From Bangkok to Bishkek, Budapest to Bogotá. Kenneth D. MacHarg
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Ken MacHarg has organized the largest collection of International Church history in print. This reservoir of inspiration demonstrates that the International Church reaches all kinds of people in all kinds of places. Ken broadcasts the strategic position of International Churches reaching persons of every tribe, tongue and nation. The stories told within motivate us to be prudent, investing time, effort and personnel in the International Church around the globe. Ken’s compendium testifies that Jesus will build His Church! Have a read, experience where God is at work.
Rev Dr. Warren Reeve, Missional International Church Network Founder/Lead Pastor of the Martin Luther King English Speaking International Church in Paris
Ken MacHarg knows the international church. His research is an invaluable tool to help understand the multicultural church phenomena, which from the day of Pentecost onward, been a powerful factor in world evangelism. These churches play a very important role in the spiritual growth of individuals and families and in spread of the gospel around the world, and as important tools of God need to be understood better. I recommend this book to you as a helpful resource as a source of encouragement in the work of God in the world and to help understand the history, the reality, and the future of the international church.
Dr. David Packer, Senior Pastor of the International Baptist Church of Stuttgart, Germany
Having had the privilege to serve a total of 18 years at two of the oldest and largest American international congregations, the Union Evangelical Church in Mexico City and the American Church in Paris, I was impressed to read of so many more congregations with varying degrees of similar history and diversity around the world. Indeed, the international and union churches are a sign of the Kingdom of God in-breaking into our world. I am grateful for MacHarg’s extensive research and pray for greater understanding of and learning from these congregations as they show us the way forward and the true meaning of e pluribus unum.
Dr. Scott Herr, Senior Pastor, The American Church in Paris
Other books by Kenneth D. MacHarg:
Tune in the World, The Listener’s Guide to International Shortwave Radio, Miller Publishing Company, Media, Pennsylvania, 1983
Introducing International Radio, Global Village Press, Jeffersonville, In, 1987
A Haven By The Side Of The Road, The Story of Wayside Christian Mission, Wayside Christian Mission, Louisville, Kentucky, 1997
Don’t Rush the Lord, A Pilgrimage to God’s Purpose, Wm. Carey Library, Pasadena, California, 1997
Inside Track: Latin America Through the Eyes of a Missionary Journalist, Editorial Buena Semilla, Bogotá, Colombia, 2001
Proclaiming the Gospel; Guidelines for Local Christian Radio Programming Around the World, Latin America Mission, Miami, Florida, 2003. Published in Spanish as: La proclamación del Evangelio; Pautas para programadores locales de radio cristiana alrededor del mundo, Latin America Mission, Miami, Florida, 2003 and in Portuguese as: Proclamando o Evangelho no rádio, Transcultural Editora e Livraria Ltda., Anápolis, Brazil. 2004
Not in Vain, with David M. Howard, Latin America Mission, Miami, Florida, 2005. Also available in Spanish
From Rio to the Rio Grande; Challenges and Opportunities in Latin America, Global Village Press, Miami, Florida 2007
Radio Survives and Thrives, The History of Kentucky Broadcasting from 1945-1970, Global Village Press, Carrollton, Georgia 2011
Singing the Lord’s Songs in a Foreign Land; Biblical Reflections for Expatriates, Global Village Press, Carrollton, Georgia, 2011
From Bangkok to
Bishkek,
Budapest to Bogotá
The compelling story of
International Congregations
2nd Edition
Kenneth D. MacHarg
English Methodist Church (today, Methodist
International Church), Hong Kong—circa 1964
Copyright © 2020 Kenneth D. MacHarg. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system—except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web or by others wishing to use brief quotes or references in other works—without permission in writing from the author.
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
ISBN: 978-1-63199-577-4
eISBN: 978-1-63199-578-1
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EnerPower Press is an imprint of Energion Publications
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the following who helped me grow in my love for and commitment to service of the Lord through International (Union) Churches:
The late Dr. Norman A. Horner, Dean and Professor of Missions at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. His brief, almost off-hand, mention one day in a missions class of what were then known as Union Churches turned on a light for me that has never dimmed.
The late Rev. Gregory Seeber, pastor of international congregations in Panama, Turkey and Poland. Greg came by to introduce himself to us our first day at the Margarita Union Church in Panama. He helped me to learn international churches and opened up the exciting nature of the world-wide fellowship of such congregations.
The late Rev. J.R. “Jack” Collins, who, through the office of International Congregations and Lay Ministries in New York City, served in a position similar to an Association Minister (District Superintendent, Executive Presbyter, Bishop) of the global network of ICs, wisely advised me on how to seek my first pastorate in one, and continued as a friend and encourager through correspondence and visits for many years.
Thank you
It would be impossible to name all of the people and institutions that have helped me in the preparation of this book. They go back to those cited in the Dedication and to people and agencies in more recent times that have encouraged me, provided information and helped with the writing, editing and publishing process.
Among those who cheered me on are Warren Reeve the founder of MICN, Jimmy Martin of the International Baptist Convention, Jim Dwyer formerly of the Network of International Congregations and others.
My good friend and missionary colleague, Ralph Kurtenbach, was very encouraging and provided a thorough editing of my work.
There are dozens of others who provided books, pamphlets, and other resources—far too many to remember or mention here.
I would be remiss not to thank those nine international churches in seven countries which allowed Polly and me to serve them. Those are Treasure Cay Community Church, Treasure Cay, Abaco, the Bahamas, Escazú Christian Fellowship in San Jose, Costa Rica, International Church of Prague in Prague, Czech Republic, First (International) Baptist Church and English Fellowship Church in Quito, Ecuador, International Christian Fellowship in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, International Church of Bishkek in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Margarita Union Church, Margarita, Gatun Union Church, Gatun, Panama Canal Zone (Panama).
And then there is my dear wife Polly who fully shared