Creasmans World

What’s New(s) in May

Forward

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Hong Kong where I’m leading 5 days of mentoring training this week. The Lord has graciously opened doors with well-developed China ministry organizations that want to transform their ministries into mentoring organizations. They are looking for partners and for training to make more strategic relational investments in key Chinese Christian leaders’ lives. Today we talked about developing 300 Chinese mentors over the next 10 years who would be able to reproduce four generations to reach the estimated 300,000 Christian leaders in China.

It is exciting work, but it goes slowly – one leader at a time. Our mentoring focuses more on Christlike character formation and discerning God’s leading than training in leadership skills. That takes relational interaction. This year I am spending one week per quarter with the first batch of 20 mentors.

Lord we pray for good understanding and application from our training, and for your Holy Spirit’s guidance in our teaching and relationships. Thank you God that as our partners invest in us, you are reaching Christian leaders who are influencing their nations.

Vietnam

The photos in this letter are all from my visit to Vietnam last week. My Singaporean co-mentor and I had a great week with one enthusiastic group, and spoke with two other groups who want to start mentoring networks in June and August.

Reproducing Mentoring Ministries in Asia

Our partners in the Philippines have started one new mentoring group and are hoping to start two new groups in July.

In all three of these countries - China, Vietnam, and the Philippines - I feel like I could spend my full time raising up and equipping mentors, and not touch the surface of the need for Christian leaders’ support and development and accountability. But the key is reproduction!

We are especially excited that in each of these countries, Singaporean mentorswhom we have developed over the past decade are now co-laboring with us to mentor others.

Lord may you be glorified among the nations as you build godly leaders who will lead your followers toward maturity in and intimacy with you. We ask you use them to bring your good news and transform the darkness in the hearts of Asia’s lost through the redemption that only you can bring.

Thank you that you are chosing to use our investment in these leaders to multiply throughout their countries.

Praying in May

2 Lord the Creasmans are making big decisions about summer travel and commitments. Give them wisdom and discernment to know what is best.

10 Jim is back in Singapore and holding a seminar Growing in Spiritual Authority.

11 Kimberly gathers a group of artists for a spiritual mentoring session. She’s participating in a women’s study When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, Arming Yourself in the Age of Seduction. We’re hosting our home group from church through the same study. Lord we pray your protection over us as we uncover areas in our lives and the lives or our friends where our Enemy the Devil has gained influence. He’s not happy that we’re getting wise to him, and he seems to be ramping up attacks in his anger. We are safe in you, and trust you to keep our minds focused on the truth of your goodness and protection, despite the strange challenges that have come along!

13 “Thank God for Mothers“ Kimberly has been invited to reprise some of her birthday jam in a creative worship service held by a church which meets in the Arts House. Lord, thank you for the beauty you have made in women. Thank you for the nurturing natures and powerful quiet influence you have gifted us with. May your people praise you on Mother’s day for women — who are wonderfully made!

20-30 Cameron studies for his 9th grade final exams and papers, and begins his goodbyes to friends, International Community School, and Singapore.

Big changes ahead for him as he moves to USA for Chamberlain-Hunt Military Academy. Lord, you have clearly lead us to CHA and opened the door for him to study in this unique school that seems to be a perfect fit for him at this stage in his life. Guide us through this transition and use it to strengthen Cameron to become a man of character and discipline.

Please let us know how we can be praying for you too!

Jim & Kimberly Creasman

Thank you for making our work here an extension of your heart for God’s Kingdom in Asia.

We pray that you will practice a life of great faith and generous service. We also pray as well that you will have great joy in your charitable contributions.
If it’s with us, it is a sweet and humbling blessing to be your partners in the Gospel!

Donating to the Creasmans online: www.crmleaders.org
Donation questions (in USA) 1(800) 777-6658
you may add “preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651″

CHURCH RESOURCE MINISTRIES 120 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831

Comments Off

April 14th, 2012

Kimberly’s 50th Birthday Jam

Forward

My Five-OH! Birthday Jam!

Thank you everyone for showering me with love on my 50th in February. Thank you to the many “birthday slaves” who helped out behind the scenes and performing. It was all fun, including a short but exhausting Zumba lesson, as seen in the photo above!

Thank you to those old and new friends who came that evening just for the fun. Four of you I’d never met before! And thanks to those of you far and wide who sent greetings. You all made it a very special life event for me. I still marvel at how it came together and that it went so well despite my having lost my voice and having such a horrible sore throat. You’d never guess it listening to the recording! It was really nothing less than a miracle for me to give God all the glory!

Before too much time slips away, I’m sending a photo collage of some of the highlights of the best birthday party ever! Let’s keep encouraging one another to turn up the music and live full and joyous lives walking closely with God!

Discouraged that things weren’t coming together I said to God, “Well, it’s turning out more like a circus than a concert..but a circus is fun…” Later that day, this gal Iryna (whom I hardly know) contacted me on Facebook:“I’ve decided what I want to contribute to your birthday:BalloonSculptures!” PERFECT!

