‟so get on with the events of that final month of 2009.

December was a time of mixed traveling. We arrived in Nebraska from traveling in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma to visit with most of my family and Nancy‟s parents. Yet I had opportunity and invitation to preach for a few churches in Nebraska City, Beatrice, and Scottsbluff in Nebraska and in Salina, Kansas. We shared the word of God and reported about the work we have been doing for the past year and four months before returning to the States.

Fortunately, we made the time to just enjoy being with family although we think the time was too short. Along with the enjoyment of being with family, we also thoroughly enjoyed the taste of the season of winter! After reading that, many of you will think I‟m crazy especially since at this very writing, my hometown is forecasted to have a low temperature of -23F. Please bear in mind that Singapore is what I describe as the land of eternal summer… Singapore is tropical 365 days a year. I‟m just one of those people who enjoy the four seasons… even in their extreme manifestations. We enjoyed at least 12 inches of snow in eastern Nebraska and another 6 inches in western Nebraska. Along with that, there was enough good cold weather to provide safe ice for a little ice fishing for Jaydon and me to experience together!

In the final few days of December, we started our way back to west Texas for what I will call „not so pleasant necessities.‟ We had dental appointments for Nancy, Jaydon and Shayla. Not so bad for Jaydon and Shayla, as their appointments were for a simple check up and cleaning, but for Nancy, it required the surgical removal of two long overdue wisdom teeth needing to come out. Nancy is still recovering slowly with the tenderness and pain that goes along with that procedure.

Even in the enjoyment of being with family during the holiday season, I found myself busy communicating by email with potential international students for our January and February SIBI short term studies—sending out invitations and corresponding with the necessary information to help potential students to acquire their visas. And so the work of SIBI Singapore continues into the next decade of 2010… preparing workers for the great harvest fields of Asia!

Family News, Notes & Quotes

Being born and raised in Nebraska, when the month of December rolls around, images of snuggling up to a toasty fireplace while cheerfully watching the snow pile up outside readily come to mind. As the refrain from a popular Christmas song cheerfully proclaims, “Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow.”—and it did! During December we enjoyed between six inches to nearly a foot of snow wherever we stayed in Nebraska. It‟s “snow” wonder the kids were thrilled, especially since they missed out on the simple pleasures of winter last year. Every time we were outside, Jaydon and Shayla were bending down trying to touch, eat and play in the snow. They went sledding a couple of times, had snowball fights, made snow angels, and Jaydon and Dad even got to walk on water one day. Sound fishy? It was—ice fishing! It was a treat for Dad, especially!

It was also a special treat to spend most of the month of December with family. Although we had to put some time in traveling the roads, since Tom still had a few presentations to give concerning the work in Singapore, we were blessed to share holiday time with both sides of the family. Gramps and Grandma “Shuckie” had planned and organized a large family pre-Christmas reunion and pot-luck meal on one Saturday. We were able to see and enjoy most of Tom‟s side of the family. Then on Shayla‟s birthday we traveled to Grandpa and Grandma Iversen‟s where we spent the Christmas holiday.

Shortly after Christmas we traveled back to Texas where the kiddos were scheduled to get their teeth “tickled and counted” and where I was scheduled to get my wisdom teeth removed. The kiddos‟ first dental exam was a hit. They loved it. In a way, my visit was a hit too—my mouth still feels like a truck hit it. As a kid I can remember wondering why people had their wisdom teeth removed. Teeth that touted wisdom sounded like something most people would want to keep. Speaking from experience now, I believe one reason wisdom teeth are called such is because when you pull them they continue to smart you for quite a while.

Kiddo quotes:

“God is the most best.”—Shayla
“He looks strong. Look at all his muscle pops.”—Jaydon
“You‟d better watch out. I‟m going to hit you in the eyeball with a snowball!”—Shayla

I‟d better wind down for this time. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and year‟s end. Thanking God for you. May you always know that God is the “most best” and may His muscle pops never cease to impress and amaze you. Know that we love you, and that God loves you more. He loves you the most!

 

Shayla the birthday girl!…5 years old!	Celebrating with angel food and ice cream cake!
Shayla riding that sled!!!	Jaydon enjoying a little sledding       himself!
Ice fishing results!!! 8 rainbow trout and 1 sunfish!	Nancy helping Jaydon & Shayla to ride double
Wrestling in the snow… fun! fun!	Shayla, our little snow angel in action

Overseeing church:
12th Street church of Christ
P.O. Box 1476
Seagraves, TX 79359
Contact person:
Kenny Smith
Cell Phone: (432) 209-1735
Home Phone: (806) 546-2336
Our Singapore Information
Tom & Nancy Goracke
BLK 60 Teban Garden Road
#17 – 462
Singapore, 600060
Tom‟s mobile phone:
(65) 83683213
Nancy‟s mobile phone:
(65) 83683214
Home Phone: (65) 64981864
Email: HUUtwoservants2002@yahoo.com

In closing, we want to express our thanks to so many of you who made our furlough time back in the States so enjoyable. You blessed us in so many ways and we thank God for you. When we needed a home, you welcomed us into yours as family. When we were hungry, you provided abundantly. When we shared our joys and concerns, you listened attentively. Wherever we went and wherever we stayed we were with family.

