180 Years of Maitrichit Chinese Baptist Church

2017·1.2 MB·English

by  Jackawan Kinghirunwatana

180 Years of Maitrichit Chinese Baptist Church
Report of Baptist Ministries in Thailand
by Jackawan Kinghirunwatana
CHARTS OF HISTORICAL EVENTS
YEAR History
1828 In 1828 the first Protestant missionaries to come to Siam were Rev. Carl
Gutzlaff, M.D., a German missionary, and Rev.Jacob Tomlin.
1833 ln 1833 the first missionruies to Siam sent by American Baptists were Rev.
and Mrs. John Taylor Jones. They began work with the Siamese people,
translating the New Testament into Thai and a Thai language dictionary as
well. At that time approximately half the population of Bangkok were
Chinese who had immigrated from southem China by sea. Rev. Jones sent
word that missionaries were needed to minister to the Chinese in Siam.
1834 In 1834 the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society sent Rev. and Mrs.
William Dean to serve the Teo-chew Chinese in Siam. Mrs. Dean died in
Singapore on the way giving birth to their daughter. Rev. Dean served
mostly in Siam but also to the Teo-chew people in Hong Kong for 40 years.
1837 The Chinese Baptist Church was established with 11 members, with Rev.
William Dean as the first Pastor. It was un-named until 1924 called" Wat-
koh" Church, following the name of the area in Bangkok that was the
best known of Chinese Cluistians. It was situated near the Chao Phraya
River where many Chinese homes and shops were located.
1935 Dr.&Mrs.A.F.Grosbeck of the South China Mission with instrution from
the board of Foreign Society with specific purpose of rejuvenating the
Church and leading it in a new building program
2 July 2017 The Maitrichit Chinese Baptist Church had a big celebration of their 180th
anru versary
When we consider the year 1837 when the first Chinese church was established, time had
passed more than 140 years. That was a long delay, but this historical church has determined to
follow the Great Commission. Now at the 180th anniversaiy, we mark 38 years of mission work.
vVe like to be known as a Mission Church.
I ,., , l
Within the last 100 years Maitrichit Church has grown in numbers and in ministry. There
were no missionaries assisting the church for many years until 1952 when American Baptists re
entered Thailand.
Christians in Thailand had been on the receiving end of missionaries. The Church has had
a strong evangelistic outreach, opening new chapels in the Bangkok area. Now we began being
concerned that we should also send out missionaries. The chairman of the Board of Deacons,
Samuel Kho, set about organizing a missions committee to study and send out our own
missionaries in 1979. The mission committee consisted of deacons and other active members. On
April 20, 1980 we had the first commissioning service for missiona1ies atMaitrichit Church The
church began sending missionaries to northern Thailand and one, unofficially and unpublicized,
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to China. We were able to send missionaries to places where Western missionaries were not
allowed to go. We later sent missionaries into Burma.
Our mission efforts have been strengthened as we gained more experience, sending those
of our own pastoral staff up-country to establish a Christian center type of ministry. There our
missionaries worked hand in hand with local churches, having strong ministries with children. In
northern Thailand, there were many ex-Kuomintang soldiers who fled China when the communists
forced them out Mandarin Chinese is their main language. But since they now lived in Thailand,
they and their children needed to learn the Thai language. Our missionaries helped them as we
helped establish the Bethel Bible Seminary in Mae Sai on the border with Burma, having training
courses. We also worked with a hilltribes group called the Lisu, so a short course for Lisu Pastoral
Personnel was started
At the present time we are preparing to reach out to other Asian countries, to expand the
Kingdom of God. There are locations near the Thai border, such as Mukdahan, Kantaluk, and at