What a fan club! Even though this was only 6 weeks in the planning, my parents got airline tickets as soon as they heard what I was up to. They came from California bringing decorations for a Luau theme.I thought these flowers were much smaller on the website, so I ordered 3 dozen! The party venue became a hibiscus paradise!

The stagemanager hardly ever gets in the photos! Leezibet has returned to Singapore after being a “tentmaker” flight attendant with a Middle Eastern airline. She’s been doing kingdom work in the region on layovers & during her breaks. She contributed from the booth, adding fantastic lighting, and having it video’d.

Included “Worship Hula”

Since 2005 when Namiko (front/center) and I spent Monday mornings praying for artists and the arts in Singapore, we have been dear friends. A multi-talented artist and earnest lover of Jesus, she sings, dances, and is an award winning portrait painter! Two years ago she took up hula (after flamenco and belly dancing had been mastered!). It’s been delightful this year to see the ministry of Islandgals develop this past year; one that she feels God has been preparing her for all her life.

The guys from Agapella sangChange the World wearing Hawaiian shirts and board shorts. I wouldn’t let them sit down after their song. See them below as they stayed on stage and added the background part of the dog voices for my version of He’s a Tramp from Lady & the Tramp.

One of the funnest parts of having a birthday jam, is that the birthday girl got to pick the songs…and choose who performed them. For All of Me(Selah), Paul Seow sang andElaine Chan danced.

Even though I know my Chinese pronounciation really stinks, I love showing off that I can speak (and sing) in Mandarin. Rita, our intern from China sang Relection from Disney’s Mulan with me. A great memory since she’ll be going back to Kunming next month. I wonder if I’m ever going to get better at Chinese, or always just be a wannabe hack. Nevermind. I’m a cute hack.

HIstory of Christian Rock & Roll

For the last 3 years funny, talented Ty and his wife Paula (missionaries with HCJB) had become good family friends. They moved to Malaysia last year, but the date of this concert was set based on Ty’s travel schedule. It couldn’t happen without him!The only singing I’ve done in the past 3 years was as his background singer when he was the worship leader at church. He provided the Five-OH! audience with Creasman family favorites: Randy Stonehill’s Great Big Stupid World and Larry Norman’s Sweet Sweet Song of Salvation.

Our son Tyler couldn’t make it and sent avideo. My brother also sent one from USA.

Like Family. Entertainer Asherhas known us since 2002 when we were in the iTheatre production of Rainbow Fishtogether. Since then he’s been at my dinner table for nearly every major holiday party or just over for supper to hang out. We like being his surrogate family.

I met Annabelle and Daniel(above) 6 years ago before they were married. She posted letters to me when we moved back to USA for a year in 2007. It was nice to know I was missed. I thought: I gotta get to know her better!

And that’s what we’ve done since 2008. It helps that Daniel grew up in our Clementi apartment block where his parents still live. They’re also attending Redemption Hill Church, and Wednesday nights we meet together for our small group at our place.

Lord, thank you for your goodness to me. After so many years feeling lonely here, you’ve surrounded me with dear friends. I’m thankful for the reports of how this Five-OH! not only was just a bunch of fun, but ministered to people and drew them to yourself. Thanks for giving me the guts to do such a crazy thing for my birthday!

Can we make this an annual thing? (ie. “Five-OH? Again?”)

I think everyone should get a Birthday Jamfor their 50th! How You LIve, by Point of Grace absolutely captures my heart and my message for the night. I’d never heard the song until 3 weeks before the party. While on a prayer walk, I stumbled upon it on my ipod in a way that could have only been God saying: Listen to this one, I think you’ll like it. Now it’s my K!Mberly theme song!

We’re not waiting for next February to do this again! In fact around 15 of us get to reprise many of the songs & dances this coming Mother’s Day!

When I was invited to be the special speaker in a local church, I told the pastor, I don’t reallyspeak. What I do is facilitate special events…. But don’t worry! The Word of God will be proclaimed and Christ will be glorified in an out-of-the-box worship service! We’re calling the morning Thank God for Mothers.

Wanna come? If you can’t, send us a message how we can be praying for you.

Fondly,

Kimberly (& James too)

BTW: Performers and those who want to be my best friend, there are now more photos on flickr, and avideo (of just the first few songs) online in dropbox.

I know this is already overkill, but anything typed in orange is a link to something on the web. Scroll over it and double click to launch.

ALSO: You may not normally get enews from us, but I added your email address this month. You can unsubscribe anytime with the link on top.

Thank you for making our work here an extension of your heart for God’s Kingdom to come in Asia.
We pray that you will have great joy in your charitable contributions,
whether it is with us, or with other good work around the world!

