Thailand

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In 1980 Brian and Margaret Burton were sent out from Amblecote having felt the call from God to go and pioneer a church in Thailand. They are now pastoring the Phuket Christian Centre. Following the Tsunami of 2005 Brian and Margaret have been instrumental in the re-development parts of the Island. This includes rebuilding a school, building an orphanage, and re-housing part of the community.

The History

Phuket Christian Centre was founded as a Church in fellowship with the Thailand Assemblies of God. Rev. Preecha Saengkong, Rev. Bruce Mumm (USA) and Rev. Brian Burton (UK) joined together to initiate the church plant in 1990.The first meeting was held on 1st April, 1990 at the City Hotel, Phuket. 34 people attended and Rev. Preecha spoke from John 3:16.

 On August 1st, Brian & Margaret Burton moved to Phuket to give their full attention to the church plant. The church was relocated from the City Hotel to a small rented building in Nimit Rd. In September the Burtons took full responsibility for the church as Rev. Preecha had to return to Bangkok through ill health.By the end of 1990 the church had grown to about 15 regular members.In 1991 the church moved to 74/50 Phunphon Night Plaza, a much larger premises, but still rentedAt this time our present Youth Pastor, Ganokorn Yommar, who was just 14 years old came to the church and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour.

 In October, 1999 the church bought a larger property, still on Phunphon Night Plaza where we are currently located. Our congregation has grown to over 100 people.

In 1997 we started an International Church, at first meeting once per month at the Thavorn Palm Beach Hotel. Since the purchase of the new Church, the International Church has grown and meets regularly on Sunday evenings at the Phunphon building.

The Church has been active in the community for a number of years. Through our New Life Project we have helped poor and needy children in conjunction with the Thai Social Services. Two international aid agencies have joined with us to facilitate our ministry to Children. World Christian Ministries, based in the UK, and Asia's Little Ones, based in the USA

Tsunami Relief Projects

Sussex House: Sussex House has been built with the help of the people of Sussex, England. Donations from schools, businesses and from the Sussex Police have enabled us to construct a building that will be used to help children and young people for many years to come.

Ban Kamala Primary School
Ban Kamala Primary School was completely destroyed by the tsunami which hit Kamala beach on 26th December 2004. Phuket Christian Centre is co-ordinating the re-building of one of the main buildings of the school. Our aim is not simply in re-building, but also in providing additional facilities and resources for the children.

This depends on the amount of money raised. Already we have been able to present 18,000,000 baht to His Majesty the King for the rebuilding of the school. Good progress is being made with the construction and we hope to see everything completed by February 2005.

The Muang Nursery School and Clinic: This is another of the projects that Brain and Margaret are heavily involved in, the development of a Clinic and Nursery School.

The Morgan Gypsy Village on the Phra Thong Island: This Island was devastated in the Tsunami. The Islanders took refuge on the highest point on the Island. When Brian and the team visited and shared the gospel the whole village of over 200 people accepted Christ as their saviour.