Online teaching as a Missionary

Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility. That word left a vital mark on my experience at Adventist

Frontier Missions (AFM) in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where I received training to become a

missionary in Thailand. Before I arrived in Thailand, my daily schedule had a set routine.

Work, school, teach cello lessons, and practicing my repertoire were pretty much my activities

for the week. However, it was not until I decided to serve as a missionary that my daily schedule

would change very unexpectedly.

Recently, my day-to-day schedule in Thailand consists mostly of online teaching at Khon Kaen

International School (KKIS), where I teach Language Arts and Reading classes for Grades 1-3

and 6. In addition, I teach in person cello lessons at Peace Music Academy (PMA), and online

cello lessons with my own private students.

I was not always teaching online, but ever since this new wave of COVID-19 struck the province

of Khon Kaen, schools have been closed for over a month. This lockdown had its ups and

downs, but in the end, I was able to adjust to all the sudden changes that came my way. I say

this not in my power or strength, but in the name of Jesus Christ, who gives me the power and

strength to overcome all my daily battles.

Many of my favorite Bible verses are in the Book of Psalms, where David shares his struggles,

victories, and his faith in God:

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” – (Psalm

34:19) – NKJV

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” –

(Psalm 32:8) – NKJV

Over these past four months, I have had many struggles along the way, but time and time again, I

have seen God’s hand guiding me throughout my journey, and after each struggle, a victory is

won, and my faith is strengthened.

Michael's Amazing Adventure

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Do people still go on mission trips during Covid-19? Most certainly, and Michael’s story is certainly an inspiration to all of us. Read his mission story and the blessings that he experienced while serving God.

1) How has God led you to become a Missionary in the first place?

God led me to the mission field at my first international GYC (Generation of Youth for

Christ) conference in Kentucky last year. There, I met Daniel Cerna and Julie Bowes members

of the IYMC (Institute of Young Musicians for Christ). I was immediately drawn by their title

and their booth that emphasized the importance of music ministry.

2) What miracles have you experienced since you left home?

On my way to Thailand, a miracle happened firsthand that let me experience that God is

always with me. I left home on Thursday, January 28th heading to Bangkok, Thailand, and with

a layover in Frankfurt, Germany. I arrived with several hours between my flights believing that

everything was according to plan. I caught up on sleep, ate some food, and prepared for the next

part of my journey. When it came time to board the plane, however, I discovered that I was

missing a critical piece of documentation that I was required to have, or I would not be allowed

into Thailand. The “Certificate of Entry (C.O.E.)” document was necessary, but I did not receive

it from the Thai Embassy before leaving the United States, nor was I informed that it would be

required. The staff at the Frankfurt airport would not allow me to fly without that document.

Suddenly, my 10-hour layover turned into a 5-day sleepover at the airport.

I called my Missions Team (IYMC) to get help with this ordeal. I also made calls to my

family and friends to let them know that I was okay, and I asked them to pray for me that God

would provide a solution for this situation. Thankfully, there was a hotel at the airport! Because

I could not leave the airport, the hotel being on the premises was a major relief, as I would not

have to constantly worry about my carry-on luggage, and I would have a stable place to obtain

the document. There were many issues during my time at the airport.

I could not get a change of clothes from my luggage because the negative COVID-19 test that I

took in NY was too old, and the staff would only accept results within the past 48 hours. Despite

the challenges, I was determined to obtain the document.

The miracle happened when I was trying to figure out how I was going to cover the

expenses of being stuck in Germany. I did not know how I was going to pay for the nights I

spent at the hotel. The next day, I received an early morning call from my mission’s leader,

Daniel Cerna, who told me that someone had randomly donated $2,000 for my trip to Thailand.

At that moment, I could not believe how good God was to me. Those funds were more than

enough to cover my hotel stay and gave me extra time to find the C.O.E. document without being

worried about financial coverage. My faith in God was restored as He proved Himself to have

everything under control. He is my Father and my Provider. It reminded me that the devil will

try to stop missionary work and put many obstacles in the way, but God will always see you

through. I was able to receive help from the German embassies in Berlin and Frankfurt and

finally had the C.O.E. document in hand. After so many rejections, setbacks, and obstacles, God

saw me through them all.

After receiving my C.O.E. document, Daniel shared this very inspiring chapter in the Bible with

me from Psalm 66 from the International Children’s Bible translation:

“Everything on earth, shout with joy to God! Sing about his glory! Make his praise glorious!
Say to God, “Your works are amazing! Your power is great. Your enemies fall before you. All
the earth worships you. They sing praises to you. They sing praises to your name.” Selah

Come and see what God has done. See what amazing things he has done for people. He turned
the sea into dry land. The people crossed the river on foot. So let us rejoice because of what he
did. He rules forever with his power. He keeps his eye on the nations. So people should not
turn against him. Selah
You people, praise our God.
Loudly sing his praise. He protects our lives and does not let us be defeated. God, you have
tested us. You have purified us like silver. You let us be trapped. You put a heavy load on us.
You let our enemies walk on our heads. We went through fire and flood. But you brought us to
a place with good things. I will come to your Temple with burnt offerings. I will give you what
I promised. I promised to give you these things when I was in trouble. I will bring you offerings
of fat animals. And I will offer male sheep, bulls, and goats. Selah

All of you who fear God, come and listen. I will tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to
him with my mouth. I praised him with my tongue. If I had known of any sin in my heart, the
Lord would not have listened to me. But God has listened. He has heard my prayer. Praise
God. He did not ignore my prayer. He did not hold back his love from me.”