Online donation - www.crmleaders.org
Donation questions (in USA) 1(800) 777-6658
you may add “preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651″

CHURCH RESOURCE MINISTRIES
CRM – 120 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831

Comments Off

April 7th, 2012

Email News, K!Mberly

Easter 2012 from Kimberly

Thinking of you on the Saturday between.

For most of my life I spent Easter season writing, directing, or performing some kind of re-enactment of the events of the passion week. I think it’s these many experiences that stir in my soul to an instinctive somber reflectiveness. Especially on the Saturday between Good Friday’s memorial, and the celebration of Easter Sunday morning. What hopelessness must the disciples have felt when their Rabbi was dead?

This last month, I’ve been doing a new Bible Study with women in my church. It has me looking again at the power Satan and his hatred of us, the beloved children of God. His lies and seductions are tailor made for each of us to try to morally and spiritually ruin us and drive us away from the most important relationship we have: the eternal one, with our Creator and Savior. HIs aim is to steal our hope and make us give up on an absolute truth: The Almighty God wants us to be reconcilled to a relationship with him.

So that’s why I’m writing to you today. New friends and old friends who normally get eNews from us about ministry with CRM in Singapore. I feel compelled to write you today about something more personal:

On this Holy Saturday, if you are reading this and find yourself ensnared by some sin, don’t despair. There is a way out and a way back to safety. Please stop hiding. Don’t let fear of others opinions or pride keep you from coming back to Jesus and the help you need this Easter. Our enemy is a “roaring lion” seeking to devour us, but don’t let him convince you that you are not loved, can’t be forgiven, or will never conquer the sins that have ensnared you.

If you are a follower of Christ and have been holding grudges or have been judgemental of others who are caught in a life of sin, please stop it! Let God remind you of your own depravity and remember the grace shown to you, and then offer grace and help and forgiveness. Our Bibles tell us in the letter to the Galatians (Chapter 6)

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”

We’ll send the “normal” eNews later, but for now, I pray it’s an Easter of hope for you. May you have an Easter that encourages and lifts you up to a focused future of spiritual health and healing with strengthened resolve and a supportive church and friends.

Blessing. Joy. Humility. Gratitude. Grace.

K!Mberly (& Jim)

CRM – Church Resource Ministries

About the Photo above: This year the only drama I had a part of was with these 5 boys who came over Thursday evening to recreate the Last Supper. Before going upstairs to our apartment, we put these scarves on our heads and talked of the donkey and palms of the Sunday before, and how some of the disciples had gone ahead to prepare the meal and the room.

Outside my front door we washed their feet and then opened my door to a candle lit “upper room.” The sounds of music from the Middle East were playing. On the dining table Bibles were opened to John chapter 13 where Jesus gave his last teaching to his friends. We ate (with our hands!) a Singaporean modification of the passover meal: Indian mutton murtabak, curry gravy, and Ribena, a blackcurrant cordial we pretended was their wine. I walked them through the story. When my boys were little we used to do it and invite some of their friends. This year, Cameron who’s now 15 was my assistant; sort of.

Around a candle lit table their eyes grew wide and they sat very still while I talked about whatbetrayal and sacrifice was in little boy terms.

Even in their young “innocence” I could tell that they were getting it. In order to be friends with God, they need to put their trust in Jesus. He was our sacrifice and is our Savior. He was a substitute punishment for what we deserve. The 1st century guys in that room with Jesus didn’t understand it then, but he proved he was the King of God’s Kingdom, and deserves our loyalty and obedience…because on Sunday he came back to to life again!

When we were finished, we sang a hymn, and went out. Just like the disciples did on their way to the garden of Gethsemane, but we weren’t going to see any drops of blood for sweat, or an arrest which included cutting off an ear and replacing it. Maybe we’ll do that when they’re teenagers.

Comments Off

February 27th, 2012

Email News, Jim

Branching Out in Asia

From James on Monday:

I write this on my way to CRM Singapore’s initial venture into Vietnam. But you know what? Though this will be a great week, a few weeks ago I already had one of the best ministry weeks I have had in years!

In February, I was invited to a nearby country to train a mainland China ministry team in mentoring skills. The people who’d invited me had met me last year when they attended a mentoring seminar I’d led in a China ministry conference.

This group, of mostly Chinese nationals, has been working across China for decades and are very familiar with the state of the church and church leadership in China. They told me, “20 years ago, the need was for teaching. Now there is lots of teaching. But there is no community among leaders, and there is weak character among leaders.”

They believe their role in the Kingdom of Christ is to become a mentoring organization, personally investing in the lives of Chinese leaders they are training. They have asked me to train their staff and collaborate on developing curriculum. They also want to collaborate with mentoring ministries so that they can learn from each other, cooperate, and mobilize others to orient their ministries toward mentoring.

read on here…

Wednesday update from Vietnam:

We have three full days of Focused Living seminars, with about 50 people in the groups. The two leaders who are coordinating and recruited the participants for us are very mature and seem very well-connected with Christian leaders here. We also have a few individual appointments with leaders who are not in the sessions.

