July 4, 2022

[The Lees Update] Newsletter (July 2022)

Dear Friend,

Hope and pray you’re doing well this summer. For us, we’re passing through the hottest season of the year in the Philippines. The concerned general election peacefully went by in May. We appreciate everyone who sent the prayers and messages of care on our behalf. While many parts of the world have steadily recovered from Covid-19, things are still somewhat behind here in the Philippines. Schools continued with an online teaching format up to this time, hoping to navigate the possibility of opening face-to-face classes from August 2022. IGSL has also carried out all training in online design throughout June this year.

Praise the Lord that 37 seasoned Christian leaders were produced through IGSL degree programs and commissioned back to 13 countries of Asia. Though the ceremony was conducted by a virtual means, the graduates were showered with heartfelt congratulations and blessings from the faculty and family members. Thank God for His sustaining grace on our virtual training ministry in a prolonged pandemic. And thank you for faithfully supporting us with your prayer and giving to equip Christian leaders for the nations. It is undoubtedly bearing positive fruits for Christ in the nations.

It is with joy to share with you that the Lord recently opened a door for us to expand the ministry of EAPTC to India. ‘N’ came to know the Lord initially from a Hindu background. He has a rich experience in serving Christ in administrative and overseeing roles, having been a pastor and overseer for many years. I have mentored ‘N’ for the last five years since he came to Manila to study at IGSL. Above all, his passion has been church planting. Please pray for Pastor ‘N’s church planting initiative in India's Hindu-dominated ‘T’ city. He recently had a heart attack, so do pray for his health, too.

In March, I joined the editorial board of the Journal of Asian Mission (JAM) and have been vigorously equipping leaders in the greater body of Christ through academic publications. On June 17-19, I also participated in the American Society of Missiology and virtually presented my research on social and contextual dimensions of conversion. It was a fruitful and enriching time to further network with fellow missiologists from all over the country.

Christ is continuously enabling us and using us to shine his light in a dark world. And what God is doing through us in the nations is certainly a reward for you and me, as 1 Samuel 30:24 reminds us: “ … The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” It is our sincere joy to co-labor with you for this imperative task of world mission.

Love and blessings to you,
Dr. Paul Lee (& Eunice)