HISTORY OF THE MISSION
J. Russell & Gertrude Morse with their children (Robert, Ruth, Laverne, Eugene)
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The wives of Morse brothers, Eugene (Helen), Laverne (Lois) and Robert (Betty) pictured with their children.
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The work began in 1921 when J. Russell and Gertrude Morse first answered the call of God to become missionaries to Tibet and China. Together with their children, they served the Lord faithfully through times of hunger, fatigue, floods, wars and imprisonment. Their hearts desire was that all would hear the gospel, receive salvation, and become faithful followers of Christ. Through the years the work continued first in Burma in the early 1950s and later in Thailand in 1972 through their children and grandchildren.
In 1972, when the Morse's relocated to Thailand, they continued to evangelize, disciple, and plant churches among new tribal groups in Thailand. Over the years, many other missionary coworkers joined the ministry bringing their own expertise and vision into the mission. Together they engaged in community development, established literacy and literature production, launched leadership programs, started educational youth homes, partnered in deaf ministry, and created audio and video productions to develop the believers spiritually, physically, and mentally.
Eugene and Robert with the third and fourth generation Morse's in Thailand.
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The most recent photo of most (but not all) current missionaries to the 5th generation Morse's.
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Literature was developed among many minority languages to allow the people to have Bibles, hymnals, commentaries, and teaching materials in their heart languages. Bible training centers were established to teach and train committed national preachers and teachers who partner with us today in spreading the gospel to strengthen the churches in places beyond our reach. In addition, as the digital age has matured, media and music ministry has expanded, reaching people with the gospel message far beyond our physical borders. Deaf ministry was created to reach a neglected segment of society with the gospel in Thailand. Youth homes and school programs were started to allow tribal kids to receive a formal education while in a safe and nurturing environment. Holistic community development programs helped meet the physical needs of the local people through clean water systems, irrigation, horticulture, and medical relief. A business as missions model was also adopted to reach individuals and communities spiritually, economically and socially in the workplace through evangelism and discipleship. The work continued and expanded as each team member picked up the baton and ran the race.
The ministry today includes not only the extended missionary team, but also a host of national coworkers spread across the region doing incredible ministry. Over the years, more than 500 churches were established across four countries, and thousands of national believers were trained to continue the work. Subsequently, over the years, the Lisu, Rawang, Naga, and many other tribes have sent out their leaders into their own communities and into new unreached territories to expand the ministry across Asia. Christ's message is being taken by a network of believers into villages and cities in multiple countries and languages. Though only eternity will reveal the full impact, It has been estimated that by God's grace, over a million Asian people have been reached through the extended work of the NBCM efforts since 1921.