The challenge will be to narrow these groups down to one Focusing Leaders group of 8, or two groups with 16 total. Please pray for Holy Spirit guidance for us on how to proceed – which people to include and when to meet. I am planning on one-week trips every two months.

Praying in March:

3rd The team of Filipino leaders we have mentored for a year are holding their first event, a seminar on discovering your destiny. Lord, we pray that Pastor Jimmy and the team would grow in their mentoring capacity through leading people in this seminar. Please give them discernment on which people to follow up with ongoing mentoring relationships.

9-16th Cameron joins a mission team from his high school in Cambodia, and is enthused about the trip. Father, please guide and protect this team. Open their eyes to see the needs around them and how you can work in them and through them to show your love and truth to these orphans and the staff who cares for them. Make this a memorable trip that will motivate them to love you more passionately and serve you more faithfully.

15th CRM Philippines holds their first annual meeting. Father, please bless these godly leaders that desire to mentor others in the Philippines. Bless Pastor Nathan as he leads the ministry, and give them people, money, and wisdom to grow so that they can support the development of Christian leaders for the tens of thousands of churches and ministries across the country.

26-28th A partner ministry in Singapore is holding a training for some of our CRMS mentors on developing small group leadership skills. Almost all of our ministry is small group mentoring and one-to-one mentoring. Father, please continue to grow CRMS’ mentors in their ability to help others grow, both in small group contexts and in personal mentoring. Lord, bring more godly and gifted mentors to CRMS and lead them to the right mentorees who will be able to multiply, both in Singapore and throughout Asia.

30th CRMS Executive Committee meets. Father, thank you for these Christian leaders who have dedicated to building a mentoring ministry in Singapore. Please guide them with wisdom and resources to help grow leaders to build your Church to reach the world for Christ!

How Can We be Praying for You?

Comments Off

February 3rd, 2012

What’s New(s) in February

Forward

Happy Chinese New Year from SINGAPORE!

February is going to be a full month for Jim and Kimberly! We sure wish you could be here, but if you can’t, please keep us in your prayers!

1 Thank you Lord for these 5 years of having Andy Lim be part of our CRMS staff. Guide and prosper him as he uses the platform of sports ministry for spiritual mentoring younger leaders.

9 Jim leads a half-day seminar: Leading from Spiritual Authority.

12-17 Jim to Hong Kong to spend four days with 18 field staff of a China ministry, mostly Chinese-speaking.

13 CreateleVoyage Artist Meeting. As Kimberly shares with Christian artists in Singapore, Lord we pray that you would use her to draw them nearer to yourself.

16-22 A visit from Chuck and Sue Coventon, Kimberly’s parents. We’ll ask Singaporeans if any of them would like an opportunity this week for mentoring and a listening ear with this godly couple. Thank you Lord for their generous love over a lifetime. Use them this week in Singapore to share you love, not just with us, but with the people they’ll meet while here.

18 Jim leads a seminar for Methodist church leaders on “Leaders as Mentors.”

18 Five-OH! Kimberly’s birthday concert/jam session with a few dozen “slaves” to help put on the best 50th birthday party ever! It’s taken a lot of courage to mount such an evening! Lord, bring just the right people and details together for this evening to ultimately honor YOU. You are the one who has provided and led Kimberly through the adventures of her life this far. We want this night to be a testament to the reward of knowing and following you!

23 Focusing Leaders new pastors mentoring network begins.

23 Kimberly is 1/2 a century old!

27-March 2 Jim travels to Vietnam with 3 Singaporean pastors who will help begin mentoring networks for pastors in Vietnam.

HIghlights in January

Thank you for your prayers this past month!

Tyler celebrated his 19th birthday with a group of new friends at Cal Poly. Thank you Lord that he is thriving and so happy this Freshman year. Guide him as he is learning how to follow you while juggling ROTC, classes, friends, and now Sigma Nu, the fraternity he pledged this month.

Mike and Katie Crow mentors in CRM visit from “the big country.” Thank you Lord for the Crows and their influence on Jim and Kimberly. Bless their language and culture learning and as they share Jesus’ love and mentoring style to leaders in Asia.

The Prayer Summit was a fruitful time of connecting with pastors. Renewing friendships & sharing about the mentoring resources available to them through CRMS. As Pastors from Singapore reflect on our corporate time spent listening to you Lord, we ask that you would help us grow in our private discipline of daily listening to you & discernment to know your voice.

One afternoon in January, Kimberly made a visit back to our 1st home in 1999. At the very same time she was there, the sweet former neighbor pulled up alongside her. They still live there! They had a sweet reunion and Kimberly shared how this ‘chance meeting’ was arranged by God who wanted to show his love to her. Thank you Lord for prompting, and bringing healing through this visit. You reminded Kimberly of some good that happened while living there. Use the Creasmans as a testament that you are a worthy Lord and wonderful Savior.

