RAPAS UPDATE
Address: 4 Shan Road #09-02,
LeShantier Apts, Singapore 328106
E-Mail: rapahome@aol.com
Dr. Bob and Esther Rapa and their son David are living in Singapore, while ministering to SE Asia on behalf of the Asian Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to leaving for Singapore he was on the faculty of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and continues his collegiate experiences as he is currently teaching at the Asian Baptist Theological Seminary and traveling to parts of Southeast Asia on their behalf.
ABTS meets a profound need in SE Asia for theological education, and more so, meets that need with exceedingly high levels of professionalism and quality. It is very gratifying to all of us at ABTS to see our alumni and graduates, as well as missionaries throughout the region speaking so highly of our professors and programs.
JULY UPDATE:
Dear Praying Friends,
It is such a joy to serve the One Living and True God; living in Thailand, where all around us we see the evidences of animism and spiritism even in the midst of a Buddhist culture, we are constantly reminded of the grace of God in His revelation of Himself to us in His Son and His Word. We know that we are not better, brighter, more worthy or otherwise more deserving of God's grace than our animist neighbors -- and thus we are continually reminded that God's redemptive grace is His prerogative to mete out as He wills, and we are objects of that grace because it is His character and nature to be loving and merciful. Pray that we will continue to be able to share the Gospel of God's grace with those around us, and that He will open ears/hearts to His Word.
Esther and I leave tomorrow morning (Friday, July 9) for Singapore, where Esther will review the ABTS accounting and I will meet with our Singapore Sponsor's Board. These tasks must continue to be done, as we remain registered in Singapore as a Religious Charitable Society. The government of Singapore requires that ABTS report annually regarding our Singapore income and expenditures, and that we meet with our Sponsors to effect the business of the Society. This particular meeting is important, in that we hope to make constitutional changes which will allow us to meet electronically in the future. This was not an option years ago when we created the constitution and by-laws of our Society, and has only recently been approved by the government as a legitimate means for Societies to conduct business. But if our Sponsors will agree, we can conduct future Society meetings without physically being present in Singapore, thus saving on the time and costs involved in getting from Chiang Mai to Singapore once or twice a year. Please pray for our trip, and especially for David, as he will remain in Chiang Mai while we are in Singapore (July 9-13).
We also met here in Chiang Mai yesterday with a consultant from China who represents a major American Foundation. This Foundation is especially interested in helping to provide theological education for church leadership in China, and particularly in getting ABTS professors there to assist in this endeavor. We will soon be submitting a funding proposal to this Foundation for the purpose of enabling ABTS professors to teach Christian leaders in this great land, where so many churches lack pastoral leadership and so many who function as pastors are theologically uneducated. We have written before about potential opportunities opening up to us, and this connection with the Foundation and the possibility of getting into China is a direct result of several conversations we have had in the past two years with representatives of Chinese churches and seminaries. Thank you for praying! Please continue to do so!
At the same time, word has come to us from our Australian connection that, due to new requirements of the Department of Education and Training in Australia, it appears that ABTS will no longer be able to teach there. The DET is quite restrictive in the use of the term "University" within Australia, and because we are "ABTS of Cornerstone University," we will be unable to operate there. There were a number of attempts made at applying for DET approval, but ultimately, without paying a great deal of money (USD $60,000+) to apply for the use of the term "University" as an overseas school, with no certainty that we would finally gain that approval, we have determined not to move forward at this time with further application for permission to teach in Australia. ABTS students there are making plans to complete their degrees by traveling to Bangkok, Singapore, or other ABTS sites.
All of this is a reminder to us that God moves us where and when He wills; though we may not always understand or be comfortable with how and when He does move us, we are confident of His good providence and gracious provision to accomplish His purposes in and through us. Thank you for standing with us in this vital ministry. Now, more than ever, we recognize our inability to be effective in ministry apart from your loving support and faithful prayer. May God continue to demonstrate His power and grant you His peace as you serve Him where He has placed you.
Love in Christ,
Bob, Esther and David