We rejoice to share with you that because of the generosity of so many even in the midst of such difficult economic times, we have received financial commitments for all of our third year (2010) budget needs! Through you, God continues to abundantly supply our needs. Proverbs 11:25 states…
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” May God refresh and prosper each of you in this New Year as you walk and serve faithfully by His side.”
Our Love to you… Tom, Nancy, Jaydon & Shayla

AMF 2010 is on July 31-Aug. 4, Saturday to Wednesday, at the Bohol Beach Club, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines

Luis Chito Cusi I pray that you will join us in Bohol, Philippines on July 31-Aug. 4 for the Asian Mission Forum 2010. Check out amfdev3.web.enabled.net/. Check out Philippine Air Lines & Cebu Pacific Airlines for flights to Manila, Cebu and Bohol. Book now to avail of budget fares! Early bird rate $285, twin share, deluxe room, tour included. [Be checking this entry for current updates]

FOCUS ON ASIA

SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE

SINGAPORE

Newsletter of Charles and Tamara Cook

Pasir Panjang Church of Christ

347 Pasir Panjang Rd.

Singapore 118688

ccook00@gmail.com                                     http://focusonasia.wordpress.com

January, 2010

A VERY WONDERFUL AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

GUEST INSTRUCTORS FOR JANUARY  AND FEBRUARY

On January 4th we will be welcoming Tony Yeung as our first guest instructor for 2010, there will be several more.  Tony is a former member of the Pasir Panjang Church (now serving in another country). We’re honored to have him in our midst and look forward to  him sharing with us his biblical insights.   Tony will be teaching the book of Mark on the weekend schedule and the book of Jonah to the mission internship students as well as our regular students during the week. This  brother is a graduate of Four Seas College and has lots of experience in Bible instruction and work on the mission field.

      BEN AND NATALIE WALKER WILL ALSO BE JOINING US SOON

Ben and Natalie are members of the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock, Tx. Sunset is host to the Sunset International Bible Institute of which SIBI Singapore is a branch institution. Ben works with Adventures in Missions, a program at Sunset for training young mission interns and then sending out to actual mission field to gain practical experience. We are very fortunate to have Ben and Natalie with us for Jan. and Feb. to lend a hand in the training of our own mission interns. We welcome Tony Yeung and the Walkers for the opening of our 2010 school year. They will also ac-company our team of youth workers as they retreat to a local rainforest for a week of survival training, and at the end of their time with SIBI Singapore go with the team for a special mission outreach to Nias,Indonesia. After Ben and Natalie return home the team will make a one month mission trip to Myanmar, one of nine mission points in Southeast Asia being targeted by the PP Church (see the church’s web site: http://www.ppcoc.org/news.htm

OTHER COURSES TO BE TAUGHT

I will also be teaching 4 courses in Jan. and Feb. to the mission interns and our regular students: The Identity of the NT Church, Christian Evidences, Philippians & Colossians, and Epistles of John. Tom Goracke will be: teaching How To Interpret The Word, traveling to recruit more students, overseeing the students and class programs. Tom is a dedicated brother and we appreciate him for all that he does. I also conduct an on-campus Bible class for students at the National University of Singapore on Monday evenings. NUS is Singapore’s largest university and sits just two blocks from the property of the PP Church. And, I will be teaching a series called Fishers of Men for the Pasir Panjang Church on Wed. evenings and a series on Ecclesiastes where the whole Singapore community is invited on Wed. mornings. (see poster above)

Ed Wharton will be our visiting instructor in April, we are hoping that Gerald Paden, Stuart Jones, Nat Cooper and John Massie can join us later in the year. Mark Hooper and Phil Jackson will join us at the end of Feb. The entire class schedule through May and other news is posted on our blog at:
http://focusonasia.wordpress.com/category/sibi-singapore-classes

SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE SINGAPORE & PASIR PANJANG CHURCH OF CHRIST TAKING THE GOSPEL TO ASIA

PRAY FOR US AS WE REACH OUT TO INDIA, CHINA, MYANMAR, THE PHILIPPINES, INDONESIA, AND MALAYSIA TO FIND CANDIDATES TO TRAIN FOR ASIAN MINISTRY!

REGISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL

Yes, it’s true… getting the school registered with the Singapore government as a recognized private educational institution has taken much longer than we anticipated. Six months ago we announced we were registered little knowing that it would take more than another six months to get all parties involved onboard. I can only cautiously say now that we “expect” to be fully registered with the Singapore authorities this month. When that happens our foreign contacts who have stated their desire to enroll at SIBI can apply for a 2 year student visa. Those who are coming to us now can only stay 30 days on a visitor visa. Pray that the needed go ahead will come soon.

Dear Supporters, We are coming into a very important year for SIBI Singapore because we can now capitalize on the hard work we’ve done and move ahead with training gospel workers for Asia. I’m thinking of Galatians 6:9 right now: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” God bless you all in 2010, Charles and Tamara Cook

ECCLESIASTES

      Instructor: Charles Cook

OPEN BIBLE STUDIES

Wednesdays at 10 am

Pasir Panjang Church of Christ,

347 Pasir Panjang Rd, Singapore

ALL ARE WELCOME

For more information: call 67788259

Email: ppcoc@pacific.net.sg

Sunset International Bible Institute Singapore & Pasir Panjang Church of Christ Taking The Gospel To Asia

 

