THE RIVER FLOWS TO BANGKOK!

The River Launches in Bangkok

On Wednesday the 27th of November 2013, at 7:30pm,  The River hosted it’s very first event “The Gathering” in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand! 

The Venue:

"The Gathering" took place at LIDO Theatre, a cinema hall located in well-known Siam Square in Pathumwan district. This was a miracle, as the management never hires the venue out at night when people are free to come to movies! 

The Timing:

Incredibly, "The Gathering" in Bangkok was to co-incide with serious polictical upheaval in the nation!

The news reports around the world continue to report on Bangkok streets being filled with increasing numbers of demonstrators determined to topple the present government! The situation is escalating and already resulting in fatalities.

Demonstrators against the present government in Pathumwan district
 on Wednesday, the 27th November 2013

Let's go back in time a little:

2010 BKK was in chaos due to a prolonged series of political protests by the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) (known as "Red-Shirts") against the Democrat Party-led government. The "Red-Shirts" demanded the Prime Minister to dissolve the parliament and call for new elections. The negotiations failing, protests escalated into violent confrontations between the "Red-Shirts" and the military. Some 100 civilians and 6 soldiers were killed, and in excess of 2,100 were injured.

During the height of this dispute, Erik travelled to the epicentre of unrest. He was hugely impacted by the uncompromising and fervent fight for  "a New Thailand" - by the normally unmilitant Thais.

The Red-shirts in Phatumwan in April 2010

This "epicentre" of the battle for a "new Thailand" was the district of Pathumwan. This is where the nation's business, higher education, entertainment,  transportation and technology are centred.

THE BIRTH OF A VISION in 2010

  

Young Thai men and women rising up to invest their lives to bring FULL LIFE to this nation!

A church large enough to reach nations, yet small enough to be a family, which truly cares for and empowers people!

Just like in the lead up to the launch of the work in the South, The River went into a season of unrelenting praise to our Lord over BKK!  Our faith increased to see a church rise up in BKK, which will release young Thais to bring healing to their nation and beyond!

In 2010 we did not have the capacity to even entertain a dream for BKK. Today we do! The River Team has matured. Our values, culture and skills has developed. New people have joined in - some saved in Hangdong! The River  has become apostolic in nature, sending and planting in new areas. We also have the support of an increasing number of believers in Australia and elsewhere, who are strengthening and stretching our capacity to accomplish the task God has called us to!

The Gathering 

The venue for our lanch of Bangkok work was LIDO Theatre, which is in close proximity to the huge MBK shopping mall. 

The River Team travelled from the North and the South of Thailand to undertake an event far beyond their natural ability!

Erik and Sii (who works in the South) at the doorway of LIDO Theatre

Saichon (North) and Yua (South) in Lido Foyer, going over "The Gathering" program

Registration time - everyone received a gift bag consisting of a Welcome Booklet, baked goods made by hand at our The River Cafe in Hangdong, a drink and a wrist band bearing a message, "The River loves Thailand = Full Life Begins!"

"Mr Choc" from Hillsong Brisbane brought smiles to our Bangkok friends!

Erik with Joe, our Bangkok friend, who is helping with logistics 

The River worship band, led by Suwat, at Lido Theatre in the heart of Bangkok!

Passionate worship at "The Gathering" in Phatumwan Bangkok
 on Wednesday the 27th of November 2013

NO OTHER NAME!

Pastor Jerry Kato from Hillsong Brisbane, preached a powerful message on

   “The Unbreakable Hope". 

Young people of Bangkok responded - "We want the FULL LIFE!

We do not have the material resources in our hands as yet, but what we do have is....... 

God, who has captured our hearts!

       EVERYONE MUST HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE FULL LIFE IN HIM!

               Your partnership is hugely important right now!!

              THANK YOU and God bless you.

 

KID'S CLUB IN THE SOUTH - EXPERIENCING GREAT FAVOUR

About 6 months ago, we started a kids club in one of the poorest communities in the area.  The community leader offered their place of religious instructions for our use. The results reported by parents are truly exciting:

 - Children who used to dislike bathing themselves are now keen to be clean! 

