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 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. As a result, a facility dedicated to sharing Christ with Thais was created on the island.
Before and after satellite imagery shows very clearly the type of landscape altering devastation the tsunami wreaked on parts of Thailand and South Asia.
The facility on Koh Kho Khao has a church, a training center, and great potential for Christian camps, retreats, recreation and evangelism. The property was originally registered under the Thai Baptists. God in His wisdom has now orchestrated events so that three foundations have taken ownership of the facility, including Vision Thailand , Thai Baptists, and the Evangelical Free Church. We feel that this is a God-inspired turn of events that will bring great glory to Himself.
An inter-denominational operating board has been set up which will be responsible for all operations. We feel this development will spread accountability, the funding base, and increase opportunities for Thai involvement and leadership. Of the seven board members, four are under Vision Thailand, so we are very much involved on the island. The Joint Board has encouraged Pastor Preecha to concentrate full-time in developing his Baptist church in Chonburi. We are thankful for pastor Preecha's vision and initiative in starting the project, but the time has come to pass on the baton to the Joint Board. We bless him and his wife as they concentrate on Church Planting.
It is great to see three different denominations working together in harmony, with the common goal of sharing Christ with Thais in practical ways. The Koh Kho Khao center is now an important spiritual development center in southern Thailand, with facilities that are unique to that region.
In 2008 the board of Vision Thailand 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 and our Vision Thailand churches, became CEO, with Jake Janzen as chair. Alan Collingwood, a long term missionary living in Thailand is Vice Chair 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.
God has enabled Pastor Sangwien and his wife Papah to plant a church and raise up the Vision Thailand Dream Team. We now have a group of about 30 Thais who specialize in evangelism and church planting as Thai missionaries. They are 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 is often called the “unseen evangelist” and has great impact in Thailand. Our radio station in Bangkok, "Dream FM", is reaching a potential audience of over a million people daily. Thais love listening to the radio, and are responding to the music and the Gospel as they listen in the privacy of their homes or cars. We have a vision for a number of other stations in other locations. This ministry is already bearing fruit.
The work of Vision Thailand is broad-based. We have been granted Foundation status in Thailand, which makes us fully legal to operate under the Social Affairs dept. of the Thai government. In tandem with the Foundation, we have a charter called Thailand Christian Fellowship to evangelize and plant churches legally under Religious Affairs. Vision Thailand may appear to be a young organization, but the experience of our staff and leadership is extensive, with many years of effective ministry.
Vision Thailand is moving forward in the power of the Holy Spirit to help claim Thailand for Christ. In January of 2010 we had nine churches planted with a total membership of over 350, and 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.
