One of World's Youngest Countries Requests FaithCamp + Register for FaithCamp West!
FaithCamp West June 26-30, 2019
Testimony from a first time attendee
I have been looking forward to Faith Camp all year and so have my children. Last year was my first time going to this camp meeting, and I was sad that there were so few that attended. Many missed out on a great blessing. In my opinion it really should have been the biggest attended camp meeting. I was so blessed, inspired, encouraged, and challenged. And I desire for others to be as well. The harvest is great and I am sorry that the workers are few. My prayer has been, "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord, o'er mountain or plain or sea, I'll say what you want me to say dear Lord, I'll be what you want me to be." Now is the time for aggressive evangelism. The bridegroom is coming!
~FaithCamp West 2018 Attendee
One of World's Youngest Countries Requests FaithCamp
FaithCamp in Timor-Leste is an exciting new experience for believers in their brand new country. Never before have they had a camp meeting that brings church members and visitors from all over the country into one place to worship and study the Bible together. Jesus for Asia is teaming up with church leadership to bring in speakers who will help church members understand what it is like to live a life of discipleship.
Seventeen-Year-Old Country
Timor-Leste is the fourth-youngest country in the world. They declared their independence from Indonesia, and their sovereignty was granted them in 2002. The country makes up half of the island of Timor, which is located between Indonesia and Australia. Timor-Leste most closely compares to the size and population of Connecticut. In Connecticut, there are 8,749 Seventh-day Adventists compared to only 650 in Timor-Leste.
Traditional and Modern Religion
98% of Timorese people claim to be Roman Catholic, but their religion is heavily mixed with animistic traditions. Although they follow the practices of the Catholic church and revere God and Jesus in their everyday lives, they also keep many ancient traditions of their people. This includes a constant effort to appease their ancestors with sacrifices and feasts. For the people of Timor Leste, the object of religion is to satisfy the needs of God and men in order to earn favor and prosperity. They are very unfamiliar with the concept of an deep interpersonal relationship with God.
Becoming a Seventh-day Adventist in Timor-Leste is a difficult choice, one that takes real commitment and faith. Due to mild persecution or shunning by family and friends, most decide to move away from their home and support network after joining the church.
"I want people to come away with a great expectation that they too can have a vibrant personal life in Christ" - Pastor Ray House, President of Timor-Leste Mission
The church members’ greatest needs are to learn what it is like to have a deep personal walk with Jesus, to understand how much Jesus loves them, and to trust Jesus 100%. The Timorese people have a strong desire to learn what it means to follow Jesus. They want to see it in the lives of those who have already made this decision.
Exciting Opportunities
When Pastor Ray House, president of the Timor-Leste Mission met John Wood at a recent missions conference in Bali, he Invited Jesus for Asia is to come and hold a FaithCamp in Timor-Leste. Jesus for Asia is honored to be a part of building a foundation of believers in this country.
The goal for FaithCamp Timor-Leste is this, as quoted by Pastor House:
“I want Jesus for Asia & FaithCamp to come with stories of personal faith and freedom to follow Jesus with deep hunger and thirst for His word, His presence & His power in their life. I want people to come away with a great expectation that they too can have a vibrant personal life in Christ and can see a loving God who has prepared a fulfilling, purposeful life for them so that they will eagerly share their experience with their friends and family. In short I’m asking for miracles, signs and wonders.”
FaithCamp Timor-Leste will be held September 4-8, 2019. Traveling to this country is costly. Please pray that God will provide the needed funds for the travel and expenses of the speakers for this new event. Prayers are also requested for the Timorese people to attend and grow in their relationship with Christ. Lastly, please pray for an outpouring Holy Spirit on the meetings.
We are grateful that we can accept this invitation and pursue new projects in new areas because of faithful donors who give to the Where Needed Most fund.
Timor-Leste Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs