Asia

Religion

The influence of religion on national and international politics is growing. This is increasingly a threat to religious freedom and ethnic harmony. Asia is the only continent where Christianity is not the largest religion and thus remains the greatest challenge for world evangelism. Major religions are Muslim 24.69 percent, Hindu 22.08 percent, non-religious 19.16 percent, Buddhist 10.70 percent, Chinese 10.36 percent and Christian 8.58 percent.

People

There are around 3,550 ethno-linguistic people in Asia’s nations. These are grouped into 28 of the world’s 71 ethno-linguistic families. This represents over 80 percent of the world’s least reached peoples. There are about 2,240 distinct languages—31 percent of the world’s languages.

How you can pray

• Pray for the preservation of religious freedom amidst the rising extremism of some Muslims.
• Pray for the release of the people from cultural pressure to be Islamic, in a way that will lead to many conversions and integration into Christian fellowship.
• Pray for Christians who are under pressure to betray fellow believers to the authorities
  and for those persecuted and in prison—that God may give them strength and boldness.

Nabeeh and Ruba Abbassi

Nabeeh and Ruba are Christians who work with Christar. Nabeeh pastors the church and Ruba directs the ministries of Women Today, a 30-minute radio program. She is also currently pursuing a master’s degree in Women’s Studies. The Abbassi family became associated with Scottsdale Bible in 2004.
Email: KABJordan@webmail.us
Anniversary: July 24
Birthdays: Nabeeh–August 26
Ruba–June 23
Ramzi–November 9, 1988
Rami–September 30, 1998
Randy–August 22, 1995

James and Karen Ashley: Solomon Islands

James and Karen work with Wycliffe Bible Translators in the Solomon Islands, South Pacific. Their ministry is to translate the Scriptures into the language of the Sa’a people. They have completed the translation of the New Testament and are currently in the process of getting it printed. Karen has developed and is implementing a curriculum to train the Sa’a people to read and write their own language. They have adult three children, Kent, Philip and Susan. The Ashley family began their cross-cultural career in 1985 from Bethany Bible Church in Phoenix and became associated with Scottsdale Bible in 1986.
Email: j-k_ashley@sil.org
Anniversary: December 27
Birthdays: James–June 2
Karen–September 29
Agency: Wycliffe Bible Translators
Address: PO Box 986
Honiara
Solomon Islands

John and Wendy Bockelman

In December 2004, John completed his M.A. in Biblical Leadership at Phoenix Seminary. Wendy finished her M.S. in Nursing in 2005. Together they were appointed as Christar international workers in January 2006. They are eager to help the Arab Church spread God’s Good News and plan to partner with local congregations as they grow stronger physically and spiritually. The Bockelman’s began their cross-cultural ministry with Scottsdale Bible in 2006.
Email: azbockelman@yahoo.com
Anniversary: March 10
Birthdays: John–November 13
Wendy–June 21
Agency: Christar
Address: PO Box 14866
Reading, PA 19612-4866
Pre-field: 2214 East Monona Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85024

Barry and Abeer Cordova

Barry works with Christar. His mission is to mentor leaders so they will learn about and follow Christ Jesus. These national believers will ultimately begin new churches where few or none exist. Barry spent two years at Scottsdale Bible working in Outreach Ministries before he began his cross-cultural career in 2000. In December 2006, Barry was married to Abeer, a teacher, who has a music ministry.
Email: bcdova@hotmail.com
Anniversary: December 18
Birthdays: Barry–April 18
Abeer–April 29
Agency: Christar

Kevin and Debbie Ludwig: Papua New Guinea

Kevin and Debbie are serving with New Tribes Mission. They have set up a medical clinic in an area where there is no doctor or other medical care. Kevin treats the international workers, local villagers and helps other international workers provide medical care to the villagers providing credibility to their work. Their core value is to reach unreached tribal groups with the gospel in their native tongue. A primary goal is for the missionary to not have to take the time and expense to fly to Australia for medical treatment. They have five children, Brent, Andrea, Nathan, Paige and Cameron. The Ludwig’s began their cross-cultural career with Scottsdale Bible in 1993.
Email: Kevin_Ludwig@ntm.org.pg
Anniversary: August 1
Birthdays: Kevin–February 2
Debbie–September 1
Brent–February 18, 1986
Nathan–March 8, 1987
Andrea–January 27, 1989
Paige–July 7, 1992
Cameron–January 6, 1996
Agency: New Tribes Mission
Address: PO Box 1079, Goroka E.H.P. 441
Papua New Guinea

Tom and Deborah Nite: Russia

Tom and Deborah are on loan from Campus Crusade for Christ to Equippers Network International and are training nationals from the former Soviet Union to reach their own countries for Christ. Tom teaches at Moldova Bible Seminary, Kiev Theological Seminary, Moscow Bible College, and other schools as opportunities arise. He also mentors the leaders of Kishinev Bible Church. Deborah teaches English to students at Moldova Bible Seminary. Together Tom and Deborah are starting a family ministry at Kishinev Bible Church and working with leaders from several other churches to develop family ministry in their churches. Their three adult children, Andrea, Joshua and Evelyn live in America. The Nites began their cross-cultural career with Scottsdale Bible in 2000.
Email: tom@moscownites.com
Anniversary: August 22
Birthdays: Tom–June 18
Deborah–June 18
Agency: Campus Crusade for Christ
Address: c/o Evghenii Sologubenco
Dacia–34, PO Box 2258
Chisianu–2060, Moldova

Brent and Melanie Palmer: Papua New Guine

Brent and Melanie serve in Sentani, Papua, Indonesia with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). MAF provides air transportation and Email services into the otherwise inaccessible jungles of Papua, formerly Irian Jaya. Brent is a pilot and also manages the Information Technology department for MAF. Brent’s flights include international workers, local pastors and evangelists, indigenous people and cargo of all types—including pigs and chickens. Brent’s IT duties include overseeing several internet satellite sites, wireless and wired networks and over 50 office computers. Brent and Melanie met at Scottsdale Bible in the singles group and began their missionary career in 1991.
Email: bpalmer@maf.org
Anniversary: August 26
Birthdays: Brent–May 5
Melanie–September 20
Jennifer–February 23, 1991
Jordan–June 8, 1993
Eric–May 7, 1995
Agency: Mission Aviation Fellowship
Address: PO Box 239
Sentani 99352
Papua, Indonesia