Dr. Middendorf with Japan District ordination candidates and  Rev. Matsuda Mokoto, superintendent of the Japan District, second  from right.

As jurisdictional general superintendent for Asia-Pacific, Dr. Jesse C. Middendorf recently visited with church administrators, pastors, missionaries, and educators in Korea, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Korea Nazarene University (KNU) was the site for the re-inauguration of Dr. Abraham Im for his second term as president. KNU has achieved an unprecedented level of civic and government attention, which has opened wide doors for community service, teacher placement, and teacher education. Dr. Middendorf, General Superintendent Emeritus Donald Owens, Regional Director Verne Ward, and Commissioner of Education LeBron Fairbanks accompanied Dr. Im to the office of the mayor and to two bureau offices where they received a warm welcome from city leaders. One of the bureau offices is headed by a Nazarene layman who conducts a weekly prayer and Bible study meeting for Christian business and government leaders.

During the week, Dr. Middendorf spoke at six chapel services and greeted several additional small groups. The highlight re-inauguration ceremony was held in the university chapel with an overflowing crowd including the mayor, two national congressional representatives, and other business leaders and government officials. Dr. Middendorf said of Dr. Im: “His dreams are larger than life, and his plans for accomplishing these dreams are detailed and specific.”

KNU was also the venue for the Korea National District Assembly and a conference for the missionaries from Korea. These missionaries wore the traditional dress of the nations in which they are ministering, from Western business suits to patterned and vividly colored gowns and headdresses. A PowerPoint presentation displayed photos of where the majority of these people are serving. At the conclusion of the district assembly, the missionaries were brought to the platform for a meaningful and inspiring send-off. In addition to their missions endeavors, the district reported 22 new churches organized in the past two years as part of their goal of 60 new churches for the upcoming 60th anniversary celebration of the district. Dr. Donald Owens was presented with a proclamation declaring him president emeritus of KNU. New licenses were presented to 34 candidates for ministry along with over 100 renewals, and Dr. Middendorf ordained 10, six men and four women. Two of these are serving in creative access areas that cannot be named. “I was deeply moved by their testimonies and by their depth of awareness of our beliefs and practices,” said Dr. Middendorf. “There were tears of rejoicing across the sanctuary. Needless to say, the privilege of ordaining this class was a memory-building experience.”

The Japan District has taken a great interest in the new Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas, and has given generously for its construction. At a reception, a slideshow of the new facility was presented, and Dr. Middendorf was asked to explain the pictures and to give an overview of the use of the building. They responded with applause and publicly expressed their deep love for the church. The district assembly was highlighted by the ordination of seven ministers, five women and two men, all of whom are pastors and graduates of the theological seminary. “It was one of the most moving ordinations services I have experienced in a long time,” said Dr. Middendorf. “The service was filled with a sense of God’s presence, and the ordination rite itself seemed especially blessed.”

On the Southern Thailand District, Dr. Middendorf preached at Bangkok First Church of the Nazarene. This city of 15 million people is a melting pot for Thailand, bringing people from across the entire nation and region for employment. Dedicated Nazarenes are making valiant efforts to work among the tribes and language groups here. In the district assembly, three churches received certificates for achieving 10-percent or more growth this year, and the district has organized one new church.

A pastor, her husband, and four young ladies who made a presentation to the Northern Thailand District assembly

The Northern Thailand District assembly opened with a parade about 200 yards long through the village up a steep road to the church, headed by three men who carried a large cross and two national flags. The crowd created a contagious energy. The conclusion of the assembly led right into the opening service for their family camp: three days of services, prayer meetings, and youth events attended by people who had traveled many miles to participate.

In Hong Kong, the opening worship service for the district took place on the tenth floor of a shining new skyscraper. “The Spirit anointed the service,” Dr. Middendorf said. “Following the preaching, the people responded with a tremendous ‘yes’ to God in His sanctifying, empowering presence.” In Taiwan, the district reported a second consecutive year of excellent growth. Several new young pastors are energizing the district, people are enrolling in ministry-training classes, and there is an obvious spirit of optimism.

“The Asia-Pacific Region is incredibly diverse with over one-third of the world’s population,” said Dr. Middendorf. “There are 103 cities on the region with a population of over 1 million people each. The challenge to reach the lost is staggering; there are many unreached people groups, several of them numbering in the millions, some in the tens of millions. Nevertheless, I have a deep sense that God is moving in significant ways in many places across the region as we seize the opportunities that are before us.”