On November 19-20, 2012, Dr. Jairyong Lee, Elders Akeri Suzuki, Ken Osborn and Sung Guimo, joined the staff of the Mongolia Mission Field (MMF) for their Annual Council meeting.
During the opening remarks, Dr. Lee gave spiritual inspiration on the life of Elijah the Prophet. Elijah was a man of prayer, a man of the Word of God, and a man of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lee encouraged the workers to emulate Elijah’s humble lifestyle in how he honored Christ, how he preached boldly, how he prepared for Christ’s ministry, and how he prepared people for the Second Coming. This is our utmost calling in the last days!
As the meeting progressed, the MMF officers, Departmental Directors, and Coordinators, gave their evaluation reports on their respective departments’ activities which transpired throughout the year, and the programs that they will be working on for 2013. At the same time, Pastor Elbert Kuhn unveiled the “Strategic Plan for 2013-2017.” His leadership emphasis was on moving forward together, by faith, towards a better and brighter future in the following six key areas of concern: Church Growth, Ministerial Development, Physical Development, Church Membership and Finance Accountability, Media and Public Relations, and Fund Raising Drives.
Through integrated evangelism programs, it is hoped that church growth will prosper which will consequently increase and solidify church membership, later paving the way for more church planting. For Ministerial Development, pastors and church leaders are to be trained, and develop a high spiritual, emotional and intellectual standard. Part of the Physical Development which is expected to take place is the following: construction on a dormitory project, establishment of a printing press and a health center, the rise of more new church buildings (in lieu of the rented worship halls now being used), and expansion of the Ulaanbaatar Adventist School. These projects will surely materialize provided the needed funds are raised. This is why the Administration will widen social networks to raise more funds. Along with this campaign drive is the assurance that transparency will be maintained in the disclosure of financial information to the donors to keep their trust.
The Secretariat and Treasury Departments have made the commitment to strengthen the systems in place with regards to Church Membership and Finance Accountability. The Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Departments will facilitate the promotion of activities that will create more awareness of the existence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mongolia.
With concerted efforts, fervent prayers, and maximum utilization of the resources at hand, by God’s grace the MMF will mobilize the ministry of Christ, as Elijah did, to a far and greater length. “We must be laborers with God; for God will not complete His work without human agencies.” (Review and Herald, March 1, 1887) Everyone is therefore enthusiastic to have a progressive mission for years to come!