Recent Updates
Last Month I highlighted some statistics concerning the diversity of countries, religions, languages and people groups that Barnabas1040 Missions and our partners have the privilege of helping.
This month I thought that our partners in ministry might enjoy seeing a few photos of some of the people and churches you are investing in through your prayers and finances. I am including a few pictures from just a handful of the 20 countries where we are helping national pastors plant churches in cities and villages where there are very few, if any, foreigners. This will give you a very small glimpse of what is happening as a result of your prayers and financial support in parts of the world that have very little access to the Gospel.
Majority Muslim:
Majority Buddhist:
Majority Hindu:
Majority Animist and Tribal Religions :
Majority Catholic:
It is my prayer that these photos will give you a better understanding of how you can pray as we are striving together to bring the Gospel to those who live in areas of great physical and spiritual darkness.
I believe that every single person born into the world deserves the opportunity to be saved. I never cease to thank God that He has raised up local churches and partners like yourself to help us with our goal of bringing the Gospel to those who are still waiting to hear the wonderful news of salvation.
Thank you for praying and giving.
Personal Details:
In last month’s letter I mentioned that my wife would be having Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery. The surgery was successful and she is gradually regaining the use of her right arm, although we are told It will be a few months before she has complete mobility. Some of you sent texts, emails flowers or calls expressing your concern. Gayle asked me to express her thanks for your love, prayers and encouragement!
Ministry Related Details:
I was not able to travel during the month of September, but this gave me an opportunity to focus on making contact with our missionaries and pastors in Asia and Africa. This was very helpful in gaining insight into victories, disappointments, needs and how we could better serve them.
This communication time also helped me see a few things that we needed to change in order to stay focused on church planting, worker accountability and wise stewardship. The Lord also allowed us to vet and make commitments to helping 5 new pastors in Vietnam, 2 in the Philippines and 1 in Bangladesh. September was a needed and profitable time, but we are both looking forward to getting back on the road in October.
Statistics:
I thought it might be interesting to our ministry partners to see where you are helping to take the gospel message. We are currently engaged in 20 countries. Rather than list each country individually, I have placed them into 5 categories based on the majority religion of the people. As you consider these it is good to remember that some of the countries are communist and officially Atheist, and others of them have multiple false religious beliefs depending upon their tribal customs. Most of the places we work have less than 2% of the population that claims biblical Christianity.
Majority Muslim: 10 Countries – 36 Pastors – 23 languages
Majority Buddhist: 5 Countries – 55 Pastors – 40 Languages
Majority Hindu: 1 Country – 7 Pastors – 7 languages
Majority Animist and Tribal Religions: 2 Countries – 4 men – 3 languages
Majority Catholic: 2 Countries – 5 men – 2 languages
Total: 20 Countries – 107 Pastors – 75 languages* (some of these languages are duplicates due to multiple men reporting, and my inability to know how many villages speak the same language. My conservative estimate would be 50 different languages.)
The Lord is doing some amazing things around the world and it is a great privilege to have a part through Barnabas1040 Missions. We could not do it without the faithful partners that pray for and give towards this ministry. Thank you for helping us serve these servants of God who are laboring in difficult places.
God Bless You,
Dwight & Gayle Tomlinson
A few days ago I returned from my first Asian trip since the shutdowns triggered by the Covid virus. It was great to be back among people I have grown to love and also to meet new nationals that we hope to partner with through Barnabas1040.
Thailand and Laos Conference:
My trip began with a flight to UdonThani, Thailand where approximately 200 national workers assembled for 4 days of prayer, teaching, and preaching. The meeting was held close to the border of Thailand and Laos so that our Laotian brothers and sisters could attend without fear of harassment.
I was honored to preach twice during the conference as well as blessed to hear several messages from local pastors. Of course I did not have a clue what they were saying, but it was still good to know they were preaching the truths of God’s Word!
It was good to meet up with some faithful missionary friends that I have not seen for a long time.
I also rejoice that I was able to vet and commit financial support to a new church planter in Thailand. Please pray for Pastor Pran and the Baan Wai Baptist Church.
Vietnam:
The bulk of my time in Asia was spent in Vietnam. It is truly inspiring to see how God is working through his people there. There are very few foreign gospel workers but souls are being saved every day all over that beautiful country.
I don’t think it wise to name the various cities and villages I visited, but I do want to say that everywhere I went, I met men and women with a great love and dedication to Christ.
I spoke in Bible Institutes, local churches and home gatherings. The surroundings varied but the spirit was consistent. Most of the people I met with were young, but all of them have a clear understanding of what it might cost them to be followers of Jesus. My heart was truly moved by their stories. Some of them told me of watching their fathers endure multiple imprisonments. One told me of seeing his father killed and his body thrown in the river. My love and admiration for these dear people grows deeper each time I have the opportunity to be with them.
There is a great opportunity and need for foreign workers to go to Vietnam, but only if one is humble enough to work in the shadows as a servant to the local people.
There are several local men that we could take on for support right now in Vietnam. Please contact me if you are a pastor wanting to help meet this need. Barnabas1040 is supporting around 30 church planters in Vietnam now, but we could increase that number if God touches your heart.
Personal Prayer Request
My wife will be having total shoulder replacement surgery this coming Monday, August 29th. I would appreciate very much if our friends would pray for her.
In closing I want to say once again how thankful we are for every pastor, church and Individual that partners with us through prayer or finances. We know that we could not do what we do without you.
A few weeks from now will mark 7 years since we began this ministry not knowing what God would do with it. I am amazed at how gracious God has been to allow us to now support well over 100 church planters in 20 different countries. Thousands of people are being saved and baptized each year.
None of this could have happened without God’s blessing and your partnership.
God Bless You!
Our national pastors and church planters reported 2,139 professions of faith and 391 baptisms during the months of April, May, and June. These are people who come from primarily Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Atheist backgrounds. Most of these new converts will suffer some level of persecution because of their decision to follow Christ.
- Wisdom on how to proceed with Gayle’s medical decisions.
- Health, Safety, and God’s guidance as I make trips into Thailand and Vietnam in a few days.
- More national church planters that we can help as they plant gospel preaching churches in villages and cities where access is restricted to foreigners.
- Courage, boldness, and Holy Spirit power for those who are serving in difficult and dangerous places around the world.
- More churches and individuals to join forces with Barnabas1040 through prayer and financial support for the addition of new church planters.
Connect with Pastor Tomlinson