OMF Billions AudioJan 12, 2022
50 years on: reflecting on the deaths of OMF workers Margaret and Minka
OMF (UK) Archivist Marion Osgood reflects on the 50th anniversary of the deaths of OMF nurses Margaret Morgan and Minka Hanskamp in Thailand.
This is an audio recording from OMF (UK)'s Billions magazine May-August 2024.
Trends in China Today
A look at key trends in China today can inform our prayers for the country and its people.
This is an audio recording from Billions magazine May-August 2024.
Serving Together: Diversity in unity on women in leadership in OMF
Guest Editor Sarah Hoskins interviewed David & Sue Pickard about their time together in leadership in OMF and the background to OMF's statement on women in leadership.
This is an audio recording from Billions magazine.
- Read the article here
- Find out more about the magazine and sign up to get a copy by email or post here
- Find more content from the January-April 2024 edition 'Women in God's Mission' here.
Welcoming Women
Guest Editor Sarah Hoskins reads her article 'Welcoming Women' introducing our January - April 2024 edition 'Women in God's Mission', looking at women in Luke's Gospel and in OMF today.
This is an audio recording from Billions magazine. Find out more about the magazine and sign up to get a copy by email or post here.
Whatever It Takes
Six ways to see God's kingdom come in the Mekong region.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2023: ‘Along the Mekong’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Trusting Local Agency: Discerning Our Future in Mission - Peter Rowan
Peter Rowan explains our role in the future of mission how trusting local agency helps to further the work of the Spirit of God.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2023: ‘Along the Mekong’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
The Greatest Need
How you can help bring the good news of Jesus to those who need to hear it.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2023: ‘Along the Mekong’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Passing the Baton On
Handing the responsibility of the church over to the indigenous peoples.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2023: ‘Along the Mekong’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Making the Frontier Life Possible
How a creative solution allows the continuation of ministry to Mekong minorities.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2023: ‘Along the Mekong’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Final 58
Sharing the good news of Jesus to the remaining Mekong minorities that have never heard it before.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2023: ‘Along the Mekong’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
A Concert Of Prayer
20 years of answered and continuing prayer for people along the Mekong.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2023: ‘Along the Mekong’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Bridging worlds: learning from East Asian Christianity
Reuben Grace talks to Reverend MiJa Wi about opportunities for the UK Church and UK theological education to be informed and grow by listening to and learning from Christians across East Asia.
En Route: On the move
Richard & Louisa Evan show how the En Route course from All Nations Christian College seeks to rethink how theological and mission training is delivered, across four continents, for people from dozens of nations.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2023: ‘Teaching and Training’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
A taste of seminary life in Asia
StJohn shares his experiences serving at Sabah Theological Seminary in Malaysia. Leading class discussions, learning about counselling through boar hunting, teaching virtual classes via Zoom, driving through palm oil plantations, and supporting collaboration across denominations, days were often full of surprises.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2023: ‘Teaching and Training’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Shifting Theological Education In An Era Of Global South Christianity - Peter Rowan
Peter Rowan suggests three ways our thinking and practice could change in light of the shifting demographics of the Global Church.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2023: ‘Teaching and Training’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
How to pray for Hong Kong
Hong Kong Christians share four things to be praying for the Hong Kong Church.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2022 ‘Welcome Hong Kongers’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Welcome Toolkit - 5 practical resources to help churches welcome Hong Kongers
Resources to help you and your church be ready to welcome those moving to the UK from Hong Kong, and elsewhere.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2022 ‘Welcome Hong Kongers’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Six reasons to listen to global voices - by Peter Rowan
Peter Rowan gives six reasons that the western "Minority World" Church and mission agencies must be listening to and learning from Christians and churches in the "Majority World".
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2022 ‘Welcome Hong Kongers’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Interview with Krish Kandiah
Over the past year Krish Kandiah has been pivotal in bringing together several organisations, churches, and individuals to respond to the arrival of many people from Hong Kong in the UK. His work resulted in the formation of the UKHK initiative, so we caught up with him via Zoom to find out more.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2022 ‘Welcome Hong Kongers’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Growing Faith
Thai Christian Students (TCS) began when an OMF worker encouraged a handful of Christian pharmacy students in Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok to gather, study the Bible and grow in their faith together. Anucha Khobpee, the general secretary of TCS, shares his journey to faith in Christ.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Going the Extra Mile
We asked Ho Meas, an OMF worker who grew in his relationship with Christ while studying overseas, to share how we can welcome international students. Here are his three top tips.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Short-term Placements, Long-term Plans
Doing a university degree provides all kinds of new and unexpected opportunities. We spoke to Chloe* and Hannah, who both did placements with Serve Asia – OMF’s short-term mission discipleship programme – during their degrees. Why did they do it and what did they gain from the experience?
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Gospel hospitality
Guilford Baptist Church has a long-standing involvement with global mission. Notably from the early 1970s they were sending church for former OMF General Director Michael Griffiths and his wife Valerie.