Our Strategy Statement

1.To duplicate ourselves by training foreign nationals to proclaim The Gospel in their own homelands. 2.To share our biblical curriculum with Singaporeans and citizens of Asian nations alike. 3.To do otherwise what we can to help foreign brethren evangelize their own people. 4.To personally send our own to help in this task. 5.To wisely afford help in whatever way we can. 6.TO PRAY TO ALMIGHTY GOD FOR THE UNEVANGELIZED NATIONS OF ASIA! Administrator Families: Charles and Tamara Cook (left), Tom, Nancy, Jaydon, & Shayla Goracke (right) First SIBI Singapore class held in Nov & Dec 2007… Book of Revelation Nat Cooper came in Jan, 2009 to teach Life of Christ and Character Counts. Ed Wharton and John Massie joined us in April, 2009 for classes on Scheme of Redemption, Distinctive Nature of the New Testament Church, and Historical Christian Evidences. Gerald Paden came and taught Sacrificial System and The Book of Hebrews. Stuart and Cecilia Jones joined us in July.  Stuart taught Christian History (c100 to c1517) and Science Supports Scripture. Edwin and Mary Myers joined us in August.  Edwin taught The Christian Family and Minor Prophets. Mark Hooper from Missions Resource Network came and did a 1 day Seminar on Church Planting in Asia for the PP Church and a 1 day Seminar on Missions for the Mission Intern Students. Tom Goracke, our dean of students and recruiter, taught Historical Christian Evidences, Evangelism Message, and Epistles of John. Charles Cook, dean of administration, has taught 20 courses since the school’s beginning in Dec, 2007.   GEORGE CARMEN, ROYCE SARTIN, EDWIN MYERS, STUART JONES ALL CAME TO HELP US KEEP THE QUALITY OF TEACHING HIGH. WE ARE INDEBTED TO ALL THESE VISITING INSTRUCTORS. LAST BUT NOT LEAST —– THERE WERE THE YOUTH MISSION INTERNSHIP STUDENTS… DELIGHTFUL TO TEACH! THERE WILL BE ANOTHER GROUP OF YOUTH MISSION INTERNSHIP STUDENTS LIKE THIS ONE IN 2010. THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAM AND SIBI IS HONORED TO BE A PART OF IT. THESE DEDICATED YOUNG PEOPLE TOOK 6 OF OUR COURSES ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THEM … THEN PUT THEIR LEARNING INTO PRACTICAL USE BY SERVING A CONGREGATION IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FOR ONE MONTH. GREAT PROGRAM!!! A NEW GROUP OF MISSION INTERNSHIP STUDENTS WILL BE JOINING THE SIBI CLASSES IN JANUARY 2010 AND WILL DO THEIR ON THE FIELD PRACTICUM IN MYANMAR AND INDONESIA.  WE ARE ALSO EXPECTING STUDENTS FROM CHINA, INDIA, MYANMAR, THE PHILIPPINES AND MALAYSIA IN 2010.

INVITATION TO GET INVOLVED WITH US!

  

It will take the Whole Church to preach the Whole Gospel to the Whole World…

LET ME TELL YOU HOW WE CAN ALL JOIN OUR RESOURCES AND TALENTS TO TAKE GOD’S MESSAGE OF SALVATION TO ALL OF ASIA

How You Can Be Involved

1. PRAYER — Not only is prayer of primary importance (1Tim 2:1), it is something all of us can do. Even the little children as they are being taught to pray can begin by praying that God’s Good News will travel to all nations. Where the whole church participates in intercessory prayer on behalf of the lost…surely that is the sign of a healthy congregation. Where church members are vitally active in world evangelism and pray for the lost, undoubtedly, God will give them increase (1Cor 3:6-11). Please pray for the lost of Asia every day, and ask God to send us men who can be trained in the Bible and Evangelistic Methods from every nation in Asia (2Thes 3:1).
2. SENDING — It’s not enough to say “someone has to go and someone has to send.” It’s not that simple. We have to under-stand that the “senders” are just an vital as the “senders.” It’s generally believed that those who go are the lead players and those who send are the lesser participants. This is not a correct view! Remember, it take the sacrifices of the Whole Church if we are to spread God’s Message to the Whole World. We all must give up something in order for the Gospel to go forth. There are no bit players in carrying out the Great Commission…it was given to all of us (Matt 28:18-20).
3. GOING — Yes, this too is important. We know of no missionary who is truly proclaiming God’s Message to the lost that is doing so without sacrifice. Conversely, we know of no senders (or churches) who are truly proclaiming God’s Word to this lost world who are doing so without sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2). Like Jesus, we are all in this world for a purpose (read Luke 4:43).
4. EQUIPPING — It’s not enough for you to send and us missionaries to go, there must be the on-going “sowing and watering” that Paul spoke of (1Cor 3:6). Whether at home or abroad, God adds to His Kingdom commensurate with our preaching and teaching the Word. We must equip churches everywhere (at home and abroad) with men who will be able to lead God’s People in the 21st Century.

HERE’S OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU: Join us in training godly men and women of the various countries in Asia — PRAY that God will send us people with sincere hearts and love for God, SACRIFICE with us and help us train workers so that the Gospel can be preached all over the great continent of Asia. Four Billion souls are at stake! Let us hear from you today… ccook00@gmail.com

Charles Cook, D.Min.

Sunset International Bible Institute Singapore

http://focusonasia.wordpress.com                                                ph (65) 97978059

Sunset International Bible Institute Singapore Curriculum

Old Testament

Old Testament History I (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Scope of the entire Old Testament, places, men, women and promises from God.

Old Testament History II (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Continuation of the entire Old Testament, places, men, women and promises from God.

Minor Prophets  (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the books dealing with the minor prophets.

Isaiah (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the book of Isaiah.

Daniel & Ezekiel (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the book of Daniel & Ezekiel.

Wisdom Literature (3) [Thomas Goracke, MA]

Textual study of the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Song of Solomon.

New Testament

Letters of John (3) [Gerald Paden]

Textual study of the books of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John.

Life & Teachings of Jesus I (3) [Nat Cooper, D.Min.]

Study of the book of Luke viewing the life and teachings of Jesus.

Life & Teachings of Jesus II  [Nat Cooper, D.Min.]

