Brice Williams and Arianda Martinez were the SAMC delegates from the
Phoenix International Christian Church!

The 2022 South Asian Missions Conference (SAMC) themed: “Moved By The Spirit” was a time where disciples domestic and international could come for a time of vision building through the Spirit.

I had a feeling I was going to experience unpredictable moments of growth absorbing foreign culture, teachings, and viewpoints. Ironically, the Spirit moved me to growth, but not in a predictable manner. I figured I would enjoy foreign cuisine, see some architectural masterpieces, and leave with a deeper empathy for the 3rd world. While this wasn’t a bad guess, the Spirit had an alternative plan for me. My first lesson came when I made the mistake of packing everything I needed with a thorough checklist two days in advance, but completely forgot my passport at home. In that moment already, I realized my first lesson: That I was so focused on the minor details, that I overlooked what was truly important. How I somehow managed to recall to pack the perfect number of socks, yet left at home the singular item that could keep me grounded was a spiritual backhand. I had to ask myself, what in my spiritual suitcase of life have I hyper-focused on (work, comforts, roles), but my passport (the Spirit that moves me) was apart from me?

“My driver…conveyed one of the most shocking details
of my trip; I was in the good part of town.“

After 24 hours of flights and layovers I arrived well-rested, yet exhausted. After leaving the airport, I was immediately blindsided by the visuals. While National Geographic or miscellaneous charity organizations have captured seemingly inhumane and frankly dangerous living conditions, standing in the midst of it is radically different than observing a piece on social media. What the photos fail to document are the sounds and smells that amplify the seemingly helpless state of the region. The structurally dilapidated buildings were nothing short of paranoia inducing. The garbage in the streets, the wandering children, the water sources’ brown tint, and incessant noise was initially overwhelming. My driver in broken English conveyed one of the most shocking details of my trip; I was in the good part of town. I arrived in my first world living accommodations with nothing short of a stoic expression as I dropped my bags. Due to my mismanagement, I missed the Church builder’s workshop & the MERCY Event but was eager to hear about the events in the pre-service fellowship. The MERCY event was particularly impactful for the international disciples as they served in an orphanage for disabled children.

During the men’s session, I received my first experience of disciples from South Asia. This was an absolute mind-blow moment because I saw something clearly; zeal for God’s house consumes these disciples [Ref: Psalm 69:9]. Despite them riding a crowded, dangerous bus 2-3 days without air conditioning, in the rain, with minimal food accommodations, at a sluggish pace best defined as non-stop rush-hour for the first world, they were impenetrably fired up to be there. This was beyond measure, the singularly greatest example of “Rejoice always” I have ever seen [Ref: 1 Thess. 5:16]. Absolutely no part of their circumstances dictated their joy and by this seeming unshakable standard, they came upward focused, and ready to serve me! I received more hugs in that first hour of service than the GLC week combined and I am a hugger!

Joe Willis, world sector leader of Asia, led the first lesson about being children of God led by the Spirit in life. He taught a fantastic parable about a tandem bike. (A tandem bike, is a bike where the front rider steers, and the back rider pedals.) He mentioned that too often, we insist to God that we steer while God pedals. This results in God pedaling too fast for us to control the handles and we wreck repeatedly. Only once we allow God to steer our lives and subsequently pedal at the pace he prefers (with all our heart) will our lives be in a direction led by the Spirit. I had to ask myself, have I ever really stopped the bike and insisted God steer? Does His direction for my life fill me with anxiety because I do not trust any plans I cannot predict or control? Am I willing to let God steer my life or will I let Him only steer when the path is smooth and well lit? The next aspect of Joe’s lesson was regarding the three stages of spiritual fitness. He noted that it is possible to be a disciple, yet have an undisciplined, unspiritual walk for a time. Disciples who jump in and out of sin based on circumstances live here. Stage two, is walking by the Spirit. Not caught up in habitual, deliberate sin but not yet maximized in purpose. The third stage was keeping in step with the Spirit. This could be a powerwalk, a jog, or a sprint depending on the talents God has granted you. Regardless, at this point in your walk, every decision you make should work backward from this essential question: “Will this HELP me die saved?” Remember, if we live our lives in stage three of spiritual fitness by the Spirit, Satan will flee but will return in a more opportune time [Ref: James 4:7 & Luke 4:13].