How can we be praying for you?

Jim & Kimberly

Learn more from Jim about
Church Resource Ministries Singapore @
www.crms.org.sg

Home:
Blk 356 Clementi Ave 2 #05-277
Singapore 120356

Jim +65 9839 8559
Skype: asiabruin
Kimberly +65 98396965
Skype: charminfullbloom

Thank you for making our work here an extension of your heart for God’s Kingdom to come in Asia.

We pray that you will have great joy in your charitable contributions,

whether it is with us, or with other good work around the world!

online donation - www.crmleaders.org
Donation questions (in USA) 1(800) 777-6658
you may add “preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651″

CHURCH RESOURCE MINISTRIES
CRM – 120 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831

Comments Off

January 11th, 2012

Creasmans: What’s New(s) 2012

Happy New Year from Asia!

I write this email from Melaka, Malaysia where Jim and I are attending the annual Pastor’s Prayer summit and I am thinking about you and hoping your 2012 has begun with refreshed hope and courage. James sits near me working on a newsletter for CRMS to pastors and Christian leaders. We enjoyed sending out Christmas cards this year. If you didn’t receive one, it’s because I don’t have your address! (Send it to me! I still have a few left!) It has been great to hear from friends around the world who are following Christ and using their gifts and talents to bless the world. Such an array of good things are happening, and we look forward to news of so much more in the new year.

Kimberly’s Status

I’ve asked my Saviour if this year he would grow back my capacity and passion, and then that I’d live it out with more godliness and grace (& leave behind old habits of drivenness and perfectionism). I want to be at peace with God’s definition of influence & significance and relinquish any of my hopes for attaining recognition or status. I want to see miracles happen as a result of prayer and spiritual authority, and lead people to knowing Jesus in a deeper way every day! 2012…Bring it on!!!

Jim’s Status

I am excited about more itinerant mentoring outside of Singapore this year. Regular trips to China, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines are being planned with Singapore mentees who are pastors & leaders in churches here. This will help fulfill the Singapore Church’s destiny to build spiritual leaders in Asia, and meet the needs of many Asian churches that are crying out for more leadership development. It is also a fulfillment for me of my calling to “entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2) as some of the Singaporeans who’ve had mentoring join me in serving Asian leaders beyond Singapore.

Year End Highlights

“Christmas Changes Everything” on Christmas morning in a local church where Jim was a guest preacher.

Lord we pray for those who gave their hearts to you this Christmas, and for those who long to know you and love you more in the new year.

Celebrate Christmas in Singapore is a remarkable effort of the Christian Community coming together to share the meaning of Christmas and the hope we’ve found in the infant Jesus who died to become our Saviour. This year a 1000+ mass caroling session was added!

We thank you God for the openness of Singapore to embracing and celebrating our multiple religions, and allowing Christians to share Jesus openly during the Christmas and Easter public holidays.

After a short visit to USA for Thanksgiving and a trip with Tyler to Cal Poly campus, Kimberly helped with the Elementary Christmas Pageant & took neighbor kids on the OM Logos Hopeship berthed in Singapore over the holidays.

Q: How does a creative person process the transition of her 1st born to university? A: Take all the tshirts/sweatshirts/school uniforms/old football jerseys AND socks, and make a quilt collage of almost all the stuff you can’t bear to throw away!

Lord, you lavished generosity on me to have frequent flier miles and the opportunity to be with family on Thanksgiving and go with Tyler up to Cal Poly for a few days after. How happy I am to see that he’s settled well and loves his school and new friends! Thank you for the fun I have when I have the chance to work with children and share your truths with them using drama.

Looking Ahead: Our Prayers in January

2 A small group of artists meet for “Post it Note Resolutions.” It was sweet to see how God made connections among the group to help them move forward on various goals. Lord help us to not limit ourselves due to lack of faith in your power in us. We are yours to use as you please. Give us boldness this year to invite more people into your family and give us the capacity to love the unloveable, patiently nurture new believers and build up and encourage our peers.

6 CRMS staff meet and confirm some dates for training, mentoring and trips to neighboring countries in the new year. We have only a few months left with 2 interns from China, and we look forward to new Singaporean staff joining us in 2012. Lord, we move forward with these plans only by trusting that you are the one who inspired and commissioned us. We will succeed only as we abide in you, trust in you, and submit to you. Thank you for our staff who share a desire to mentor spiritual leaders. We look to you for our needs in leading/shepherding this organization and thank you for your continued provision to let us live in Singapore and serve leaders in this city and the region.

We had to say goodbye to our full-time administrator in November, but an intern has stepped into her shoes for the time being. Two ex-pat volunteers have surfaced who say “I love organizing and admin!” Lord we pray that we can pass on to these gals work which will delight them. So much of the admin is burdensome to us. Thank you for these divine contacts which arose at just the right time.

