VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 4/17/13)—Emerson and Ivy Wu, two of American Baptist International Ministries (IM) endorsed candidates, reached an important milestone on April 1 by being appointed for service as development workers in Macau, a special administrative region of China. The couple’s home church is Karl Road Baptist in Columbus, Ohio.
The Wus will work in partnership with the Macau Bible Institute. They will assist in the training of Christian young workers of the Institute. In partnership with Evangelize China Fellowship International (ECF), they will assist the ministries of the Grace Community Chapel and Orphanage and youth outreach in Macau. They will also help to promote ECF and IM’s work with relations in Mainland China.
The Wus were first endorsed by IM to form a Partnership Team (MPT). Assisted by their MPT and IM staff, the couple then began building a Partnership Network (MPN) to secure commitments of prayer and financial support from individuals and churches. Having built a network sufficient for an initial level of support, Emerson and Ivy moved from endorsement to development worker appointment.
The Wus are in the process of completing cross-cultural orientation, security and other pre-field training to prepare them for international, cross-cultural ministry. They are also working to expand their MPN to secure the remaining personalized support needed to be commissioned by the IM Board for missionary service.
“There are lots of opportunities to share the gospel with people in Macau and with visitors who speak Mandarin. We know we may confront many uncomfortable zones such as cultural difference, casino environment, the language barrier and the possibility of rejection,” described Ivy. Yet they are strengthened by the gospel. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
When asked why they believe they have been called by God to this ministry, Ivy responded, “The Lord uses the hunger in my heart for His Word to feed others wherever there is spiritual hunger.” Emerson added, “He keeps opening doors for us to serve the Chinese community. God’s direction guides us to see His leading in being a part of His great commission. That is why we firmly step up to IM’s mission.”
“The American Baptist Churches of Ohio is blessed to recognize and support Emerson and Ivy for service in China under the auspices of IM,” commented Dr. Lawrence O. Swain, ABC/Ohio Executive Minister. “The Wus are active members of the Karl Road Baptist Church in Columbus where their gifts are both recognized and used in the church’s ministry. Emerson and Ivy have demonstrated faithfulness in their Christian life, and a clear sense of God’s call and giftedness for missionary service. The Wu’s will become another mission couple that ABC/Ohio will be proud to call‘their own.’ ABC/Ohio has a long supportive relationship with IM and a number of Ohio-based ABC missionaries who serve in many locations around the world,”Dr. Swain added. “I am pleased to lend my blessing and support to the Wus as they develop their Partnership Team.”
Individuals and churches may learn more about the Wus and their ministry in Macau, their journals and opportunities to participate in their ministry as part of their MPN on the IM website: www.internationalministries.org. Click on PEOPLE, then click on Wu.
For more information, contact Catherine Nold: catherine.nold@abc-usa.org.
American Baptist International Ministries was organized in 1814 as the first Baptist international mission agency in America. It began its pioneer mission work in Burma and today works in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas serving more than 1,800 long-term and short-term missionaries. Its central mission is to help people come to faith in Jesus, grow in their relationship with God, and change their worlds through the power of the Spirit. It works with respected partners in over 70 countries in ministries that meet human need.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.