Violet Starr Apple is not a who, but a what—a church planting initiative which began in 2010 under the leadership of Somnuk Montrelerdrasme of Thailand and another Asian pastor.
The Crossing Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee, pastored by Terry and Kaye Harris, partnered with these leaders to financially assist in establishing 10 new house churches in a Gospel-resistant Asian country by taking the Gospel to new and remote villages. A leader travels by moped to an area where he/she prays for people in need of healing and deliverance. As God provides miracles, the Gospel is preached, individuals are saved, and discipleship begins with new converts being taught the Bible. A small group is then formed of new believers who will meet each week. After 18 years, the meetings have grown from a handful to now more than 200.
The Crossing’s role was to pray, to provide gas funds for the mopeds, and conduct four leadership training conferences the first year. The church raised more than $45,000 for the monthly gas expenses and the airfare for leaders to attend the Bangkok Dream Center for training.
Pastor Harris, Pastor Somnuk, and a team from The Crossing Church, led the final training and graduation services for the new leaders. Thirty-seven new leaders were trained and commissioned. Statistics revealed that during the past year, the efforts of the workers had produced 6,397 conversions, 9,253 individuals were discipled, and 22 new house churches were started.
Sincere gratitude extends to all the donors who made it possible for thousands to be Heaven-ready, as well as starting a leadership paradigm in an Asian country that will continue to produce leaders who will win souls and make disciples.
(Source: Church of God World Missions)