9 Cameron is back to school and gearing up to have a successful 2nd semester. We are considering a change to boarding school for next year, which is a tough decision. Lord, you have given us the privilege of being Cameron’s parents. We love him so much and we thank you that he has a heart to follow you, that he loves people, and has such a happy personality. You have surrounded him with Godly support who believe in his potential and encourage him. We pray that this will be a semester of real growth and maturity for him when he dislikes the discipline of academics and work so much. Give us wisdom and patience to parent him in what feels like a crucial semester in determining his future.

9-12 Pastor’s Prayer Summit, Melaka, Malaysia. We’ll be together with Christian leaders in Singapore to meet and pray for our impact on the nation, region and world. Hosted by Love Singapore, our presence at this conference (since January 2000) has been an encouragement and affirmation for our role here in and the need for mentoring spiritual leaders. ”An important part of journeying together is learning to wait on the Lord together as a community—to listen to His heart and hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Sad to say, waiting is neither a passion nor a forte of the Singapore Church. Most of us are impatient and impulsive. We are insanely busy, going from event to event, multi-tasking all the time! As a result, we suffer from short attention spans, restless spirits, crowded souls, cluttered minds, anxious hearts, and tired bodies.” - Pastor Lawrence Khong, Chairman of Love Singapore

12 Tyler turns 19 and is very happy and doing well at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Currently a biology major and in Army ROTC. Father, we trust you for guidance in Tyler’s life to keep him growing in godliness as well as in maturity and discovering your calling in his life.

23-24 Chinese New Year comes early this year. This is a holiday when families get together (like American Thanksgiving) and many like us are not near their families! We enjoy hosting those who are “orphans” over to share the holiday with us.

27 CRMS staff meet for a half-day enrichment time. Father, thank you for these four Singapore staff and two Chinese interns who have chosen to serve you through mentoring ministry. Please encourage them through your financial provision as they raise their financial support, give them clear guidance in their calling, and build them together as a team and raise up more staff to join them in building spiritual leaders in Singapore and throughout Asia.

30 CRMS staff and board members meet for a half day planning retreat to review CRMS’ history over the past decade and wait on the Lord for future ministry direction. Father, please speak clearly to the staff and board members about your purpose and future for the CRM ministry in Singapore and Asia. Give them a bigger vision of you and specific direction for their future ministry.

How can we be praying for you?

Jim & Kimberly

Learn more from Jim about
Church Resource Ministries Singapore @
www.crms.org.sg

Comments Off

November 23rd, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

When the Lord called us to Singapore in 1997, he gave us a vision for Singaporean Christian leaders building up leaders and churches in China and in the other countries of Asia.

For the past 14 years, we have been personally investing in dozens and hundreds of leaders, who have reproduced into individuals and churches and ministries. Praise the Lord, this has been fulfilling as we have seen many Christian leaders equipped and encouraged for more fruitful ministry!

Through the years, we have had occasional involvement in overseas ministries in other countries. But two years ago, we sensed the Lord saying it was time to expand from our base in Singapore and intentionally start pioneering mentoring ministries in other Asian countries. Jim has been making trips to Malaysia, China, and the Philippines to support three of our CRM Singapore leaders who have started mentoring groups in those countries.

Last month, our group in the Philippines formally registered CRM Philippines, with the intention of multiplying mentoring groups among Christian leaders there. One of the pastors will be the CRM Philippines staff to build the ministry. Praise the Lord for their vision and enthusiasm, but it is still an infant movement, and will need a lot of nurture to develop well. Jim and Singaporeans will continue to mentor them in their ministry development.

Jim also senses the Lord directing him to Vietnam next year. He is planning trips every two months to start mentoring leaders there, and has already translated our curriculum and made contacts with many leaders who are interested in partnering.

Please pray for the beginning of the Vietnam initiative, as well as the continuation of the budding Malaysia, China, and Philippines groups.

And thank you for your partnership – by investing in us, you are investing in Asian Christian leaders!

Jim & Kimberly

an overview of the ministries of Church Resource Ministries (CRM) our sending organization in US: Crmleaders.org

The extension of that in Singapore which is now multiplying in Asia: CRMS.org.sg

Comments Off

October 11th, 2011

Creasmans: What’s New(s) October 2011

Thanks for your prayers with us in September

Jim:

Pastors who are starting CRM in the Philippines have met for their 3rd retreat with individual coaching. One of them is pursuing a call to lead this emerging ministry focused on empowering with this mentoring model. In turn they empower others under their leadership to grow in intimacy with God and live out His unique call on their lives.

Kimberly:

Loads of emails, and prayers and phone calls have ensued following a blog post I wrote in August. For me it’s turning into a season of bridge building and encouraging Sending Churches in what their role can be in Missionary Care. As a case study, this experience is a remarkable model of processing conflict. This communication with my church leaders has built a stronger bridge. I’m really encouraged to know that I am part of a church where we call can respect one another, make apologies where needed and all be humble enough own our sin and move forward stronger in unity and purpose.

