On this historic day March the 3rd, 2022, the groundbreaking ceremony took place on the site near the church for the construction of pastoral quarters here at AIU campus. In an hour-long ceremony, Dr. Khamsay Phetchareun, Executive Secretary, SEUM (South Eastern Asia Union Mission) graced the event with an opening prayer followed by Ajarn Janejira Jaroonsang, Director, AIMS giving the scripture reading on the passage proverbs 24:3-4. Dr. Damrong Sattayawaksakoon, VPFA, AIU and Church Head Elder briefed on the reason for the need to build a house for the pastors. He commented that due to the unavailability of pastor’s quarter, pastors have been staying in different apartments even outside of the campus all these years. He pointed out that it was a joint vision and effert of the Thailand Adventist Mission and AIU to come up with this project. He thanked the TAM (Thailand Adventist Mission), AIMS (Adventist International Mission School) , AIU (Asia-Pacific International University), and individual donors Isaac Su Shao & Catherine Qin and sister Wen Jun Huang for the financial contributions made toward this project.

“This house will be a lighthouse for our church and the community. It will represent the kind of a home where there is love, sharing, caring, and service for the people” stated Dr. Siroj Sorajjakool, President, AIU. Furthermore, he said that this house shall be made a home where the pastors will take the role of Christ. He thanked the Almighthy God for making this long-awaited wish come true.

Soon after his speech, prayer of dedication for the land and the project were offered by three individuals: Pr. Somchai Chunejit, President, SEUM; Dr. Surachet Insom, AIU Thai Church Pastor; Pr. Pada Tarasapanan, Ministerial Secretary, (TAM) Thailand Adventist Mission).

Afterwhich, the groundbreaking ceremony for the AIU parsonage took place with nine individuals representing SEUM, TAM, AIU and AIMS: Dr. Siroj Sorajjakool, President, AIU; Pr. Somchai Chuenjit, President, SEUM; Dr. Khamsay Phetchareun, Executive Secretary SEUM; Mrs. Patricia Foster, School Principal, AIMS; Dr. Surachet Insom, Church Pastor, AIU Church; Mr. Dan Storie, VPFA, AIU; Mrs. Ritha Maidom Lampadan, VPAA, AIU; Dr. Damrong Sattayawaksakoon, VPFA, AIU; Pr. Pada Terasapanan, Ministerial Secretary, TAM.

The church would like to thank the Thailand Adventist Mission and AIU leadership for their vision, support and prayers in making this dream a reality. We thank all the participants and well wishers for their presence on this auspicious occasion.

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4

 

By

Mahaingam Varah

Church Pastor, AIU Church