Maesot in Tak Province of northern Thailand. We have worked in Myanmar (BuJIDa) since 1978,
supporting pastors in Rangoon (Yangon). We sent a newly graduated couple to Lashio, Mymar to
start a school for Bible training and a seminary.
r •,
All ministries need to be financed. Maitrichit Mission in all of its efforts are supported
entirely by Maitrichit Church members. We separate our support from the regular church budget
in order that our outreach ministries will be able to carry on continuously without any obstacles.
That our members support this outreach willingly and continuously is something we thank the
Lord our Father. The church offering has never been lessened by this mission outreach. From the
first chapel organized in 1979, we now have 19 chapels and mission places of ministry. Our fields
of ministry in Thailand arc in the north and northeastem areas, and we have staiied work in
southern Thailand. We have had to acquire land and help with buildings. Many have been
dedicated.
Our expectation for the future of our mission outreach is to train more pastors to be well
trained and equipped for the many types of minisbies. We focus on multi-cultural understandings
for our missionaries.
As a life-time member of Maitrichit Church, having served as a deacon for many years and
focusing on our mission outreach, I thank the Lord that He has chosen me to serve in coordinating
this mission outreach
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Translation by Richard Worley of Thai report of churches and chapels started by the Maitrichit Chinese
Baptist Church of Bangkok, as reported by Jackawan Kinghirunwatana in July 2017:
Categories: Name of Institution Church Chapel Name of Leaders Position Year Began
Year Established Full Baptized Members Members in Study Ordained Pastors
Unordained pastoral workers Church Teachers
Name of Institution Name of Leaders Position
Maitrichit Church Rev. Suwimol Kongkangwanchoke Acting Senior Pastor
Rev. Banpote Mekhsathaporn General Secretary Maitrichit Mission
Rev. Boonitt Burapavong Pastoral Advisor
Rev. Pichai Piriyawatanaporn Pastoral Advisor
Rev. Apichart Poonsakdiworasarn Pastoral Advisor
Rev. Nuchanart Ngamsom Pastor of worship & Christian Education
Rev. Nongnute Poomibanjoerd Pastor of Family Life & Children
Rev. Runjuan Panachotesakul Pastor of Social Services
Pastor Nitiwich Limdamrongchit Youth Pastor
Pastor Natchanon Songpornprasert Pastor of Evangelism & Chapels
Pastor Pailin Pongsanguanthai Minister of Music
Pastor Panatda Jaiaree Pastor for Church Accounts
Pastor Aekawit Lekwiriyakul Associate Pastor for Youth
Pastor Kanokwan Moonla Pastor for Education
Talad Plu Baptist Church Rev. Anchalee Piriyawatanaporn Senior Pastor
Pastor Eng Bualai Pastor
Pastor Karoon Padungkwamjing Associate Pastor
Romphrakoon Maitrichit Baptist Church
Rev. Pairat Thamchai Pastor
Pastor Jinda Thamchai Associate Pastor
Charoen Krung Maitrichit Church
Rev. Chart Phatpraphakorn Senior Pastor
Pastor Thanyaporn Teesirinawakoon Associate Pastor
Tao Poon Maitrichit Church
Rev. Wicha Chanwititkul Senior Pastor
Pastor Kusumal Chanprasertkit Associate Pastor
Pastor Supaporn Songsermpong Associate Pastor
Pastor Simone Ooyuen Associate Pastor
Ekachai Baptist Church Pastor Niwate Kiatsornsri Pastor
Pastor Chomerudee Namkhotorn Associate Pastor
Mae Sot Gospel Church --- Pastor
Langsuan Maitrichit Church Pastor Sarote Hoomsook Pastor
Pastor Sirirat Hoomsook Associate Pastor
Mae Sai Maitrichit Church Pastor Wirawat Paisankrisakul Pastor
Pastor Buarao Namsaeng Associate Pastor
Pastor Choedchai Ingwayrote Associate Pastor
Pastor Wirachai Wichayakul Associate Pastor
Bang Plee Maitrichit Church Rev. Somphong Sunantha Senior Pastor
Pastor Sunisa Choekong Associate Pastor
Huay Namrin Maitrichit Church
Pastor Chaithawat Sanantakul Pastor
Pastor Thawatchai Seemoong Associate Pastor
Pastor Yuphin Roongsinsap Associate Pastor
Doi Chang Maitrichit Church Pastor Wichien Sae Yang Pastor
Pastor Yuwadee Sae Yang Associate Pastor