Kip McKean
”The Power of the Holy Spirit”

The charges came from a variety of current church leaders in the Sages world sector. Matt Sullivan of Miami challenged everyone to memorize, apply and teach the First Principles. He fervently urged the disciples the recognize that effective wielders of the Sword are not filled with fear due to persecution. Although scholars estimate there are 20+ million self-professed Christians in India, the government is very proactive in the suppression of the faith even to the point of violence since it is a Hindu nation. Based on the silence in the room at this moment, I realized that my first world struggle of low phone battery, less than ideal parking on campus, or brothers using up the hot water was a complete non-issue in the grand scheme of things. I suddenly grasped that 99% of the room would give nearly anything for my first world problems. A question remained; would I be willing to give up my comforts to their benefit? Missions in the first world clearly makes a difference to them because I heard whispers that four baptisms were on pace for Sunday. I asked myself, “Considering that a full meal can cost as little as 29 cents in India, what is a soul worth? How can I get one more intern on staff in Delhi? In Chennai? In Kolkata? In Bangalore? How can I maximize my social media presence to get more funds to this cause?”

“Despite the beauty of the structures, there is something
unsettling about the thousands of people on the Temple
grounds completely blind to truth due to the lack of
Spirit-Led disciples in the region…”

I left this session at noon sobered. I left my 4 star hotel accommodations and rode into the metropolis in my safe rental car. I stared blankly into the slums considering how many of the children I saw in the streets that could become my brother or sister in heaven if I only gave more. I wondered, how God could use me to maximally fund the current churches in this world sector to reach them? As Ari and I travelled from tourist site to site, we struggled through the wind and the rain.

While I was still focused on my discomfort, Ari mentioned something profound. Despite the beauty of the structures, there is something unsettling about the thousands of people on the Temple grounds completely blind to truth due to the lack of Spirit-Led disciples in the region still. The workload was simply too much and sacrifices have to be made in order for the gospel to be prevalent here. One thing is certain, there was absolutely NO shortage of individuals to share with. Ari tried to share her faith, but without a Hindi fluency, it was a moot effort. Coming home later that night, I laid in bed wondering what else I could do. How can my experiences help my faith overcome the cost of zeal I crave? How can I let the empathy developed this weekend ignite a fire to fuel the Spirit to move? Seemingly on loop were the words of Sonja Chloupek, “Don’t waste your pain.” The lesson was clear; I need to return to America, share my experiences, and become bafflingly sacrificial by faith.

“This was a key point for the South Asian disciples because
the Rajan’s are …moving to the Sydney…”

The next day, disciples were in the fellowship downstairs over two hours early. Some travelled on foot, majority arrived via shuttle since it was a dangerous walk. Every disciple that arrived through the door was celebrated with a procession of hugs, baptism-level cheers and more. The international disciples including myself felt like we just won the Superbowl based on the sheer volume. As we took our seats, the songs once again rotated between English and Hindi but the volume was double what I expected. It is often said that the spiritual pulse of a church can be felt through the worship. This was absolutely the bar for our colloquial phrase, “fired up singing.” As Kip preached on the Power of the Holy Spirit, he reminded us collectively to do two things. First, consider the depth of sacrifice the first temple involved [Ref: 1 Chron. 29]. While sacrifice in the first world typically triggers a fiscal connotation, to the Indian disciples, sacrifice is their time because that’s all they have. Second, trim our lamps to shine brighter than ever before under the new leadership [Ref: Matt 25:1-13]. This was a key point for the South Asian disciples because the Rajan’s are stepping down, and moving to the Sydney church to take on more of a shepherding role. This was a heart-breaking moment for them and I certainly can relate being that in the coming months, Jeremy and Amy will be transiting to L.A. Kip’s point to trim my lamp and grow enough to level the mountains that new leadership will need was subtly crucial. I must remember that no matter the movement of the movement, I must remain in Christ [Ref: John 15]. Through this experience, I have not only gained perspective of how well off I have it in the first world, but I have vision for how much I can impact those around the world. Gratitude doesn’t begin to express the feelings this opportunity has awarded me I am eternally grateful. Now that I am home, I have the opportunity to get to work. To God’s glory, this year, we will plant 27 churches. None of this would be possible if not for sacrificial disciples like you being “Moved By The Spirit.” Surely, this isn’t a movement of men, but the very movement of God.

– Brice Williams, 10/16/2022

(Download the printable PDF of this bulletin)