 - Children who used to speak bad things or were impolite in their speech now have become polite

 - The children have begun to honour their parents and their elders.

 - Children have begun to care about their friends

 - Children are developing life characteristics and are willing to help others

 - Shy children have come out of their shyness and are becoming more confident

 - The children really like the stories The River Team shares with them!



Every Saturday morning, these children come excitedly to learn and to play.  They feel loved and valued.  At present we have over 40 children coming each weekend, but this number keeps on increasing!

Due to this success, the Government have asked us to start another kids club in a new community.   So far around 20 children come wanting to learn and play.  We have been requested to use English as our teaching tool.  For our team members in the South, English is their 3rd or even 4th language!! Yet, they are doing an incredible job!

FRIENDSHIPS AND SKILLS

The River Team...

... is empowering men and women of the south in pattern-making and sewing. 

Community people are learning skills, which help them to earn income and enrich their daily lives.

Beautiful friendships are being formed!

We love our communities.....

YOUTH CAMP AT THE BORDER OF MYANMAR

Over 200 young people came for the 3-day camp organised in partnership with the local leadership of believers in Mae Hongson province. The River Team provided the music and teaching for the entire program. The message on “The True Way to Real Life” was presented clearly and received in an amazing way! 

Let the Camp begin.... 

This guy knows how to rap...  A great opening for the camp!

Thailand's best worship leader!

Our very own Num and Da, shared about their newly tranformed lives... 

.....following their testimonies, 95% of the youth recommitted their lives to God, and expressed their desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 

This opened the third and final day with expectation and celebration.  

The singing got louder, the grins got wider, the jumping got higher, the tears flowed easier, and that was when God truly turned up!  The hall was filled with willing hearts and miracles took place.  Lives were set free. Chains were broken. Forgiveness was established and peace entered many young minds and hearts.

It truly was something incredible.  Ps Erik proclaimed Truth, the team served tirelessly and with excellence - and God moved mountains!  

This generation is responding to the call... 

Living for God is everything...

The sound of this new generation is....

This is revival.

SONKRAN WEEKEND @THE RIVER

It is "Sonkran"time. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season. The Festival has traditionally been celebrated as the New Year for many centuries. It is observed nationwide, and includes religious rituals relating to "cleansing". Sonkran has also become the craziest water-throwing, drinking and merrymaking time of the year. Serious accidents and fatalities are inevitable.

The River Team youth and our entire band with all our sound equipment went to minister at a youth camp close Myanmar border.

At The River CREATIVITY stepped in big time!

The meeting room was transformed into a "Spiritual Journey of Faith". In groups, each person participated in discovering the foundations of our faith. Creative props helped in the porcess of thinking things through. The groups then reported their finding to the others.

The River loves eating togther... Today's menu was sticky rice, grilled chicken and papaya salad... followed by The River Cafe cakes and ice cream.

THE RIVER CONFERENCE 2013

The River Conference plays a strategically important part in building a common vision, heart and purpose for bringing healing and wholeness to the broken... 

Our life of Grace starts at His finished work on the cross...

Praise and Worship was exuberant, with several young people making a first-time decision to believe.

"It is Finished" by Ps Ross Smith - hot off the press - in English and in Thai - launched and signed personally by the author and teacher at The River Conference 2013! The books are going fast!

The River Team members facilitated powerful sessions for women, called  "Shine" - Value, Power of Choice and Purpose... 

... and for men, called "Strength" - Being strong and courageous

16 people made the following decision...

Our band draws in young people who are discovering their value and purpose in God and now want to live for His purpose!

Celebrating the "unsung heroes", who faithfully build His House in the most difficult of places. "The New Shoes" presented in the gift bags to "Bai" and "Daeng" remind them of their new Walk of Grace.

I have decided... and my friends are so excited!

We are many, but one in Him.