In the last year, it’s had growing opportunities to welcome the nations on their doorstep. We sat down with Ian Stackhouse, the senior pastor, to find out more.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2022 ‘Welcome Hong Kongers’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Facing the right direction
Mission is now ‘from everywhere to everywhere’. Our local communities in the UK are increasingly diverse. OMF (UK) has renewed its vision to face this.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Digging Deep, Reaching Out
The Rowes share about their time at All Nations Christian College and how learning to live cross-culturally in that setting prepared them for life overseas.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Come as a learner
In cross-cultural work, language learning is essential but can be a daunting prospect for new workers. We caught up with Charlotte about her experiences.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Persevering to produce fruit
Hear from Anna and Tina about how they returned home after coming to know Jesus while overseas.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Redeeming rubbish
People are turning plastic from rubbish into an income with Plastic Bank, a social enterprise which sees rubbish as a means to uplift the poor.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
New School, Same God
Starting at a new school can bring up all kinds of worries for children and parents alike. This is especially true for families starting a new school in a new country in a new language. The Koh family – OMF workers from Australia – share about their experiences when they moved to Taiwan.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine May - August 2022 ‘Every day is a school day’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Learning a gospel of lament
OMF has worked in the Philippines for over 70 years. We chatted to OMF Philippines field director Irene McMahon about the future role of cross-cultural workers there, how her openness to God’s call led her to the role, and what she has learnt from the Filipino Church.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
A miracle of God
Leona, who leads an urban house church in the Philippines, shares the difference knowing Jesus Christ has made in her life.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Praying without borders
One of the silver linings of lockdowns has been the opportunity to join in prayer together online.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
From vision to reality
OMF aims to see locally led, biblical churches reaching out to their own people and beyond with the good news of Jesus Christ. Our workers, however, are not supposed to be a permanent fixture of the East Asian Church. Rather they are like scaffolding, ready to be taken away at a certain point in the building project, with local Christians taking the work forward.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Issues facing East Asian Christians today
Filipino author and theologian, Dr Rico Villanueva, was asked to comment on issues facing Christians today in the Philippines. He replied:
‘If there is one main issue facing Christians today it is a political issue….What do you do when people are being killed in a war on drugs and you remain silent and don’t say anything at all?’
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Studying through struggles
Students from rural areas of the Philippines have a hard time when it comes to getting higher education.
Colleges and universities are in big cities, far from their villages. They face many obstacles along the way and many drop out.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
To Mindanao and beyond
Albert Catua’s father was one of the first Christians – and first pastors – among the approximately 200,000 strong Manobo people.
Living in the remote forests of central Mindanao in the Philippines, there were very few opportunities for the Manobo to hear about Jesus Christ until the late 1970s, when the first OMF workers moved into the area.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
'Sea-ing' seasons: All creation considered
Did you know the Philippines experiences more than 20 typhoons each year?
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Introducing the Philippines
A land of 7,000 islands, the Philippines is a country of contrasts.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine January - April 2022 ‘God gives the growth’. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Uniquely placed
‘Being a full-time campus worker isn’t the only way to impact your university. You can also transform your campus for Jesus by being an excellent scientist.’
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2021 'Better Together'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
All Change! From Partnership to Collaboration.
I’ve lost count of how many seminars I’ve attended and articles I’ve read on ‘partnership’. I’ve written on it myself – at least once for Billions. ‘Partnership’ has certainly been a buzz word, but is it a biblical word?
The future of mission will be characterised by this humble readiness to listen and the prioritising of relationships out of which can flow co-created collaborative ministry as a shared task in which all are being transformed by God’s Spirit.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2021 'Better Together'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Responding to a great movement of people
God is sending the nations to our nation. What does it mean for sharing the good news of Jesus?
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2021 'Better Together'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Encouraging and equipping local leadership
How do OMF and Langham Preaching collaborate to train pastors in East Asia?
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions Magazine September - December 2021 'Better Together'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
5 surprising ways to support missionaries
We hear from OMF workers about how friends and churches have supported them in ministry.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions magazine May- August 2021 'The Jazz of Mission'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Crossing Continents
We hear from Steve Elliott, OMF Lancaster Prayer Group leader, about what he's learnt about prayer over the years.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions magazine May- August 2021 'The Jazz of Mission'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Sending Love
Sending a care package of favourite foods and gifts from home is a great way to show your love and support to overseas workers, especially the children. Beware, many cross-cultural workers will tell you that they are very content, but showing them that you care (on their birthday or seasonal celebration, or ‘just because’) is a huge encouragement!
We've got a few ideas to get you started.
You can find the list here.
Audio from OMF Billions magazine May- August 2021 'The Jazz of Mission'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Send to All
1965 was a special year in the history of OMF International.
Not only was it the centenary of James Hudson Taylor founding the organisation – then known as the China Inland Mission – it was also the year OMF opened its doors to cross-cultural workers from outside the West. Christians from Singapore and Malaysia started travelling to other parts of East Asia with OMF.
The following year, 1966, ‘home’, or ‘sending’ teams were established in the Philippines and Japan in addition to the existing ‘field’ teams of OMF workers serving in those countries. Today, 55 years on, we hear more from these two very different nations.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions magazine May- August 2021 'The Jazz of Mission'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Mike & Denise: why serve God overseas in later life?
What made Mike & Denise give up their jobs in England in their late 50s to serve in Cambodia for three years with OMF?
We caught up with them to find out!
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions magazine May- August 2021 'The Jazz of Mission'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Staying for Jesus: finding a place in world mission in Ireland
At OMF, we’re passionate about helping every Christian and every local church find their place in God’s global plan. Around the UK and Ireland, our full-time Area Representatives seek to do just that. They’re supported by Bridge Asia: teams of volunteers aiming to connect local churches with East Asia. We caught up with the team in Ireland to hear about what they’ve been up to.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions magazine May- August 2021 'The Jazz of Mission'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Moving beyond multicultural church?
OMF worker Grace Robinson explores the idea of intercultural church and how Holy Trinty Platt in Manchester has been reflecting on this recently.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions magazine May- August 2021 'The Jazz of Mission'. Read more at billions.omf.org.
Resources to help you explore mission
Wondering how to explore world mission? We've collected some great resources to get you started.
You can also read the article here.
Audio from OMF Billions magazine May- August 2021 'The Jazz of Mission'. Read more at billions.omf.org.