History of Vision Thailand
Our Story
Vision Thailand had its beginnings in the response to the devastation caused by the great tsunami on Boxing Day 2004, that decimated the coastline of Thailand. There was a great outpouring of practical love by many volunteers to the point where virtually all homes that had been destroyed were rebuilt in a relatively short time. Pastor Preecha and Jake Janzen became involved in this rebuilding effort in January of 2005, co-coordinating a Mennonite response to the rebuilding needs on Koh Kho Khao island. Local Thais and foreign volunteers participated in the rebuilding process, leading to good relationships being formed and openness to the Gospel. A vision for sharing Christ with Thais and planting Biblical churches grew in Jake's heart.
In 2008 the board of Vision Thailand (VT) was established to ensure long-term accountability, sustainability and effectiveness. We committed to a more specific vision of evangelism and Church planting. Pastor Sangwien, the leader of the Dream Team, was at the first VT board meeting, where he was appointed CEO, with Jake Janzen as chair. The Dream Team has since been adopted as the VT specialized evangelism team, and Alan Collingwood, a long term missionary living in Thailand has now become CEO, and coordinates the work of Vision Thailand on the ground. Our aim is to enable and empower indigenous Thais to reach their own people and shepherd their own churches.
The Dream Team is able to powerfully proclaim the Gospel in schools, universities, colleges, prisons, markets and communities. This team is responding to the opportunities and open doors for planting the seed of the Gospel through music, drama, testimonies and preaching the Word.
Thais are hungry and ready to hear as never before. Educational leaders, monks and psychologists are acknowledging that the direction of Thai society is spiraling rapidly downwards, so they are looking for answers.
Radio and Television are often called the "unseen evangelists" and have great impact in Thailand. Our three radio stations and CV-TV (Christian Vision TV) reach a potential audience of millions daily. Thais love media, and are responding to the music and the Gospel as they listen in the privacy of their homes or cars. This ministry is already bearing fruit.
The work of Vision Thailand is broad-based, and is moving forward in the power of the Holy Spirit to claim Thailand for Christ. In January of 2010 we had nine churches planted with a total membership of over 350. At the end of 2012 we have 51 churches planted with a membership of about 900. In 2012, our church members, pastors and teams reached 280,000 Thais with the Gospel. We are committed to further church plants as we continue to evangelize. The time is short, so we must work together in harvesting while it is day, because night is coming when no one can work. The opportunities are great, many doors are open, and the harvest indeed is ripe.
