“This peace pole is how we deal with conflict among our people,” the young seminary student explained, pointing at a huge wooden column in the center of the building.

Have you ever wondered what it means to be “the church”? While it’s common to say we “go to church” on Sundays, theologians remind us we “go to be with the church” since “church” is the fellowship of God’s people – the community of faith – and not a building. We recently explored different dimensions of “being church” with the Union of Indonesian Baptist Churches.

You often hear from us that in today’s world all God’s people are working together in God’s mission ‘from everywhere to everyone’

Here are some of the stories we heard during a recent ministry trip to three countries in Southeast Asia. God is working in and through partners who live in countries where Christians are only barely tolerated.

“Men and women are equal … but women are a little bit lower,” remarked the young man in a class I (Ann) recently taught.

“Where exactly are you now?” a friend asked. Good question!