"Many Thai people have joined Christmas parties that highlight stories about Santa Claus and his reindeer—but seldom have the opportunity to hear the real reason for celebrating Christmas," says Lutheran Hour Ministries—Thailand Director Monta "Boom" Ekwanit Denow. This is a perfect opportunity, she says, for the Thailand ministry center to partner with Concordia Into Light Lutheran Church to present an annual Christmas gathering.
The partner ministries held this year's event on Saturday, December 12.
"More than 100 people from the community and parents and students from the church's English classes attended!" says Boom. "The group sang Christmas songs together; one of the center's English students performed a Thai-style dance about the baby Jesus in the manger; students from the Luther Institute of Southeast Asia and children from the Concordia Day Care Center in Bangna performed some special songs; and Concordia Church's Pastor Sompong Hanpradit shared a short message on the evening's theme, 'Jesus Christ: The Reason for the Season.'"
Plenty of food, gifts, and opportunities to make new friends and build relationships rounded out the exciting evening.
"Concordia Into Light Lutheran Church uses this event each December to point people to Jesus and what He has done for them," says Boom. "The LHMT team is happy to partner with the church to encourage Christians and to share the real Christmas story with people in the community who haven't heard the Good News that Jesus was born to bring forgiveness of sins and eternal life to everyone who believes in Him!"
Want to know more about the outreach of Lutheran Hour Ministries—Thailand? Visit lhmthailand.wordpress.com.