MISSIONARY PROFILE
Jeff
Gross
Missionary Update 09/16/2019
Dear Churches and Friends, We had one young man (Note) come forward for baptism this past month. He believed on Jesus Christ about a year ago. We have several other young men that are candidates for baptism as well. Each has received Jesus as their Saviour, and each has been coming to church and Bible studies. However, they are reluctant to follow the Lord in this important step of obedience. For some believers in Thailand, it is difficult to follow this ordinance ordained by Jesus. There is an undercurrent of fear from family and society to step out and stand with our Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, our young men are first generation Christians. So, they have no good Christian example to follow. They are setting the example, which is not easy for Thai men. One of our goals at Bible Baptist Church is to teach and train these young men to be good leaders in the church. Consequently, we try to provide opportunities to practice what they have learned by doing different outreach ministries. One outreach ministry is going to children’s homes. We recently went to a home that cares for about 60 children. The Thai young men put together a gospel message where each one had a part. They also took their violins and played a couple of songs for the home. These young men do an excellent job and are getting more and more comfortable giving the gospel. Thanks for your prayers and support. Baptism of Note, on my immediate right Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation of Maiy, Pai, Mean, Myk Salvation of Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni Learning Language &Culture Churches in Thailand Romans 6:3-4 - “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Seeds to Take Root in Hearts
Missionary Update 08/02/2019
Dear Churches and Friends, July 2019 Last year we made a wooden A-frame of the 3 things that God cannot do in the Thai language. It has turned out to be an excellent outreach tool for us. We take it to the local university and set it up at a place where a lot of students pass by. The A-frame opens a great door to explain what the new birth is. We have several stays at the A-frame and then several others go around and hand out tracts. It is a great way to sow seeds. We haven’t seen a salvation yet but have planted a lot of seeds. One of our goals is to train men for the ministry. One thing we do is to give the guys opportunities for outreach. This gives them an opportunity to practice what they are learning. We give each a chance to give the gospel with the A-frame. Another outreach ministry of ours is going to children’s home. We recently went to a home that takes care of about 60 kids. The guys put together a message where each one had a part. They also took their violins and played a couple of songs for the home. The guys do an excellent job and are getting more and more comfortable giving the gospel. Thanks for your prayers and support. Additional Prayer List for Growth: Note, Non, Burt, Tuey, Mike, Fang, Furn and Kym Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation: Maiy,Tu, Myk, Pai, Salvation: Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni, Learning Language & Culture Churches in Thailand Ecclesiastes 11:1,6 – “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Seeds to Take Root in Hearts
Missionary Update 07/08/2019
Dear Churches and Friends, May & June 2019 It would seem that Bible Baptist Church is under trial now. We have been “under fire” these last few months. One of our young men (Tuey) has left the church for a lost girl. He was attending regularly and showing signs of growth, but had only been saved for about a year. A couple others are struggling with social media. It feels like we have hit a wall spiritually and can’t go further till we deal with these issues. There is a blessing in that some of the young Christians are starting to grow and show spiritual discernment. Pray that we can address these issues and come forth a” vessel for the finer”. Thank you for your prayers. Continued Several months ago, a friend of our church members (Kae) came to a Bible study. We gave him a John and Romans booklet and a tract. The tract we gave him, an explanation of salvation, was one that we prepared and printed ourselves. We didn’t hear from him for several months. However, during this time he had been reading the book of John and the tract on salvation. He also experienced various troubles in his life. We later learned that he had prayed for salvation, trusting in Jesus Christ as his savior. This was the first salvation from a tract we created. Needless to say, this is a blessing and an encouragement to our guys and shows the power of God’s written word. Bible Student (Non) Teaching Sunday School Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation of Maiy, Pai, Mean, Myk Salvation of Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni Learning Language &Culture Churches in Thailand 2 Timothy 2:21-22 - “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Seeds to Take Root in Hearts
Missionary Update 06/03/2019