Continuation of Life & Teachings of Jesus I, covering the book of Matthew with emphasis on the Sermon on the Mount.

Acts of the Apostles (3) [Edward C. Wharton]

Textual study of the book of Acts.

I Corinthians (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the book of I Corinthians.

I & II Thessalonians / Philippians (3) [Thomas Goracke, MA]

Textual study of the books of Philippians and Thessalonians.

Galatians (3) [Edward C. Wharton]

Textual study of the book of Galatians.

II Corinthians  (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the book of II Corinthians.

Ephesians / Colossians (3) [Edward C. Wharton]

Textual study of the books of Ephesians and Colossians.

I & II Peter / James (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the books of I & II Peter and James.

Hebrews  (3) [Gerald Paden]

Textual study of the book of Hebrews.

Romans  (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the book of Romans.

Gospel of John  (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the book of John.

I & II Timothy / Titus  (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the books of I & II Timothy and Titus.

Revelation  (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Textual study of the book of Revelation.

Evangelism

Evangelistic Message  (2) [Thomas Goracke, MA]

Teaches techniques of organization and delivery of a Biblical text.

Evangelistic Methods  (2) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Presentation of various methods of teaching small groups and individuals.

Spiritual Growth

Introduction to Ministry Studies  (2)

A course designed to help the student improve his/her study skills and to communicate more effectively, especially in written form.

Spiritual Disciplines  (2)

The study and the application of various biblical disciplines which will assure spiritual growth of the individual.

Christian Home (2)

The study of marital maturity, values, insights and skills which include communication, financial management, sexual harmony, and parenting.

Effective Bible Study (2) [Richard Cravy, via DVD]

Using the books of Jude and Philippians study skills are taught which develop research and study habits.

Christian Counseling  (2)

Basic non-clinical counseling skills and insights relevant to the people-helping tasks of ministry.

History / Evidences

Christian Evidences (3) [Edward C. Wharton]

Study of historical and scientific proof of Biblical people, places, and events.

Church History & Doctrine (3) [Stuart Jones, D.Min.]

Survey of church history from pre-Christian background through the Reformation and Restoration Movements, to today.

Science Supports Scripture (3) [Stuart Jones, D.Min.]

A study of the Word of God to show how it is always true to known current scientific information.

Languages

Greek (2) [Chris Swinford, D.Min.]

Study of the New Testament Greek language, grammar, and syntax.

Missions

Biblical Theology of Missions (3) [Mark Hooper, Ph.D.]

The study of missions as seen throughout the scriptures.

Preaching

Introduction to Homiletics  (3) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Development of the ability of logical thought and recognizing false concepts.

Interpretive Reading (2) [Charles Cook, D.Min.]

Practical approach to reading scriptures effectively.

Topical Preaching (2)

Research and presentation of select topics from scriptures.

Evangelistic Preaching (2)

Practical approach to speaking compellingly.

Textual Preaching (2)

Emphasis placed on selecting a text, digesting it and expounding it publically.  A study of textual and expository preaching.  This will call for balance between Biblical exegesis and practical application.

Special Events Preaching (2)

Development and presentation of sermons for weddings and funerals, and instructor assistance in ministering at such times.

Doctrinal

Scheme of Redemption (3) [Edward C. Wharton]

A theological, doctrinal, and historical study of the Messianic seed prophecies from Genesis to the ascension.

Sacrificial System (3) [Gerald Paden]

A study of the Old Testament worship based on the Law of Moses and the concepts of sacrifice and atonement.

Church of Christ (3) [Edward C. Wharton]

The history of the church from the first century, through the reformation and the restoration.

WHY ASIA?

 

"The modernization of Asia is by far the most important event taking place in the world today."  John Naisbitt, Megatrends Asia Asia , the largest of earth’s seven continents, is largely unevangelized. It covers 8.6% of the Earth’s total surface area (or about one-third of the world’s total land area).  And, with its outlying islands, it covers an estimated 44,936,000 sq. Km. (17,350,000 sq. Mi.).  With almost 4 billion people, it contains more than 60% of the world’s current human population.  This vast mission field probably has over 4.5 Billion people…that’s 2 out of every 3 human beings on earth! Chiefly in the eastern and northern hemispheres, Asia is traditionally defined as part of the landmass of Eurasia – with the western portion of the latter occupied by Europe – lying east of the Suez Canal, east of the Ural Mountains, and south of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian and Black Seas.  It is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean, to the south by the Indian Ocean, and to the north by the Arctic Ocean. Given its size and diversity, Asia is more a cultural concept incorporating a number of regions and peoples than a homogeneous physical entity.  It is made up of 48 different countries when Central Asia is included. They are peoples of different ethnic, language and cultural backgrounds making it the most challenging place on earth for doing mission work.  In the next decade another half billion people will be added to its population.  Many feel that God is opening doors for the planting of His Church in every part of Asia …. are we ready? It is believed that by training faithful men from the various nations of Asia (i.e., China, India, etc.) in Singapore, a multi-cultural Asian city itself, that these men (and women) will take the Message of Christ back to their homelands and plant local churches.  In Christian Service, Charles Cook, D.Min Sunset International Bible Institute Singapore Contact us for more information at: ccook00@gmail.com  AS AN ENTERPRISE, WORLD EVANGELISM IS AN ASSIGNMENT MADE TO THE WHOLE BODY OF CHRIST….EVERY MEMBER OF EVERY LOCAL CHURCH NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED!! And WHY establish a Ministry Training School in Singapore?   Note our strategic location for serving all Asia [Singapore is located at the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula … the small region in red on the map below] Singapore: Land space: 682 sq kilometers Population: 4.5 million Strategically located just below Southeastern Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia Singapore is recognized as a first-world City-State Slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC One million foreign nationals from neighboring countries in Singapore on temporary work permits … A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO EVANGELIZE ASIA!  Sunset International Bible Institute Singapore Pasir Panjang Church of Christ Singapore Not only is Singapore strategic for reaching out to all of Asia, add to that the fact that SIBI is hosted by and in partnership with the Pasir Pajang Church of Christ in Singapore.  Both share a dream to take the Message of Christ to every part of the Asian Continent.  The Pasir Panjang congregation is graciously playing host to SIBI in this effort to spread the Kingdom of God throughout Asia.  [Photos below show how steadily this church has grown in numbers over the years… The PP Church is mission minded with outreaches to some ten locations in Asia.] Some of our regular guest instructors at SIBI Singapore             Gerald Paden                                               Edward C. Wharton                                  Stuart & Cecilia Jones John Massie           Nat Cooper

