2021 Year-In-Review: Pais Asia
2021 Year-In-Review: Pais Asia
As the year comes to an end, we are celebrating all that God has done through our Pais nations in 2021! During the month of December, we will share the highlights of each Pais region here in our blog. Read below to discover the great ministry stories from our nations in Asia:
Pais India
“We started the year 2021 wondering how we were going to lead young people in schools and churches with less resources and through a pandemic. But God showed us a way!
We used to lead a lunch club in-person for our students. This year we had to shift strategies as our Apprentices worked online from their homes and served locally in their home countries and cities. We were so excited as we were able to lead the same school ministry online! We received great feedback from the students on how they always look forward to the Pais team session as it combines fun moments and life changing lessons. This year we are able to see around 16 students committed to learning more about Jesus and living by the Bible!
We are looking forward to seeing them soon in person in 2022! We continuously rejoice with God for what He has done in their lives.”
Pais Pakistan
“It has been so encouraging to see the Pais ministry in Pakistan grow over the years. Through all the ups and downs, God has been faithful. With each passing year, the Pais Pakistan seems to not just grow in experience, but in strength through outreach and in dedication to its mission.
During November 2021, our Global Haverim event was a major highlight with about 14 people participating. We started our study of the famous story of David and Goliath and focused on how to prepare for spiritual battles. It was encouraging to see how 4 Global Haverim participants have decided to join Pais Pakistan as Apprentices for 2022!
We are wishing that in the next 5 years young people who have no relationship with Christ will come to church, grow the church, and develop the church to reach other Asian Nations. Our goal is to give youth opportunities that will help them to become responsible, compassionate servants of Christ who are able to share the love of Christ and their personal experiences with others.”
Pais Philippines
“Even though the Philippines were in lockdown for most of the year, we definitely saw God moving through our ministry! We continued with our Pais Affiliate course, training young people on how to live on mission no matter where they are.
During November, one of our Affiliates led a Global Haverim group for her family and friends. She did a great job by getting everyone engaged even on Zoom. She included activities for the children and the adults, allowing them to study the Bible passage being guided by curiosity. Afterwards, her family members decided to also co-lead haverim groups! She was an example of multiplying the impact for the Kingdom.”
Do you want to support and help expand the work of these nations? Click here to donate now!
Pais Philippines student shares how Haverim Bible Study encouraged her through the pandemic
Pais Philippines student shares how Haverim Bible Study encouraged her through the pandemic.
Gianne is a Pais Youth Academy student from the Philippines. She joined a Haverim Bible Study before the pandemic and shares how studying God’s Word with a group of friends has completely shaped her faith experience during the Covid-19 lockdown:
“When I was younger, I had a belief that Sunday was the Lord’s day and it was the only day I should study God’s Word. I didn’t take individual Bible study seriously. But as I grew up and sought to mature spiritually, I started looking for ways to grow in my faith walk with the Lord.
I immediately found it hard to study the Bible and apply it to my life without having a community to share it with. That’s when Kuya (Brother) Raphael and Ate (Sister) Rely introduced me to Haverim.
The first time I joined them was February 7, 2020. My Haverim experience allowed me to discover and unpack God’s word with a circle of dear friends in a way that I hadn’t done before. I consistently met up with this group and developed a passion for our fellowship and Bible study moments.
When the Covid-19 pandemic started, we unfortunately weren’t able to keep meeting. During the lockdown, school got cancelled and many of my family members were not able to go to work.
Through those difficult times, because of my previous Haverim experience, I was encouraged to keep pursuing a relationship with God. My family and I also came together in my household to study his Word. We felt united as one body of Christ while sharing meaningful conversations about God’s truth. This unity helped us to feel peaceful even in the midst of the situation we were in.
I realized that my Haverim group fostered a lot of changes in my life. It allowed me to accept growth and it encouraged me to live a life with a purpose. My relationship with God matured, and I feel more connected and able to listen to His guidance for me. God has been good to me through it!
Now that some Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, I have been able to join my weekly Haverim meetings again. It has been a very special time in my life, and I look forward to attending and discovering more about God every week. In my group, I have not only found friendships, but I have friendships rooted in a common relationship with God.”
Find out more about Haverim Devotions, the Pais Movement method of Bible study here!