— Psalm 66 (ICB)

This chapter encapsulates my entire traveling experience to Thailand.

3) Share an experience that happened to you recently within the mission field.

While I was in New York, I was contacted by a man named Josh who had a task he

wanted to entrust me with that would save a life. We became friends online, and he asked me to

bring a machine with me to Thailand called The Vest which would help to clear mucus from the

lungs of a girl who had cystic fibrosis. Upon arrival in Thailand, this was my first project,

allowing me to step right into mission work. I met Palm, the young girl’s mother, and showed

her how to operate the machine so that her daughter would be able to use it when she got home.

It was a blessing to be able to help this family.

Are you inspired by what you just read? Consider getting involved!

The Benefits of Music Camp

A question that is often asked is, "Why should I sign my child up for music camp when they already take music lessons?"  

Music Camp is beneficial in many ways that private lessons are not.

Here are a few examples:

Music Ministry Focus

IYMC strongly believes in music being used for ministry "Song is one of the most effective means of impressing spiritual truth upon the heart. Often by the words of sacred song, the springs of penitence and faith have been unsealed." --Review and Herald, June 6, 1912.

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises,"  Hebrews 2:12.  At Music Camp, children are taught the value of music ministry and will have opportunities to minister to others at the end of the camp. 

Gaining Different Musical Perspectives

As your child begins to mature musically, it is important for them to be able to hear different musical perspectives from different teachers. This will allow them to create their own style of playing. At music camp, campers will learn from teachers they don't normally study with, thus gaining new musical perspectives.

Group Playing

There are numerous benefits that come along with group playing including, ensemble skills, teamwork, social benefits, motivation, self-confidence building, and more. At music camp there are multiple group playing and singing opportunities such as orchestra, group class, bell choir, and more!

Choir Singing

IYMC strongly believes in the power of song. "I saw we must be daily rising and keep the ascendancy above the powers of darkness. Our God is mighty. I saw singing to the glory of God often drove the enemy, and praising God would beat him back and give us the victory". --Letter 5, 1850. "[Song] is one of the most effective means of impressing the heart with spiritual truth. How often to the soul hard-pressed and ready to despair, memory recalls some word of God’s, --the long-forgotten burden of a childhood song, -- and temptations lose their power, life takes on new meaning and new purpose, and courage and gladness are imparted to other souls!" Education p. 168.1 At music camp, every child is placed in choir. We believe every child should learn how to praise the lord with singing.

Extra Electives

We want our campers to be able to try something fun that they might not have tried before. We offer diverse classes such as intro to harp, bells, guitar, and more!

Social Time

​Music camp offers a special opportunity for your child to make friends with other young musicians. Making music with others forms a special bond. ​At music camp, we hope children will form friendships that will build them up as they continue on their musical journey.

Music Missionaries

“Music missionaries? Never heard of that before.”

This is a response that the Institute of Young Musicians for Christ (IYMC) hears very often. This kind of response shows that we are not using all of God’s gifts to their fullest potential. Music can have a remarkable impact on a person's life - Christian music even more so. Sadly, the furthest we as Seventh-day Adventists tend to reach is a concert here and a concert there, an album here, a music video there. When we focus only on the performance aspect of music, we miss a huge part of what music is and what makes it so beautiful. Music is a discipline, an art, and a lifestyle. It is hard work, character building. It is a process.

Taking private lessons is a major aspect of music for almost all professional musicians. As a young person, they meet once a week with a music teacher. Ask any musician and they’ll tell you that their music teacher was a huge influence in their lives. They are someone that their students aspire to be like. They become role models. Students build a bond of trust with their teachers. They look to them for advice, they vent to them if they are having a hard time, they confide in them. These music teachers take them from a beginner who can play nothing, to an artist who can play with emotional depth and sincerity. Music teachers become a major influential figure in a student’s life.

Practicing is another large part of music. In order to get better at your instrument, you have to practice. Practicing is a discipline that one must learn. To be a successful practicer one must develop time management skills and concentration. Practicing allows one to set a goal and to work toward its completion. Progress in the practice room promotes a sense of self-worth and self-confidence in the ability to achieve goals. 

Finally, there is the performance. This is the moment that the musician has been excitedly anticipating. All the hard work has been put in and has led to this moment. A proper performance transports the listener to another place. All their anxieties and cares are forgotten for a moment and all that matters is the message that the performer is delivering through his or her medium. The listener leaves, touched, hopeful, and inspired.

Imagine if we could use this amazing process for the Lord? Imagine if there were musicians, trained as music teachers and evangelists, who would go to different parts of the world to teach music. Imagine if we sent missionaries to start music programs in orphanages around the world. Imagine if they not only taught Christian music, but were also ready to give Bible studies and to be a spiritual mentor. This, IYMC believes, is the untapped potential of music ministry. What if we gave the gift of music, in its entirety, to those who at this point do not have it. What if we trained up a generation of musicians with mission-minded music teachers? How many lives could be touched? How great of an impact could we have? 

IYMC has a vision to equip and send music missionaries to the United States and around the world to share the gift of godly music to the ends of the earth. IYMC truly believes that this program will make a huge impact on the lives of those receiving it and that it will lead many to the kingdom.

If you are interested in becoming a music missionary click here.