May 23 – 30, 2025
By Ps Jael Goh
Last year, I had the opportunity to join a vision trip to Northeastern Thailand (Zones 4–6 and Khon Kaen). I was deeply moved by the growth and establishment of churches with my own eyes. That experience inspired me to organize another vision trip so that others could also see the needs of the Thailand mission field. I believe that when people witness the work first-hand, God will stir their hearts to support the mission work in Thailand.
In October 2024, my husband Rev. Dr. James Ng and I (along with other Santiphap Mission Initiatives and Santiphap Church members) attended the CPWM (Church Planting World Mission) Conference in South Korea. During the conference, CPWM assigned SMI (Santiphap Mission Initiatives, Singapore) to oversee three new mission zones where no missionaries had been assigned, namely Zones 1, 2 and 7. In response, we decided to organize a new vision trip in 2025 to visit churches in these zones that SMI had committed to support. By God's grace, a team of eleven mission-hearted individuals was quickly assembled for the trip.
Trip Objectives
- To establish the Santiphap Vision Trip as an annual SMI event that encourages ongoing engagement with the communities we serve and uplifts Santiphap churches along the way.
- To inspire participation by inviting brothers and sisters in Christ to personally experience the mission field in Thailand.
- To help participants recognise the needs of the harvest field and respond with love, prayer and commitment to support.
Throughout the vision trip, we continually prayed for God's guidance and protection as we journeyed from town to town, village to village. We prayed for the Holy Spirit to move all those whom we met, and for their acceptance of God's Word.
Photo 1: Morning devotional time – centring our hearts before setting off for ministry each day.
The churches and ministries we visited comprised six churches and one preaching station. In addition, we visited Santiphap School of Ministry (SSM) and Santiphap Mission Centre (SMC).
Santiphap School of Ministry (SSM) & Missionaries
On the first day of our trip, we visited SSM in Korat. This is a vital training centre for pastors and church leaders which is essential for the growth of the church. I was pleased and thankful to learn that they currently have 22 students and are continually expanding. They plan to purchase and renovate an adjacent building with a budget of SGD 80,000, while each student requires SGD 1,200 per year to support their training. It is encouraging to see more people stepping forward into God's ministry. Nevertheless, we trust that our Almighty God will provide for all their needs.
Church Visits
Below are some highlights of the churches we visited.
Lopburi Church (Zone 7)
Established in 2022 in the hometown of Santiphap Church Singapore member Sister Parichat, we were warmly welcomed and inspired by powerful testimonies. The rapid growth of the church, along with the faithful support of pastors, leaders and missionaries from the Santiphap family, was deeply moving. Praise God for His faithfulness!
Khon Kaen Church & Preaching Station
Khon Kaen Church – led by Ps. Somwang and his wife Sojung – continues to grow and is actively involved in street evangelism. At the Khon Kaen Preaching Station, both children and adults gather eagerly to hear the gospel. During our visit, two people, including the village chief, accepted Christ. Praise the Lord!
Nimit Mai Church (Zone 1)
Located in Chiang Rai, this church – also known as Santiphap New Vision Church – recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Their ministries include music evangelism, street outreach and discipleship. Despite many challenges, leaders and members serve faithfully. We were deeply touched by their testimonies and the spirit of worship.
Phukamyao Preaching Station (Zone 1) – Started in 2023 and led diligently by Ps. Yo and Sis. Yui. One notable member, Mr. Viroch, humbly offered his property to build the church and runs a car-wash business to support the ministry. We had a rich time of worship and fellowship together.
Wiang Lanna Church (Zone 1)
Begun in 2015 and joined the Santiphap Church Association in 2022. Through the dedicated labour of its members, the church structure and foundation were miraculously completed within a short time. Although about SGD 20,000 is still needed to fully complete the building, we trust that God will provide.
Chiang Saen Church (Zone 1)
Situated near the borders of Laos and Myanmar in the Golden Triangle, this church was established in 2024. We prayed at the Mekong River for the city – a spiritually challenging area historically known for drug trafficking. The church itself is a beautiful God-provided building where we worshipped and shared testimonies.
We also visited Khun Nongnut Sittikaew (sister of SCS member Sister Narin) who lives nearby. She shared an amazing story of transformation and we joined in prayer and praise for her and her family's salvation.
Trip Highlights Video
Conclusion
As our vision trip came to an end, our hearts were full and often heavy with emotion. Though the churches we visited may appear small and materially lacking, they are rich in faith, strength and courage in Christ – a living testimony and an inspiration to us all. We praise God and continue to pray that many more will come to know Christ through these churches, and that God will provide for all their needs.
Contributor: Ps Jael Goh, Member Care, SMI
Date: 19 June 2025