Will You Be My Friend?

By Annie Langston

"Friendship evangelism is a key to church planting in Thailand," say Reuel and Phebe Lumilang, and they should know. Seven years ago they left the Philippines and began ministry with PABWE in Thailand. Though Asians themselves, the Lumilangs were challenged by the differences between Thai and Filipino culture, especially the way in which Buddhism permeates all of life in Thailand.

Both Reuel and Phebe grew up in Christian homes and were guided by godly parents, and by contacts with ABWE missionaries in the Philippines. Reuel's parents taught at Mindanao Baptist Bible Institute, and he remembers the influence of Linc and Lenore Nelson, Aunties Millie Crouch and Priscilla Bailey, and Frank and Sophie Jenista. Phebe, meanwhile, was learning about God in Palawan, and recalls the ministry of Bud and Ginny DeVries. Phebe and Reuel met at Doane Baptist Seminary in Iloilo City. They were challenged about PABWE's work in Thailand, and later became part of a 12-member missionary team serving the Lord in that country.

Having grown up in a Roman Catholic country where the name of God is well known and revered, the Lumilangs found themselves in a place where people had no basic knowledge of God. They discovered they had to move slowly if they wanted Thais to make lasting decisions for Christ. They also realized that to whet the appetites of the Thai people to learn about God and see their need for Him, they had to begin by making friends. Reuel says, "You cannot win a Thai to the Lord without first being his friend."

Phebe saw her chance one day when a woman asked, "Will you teach my children English?" Phebe replied, "I will teach your children, Tum, if you will be my friend." As the friendship grew, Tum requested Reuel to befriend her husband, Tam. Soon the four adults met regularly. While Phebe taught the Wachanatepin children English, Reuel explained the Word of God to their parents. In less than two years, Tum and Tam, along with their children, Milk and Mark, accepted Christ as their Savior, took the major step of baptism, and committed themselves to serving God.

Tam works in research and development for the University of Thailand. He was recently asked to be president of a branch campus. He declined, however, because the family preferred to stay near Faith Baptist Church where the Lumilangs continue to disciple them and train them for leadership. Reuel and Phebe's prayer is that out of their church, someone-perhaps Tam-will catch the excitement of sharing God with their fellow Thais. They pray for a pastor for Faith Baptist Church, and for local people to help them and other PABWE missionaries to further penetrate Thailand with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The process often begins with the simple question, "Will you be my friend?"