CRMS Annual General Meeting 2011: Thank you Lord for the momentum rolling with addition of new staff and expansion into neighboring countries.

Tyler:

Loving CPSLO after 2 weeks of classes and the week of orientation. He’s training with ROTC and really diving in (which is unusual for TCKs – they tend to stay on the fringe and observe for awhile). Said, “Even though it’s a large campus, nearly everywhere I go I see someone I’ve already met.” He had a great 6 weeks with grandparents…getting driver’s license, spending some fun time with them alone, helping them with some things around their homes (technical mostly). It’s a fun season to see him step into adulthood and manage his time and money on his own (all bills are going to HIM now!)

Cameron:

As always a joy to live with if we ignore the mess! Upon returning to Singapore, a few noticed a change over the summer. He’s more confident and stepping up as a leader with his peers. We stay positive that he’ll continue to learn how to apply his mind to learning, his body toward strength and fitness, and his heart to following Jesus.

Prayers for October:

1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Singapore American Football League continues to be the Creasman’s Fall pastime (missing only the accompanying cooler weather and marching bands!). Cameron (#54 left tackle) is playing on Tyler’s former team in the High School league and we continue to deepen our friendships and influence in the expat community. Pray that we will have opportunities to share God’s love and hope – the Gospel – every week of football!

Praise God for the graduates of TCA College! Thank you Lord for Kimberly’s role as an occasional lecturer, equipping younger Christian leaders in their use of drama in ministry. Lead her to ways she can continue to use her expertise to inspire other young people who are passionate about the arts and ministry.

3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Lord, guide us as we spend some time on Mondays making phone calls and connecting with supporters and potential donors to our life and ministry here in Asia. Give us discernment about knowing who to call, and a continued confidence in your faithful provision, as we need to raise an additional $3,000 in monthly donations.

3-7,31

We host visitors who are coming through Singapore. Lord, we pray through us you offer vision and insight into the strategic role this little island has on the Kingdom of God in this region.

CRMS staff, Andy Lim leads the inaugural “Run for the Nation” prayer run across the island. Lord, thank you for calling such inspiring and godly Asian leaders to join us in CRMS & building spiritual leaders, we pray for wisdom as we join potential staff this coming week in seeking your will for joining us in this movement.

Count Your Blessings! After meeting a few times this month with Kimberly, thirteen dormitory staff of a Christian High School will perform Playback Theatre for students on the theme of “Thankfulness.” Jesus, we pray that this outreach to international students studying and living in a Christian environment will draw them to a personal and lasting relationship with you!

17-19

Jim leads a mentoring network in Manila, and helps these pastors grow as mentors for others. Please pray for their own growth and for their vision and ability to empower other leaders.

18-19

Women’s Retreat in nearby Johor, Malaysia. God, thank you for making it clear that you wanted K! to pass on the CRM Women’s Leadership meetings in Spain (Oct 16-21). Hard to do it, but thank you for your guidance. In this short time away with her Singapore sisters, build us in unity, deepen our roots with you, and give us vision for your future for us as your daughters.

Jim teaches a seminar in Singapore on growing in spiritual authority - what it is, where it comes from, how to exercize it, and how to grow in it. We long for the evidence of God’s presence in our lives and ministries. Lord we pray that Jim & Kimberly would continue growing in intimacy with Christ and that his leading and providing for them would be evident to all around them.

Handmade #3. K! is participating in an outreach with Grace Assembly of God. Lord we thank you for how you are using the arts to communicate your message! Thank you for Namiko and her gifts in dance and love for you! Bless her as she builds a team using Hawaiian Hula as a worship dance for you.

27-28

Retreat for CRMS staff and board members to evaluate and ideastorm our ministry to help churches and spiritual leaders grow and impact Asia. Lord, we pray that you would raise up godly and gifted men and women to join CRMS as spiritual mentors, and to go as missionaries to other Asian countries. We pray for love and creativity as a team, and for your guidance and resources to grow in our spiritual impact.

Plus:

Please pray that i would have Joshua’s courage and Joseph’s dream and vision to pursue the establishment of CRM Phils! - Pastor Nathan, Manila

Mid-Autumn festival “mooncakes” with Yi Hui.
She continues her frequent visits when Kimberly is home in the afternoons,
and is slowly getting socialized and learning how to read.
She’s a much happier little “stray” who is taking
(and most certainly failing) the PSLE this week
(Primary School Leaving Exam)

How can we be praying

for you?

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. - 1 Peter 5:10

Jim & Kimberly Creasman

Charitable Giving thru CRM

Thank you for making our work here an extension of your heart for Asia.