2009 Goracke Newsletter

Sunset International Bible Institute Pte. Ltd… Singapore!

Greetings from Scottsbluff, Nebraska!
That is a bit of a change from Singapore to say the least, but certainly a joy to have finally returned to our home state and hometowns where we are once again reunited with our families! Let me extend my apologies for this late and limited report.

After arriving back in the States on October 28th, we immediately hit the ground running for all of November up to this very week. Since November 1st, we have visited with nearly 20 supporting churches and supporting families reporting about the progress of SIBI Singapore and seeking additional support for our third year of ministry in Singapore. At the same time during our travels, I worked to send out invitations by email to many potential short term study (January & February of 2010) international students from nations surrounding Singapore. We have several who are interested in applying as full time students!

Just today (Thursday the 17th), I received an email with the “possible” good news we have been waiting for! We may have just completed the Singapore government’s fire safety requirements which should be the last hurdle we have been needing to clear in order to issue full time student visas! Please keep your prayers going in this regard… we need this registration process to be fulfilled!

As I mentioned above, we are still short on our 3rd year support needs. Due to the economic situation, we have lost some support this past year. Yet we have been blessed to have some supporters to have increased their contributions and some new churches who are considering joining with us as financial partners! Please continue to remember us in your prayers in this regard and if you know of any churches who might be interested in sharing in this Asian ministry, please pass along their contact information.

Family News, Notes & Quotes
“On the Road Again”—could have been our family’s theme song for the month of November. Despite racking up the miles on the road, residing in a different zip code every week, living out of suitcases and sharing cold or flu bugs with each other from the beginning to the end of the month, we still had much to be thankful for as we journeyed from one location to the next. The abundant love and hospitality extended to us both warmed our hearts and humbled us. We thank God for the open arms of family and friends who willingly took us in, fed us so well, graciously gave up beds so we would have a place to rest our heads, provided a place for us to do laundry or just relax and welcomed us into their lives as we traveled through their area. God has placed just the right people in just the right places and continues to refresh us in so many ways. We know we are blessed and have very thankful hearts as our Father continues to use so many special people in our lives to provide our needs and shine His love and concern for us. We feel especially blessed to have been able to spend Thanksgiving at Uncle Ron’s and Aunt Shirley’s. They continue to bless us with an open house and red carpet treatment every time we come through their area. That’s all the news I’ll share for this time. We should be sending out a December update in a few weeks. I’ll leave you with one kiddo quote I heard as Jaydon and Shayla were playing a while back.

Kiddo Quote:
“I have rainbow powers,” Shayla said. (What are rainbow powers? You might ask.) “I can make things colorful,” she told her brother. (I think many children do have rainbow powers!)

May you have or enjoy rainbow powers in your life too. Know that we love you and that God, the designer of the rainbow, loves you even more. He loves you the most!

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Shayla and her friend Cally               

Overseeing church:
12th Street church of Christ
P.O. Box 1476
Seagraves, TX 79359
Contact person:
Kenny Smith
Cell Phone: (432) 209-1735
Home Phone: (806) 546-2336
Our Singapore Information
Tom & Nancy Goracke
BLK 60 Teban Garden Road
#17 – 462
Singapore, 600060
Tom’s mobile phone:
(65) 83683213
Nancy’s mobile phone:
(65) 83683214
Home Phone: (65) 64981864
Email: HUUtwoservants2002@yahoo.com
USA Phone #: (308) 641-3971

How We Can

All Agree…

Henry Kong

There is so much debate and disagreement in  Christendom
today. This has resulted in many denominations, unable to see eye-to-eye, even in the basic teachings of the Bible. So how can we find the common ground to work on?

As I see it, there are 4 levels where we need to work at in
order to find a consensus:

The first level is regarding matters pertaining to salvation. Here, we can make no compromise.  The Bible teaches in 1Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

The second level has to deal with matters not pertaining to salvation. In this instance, like the early Christians in Berea, we need to examine the scriptures to ensure if these things were so (Acts 17:10-11).

The next level of disagreement is regarding customs or cultural differences. We should recognise these as such, and not make it a bone of contention according to 1
Corinthians 11:16, “if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”

Finally, there are differences in matters of opinion. Romans 14:4-6 is very clear when it states, “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike.”

“Come now, and let us reason together” – Isaiah 1:18.

