Thailand
Josh and Joanna Cook have served overseas with Cru since 2015 and in Thailand since 2022. They are passionate about seeing God change lives and building student led movements on university campuses.
God is at work in Thailand! Here are some things that both burden them and give them vision for this beautiful country and people.
Unreached but Open: Thailand combines the almost totally unique combination of being an unreached place where believers are also free to share the Gospel openly. This combination of need and a missionary’s ability to engage that need is a remarkable stewardship.
A Heart to Send: Part of Thailand Cru’s vision is to send to the rest of the Buddhist and Muslim world of Southeast Asia! Thailand is strategically poised to do this because of cultural and geographic proximity, but many Thai believers are also becoming spiritually ready. Believers are acquainted with hardship–in following Christ, most have borne heavy personal costs with their families and communities, and have also not grown up in affluence. They are building so many of the important faith-muscles needed to go.
Finally and simply: students don’t know Christ, very few know anyone who could tell them about Him, and the Cooks can be a part of entering into that missional gap. Here, ministry sometimes feels like we are planting the smallest of mustard seeds, but these things help us picture the future–the huge, fruitful tree that God is growing! (Luke 13:19)
The Cooks missionary work includes:
- Evangelism – meeting students and sharing the Gospel in ways they can understand.
- Discipleship – helping students mature in their faith by plugging them into local churches and helping them study the Bible.
- Mobilization – helping students join God’s great commission by equipping them with how to share their faith with others! When students graduate most join workplaces as one of the only believers where they are. Students also have opportunities to go on mission trips to other countries in this part of the world!
The Cooks also have the privilege of serving on the Expat Leadership Team for Thailand Cru. Among other ministry activities, Josh serves as the National Partnership Director. He oversees the coordination of all short-term trips from the U.S. to Thailand. This involves ensuring these students contribute meaningfully to Thailand Cru’s national goals, understanding the urgent need for cross-cultural workers, and returning home inspired to serve as lifelong laborers—all while having an enjoyable and impactful experience!