Facts & Questions

What is the Association of Free Churches in Thailand

The Association of Free Churches in Thailand is a legally registered foundation, officially known as the "Original Liberty Mission Foundation," and is recognized by Thailand's Department of Interior. The foundation's core purpose is to spread the Gospel message and establish churches throughout the nation.

Can other church organizations join the Association of Free Churches in Thailand?

Yes. Other organizations can join the Association of Free Churches in Thailand (AFT) as member organizations, much like the FJCCA.

The qualifications for membership are straightforward. An organization must:

  1. Be independent (not a member of another church affiliation for at least one year).

  2. Use the AFT's Data-Driven Discipleship methodology.

  3. Agree with the AFT's Statement of Faith.

  4. Formally request membership and be interviewed by AFT leadership.

Why does the AFT baptize in the "name of Jesus"?

The AFT baptizes in the name of Jesus because this specific phrase powerfully declares the believer's new identity, the authority of the act, and the uniqueness of God in a cross-cultural context. The reasoning is built on several foundational beliefs.

The Meaning of Baptism

First, baptism itself is understood as a profound, outward symbol of an inward transformation that happens through faith. It represents a believer's union with Christ in His death and resurrection—burying the old life of sin and rising to a new, forgiven life in Him. As the sign of the New Covenant, it signifies a person's entry into the community of faith. (Colossians 2:9-15, Galatians  3:27, Romans 6:3-4)

Why "In the Name of Jesus"?

Building on that foundation, the specific use of the phrase "in the name of Jesus" is intentional for three key reasons:

1. It Represents the Fullness of God

The AFT believes that to baptize "in the name of Jesus" is to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is because the name of Jesus represents the fullness of the Godhead. (Colossians 2:9, John 10:30, John 14:9, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 1:15-17, Philippians 2:5-6, 2 Corinthians 4:4,  John 1:1, 14, 18). 

2. It Declares the Authority of Christ

Being baptized in the name of Jesus is a declaration that the act is being performed by His authority and power. This follows the example of the apostles in the book of Acts. (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:48, 19:5) As Jesus stated in Matthew 28:18, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," which means His followers have the power and authority to act on His behalf by fulfilling the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19)

3. It Provides Clarity in a Polytheistic Culture

This emphasis is especially crucial when sharing the Gospel with Thai people, many of whom believe in a host of different gods. Using the specific name "Jesus" is a powerful and necessary declaration that distinguishes the one true God from all others. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6) It's a direct invitation to align with Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the only path to the Father, a truth underscored in scripture:

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)

Note: We want to be clear that we do not oppose or invalidate the practice of Trinitarian baptism. We accept its validity, yet our preferred approach is to baptize in the name of Jesus. We believe this practice provides essential clarity in a polytheistic culture and is rooted in both the apostolic example and our conviction concerning the authority delegated to believers. This is the very authority that empowered the apostles and also empowers our thousands of volunteer disciple-makers, giving them the confidence to go down every road and lane, making disciples of Jesus Christ.

What do AFT church planters do when they meet a potential "person of peace"?

AFT Church Planters go down every road seeking to meet a Person of Peace, when they do they follow six simple steps:

  1. Listen & Connect: Build a relationship by listening to their problems, then introduce Jesus as the answer they've been seeking.

  2. Share a Relationship, Not Religion: Focus on a personal relationship with Jesus, sharing the Gospel in a culturally sensitive way that resonates with the Thai heart.

  3. Give a Personal Testimony: Share your life story—before, during, and after meeting Jesus—and weave in key biblical truths about His love and salvation.

  4. Invite to Believe: Ask if they are ready to believe now and lead them in a prayer of salvation, welcoming them into the church family.

  5. Focus on Immediate Prayer: Encourage the new believer to immediately pray to Jesus about their current problems, strengthening their faith by experiencing His answers and peace.

  6. Begin Immediate Discipleship: Schedule weekly follow-up meetings at their home to begin the 26-week discipleship process, covering prayer, the "Plan of Jesus," the Gospel of John, and the "Abundant Life" course.


 What is the significance of establishing both village churches and district churches in AFT's strategy? 

Our two-tiered church structure is designed for both intimate connection and regional strength.

1. Village House Churches: The Foundation

  • Purpose: To serve as the initial gathering place for new believers within a village.

  • Focus: Fostering deep personal relationships and spiritual growth in a small group setting, modeled after the early church.

2. District Churches: The Central Hub

  • Formation: Established once multiple village churches are thriving in a district.

  • Function:

    • Provide a central location for larger, communal worship services.

    • Offer stability and advanced resources for in-depth discipleship.

    • Serve as a base for launching further Gospel expansion.