FISHERS OF MEN

       INSTRUCTOR: CHARLES COOK

6 January — We Catch’em, He Cleans’em

13 January — The Church Must Be Healthy

20 January — The Church Must Be Growing

27 January — The Church Must Be Active

3 February — Jesus Christ, Disciple Maker

24 February — Soul Winning & Apologetics

3 March — Soul Winning In A Changing World

10 March — The Soul Winner’s Lifestyle

17 March — Build Your Own Presentation #1

24 March — Build Your Own Presentation #2

[Discussion Groups following each lesson presentation]

[Attn SIBI Students: See the instructor about credit for this series]

WBS Study Course

   Sunset International Bible Institute Singapore

   Pasir Panjang Church of Christ (English-speaking)

           347 Pasir Panjang Road (P.O. Box 74)

                       Singapore 118688

• Enroll now and Lesson One of the FREE Bible Correspondence Courses will arrive in your mail box in a few short days.
• Simply fill out the form and click the submit button.
• Your email address will not be forwarded to anyone, it stays with us.
• World Bible School is designed to encourage you to study the Bible by yourself and for yourself!

IT IS ABSOLUTELY FREE

                           WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL

A FREE 5 part Bible Study Course through the mail:

1. Introduction to the Bible
      – Introduction to where the Bible came from

2. God Has Spoken
      – Investigates how the Bible is God’s Word

3. Knowing Jesus
      – Introduces Jesus, who he was, his purpose and teachings

4. This is Good News
      – Gets to the heart of the message of the entire Bible

5. Born of Water and Spirit
      – A study of how a Christian is to live

If you would like to enroll, please fill out the following information, clip and paste to an email, and send it to: wbsinfo@wbschool.org or ccook00@gmail.com

Name: _____________________________________________

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City: _____________  Country: __________ Postal: _________

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FOCUS ON ASIA

SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE

SINGAPORE

Newsletter of Charles and Tamara Cook

Pasir Panjang Church of Christ

347 Pasir Panjang Rd.

Singapore 118688

         ccook00@gmail.com                  http://focusonasia.wordpress.com

December, 2009

TO OUR READERS AND SUPPORTERS, A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

Shown left, Charles and Tamara Cook,Tom, Nancy, Jaydon, and     Shyla Goracke

All of December is a holiday month here, the city will be brightly decorated by all the major religions, and things tend to take on a slower pace. This is a break time for SIBI Singapore classes. We use this season to reach out beyond Singapore. Tamara and I have been invited by the Wangsa Maju congregation of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to their annual Bible camp followed by a Seminar on Ephesians. I will be their camp speaker (Port Dickson) and afterward teach the seminar at their church facility in K.L. We will also be preparing courses for 2010 and recruiting students from India, Philippines, Malaysia, and that other “heavily populated” country. The Goracke family will be traveling over the holidays in America seeing family and supporters, this is a devoted and talented missionary family and deserving of brotherhood support.

Tamara and I will spend the last part of December in Singapore. We will also be working with the SIBI board of directors to finalize our year long effort to get the Singapore government to recognize SIBI Singapore as a private religious training institute. Their requirements have been demanding.

Kuala Lumpur is just a half day’s journey from Singapore by bus and this trip will give us an idea if Tamara is ready to begin traveling again following her surgery almost 18 months ago.

Our dear friend, Nat Cooper, was scheduled to teach for us beginning January 4, but because of the serious illness of his eldest son, Steve, he will not be joining us in Singapore until June. We are in the process of inviting someone to join us in January in Nat’s place. Another dear friend, Ed Wharton, will be with us in April.

ALSO JOINING US IN

JANUARY: 

BEN AND NATALIE WALKER

Ben and Natalie work with the Sunset Adventures In Missions program in Lubbock, Texas and they are joining us in January and February to especially help prepare a team of youths from the PP Church for a special mission outreach in Myanmar. I watched Ben grow up as an MK, Gary and Kathy Walker and 3 sons where our co-workers in India for several years. Ben and Natalie will not only be teaching daily classes here at SIBI in Singapore, they will also accompany our elders and the mission internship students out into the nearby Kota Rainforest for an additional week of instruction. We believe preparing future missionaries is a very productive ministry.

SPEAKING OF MISSION WORK: Henry Kong, who has served the Pasir Panjang congregation as their minister for the entire 45 years since it was started, shared some information about PP’s current mission points and I would like to pass it on to our readers. Henry wrote, “It’s late into the year and the holiday season is here but PP’s missions activities are still going strong. Looks like our missions program is not only moving at a rapid speed, but also well distributed throughout the year. In the next few weeks, 45 members will be heading for Indonesia, Philippines and Myanmar. First to leave on 7th December is a team of 21 for Tuao, Philippines to engage the community, with medical, educational and religious outreach. Leaving the next day is a team of 13 bound for Nias, Indonesia. This team is taking our missions to another level and be involved in hands-on humanitarian work. On a different note, me and a team of 10 will be making our first trip to Yangon, Myanmar in January. We will conduct a seminar for 40 denominational leaders on going back to the Bible and becoming the kind of people that God wants them to be. This trip will also be heavily medical based as we will be reaching out to children at the orphanage…By the way, next year the Asia missions forum will be held in Cebu, Philippines in August and the organisers have asked PP to be their missions resource team since we have many years of missionary experience all over Asia.” SIBI Singapore had 14 foreign students, and over 100 Singaporeans have taken one or more of our 21 courses taught in our 2 year history. Our host, the Pasir Panjang Church of Christ, is one of the most mission minded churches in Asia. Here are the 2009 statistics: Number of baptisms 25, Restorations or placing membership 13, Average attendance per week 350. The PP Church has installed a chair lift and now Tamara is able to attend the activities on the 2^nd floor of the church building, see the video attached.

God bless you all, Charles & Tamara Cook www.focusonasia.wordpress.com

Privilege or Sacrifice?

