In the early years....
David and Deloris Filbeck came to Thailand in 1960 to work with a minority hill tribe people never before reached with the Gospel. The Lua people lived in the mountain jungles of northern Thailand along the border with Laos.
David's journey to preach the Gospel to these people required many steps. He had to learn Central Thai, then Northern Thai and finally the Lua language. But this last language required more work as there was no written language. The Filbecks spent 10 years living with the Lua, learning their language, culture and sharing the Gospel Message. There were a few converts, but many died from disease and others were persuaded to return to spirit worship. Then, to add to that, war came to the mountains. |
By 1974, The Communist had infiltrated into northern Thailand. War was raging in the mountains. The Lua were completely cut off. In addiction, the Filbeck's children were getting ready for high school which required sending them out of the country. The Filbecks were seeking God's direction, when David received an invitation to teach at Puget Sound College of the Bible in Seattle Washington. The decision was made. The Filbecks returned to the U.S. During that time, David taught at several Christian Colleges and helped to start Pioneer Bible Translators. It was a profitable time, but God was not finished with the Filbeck's calling to Thailand..... there was more to come....
1982 Return to Thailand
In 1982, God called David & Deloris back to Thailand. This time they settled in Chiang Mai as their youngest daughter was still in school. Their three older children decided to follow and spend some time in the land of their childhood. That year was a special year, not just for the family, but for each of the Filbeck's children. David A, Ken, and Carmen, all heard their own personal call into missions.
Today, all four children are involved in some aspect of Christian Mission to the Orient.
Today, all four children are involved in some aspect of Christian Mission to the Orient.
1983.....2003 Leadership Training and Bible Tranlation
David immediately began making trips to the province where the Lua lived. Over the next 15 years, he would complete the translation of the New Testament in the Mal dialect and establish 7 churches among the Lua.
As the Lua began to respond to the Gospel, David realized that there was a need to train leaders for this young Church. So, a year after returning to Thailand, the Filbecks and Virgilio & Esther de los Santos founded the Center for Biblical Studies.
CBS served to teach and equip young tribal Christians from the various hill tribes of northern Thailand. Many of theme were from remote villages without secondary education. So, in addition to studying the Bible, they attended night school to complete their high school diploma. Over the years, CBS has trained dozens of young people who have returned to their villages and became strong Christian leaders.
However, in 2003, realizing that life was changing in Southeast Asia, the Filbecks made another crucial decision.
As the Lua began to respond to the Gospel, David realized that there was a need to train leaders for this young Church. So, a year after returning to Thailand, the Filbecks and Virgilio & Esther de los Santos founded the Center for Biblical Studies.
CBS served to teach and equip young tribal Christians from the various hill tribes of northern Thailand. Many of theme were from remote villages without secondary education. So, in addition to studying the Bible, they attended night school to complete their high school diploma. Over the years, CBS has trained dozens of young people who have returned to their villages and became strong Christian leaders.
However, in 2003, realizing that life was changing in Southeast Asia, the Filbecks made another crucial decision.
2003 - Present
Lanna Theological Center 2012-13 Students & Faculty
In 2003, CBS merged with another school to form Lanna Theological Center.
Today, LTC is a growing 4 year Leadership Training program with students from 10 different linguistic groups and two countries. Today, there are LTC alumni working in church leadership, church planting, and various kinds of NGO organizations. |
Community of Blessing
In 2008, Dr. Ken Filbeck fulfilled his dream to do medical missions. He and his wife, Kathy, founded Community of Blessing.
Ken & Kathy bring short term teams to partner with local churches and existing ministries to provide medical, vision, & dental health care outreach. Anyone can participate in these teams. You don't have to have medical background. Click here to go the COB page and learn more about how you and/or your Church can participate in a COB Clinic. |