    • Host important ceremonies like weddings and funerals.

How does AFT address the unique cultural and religious context of Thailand in its evangelism efforts? 

The AFT's outreach is designed to resonate with the Thai worldview. Acknowledging that Thai identity is intertwined with Buddhism, karma, and suffering, their method is culturally direct:

  • They build relationships, they don't push religion.

  • They share stories of personal transformation, explaining how prayer to Jesus helped them overcome real-life problems.

  • They present Jesus as the answer to suffering and the one who overcomes karma.

This approach focuses on offering a personal relationship with Jesus in a way that directly addresses the deepest questions of the Thai people.

What is the secret to the AFT's remarkable success in sharing the Gospel in Thailand?

The Association of Free Churches in Thailand (AFT) has achieved notable success through a strategic, indigenous, and Spirit-led methodology that emphasizes deep discipleship and community building.  Here's a summary of why the AFT is successful:

  • Indigenous and Culturally Sensitive Approach:
    • The AFT's methods were developed by Thai leaders making them culturally authentic and Thai-led.
    • They invite people to a personal relationship with Jesus, rather than presenting a religion foreign to them, this method resonates with Thais who already have their own beliefs and are not looking for a new religion.
    • They understand Thailand's "shame/fear" culture and the concept of "karma," carefully sharing the Gospel to avoid offense by addressing personal sin first. Instead, they present Jesus as the "one true God" and the solution to life's problems and karma.
    • They specifically use the name "Jesus" because Thais recognize many gods, distinguishing Him as the true  God who can bring salvation to them.
  • Proactive "Go" Strategy:
    • AFT church planters actively "go" to villages in teams for evangelism, rather than waiting for people to come to them, fulfilling Jesus' command to make disciples.
    • They conduct "prayer walks" down every street and lane, believing that "persons of peace" are waiting to hear the Good News.
    • They adapt to challenges, for example: they turned the COVID-19 pandemic into an opportunity by distributing masks and sanitizers while sharing the Gospel, which opened doors for conversations and demonstrated love and care to them.
  • Village House Churches as Spiritually Safe and Comfortable Environments for "Newborns":
    • AFT emphasizes forming house churches in familiar home environments instead of sending new believers to an unfamiliar church building.
    • This approach addresses potential family opposition and provides a "spiritually safe and comfortable 'home' environment" where new believers, akin to "babies" in Christ, can grow without immediate pressure to abandon cultural practices.
    • In these settings, they can "grow up" and develop a "Christian vocabulary and understanding" at their own pace, with the Holy Spirit guiding their transformation.
  • Data-Driven Discipleship and Strategic Planning:
    • The use of the  KapTrack software is crucial for meticulously recording new believers' data, tracking their spiritual growth, and ensuring no one is "lost" or forgotten.
    • "Real-time" data and dashboards provide transparency, encourage church planters, and facilitate effective management and visualization of the Gospel's expansion.
  • Comprehensive and Ongoing Discipleship:
    • The AFT focuses on making disciples, not just converts, recognizing that spiritual growth is a continuous process.
    • New believers receive immediate and consistent weekly follow-up (often 26 weeks) with structured lessons that gradually advance their understanding, from "milk" to "meat".
    • As village churches grow, district churches are established as hubs for deeper discipleship, communal worship, and further Gospel expansion.
    • A tiered leadership training system (Levels 1, 2, 3) develops village and district church leaders, ensuring continuity and growth.
  • Spirit-Led and Passionate Volunteer Workforce:
    • The movement is explicitly guided by the Holy Spirit in every decision, with witnesses attesting to God's presence and transformative power.
    • Thousands of passionate volunteer church planters are committed to reaching their fellow Thais, driven by the urgency that people are dying without hearing about Jesus.
  • Focus on Personal Testimony and Jesus:
    • Church planters share compelling personal testimonies (life before, how they believed, life after Jesus) integrated with scripture, which deeply resonates with Thai listeners.
    • Those who respond are led in a prayer of salvation, often communally, fostering a sense of belonging.
    • New believers are immediately encouraged to pray to Jesus for their current problems, and answered prayers often lead to miracles, strengthening their new faith.
  • Clear and Unified Vision:
    • The AFT operates with a clear, unified vision: "Form a house church in every village. Establish a district church in every district. In all 77 provinces of Thailand". Everyone within the organization supports and works tirelessly toward this goal.
Where can I learn more abut the AFT Vision?

By downloading and reading this document "The Vision of the Association of Free Churches in Thailand" you'll gain a deep understanding of the AFT’s vision, rich history, remarkable progress, and strategic methodology. Dive into this document to explore how the AFT is shaping its mission and making an impact.