Atkin David Brenda 2013 Taiwan

David 6c Brenda Atkin

January, 2013

Field Address:

David & Brenda Atkin

67WenHsin S. 1st Rd.

Nan Tun District

Taichung 40876 Taiwan011-886-42-381-8447

[email protected]

500 Days to DisengagementYears ago, convinced of a calling to cross-cultural ministry, we announced to friends, family and churches:"Lord willing, by 2000, we will be on a mission field!" Atthe time, it was a 10-year plan, which included: a Masters Degree in Missions and Church Growth, short-term missions trips, missionary training for the wholefamily, partnership with a mission organization,churches, a church planting team, etc. As it turned out,by God's blessing (which included your partnershipwith us), we arrived on Taiwan 1 1/2 years earlier thanthe goal we had set! (Only 8 years of preparation to bemissionaries!)

Then, ten years ago this July, we moved to Taichung, acity of more than 2 million people and less than 2%Christian, to begin a church planting movement in S.Taichung City. We believed it would be a 10 yearcommitment. You, as our partners in this ministry havefaithfully supported this work in every way, and byGod's grace, the Come Christian Church was born andhas begun a GO Church movement in S. TaichungCity! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!

So, as we start a New Year, and after much prayer andplanning, and given our history with you, it seems fitting to Brenda and I to announce the following: If theLord tarries and continues to give us both good health;

Church Planting in Taiwan

Forwarding Agent:

Kathy Murrellc/o Team ExpansionPO Box 51

Bement, (L 61813217-678-8258

[email protected]

with God's help, we are about 500 days from disengagement from the work here! We've set Sunday, July20, 2014 as our farewell to S. Taichung City and full-time missionary work with the Come Christian Church.

What does all that mean? We're not really sure, butare certain that that is where true faith comes into ac

tion! For the Come Christian Church, it means continuing to move forward, being led by the Holy Spiritand Taiwanese leadership. It means the church is multiplying, leaders are leading, disciples are discipling,and every member is a missionary. For Brenda, Noahand me; about all we're certain of is that it meanschange! Change to what? Change to where? Thesequestions are completely in God's hands.

Why make such an announcement now? Well, for the500 days to disengagement (Yes, we know the actualnumber is a little more than 500.), as well as what isbeyond that for the Atkin family, we ask you to join withus in prayer. For us, we believe that 500 days to disengagement provides a clarity in the urgency of completing the task God has given us here. For you, wealso hope that it provides a sense of joy, that all thoseyears of partnership with us here in Taichung have notbeen in vain as we see the church moving forward.And, together with you, we will all see what Kingdomwork God has planned for us next, Thank you for yourfaithful partnership with us as we enter 2013! (DLA)

Teom E;«i>an5^n's

Chufch-Io-Church

Christmas Scenes

my vomn f denny Wua new family to our Thurs.

night (rO church, sw]

^renda's MCA cafeteria teamvisltthe live nativity.

WWW.TEAMEXPA N SIWN . O R G

j ft-r

Coast-^o-Coast

The begiriTifng of Glorltrel<f'L.A. is just 4 1/2 months away!"And, great news: Two of ourTaiwanese riding buddies,

^ Luey Lu & Andy Sun, arejoining our Gloritrek team - from

coast-to-coast! Luey & Andyare strong cyclists and great

guys that we've been workingon for years! You'll enjoy them!

^ Training has begun in earnest, as/ has contacting churches along the

Gloritrek route. Please pray forEmily, our Gloritrek coordinator forTeam Expansion, as we still havemany dates to fill! Please check out:

pcrry WsMdy and PennyPi - a newfawllyina Sunday morning 00 church,

preparing for the live nativity.

r

PRAY WITH US

• Follow-up on Live Nativity outreach attenders

• David's Monday night EnglishClass - hearts to open to Gospel• David's dad, Marvin, receivingtreatments for prostate cancer• GO Church moving forward in2013 & 500 Days to Disengage• Gloritrek, dates will be filledacross the US. Pray for Luey,Andy, Noah and Dave.• Annie Zhang, a high schooljunior (pictured below with herparents just prior to her baptism), as she begins her new lifeof faith in Jesus, and that shewill be a powerful witness in herschool.

December, 2012 - Geherai Fund

Opening Balance

Received (Individuals)

Received (Churches)

SI 5.837.2

280.84^

9440.00

mlly P- fabitha bothcame home forChristmas! Emily surprised us

Christmas morning!

Expenses

Ending Balance

Gloritrek

10017.48

$1^5,440,6g;1

$7,917

Detailed report sent to all supporters,gifts to this ministry are tax deductibi

2012 General Received $96,087.7^

12 General Expenses $95,513.^

Georgia Sharpe

From: Reggie Hundley [[email protected]]Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 1:44 PMTo: Georgia SharpeSubject: Fwd: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (1/13)

Reggie HundleyExecutive Director

Mission Services

the missions network

Begin forwarded message:

Greetings from Taiwan:

"The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gatheredthe church together and delivered the letter." (Acts 15:30) "So in Christ we who aremany form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Rom 12:5) Youmay think these two verses have nothing in common. However, each shows thatthe church is not something you join, like a club; or, attend like a ballgame. The churchis not something you go to; but, rather something you are! Through the Holy Spirit webecome part of the body of Christ — his hands and his feet.