Dear Churches and Friends, May 2019 On our last update we had the name of a young man (Kae), on the prayer request for salvation. He is the friend of one of our church members. He had come to a Bible study once before. At that time, we had given him a John and Romans and a tract. The tract we gave him; an explanation of salvation, was one that we had prepared and printed ourselves. We didn’t hear much from him for several months. But apparently, God had been working in his heart. He had various troubles enter his life, and he began to pray. He read the book of John and our tract on salvation. One day Kae met with his friend (Daet) our church member. Daet came to me and said that he thought Kae had gotten saved. We were able to meet together with Kae and talk about salvation. Sure enough, Kae had been reading the salvation tract and said that he prayed the prayer of salvation that was on the back of the tract. He said he prays that prayer about every day. Well, we know that he only needs to pray it once, if he means it from the heart. But as a new Christian, he didn’t know that. We further explained salvation, heaven and hell, and realized that he indeed had trusted in Jesus Christ for his salvation. That was the first salvation that we had from our tract. Needless to say, it was a blessing and an encouragement to our guys. It also shows the power of God’s written word. Thank you for your prayers and support. May our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified. Additional Prayer List for Growth: Note, Non, Birt, Tuey, A Liang, Fang and Furn Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation: Maiy,SaAng,Myk,Pai, Salvation: Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni, Learning Language & Culture Churches in Thailand Job 9:1, 32-33 – “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” Seeds to Take Root in Hearts
Missionary Update 04/01/2019
Dear Churches and Friends, Bible Baptist Church is doing well. This month we baptized a young woman. She is a third-year student at the local university. She got saved about seven months ago with our group. She has been faithful in coming to church services and also to Friday night Bible studies, but had not come forward for baptism. However, this month she asked to be baptized. We did another Bible study on baptism for her and several others that have yet to be baptized. We are thankful for her salvation and now for her decision to follow the Lord in baptism. Pray that her testimony will work in the hearts of others. There are several others that have yet to be baptized. In addition, some of her lost friends have been coming to church and also went to her baptism. Last year we translated a series of Bible doctrinal lessons geared to build a solid foundation for new Christians. We have two young men (Daet and Toe) that are teaching the lessons. Both are growing in the Lord and have a desire to serve. It is encouraging to see these young men grow. It is also a strong testimony to the other Thai Christians and non-Christians. Thank you for your prayers and support. May our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified. Additional Prayer List for Growth: Note, Non, Birt, Tuey, A Liang, Fang and Furn Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation: Keem,SaAng,Myk,Pai, Mai Salvation: Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni, Kae Learning Language & Culture Churches in Thailand 2 Peter 1:5-7 – “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
Missionary Update 03/04/2019
Dear Churches and Friends, We recently were able to host a creation seminar at a local university where I am working with several students. Dr. Andy McIntosh, a former professor and researcher from England, came to Chiang Mai. He is now retired, but has done extensive research in several scientific fields. Dr. McIntosh now travels the world teaching the Genesis account of creation, and also debates with prominent atheists. We were delighted to have the opportunity to host a meeting with him. We reserved a room at the university and invited students to attend. He presented many facts that disprove the theory of evolution. These presentations are great for the students in that it strengthens their faith in God and the Bible. This last year we were blessed to see several young men accept Christ as their personal Saviour. For these young men, it is their first experience in church and in the Bible. So, we are literally “starting from scratch” in regard to discipling them. They are first generation Christians and, therefore, have no experience in Christianity. We recently made a series of 17 Bible lessons geared to root and ground new Christians in the faith. We have 2 Thai young men that have been with us now for a couple of years teaching the new converts these lessons. It’s a great blessing for both sides. Thanks for prayers and support. Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation of Pete, Pai, Mean, Myk Salvation of Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni Learning Language &Culture Churches in Thailand Seeds to Take Root in Hearts
Missionary Update 02/05/2019
Dear Churches and Friends, This month we were able to host a meeting with Dr. Andrew McIntosh from England. He was a professor for many years in England and has done research in thermodynamics. He is now retired and travels around the world teaching about creation and the Genesis account. He also does debates with prominent atheists. He came to Chiang Mai, Thailand and we were delighted to have the opportunity to host a meeting with him. We were able to reserve a room at a nearby university where I have been able to work with many students. He presented many facts that disprove the theory of evolution. The presentation is good, in that it strengthens the Thai’s faith in the Bible. We also have a young man in our group that has been saved for a couple of years now. However, he has not been faithful in church. His mother fell ill and spent several days in the hospital. We were able to go and visit his mom in the hospital. It turned out to be a great experience for all. Since our visit the young man has started coming to prayer and Bible study. In addition, at the hospital we were able to go around and pass out tracts. The young man’s name is Mike. Thank you for your prayers and support. May our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified. Additional Prayer List for Growth: Note, Non, Birt, Tuey, A Liang, Fang and Furn Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation: Keem, Pete, Myk, Pai, Mai Salvation: Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni, Kae Learning Language & Culture Churches in Thailand Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 – “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”