Rom Klao 2 Maitrichit Church Rev. Wichai Payawongsa Pastor
Pastor Krysana Payawongsa Associate Pastor
Phayao Maitrichit Church Rev. Sritim Prompanya Senior Pastor
Rev. Kiriya Puangpandee Associate Pastor
Phayamengrai Maitrichit Church
Pastor Thanom Bohbueng Pastor
Sawang Daendin Maitrichit Church
Pastor Phadone Surintr Pastor
Pastor Ladda Surintr Associate Pastor
Pa Mued Maitrichit Church Rev. Wiworn Luechai Pastor
Pastor Santi Janthasuwongs Associate Pastor
Pastor Suphaporn Janthasuwongs Associate Pastor
Suan Sayam Maitrichit Church
Pastor Suwimon Ua-areeratn Pastor
Pastor Suphapan Srichomjai Associate Pastor
Mae Mon Maitrichit Church Pastor Somphong Srilimpanont Pastor
Pastor Phannee Srilimpanont Associate Pastor
Nong Khaem Maitrichit Church
Pastor Warunee Phongthaweechai Pastor
Pastor Marayaht Dusitthanasarn Associate Pastor
Mukdaharn Maitrichit Church
Pastor Ekalak Wajanaphaiboon Pastor
Pastor Amnuay Wajanaphaiboon Associate Pastor
Doi Muser Maitrichit Church
Pastor Worachet Wangnirankul Pastor
Pastor Ratdikal Wangnirankul Asssociate Pastor
Doi Larn Maitrichit Chapel Pastor Tawsak Jarayphanawate Pastor
Pastor Niphada Jarayphanawate Associate Pastor
Huay Tone Tong Maitrichit Chapel
Pastor Kitiphong Sujiworakul Pastor
Pastor Pimjai Sujiworakul Associate Pastor
Jaydee Koh Baptist Chapel Pastor Siriporn Chuensuksirisakul Pastor
Pastor Tee Khoe Associate Pastor
Tha Kaw Saw Maitrichit Chapel
Pastor Suradet Ratanawanit Pastor
Pastor Thidarat Ratanawanit Associate Pastor
Kham Phrapawn Maitrichit Chapel
(Word of Blessing) Pastor Teerasak Ati Pastor
Pastor Sasikan Ati Associate Pastor
Ramkhamhaeng Maitrichit Chapel*
Pastor Somyote Ratnthaloengsak Pastor
*Just established as a church in January, 2018
Wang Jao Maitrichit Chapel Pastor Teerachai Saenphong Pastor
Pastor Patchararat Saenphong Associate Pastor
Kanthornlaksn Maitrichit Chapel
Pastor Wirayut Titithamyothin Pastor
Pastor Suphansa Titithamyothin Associate Pastor
Rap Pawn Maitrichit Chapel
(Receive Blessing) Rev. Preeda Thai-oosa Pastor
Pastor Prathom Thai-oosa Associate Pastor
Phra Ram 2 Maitrichit Chapel
Pastor Sittichai Akeloetmontri Pastor
Pastor Pawnsawan Akeloetmontri Associate Pastor
Paknam Pran Maitrichit Chapel
Pastor Wisutchon Jampakhao Pastor
Pastor Ahraya Jampakhao Associate Pastor
Tawmta Maitrichit Chapel Pastor Kingkanjna Williams Pastor
Pastor Tharapong Ratreewitawat Associate Pastor
Pastor Kalaya Ratreewitawat Associate Pastor
Wiwatana Baptist Chapel Pastor Natapone Kanthasen Associate Pastor
Pastor Lily Kaewpraphakorn Associate Pastor
Sansai Maitrichit Life Development Center
Pastor Somnuek Luechai Associate Pastor
Pastor Ahnuta Wuimae Associate Pastor
Ban Khao Raks Chapel Rev. Chart Phatpraphakorn Acting Pastor
Agape Baptist Maitrichit Chapel Pastor Jakree Premanon Pastor
Pastor Janejit Loetmaleenont Associate Pastor
Pastor Suriya Loetmaleenont Associate Pastor
Huay Too Chapel Rev. Wichai Phayawongsa Acting Pastor
Nawanakorn Maitrichit Chapel Pastor Kasitdit Phongsakulkarn Associate Pastor

Totals 4,570 Full Baptized Members
2,034 Members in Study
16 Ordained Pastors
* 32 Religious Teachers
* 44 Teachers

* Note: These 76 I translated as ‘Pastors’ because that is their function.
In Thai a religious teacher is one trained in seminary but not ordained;
and ‘Teacher’ or in Thai ‘Acharn’ is a term used for a qualified teacher
anywhere. In the chapels and churches, the ‘Acharn’ and ‘Religious
Teacher’ function in the role of Associate Pastor in the churches and
chapels.
Totals 22 Churches (A church must have at least 35 members, be self supporting, and have its
own pastor, preferable an ordained pastor, but not always)
18 Chapels (Maitrichit Chinese Baptist Church of Bangkok has a mission outreach, very
evangelical, always starting new work. They begin as chapels, all with
trained pastoral workers – those trained in seminary and Bible schools --
and receive some financial support and guidance from Maitrichit
Church. Because they are the result of work by Maitrichit Church,
most chapels and churches have the name ‘Maitrichit’ attached to
them.)