Missions Trip and Teaching Ministry

In the 1980s, as a 8th grader, I was always day dreaming about joining the US Navy and traveling the world. When I graduated high school, I did just that. I was blessed with the opportunities, as were my shipmates, to “sail the seven seas” and visit many ports throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the Persian Gulf. Our purpose for traveling was about military readiness, and preparation for war, but the perks in seeing new cultures was a great reward. For several months now, I’ve felt a pulling to return to Asia, not as a tourist or on liberty as a sailor, but as a missionary of the Gospel of my Lord Jesus Christ.

I have seen first hand some of the conditions other countries live, and the various cultures around these port cities, and how I perceive my own worldview. In my 4 years stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger, in San Diego, California, we stopped in Long Beach, Vancouver, Yokosuka, Pusan, Hong Kong, Pattaya Beach, Olongapo, Sydney, Perth, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Most of the time I would venture outside of those ports to explore other parts of their countries. But my experience in Japan, at an orphanage near Kamakura, with three of my navy buddies, changed my life. We witnessed amazing children starving for attention, and enjoying our company. Unexpectedly, they awarded me the “Happy Prize” and the end of the celebration. Conditions in other countries were much worse, but the desire for connection was still as strong with children and adults. Most were more concerned with their immediate needs of survival, but, just like any other child, they want to have fun. Some places were friendlier than others to visitors, but I had not experienced any major incident, but believe me, there are stories.

Fast forward to today, and I have made a connection with some great servants for God in South Asia. One in Pakistan, one in India, and one in Bangladesh. All three brothers love God and lift up the name of Jesus, and each have unique situations and challenges. Persecution of Christians in Asia is widespread, as many can see from the reports of the Voice of the Martyrs. Both Pakistan and Bangladesh are majority Muslim countries (about 95%), India is majority Hundi country (mostly over 90%), with minority Christians (less than 2%). Chatting with each of my brothers in Christ live can be a challenge at times. Keep in mind the time difference is between 9 and 10 hours ahead of the Eastern US so we plan accordingly.

My first interaction with one brother was Pastor Danish Raja, who has been serving for several years in his region around Okara, in Punjab province, reaching out to young children and ministering to many people in poverty and slavery in many villages. His organization is called Restored Passion For God Ministries. In his region there are many slave labor facilities that he and his ministry visit to minister. Read about these Brink Kiln camps.

By nature, I am a skeptical person, and am not easily fooled by scams, so as you may imagine, I had reservations about communicating with him at first. I did my research and even had another reputable organization check out his work. It turns out, he is doing what he says he is doing. Danish has asked me to visit him, and to make plans for ministry while I’m there. It’s not uncommon to request westerners to visit them and hold crusades to show impact. However, I have consulted missionaries and ministers from other organizations that have had experience in Pakistan to get he full picture on what I should expect. My instruction from the Lord was simple – GO! So, I remain in prayer and with wise counsel, and prepare for my trip.

In addition, two other brothers, Ravi from India and Thiofil from Bangladesh, have been joining me via Facebook messenger in Bible Study. Wednesday mornings, Evangelist Thiofil Gazi tunes in to our Bible Study I facilitate at my church, The Bread of Life (Buffalo, NY), as our group reads through the scriptures line upon line and discuss what we learned. We also lift each other up in prayer during these sessions. Thiofil leads a congregation called Bread of Life Church in Satkhira, Bangladesh, and runs an orphanage with his wife, from their home.

Saturday mornings, Pastor Ravi Bhupathi gathers a group of 5-8 pastors from around the Tuni, Andhra Pradesh region, in D. Polavaram (Gandi village), and interprets to them whatever God puts on my heart to teach. Each pastor, including Ravi, leads a congregation of at least 35 people. It’s been a privilege to be able to share the Word of God to them, and thus equipping the saints. Ravi helps the network of 80 pastors in his region. Ravi has aspirations of building an orphanage in his village soon. Recenty this region in the Sea of Bengal has been enduring extreme heat, over 110 degrees F/40 degrees C.

For over 30 years, one of the gifts God has given me is to teach, specifically the Bible, but also, through my secular education and research, I have been an avid student of the humanities. I’ve served in ministry as a teacher to young adult and youth since the 1990s. Add to that my experiences in the military visiting many countries, I’ve had much time to prepare for this next phase of my life. As a bonus, and by the grace of God, I’ve also have had the privilege to speak at my church to our congregation, this past year.

It has always been on my heart to be a part of missionary work, but the timing has not been right until now. I’m grateful for waiting on God’s timing for things, because I know it’s the right time to act. Of all the things I can say was the area in my life I had to learn was character. Without a proper development of character, everything else is done in vain. I want my actions to be purposeful, meaningful, and effective, but sometimes, you just have to go and do it, and learn along the way. For this type of work though, it needed more time, at least for me.

I’m planning to be in Pakistan in mid-May 2024 to see the evidence of what God wants me to do, and not just there, but throughout South Asia in the future. Again, I have consulted with many people and feel this is the right move. I’m not naïve to what can happen, safety is a main concern and I am navigating with wisdom, but I’m not going there with fear, but love, power and a sound mind. I know God have a plan and a purpose with my life, but more importantly, with the lives of those God is sending me to. My job is to be faithful in the little things (Luke 16:10).

If you would like to contribute to my mission trip, you can do so in a few ways, either directly, or via my home church:

Shawn Patrick Greene payments:

Cash, Check, Money Order to: Bread of Life Church, 1638 South Park Ave, Buffalo, NY 14220: www.bolbuffalo.org 

Note: Missions Fund: Pakistan

• PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ShawnPGreene
• CashApp: https://cash.app/$shawnpg716
• Wise: wise.com/pay/me/shawng298

Feel free to listen to some of the messages I’ve shared at the Bread of Life Church:

 

Pray for our Pastors in India: D. Yacob, Kumar Raju, G. Mallaswarao, Ch. Vijaykumar, B. Madhu Babu, B. Samuel Raju, Ravi Bhupathi

Pray for our Pastors in Bangladesh: Thiofil Gazi

Pray for our pastors in Pakistan: Danish Raja