Missionary Update 12/03/2018
Dear Churches and Friends, Bible Baptist Church is doing well. We have had several new visitors come to church lately. It is encouraging to have visitors. In Thailand, often it is the visitors first time to be in church. It is a great opportunity to not just tell them about the gospel but show them. Many times, we will get visitors to return because they comment on how friendly the church is. We currently have four university students that have come to church several times. They are not saved but are very interested in learning more about Jesus. Their names are mentioned below. It takes time for the Thai to understand a Holy, Infinite God. It takes time for a Thai to understand the love of God is at Calvary. Thai Buddhism is a mix of pure Buddhism and local animistic beliefs in spirits, fortune telling, astrology, and sorcery. Ceremonies are also very important in Thai culture. Mostly, the practices and beliefs are to manipulate spirits to get what you want, i.e., success, money, health… It is this understanding of spiritual reality that Thai people bring to the table when they come to church for the first time. Consequently, we try to explain terms like: God, heaven, hell, sin, and eternal life carefully. Thank you for your prayers and support. May our Lord Jesus Christ be glorified. Additional Prayer List for Growth: Note, Non, Birt, Tuey, A Liang, and Fang Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation: Keem, Pete, Myk, Pai Salvation: Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni, Kae Learning Language & Culture Churches in Thailand Colossians 2:6-7 – “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
Missionary Update 11/02/2018
Dear Churches and Friends, “And ye shall be witnesses unto me…” One of our witnessing tools is an A-Frame of the “Three things that God Cannot Do”. We made one in Thai and take it to places that have a lot of foot traffic. We also bring along some pictures of things relevant to Thai culture. It is geared for Thais to see God and to see their need for salvation. This opens a great door for witnessing and handing out tracts. In addition, we also had a men’s retreat. We spent one night in a nearby mountain, and had an excellent time of Bible study, prayer, and testimony. There was a great spirit, and we all were encouraged. Thank you for your prayers and support – May our Lord be glorified. Bible Baptist Church has really been blessed this year. We have already seen God’s goodness in bringing several souls to salvation. This last month we had another young man receive Jesus as his Saviour. His name is Tuey. He continues to come to church and Bible study. He also started learning the trumpet and wants to be able to play in church. Praise the Lord for such a heart in a young Christian. We have several young Christians now. They are also first-generation Christians with little Bible knowledge. Please pray for these young Christians to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ: Note, Non, Birt, Tuey, A Liang, & Fang. Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation of Pete, Pai, Mean, Myk Salvation of Daet’s Mom, Jeni, Ni Learning Language &Culture Churches in Thailand Seeds to Take Root in Hearts Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”
Missionary Update 10/01/2018
Dear Churches and Friends, This last month we had a men’s retreat. Our group of college students spent one night up in a nearby mountain. That day we had a Bible study about the local church. After the Bible study we went on a mountain hike. Then in the evening we made a fire and had a time of singing and testimonies. The next morning we met and took prayer requests and had a sweet time in prayer. The meals were excellent as well, and we had a great time of fellowship. Altogether we had 10 young men go and we also met with a family. There was a good spirit and all were encouraged. We had one young man come to church and say that he was born a Christian. This is a common thought in Thailand. That one is born a Christian or born a Buddhist. Thai’s think that all “westerners” are Christians. Therefore, it was natural for him to say he was born a Buddhist or Christian. We spend a couple of weeks going through the Bible, and learning about the new birth. He realized his lost condition and since has believed on Jesus Christ for salvation. We are very thankful to see the young man saved and thankful the Lord brought him our way. Thanks for prayers and support. Additional Salvation Prayer List: Myk, Ni, Jenny Together for His service Jeff Gross Prayer Salvation: Keem Pete Mean Su & Pai Learning Language & Culture Hong’s Father & Family to Get Saved Churches in Thailand Seeds to Take Root in Hearts Psalms 119:16,18 – “I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”