This article by Henry Kong appeared in the Pasir Panjang church bulletin as a response to the PP Church celebrating its 45 Anniversary on October 23rd.  The occasion turned out a wonderful gathering of over 500 members and friends of the congregation.  Brother Peter Soh also as written his impressions of the celebration activities and you may read his comments below also.  The PP Church is host to Sunset International Bible Institute Singapore and is honored to partner with them in reaching out to Singapore and all of Asia with the Good News of our Lord.  We too congratulate our brethren.

 

For the Week of 22nd November 2009

At the 45th Anniversary celebrations, many sent in congratulatory messages to the church. Most of these mentioned the long service that Nat and I have put into the work, some even saying that it was a sacrifice on our part.  Looking back over four decades, we never once regarded our ministry as a sacrifice of any kind. For Nat and I, it was a privilege to serve and we thank God, over and over again that He has placed us at this point of history here with this congregation to devote ourselves to kingdom work.

Sure, full-time ministry is not easy and not everyone is suited for church work. If we were to take everything into consideration, we would never have ventured into it. But we were moved by a passionate calling. In our minds, it is not only an important and needed work, but also the best job in the world.  Then we think of the many people serving with us at PP who likewise counted their service as much of a privilege as we do. Here are some of these unsung heroes and heroines.

Back to the recent Anniversary grand dinner, Peter Soh observed that there were many serving, mingling around and creating a great atmosphere, and probably did not have time to eat very much. Some of these came as early as 5 pm so that when we arrived, all things would be in place. Yet everyone of them paid the full price of the dinner, like you and I.  The church camp is another great example. A team of over 50 volunteers work hard and long to ensure that everything flows smoothly. Some of these organizers have to make a few trips to the camp site to get things ready, and then an extra day earlier before the camp. Still, everyone of them pays the same camp fees as any camper.

I can go on and on. Missions trips, bringing food for fellowship, hosting committee meetings and Care teams, providing hospitality to overseas guests… Members at PP rise to the occasion, not because they see it as a duty or a sacrifice. They do it with great joy because they are glad to be counted worthy to sacrifice and suffer for the Lord, like the early apostles in Acts 5:41.  — Henry Kong

More Than Just An
Anniversary Dinner
by Peter Soh

Our 45th anniversary dinner at the Dragon Gate restaurant was a great event as far as I’m concerned. It was my first church anniversary dinner and as soon as I arrived at the venue, I could feel the vibes. It’s not the setting, the food or even the occasion. It’s the vibes. I booked a table to invite my golfing buddies. I wanted them to experience the fellowship that really exists in the PP church. Out of the nine of them, four are attending various denominations. The rest are non-believers and do not have a religion.

During the course of our friendship over the years, I have sought their views on their beliefs and we have debated on the reasons of why I am a believer. Since we cannot accord faith in scientific terms, we can show it. We can display how by being a Christian our faith is unquestioned and the way we live, talk and interact with each other demonstrates our faith and our conviction.

So at our annual dinner, I saw this in action, in all its glory. So did my friends. The souvenir booklet that was given out was at first shunted to one side by some of them. By the end of the dinner, they were holding and browsing through them and eventually brought it home, everyone of them. Our vibes for each other made some of them wonder if they were missing out on something.

It started the moment you get to the entrance of the restaurant. There were elders Adrian and Beng Chuan greeting everyone like they were bridegrooms. You enter the hall and everyone was excitedly talking with each other. The atmosphere was of a large family gathering.

When the dinner commenced my friends witnessed several manifestations of fellow-ship. Next to our table, Patrick was interpreting for the hearing impaired almost every thing that was going on. I don’t think he had a decent dinner. And he was standing up
during the whole time. I had several elders and deacons in smart suits drop by our table to say hello.

Edward came by to take pictures and chatted with them about golfing. Sandra came along and gave a three minute, passionate, inspiring and dynamic speech about why she gave up golf and devoted herself to God and that He was enough for her! She went off after giving that resounding speech and left everyone astounded! When my friends heard that she was a single handicapper, they were even more amazed. Our minister Henry came to chat and found a way to work his charm into some of them.

I was told by one of them that when he attended churches in Europe, most of the time they were filled with the elderly people. At that moment, the youths gave a fantastic rendering of songs in a cappella. That brought the subject up that our church was not filled with old people. Those visits to our table gave the impression that we welcome visitors like family. There was also the observation of our church having a very good mix of races. Also by a coincidence the two African singers, Mac and Stanley showed their amazing talent in song. They produced such a magical and virtuoso performance that I myself wondered if they were part of our church! Needless to say, my friends were impressed. Two of my friends were escorted right to their table by some church receptionist on duty.

My point in all these is that sometimes we cannot convince people about our beliefs through dialogues or reasoning. But we can do so by displaying our verve, joy and fellowship that is based on our true faith and belief in God. It could be infectious. It was apparent at the annual dinner night. My non-believing friends were made to wonder. If even one of them decided to find out more about the way people behave because of their beliefs, they would be on the way to acceptance.

I hope we would see some of them one day, in our church. I myself have been the beneficiary of the goodwill extended to me since I came to the PP. To me it is PP’s most important asset – welcoming visitors with true sincerity and affection regardless of race, background, physical disposition and belief. We should nurture this great asset and use it as a tool to expose others to God in bringing them to Christ.

Dear fellow missionary and workers in the Lord’s kingdom in Asia (and the rest of the world),

Greetings of grace and peace in the Lord!