The Come Christian Church is striving to BE the church as we put aside the falsenotion that church is something we come to! GO Church is about BEING the BODY ofChrist! Please pray as we move forward with GO Church!

We are praising the Lord with John & Cheryl Dunn, our old co-workers fromKaohsiung for good news this past week! Bethany (formerly, Dunn) and Phil White, areparents to twin daughters: Cheyenne and Savannah, born on Jan 8th! The twins area few weeks premature, and each weigh about 4 lbs. 12 oz. They will be in NICU for acouple weeks. Please keep them in your prayers!

We are thankful to share that Emily made it back to the US safely, and has beenreunited with her husband, David. We rejoice that Emily was able to surprise us, andspend a couple weeks with us during Christmas! Pray for Em & David, as Emily helps uscoordinate Gloritrek.

Speaking of Gloritrek, Chad Edwards, our co-worker here in N Taichung City, will beassisting us In making a short promotional video for Gloritrek, we hope will be ready bythe end of January. The video is important for those who don't know about Gloritrek,and/or have not met us. Please pray that it all goes well!

Thank you for prayers and your partnership as we begin 2013, and 500 more days todisengagement! May you BE the church this week!

All for God's Glory Among the Nations,David & Noah Atkin

Georgia Sharpe

From: Reggie Hundley [[email protected]]Sent: Monday, January 21, 2013 10:47 AMTo: Georgia SharpeSubject: Fwd: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (1/20)

Reggie HundleyExecutive Director

Mission Services

the missions network

Begin forwarded message:

From: David Atkin <gloritrek(a),qmail.com>

Subject: Time for Taiwan - Atkin Prayer Update (1/20)Date: January 19, 2013 7:24:10 PM ESTTo: David & Brenda Atkin <[email protected]>

For those who just need the bullet points:

1) Pray for Come Christian Church transition to simple church.2) Pray for the individuals whom God has placed in our path this comingweek.

3) Gloritrek dates and impact for unreached peoples.4) My dad, Marvin, and cancer treatments.

Greetings from Taiwan:

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serveothers, faithfuiiy administering God's grace In its various forms." (I Pet 4:10)What gifts come to mind when you read this verse? One might say, "I can

drive the church bus?" Another might say, "I like babies. I can serve in thenursery." Last night, during our student-led youth group we studied thisverse, and came up with a different kind of "gifts list."

First, was salvation, a gift from God that sets us free from sin and eternaldeath. Second, was God's love in our hearts, filling us with joy andcompelling, even urging us to reach out to others. Third was God's Word,God's love letter to us and a light to our path. Fourth, healthy bodies, youngand strong and fit for kingdom service. Fifth, we all have tongues that cannot

help but declare God's praises of what he has done for us to those who havenot heard about Jesus. Lastly, a team of believers, the church, to servetogether with and with whom to share both hardship and victory. Were any ofthe above on your list? If so, what did Peter say to do with these gifts? That'sright, "Be an administrator of God's grace to others!"

This morning, we have our third-Sunday Come Church gathering, and we'veinvited special guests, Chad & Alicia Edwards, to speak. Chad and Alicia areour Team Expansion teammates, who for many years, more than 15, served inTaipei, and have now relocated to N Taichung City. They have just recentlysuccessfully led the Yung-ho church to transition from a traditional gatheringto what we would call simple church (no church building and no paid staff),which is exactly where we are going! So, Chad and Alicia have agreed tocome and share about the transition. Please pray as our church makes thisdifficult transition to what we believe is the ONLY viable answer for saving alost people -- Taiwan!

This week, I (David) will play golf with my monthly gathering, and I'd like toask you to pray directly for Roger and Henry, two men that I am praying willone day make decisions to follow Jesus. Also, pray for Andy and Luey, on ourGloritrek team, both of whom need the Lord. Please prayfor Kenny & Doreen, part of our Thursday night GO group, and Brenda's headchef. Also, I will visit Dr. Zhang, my back doctor from seven years ago.Though he testifies that he witnessed a miracle from God in my recovery from

experimental surgery, he has not made a decision to follow Jesus. What atestimony, what an audience, he would have if he would give his life to Christ!Of course, all the above mentioned have families, and their decisions wouldimpact three and four generations!

The start of Gloritrek is less than 4 months away! Yesterday, we shot videofor a 3 to 4 minute promotional video, that should be ready by the end of thismonth, thanks to Chad Edwards. We have begun training almost daily, evensetting up a stationary bike for days when we can't get out. Please pray asthere are still many days to fill with Gloritrek events, and so much to do inpreparation. Mostly, though, pray that the Lord will use us as ambassadors forHis love to the 7,000! 7,000 what? The yet remaining unreached peoplegroups!

My dad, Marvin, has begun agressive treatment for prostate cancer thathas metastasized to his lower spine. On the Gleason Scale, which measuresthe severity, from 1 being low risk to 10 being the most serious andaggressive form of cancer: Dad was given a score of 9. So, please pray fordad, and my step-mother, Janice.

Thank you for your prayers, your partnership with us! May you, too, beAmbassadors of God's grace this week!

Aii for God's Glory Among the Nations,David & Brenda Atkin

[email protected] / [email protected]