We pray that you’d have great joy in these kind of investments,

whether is it with us or with other good work around the world!

www.crmleaders.org

Donation questions (in USA) 1 (800) 777-6658

you may add “preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651″

CRM- 1240 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831

More photo highlights from September:

We’re keeping in touch via 21st century technology:

Comments Off

July 17th, 2011

24th Sunday, 7-9pm RHCC Dessert (location TBD)
27th Wednesday, 7pm Journey Covenant BBQ at Jim & Beth Stewart’s
29th Friday, 5pm BBQ / 7pm Sharing at Bob & Megan Moore’s

July Gatherings in the South Bay

Let’s Get Together!

Come hear and experience* what God is doing through Church Resource Ministries Singapore.

*PLUS 30th Saturday, 9am-12noon
Family Seminar on Transitions.

Comments Off

July 2nd, 2011

Get ready California here we come!

Checklist for July

X Arrange for House and Dog Sitter in Singapore

X Borrow a car in California

X Find someone who’ll let us hang out (live) with them in the South Bay

X Get U.S. Summer Cell Phone numbers (below)

Arrange meaningful get-togethers with friends.

So, Californians, shall we get together?

We’ll be staying in Redondo Beach and have a basic schedule below, but the details are missing.

Where do you fit?
Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Coffee?
…A walk on the beach?

Give us a call! We’ll make a date to see you!

3 July – 9AM through lunch…even dinner!
Fullerton Evangelical Free Church, Encouragement Inc Sunday School Class.
North Campus 180. Worship 2nd service. Lunch: Chipotle, OBO…

4 July – from 4PM
Orange County, Tri Cities Park for the fireworks. Contact us if you’ll be there too!

6-8 July – In the San Luis Obispo area

9-10 July – WORSHIP @ Rolling Hills Covenant
Voyagers Class, 9AM Sunday, Carlson Hall

13 July – Redondo Beach, Riviera Village 7-8:45PM
Grab a coffee with Kimberly and/or Jim while Cameron attends the HS Sunset Sing.

16-17 July – WORSHIP @ Rolling Hills Covenant
Homebuilders, 9AM Sunday, 301 N Campus. Jim teaching
Turning Point, 10:45AM Sunday, 301 N Campus. Jim teaching

18-20 July – San Diego area, including Mt. Miguel Covenant Village on the 19th

23 July – FEFC, Encouragement Inc. Social: Game Night

25 July – RHCC GO (Global Outreach) Commission Meeting, Community Centre

27 July – BBQ with friends from Journey Covenant, South Bay.
Do you attend Journey? Let us know, we’ll send some details.

28 July – Fullerton EV Free Missions Committee meeting/BBQ. Evening.

31 July – The River Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, 10AM.

1 August – LAX to Singapore
Kimberly & Cameron back to get ready for 9th grade.

3-5 August – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Jim & Tyler at Cal Poly Orientation

7 August onwards
Creasmans – minus Tyler – back in Singapore (More about ministry in another email!)

Kimberly (310) 561-5282

Jim: (310) 561-5382
skype: asiabruin
Sure hope we can see you this summer!

Jim & Kimberly

Please pray for the work going on in Singapore in our absence: www.crms.org.sg

If you’d like to congratulate our graduate Tyler, permanent US mailing address: c/o 5380 Via Maria, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

Charitable Giving thru CRM
Thank you for making our work here an extension of your heart for Asia.
We pray that you’d have great joy in these kind of investments,
whether is it with us or with other good work around the world!

www.crmleaders.org
Donation questions (in USA) 1 (800) 777-6658
you may add “preferenced for Creasman-acct 5651″
CRM- 1240 N. Lakeview, Suite 120, Anaheim, CA 92807-1831

Comments Off

December 18th, 2010

Clementi Christmas

The first story of most Singapore apartment buildings, like ours, is open air for walking through. (We live on the fifth floor of a 25-storey building, and most buildings are between 16 and 26 storeys.)

Today, the neighborhood Resident’s Committee has planned a Christmas party and is setting up downstairs…

Comments Off

December 17th, 2010

CRMS Staff Lunch

We have our CRMS staff meetings on Fridays, and today we went to visit one of our volunteer staff who directs a community centre for the elderly. Three of our staff were traveling, but those in the picture (L -> R) are Rita our Intern from China, Jennifer the volunteer staff, K!Mberly, How Beng and Andy).

As we arrived at the community centre, we were surprised to see a fire engine pull up and saw smoke coming out of an apartment. This is the first time in 10 years I have seen a fire in Singapore. It seemed like everyone was safely out of the apartment, and the firemen quickly got it under control, but there was a lot of smoke!

Comments Off

December 14th, 2010

Cameron at 14

Today is Cameron’s 14th birthday!!! He will celebrate by playing a game with his basketball team after school, and then going out for pizza with some of the players and their families.

Lord, thank you for Cameron and the special boy that he is. Please bless him in every way this year, guiding him to grow up to be a man of faith and goodness, loving you and serving people, and discovering his gifts and calling.

Comments Off

November 28th, 2010