Sorry for this late update.  As you know we have had our hands full in the Philippines.  Typhoons have caused much damage and opened many opportunities for brethren in the Philippines to show their love and the love of Christ during the floodings in Metro Manila and Central Luzon.  We have been actively involved with the relief work.  With so many areas affected and so many people involved in the relief work, we have been stretched to almost overwhelmed.  Thanks to the active involvement of many concerned brethren that the load has been shared, nevertheless our hearts and thoughts remained wholly on the relief and evangelism efforts that have been ongoing since September.  So many people have been helped, and now they all know more about the Church of Christ and our closely-knit and loving family in the Lord.  About 50 souls have been added to the kingdom since the floodings, and before the year ends we expect this number to increase as the holidays approach and the year ends.  God’s shake up has awakened not only the people who do not know Him, but also those of our brethren who have found a great ministry in medical evangelism.  Indeed, this have been times wherein we not only preach the word but we show how we live the word.

Anyway, here’s the latest update.

VENUE

Negotiations are ongoing with two major hotels (one in the island of Cebu and the other in the island of Bohol).  The price they have quoted for the July 31-August 4 forum is still quite high at $280 per pax, twin sharing, with 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 4 Suppers included, plus the use of their Conference Rooms.  We will try to bring this to $240 if possible.

Let me tell you about Tagbilaran City, Bohol.  Bohol island is a 2 hour fast ferry boat ride from Cebu City port.  In the city is the resort island of Panglao.  The area is known for its kilometers long white beaches, and sparkling clear waters with a rich marine life that is great for snorkeling and scuba diving.  Our hotel of choice at the moment is the Bohol Beach Club (check it out on the web).  From Bohol Beach Club, there are island hopping and dolphin watching tours; when lucky one will be able to see hundreds of dolphins and a few whale sharks, which are becoming quite common in Philippine seas.  What is guaranteed is the snorkeling and the scuba diving—the island has a very rich and diverse marine life.  Bohol Beach Club provides all guests a free 20 minute ride on their glass bottom boat in case you are not convinced of the marine life.

Other highlights of any trip to Bohol are the oldest Catholic churches in the Philippines in Baclayon, a Catholic museum, and the Loboc River Cruise wherein we will get onboard, have lunch and be serenaded in 2 outrigger boats joined together by a platform. Lunch is served on the boat and stops over midways at a small zoo for the world’s smallest monkey, the Tarsier.  About another hour’s drive from the river is the world famous Chocolate Hills.  This are hills (hundreds of them) side by side with each other that are shaped like Hershey chocolate kisses, hence the name Chocolate Hills.  To take this tour, we will end one morning session at 1130 am, and then spend the rest of the afternoon doing the tour. 

You know about Cebu.  This was where the AMF was about 4 years ago so I will not say much about it.  Cebu is our back up in the remote possibility that having it in Bohol becomes a problem.

The only hitch about going to Bohol is that there are no direct flights going to Bohol from any part of Asia.  You will have to fly to Manila and then connect to Tagbilaran City—all major airlines have regular flights to Bohol since it is a major tourist destination in the country.  Your other option is to fly to Cebu and then take the 2 hour fast ferry boat ride.

AIRFARES

We will send you soon airline rates from our major carriers, i.e. Philippine Air Lines, Cebu Pacific Air, Air Philippines and Zest Air.  Every now and then PAL and CPA have budget promo fares so before you book, it would be good to check with me or to go online.  Right now for instance, if you go to the website of Philippine Airlines and click on Econolight Fares and then book your flight between Nov. 20-22 and travel to Cebu around the AMF 2010 dates, the one way airfare is only P777 per pax.  You can’t beat this rate, so if you are sure to come, book now!

SPEAKERS

We are still working on this.  We have received a confirmation of at least one speaker and are working on the other.  Actually we have two other great options at the moment which are making it difficult for us to decide.  As soon as we get this straightened, an announcement will be made.

THEME: 

Who’s In Control In Asia?

FORMAT:

Aside from the morning and evening devotional speakers, we will have break up groups in the morning as usual.  Hopefully, workshops and strategizing will be part of the meetings.  Myself being very much involved in Medical Evangelism, this will be one of the break up discussions.  There is also a possibility that there will be a special Ladies’ Only Meeting; negotiations with the speaker from the Saturn Road Church of Christ are ongoing.

WEBSITE/ONLINE REGISTRATION: 

Pls. check out our site at http://asiamissionsforum.freehostia.com/.  Chris Allison is helping us set this up and should be ready for online booking soon. Take note that the site is still in Draft Form.  Chris feels that the name Asia Missions Forum is more accurate since it is about Asia Missions, but I have asked him to keep to the original name of Asian Mission Forum until such time that there is an official move to change the name. 

ARE YOU GOING?

Well, that’s it for now folks, except I would like to hear from you.  It is important that we have an idea of how many of us will be attending AMF 2010 so that we can make the necessary reservations for rooms and deposits.
So by way of reply to this AMF 2010 Update, please let me know whether you are:

1.  Not Going
2.  Not Sure – Thinking of Going
3.  Definitely Going

Additionally, I would like you all to know that we are making provisions and designing AMF 2010 so that we can have many of our Local Preachers and Missionaries attend without having to pay the full registration fee.  This means that they can join us for all meals and sessions but will not be staying in the AMF 2010 hotel. 

I know that AMF 2010 will be a great time for fellowship and growth for all.  Our locals meeting with you, singing with you, fellowshipping with you, etc. will symbiotically grow our love and outlooks.

Again, please let me know of your concerns, questions and specially that you are coming or not.

Your fellow servants and one of AMF 2010’s hosts,

Chito & Tess Cusi

• Note: This application form should be completed, copied and emailed to one of the email addresses reflected below.  Foreign students will have to apply to the Singapore Government for a student visa.  Further instructions will be forwarded to those sending in this form.

SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE SINGAPORE

Initial Student Application

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