About missionary work
Every Christian is really a missionary, wherever he/she is at. Jesus calls us in Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission, to go to all the nations, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey Jesus's commands. After I became a Christian in April 2000, God called me to serve Him, first as staff member with Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship (short: Chi Alpha, or XA) at the University of Missouri-Columbia the next 5 years, then as staff member with Chi Alpha at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) since 2005
On the pages here, I am telling you about Chi Alpha, then I am explaining, why UCLA is such a crucial place for ministry, and what missions opportunities are available. To do effective ministry, I need your prayer and financial support - find out, how. To find out more what God already has done in my life, please look at my testimony, also see my short little histories of XA at Mizzou and at UCLA, and my newsletters. Finally, I made available my papers I wrote for long-distance courses, called Berean courses at Global University.
History at previous places of missions
Before God sent me to UCLA, I went to the University of Missouri-Columbia. That's where God saved me, baptized me, and called me, taught me, and sent me.
It is important to know God's destiny for your life. To achieve this destiny, God prepares us, sometimes in a desert and sometimes with a great ministry. It is important to know your history, what God taught you (which in the Old Testament people put on their staff), as long as we don't look back in a 'Back in the day'-attitude. In Missouri God formed me into a faithful and battle-tested servant (Mt 25:22-23). He then used me as part of a team at UCLA.
For now, I compiled a short initial version of a history of Chi Alpha at Mizzou (MU, University of Missouri-Columbia) from my perspective. It also includes my spiritual experiences. Furthermore, I also compiled a short initial version of a history of Chi Alpha at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) from my perspective, plus my personal experience.
For more information on our Haiti missions trips, please see the page about Fond Doux, Haiti.
Chi Alpha at Mizzou
- March '98
- I join Mizzou Chi Alpha. At that time, there were about 25 students involved, and the group was student-led by Leah Criswell and her husband John.
- Summer '98
- John and Leah led weekly Bible studies at their place for the about 10 students who were still in Columbia during the summer. After the Bible study, games are played and I discussed many things with John.
- October '98
- XA Fall retreat: About 15 students gathered at a private home at the Lake of the Ozarks. God spoke to me for the first time in 8 years.
- December '98
- Four people went to SALT in Indianapolis, IN. I learned a lot, and heard someone speak in tongues for the first time.
- February '99
- I finally joined John's cell group.
- May '99
- John and Leah stepped down from leadership. An unorganized leadership team of students took over.
- December '99
- Four people went to SALT in Indianapolis, IN. I learned how to lead cell groups
- January '00
- Due to lack of anyone else wanting to lead, I led the guy's cell group. Chi Alpha attendance was down to around 14.
- April 9, 2000
- I got baptized.
- May 2000
- Brian Kloefkorn joins a team from NSU (Oklahoma), led by Winston Bui, on a missions trip to Llera, Mexico.
- June '00
- Winston Bui became new Mizzou Chi Alpha campus pastor. He brought a team with him. There were 8 returning Mizzou students, who joined leadership.
- December 2000: World SALT
- About 24 students went to World SALT in Los Angeles. We served as ushers. I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
- May 2001
- We take a team of students on a missions trip to Llera, Mexico.
- December 2001
- SALT in Cincinnati, OH. Chi Alpha's weekly average attendance was about 45.
- May 2002
- Missions trip to Haiti
- December 2002
- SALT in Indianapolis, IN. Chi Alpha's weekly average attendance was about 60.
- January 2003
- Missions trip to Haiti
- May 2003
- Missions trip to Haiti
- December 2003
- SALT in St.Charles, Illinois, near Chicago. MU's worship band led worship at SALT and brought about 45 students. Chi Alpha's weekly average attendance was about 85.
- January 2004
- Missions trip to Haiti
- June 2004
- Missions trip to Haiti
- November '04
- Winston Bui and team resigned from MU Chi Alpha, because God called them to UCLA. Eric and Rebekah Thomure led XA until Summer '05.
- December 2004
- SALT in Indianapolis, IN. MU worship band led worship at some SALT sessions. Winston Bui was the opening speaker. MU Chi Alpha brought about 55 students. Chi Alpha's weekly average attendance was about 100.
- May 2005
- Missions trip to Haiti
- June 2005
- Tom and Missi Trask took over as Chi Alpha campus pastors at Mizzou
Chi Alpha at UCLA
- January '05
- Five people move out to Los Angeles: Winston Bui, Brian Kloefkorn, Uwe Muench, Sara Benton, Jessica Yoder. We start travelling to churches, introducing Chi Alpha and our vision, itinerating for Chi Alpha.
- May 2005
- Missions trip to Haiti, after a short visit back to Missouri
- Summer '05
- The rest of the team moves out to LA: Kimberly Bui, Eric and Rebekah Thomure. Some people who graduated from Mizzou also join us: Tim and Ted Faas, Charles Ranta, Curtis Montgomery, Farika Rusli
- September 2005
- We take over the UCLA group from Loren and Linda Hicks. There is one faithful student (Rishi Bhatt) and two sporadic students in their senior year. Our first year at UCLA begins...
- December 2005
- Thirteen people went to TWMS (The World Missions Summit), Louisville, KY. Chi Alpha's weekly average attendance is about 25.
- April '06
- Staff couple Eric and Rebekah Thomure give birth to son Javen
- June 2006
- I preach at the SFC group (Chi Alpha in Germany) in Berlin
- January 2007
- California Winter Retreat (SALT). Konocti Harbor Resort, 28 people. Chi Alpha's weekly average attendance is about 33.
- July 2007
- Missions trip to Haiti
I had to temporarily go back to Germany (visa expired) - December 2007
- Missions trip to Haiti (without me)
- January 2008
- UCLA pastors Winston and Kimi Bui give birth to daughter Kaiya.
California Winter Retreat (SALT). Alliance Redwood Bible Camp, Occidental, CA, 16 people. Chi Alpha's weekly average attendance is about 36. - June 2008
- Missions trip to Haiti
- More info to come...