A new center of influence was inaugurated on March 27, 2022, in Khonkaen, the fourth largest city in Thailand, to witness about the love of God through the power of music. The center is called Khonkaen SDA Ministry Center & Peace Music Academy, located in the northeast of Thailand, around 170 kilometers from the Laos border and 450 kilometers from Bangkok. This ministry is the first specialized non-formal education solely dedicated to “bring music to Khonkaen and a peaceful heart to Thailand,” says Pastor Laurence of Adventist Frontier Mission.
This project is the initiative of Adventist Frontier Mission (AFM), which has been laboring in Khonkaen for more than a decade and has seen the potential of music to win the Buddhists for Christ. Adventist Frontier Mission has 87 missionaries 27 projects in 21 countries. AFM raised the much-needed funds for the completion of this project as it continues to envision of building a park and a concert hall in the campus in the near future.
“We have been dreaming to have a permanent place where we can worship God and minister to the people,” says Neratisai Aipan, president of Thailand Adventist Mission. He left Khonkaen years back without seeing his dream being fulfilled, but God has found a way to make the dream a reality.
Pastor Cristopher Sorensen, project director, says that “we finally have a place for music and worship and a place for education. Yesterday we witnessed the baptism of 5 people. People will learn about the love of God through music.”
The ceremony ended with a strong appeal and prayer of blessing from Pastor Samuel Saw, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division president. “This building can only impress people, but the influence can only be accomplished thru the power of the Holy Spirit seen in the lifestyle of God’s people.”
“Peace Music Academy has chosen music to show the love of God to the people in Khoenkaen. Music is an effective tool to bring light and blessing to people’s hearts,” says Pastor Somchai, president of Southeast Asia Union Mission (SEUM). Pastor Ricardo Palacios, one of the founders and visionary instrumental in pushing for the Peace Music Academy project, emphasized, “this place is where relationship and memories are built.”
Mamerto Guingguing II, SSD Communication Director