In Roi Et province, Covenant village churches are meeting together in clusters for worship linking several nearby villages together for fellowship. There are no church buildings. Leadership is from local villagers who serve on a voluntary, part-time basis. Forms of worship used in worship reflect local cultural values and employ local instruments, music and dance presenting a clear message of the gospel.
As of this writing the total church members in Roi Et is 150 people.
These worshipping clusters of Covenant churches in Roi Et are organized by sub-district areas as follows:
1. Lao Klang Worship Cluster includes members from
- Lao Klang village
- Don Sai village
- Pophan village
- Klang village
- Kok Pila village
- Members of the AIDS house in nearby Khok Lang temple
This cluster gathers for worship every other week on Sunday evening, moving within homes from members in their various villages. Elders in this village are Father Narong, evangelist, and Mrs. Ken, song leader. Mr. Khampan from LIFE leads the Bible study. Membership in this area is 32, some of these members are in Bangkok working. Worship attendance averages 18.
2. Non Rang Worship Cluster includes members from:
- Non Rang village
- Non San village
- Nong Khan village
- Kwao village
- Hua Non Tan village
This cluster gathers for worship on the opposite week of the Lao Klang cluster. Worship is held in homes from members in their various villages on a rotating schedule. Elders in this village are Father Suc Boonwiset and Mrs. Chalewey, song leader. Mrs. Pon from LIFE leads the Bible study. Membership in this area is 30, some of these members are in Bangkok working. Worship attendance averages 10.
3. Sri Gaew Worship cluster includes:
- Khan Hak village
- Lao Kham village
This is our newest area of worship which includes the LIFE Khan Hak Farm. Worship is held in the home of church elder Mrs. Tasanee Sritongchan (song leader). Mr. Khampan from LIFE leads Bible study. Membership in this area is 12. Worship attendance averages 20.
4. Roi Et Worship cluster includes:
- Roi Et town
- Nong Rua village
- Noi Ny Muang village
- Dalad village
This cluster is primarily a youth ministry for primary age children held in the front yard of missionary Paul and Gretchen DeNeui's house each Sunday morning. Bible study is shared by Paul DeNeui, Mr. Khampan and Mrs. Tipawan from LIFE. Membership in this cluster is 22. Attendance averages 30. There is also a youth group gathering each Friday night held at the Good Friend Bakery. Four of these teens are Christians. Attendance averages ten. Paul DeNeui and Mr. Khampan share leadership.
5. Phon Haat Worship cluster includes:
- Phon Haat village
- Nong Yai village
This cluster is the most distant from the LIFE office in a remote area of Roi Et province known as the "Weeping Fields". Worship is held in member's homes on a monthly basis when the LIFE worship team visit. There are no elders at present. The leading of Bible study, music and communion are shared by LIFE staff. Membership is 6. Attendance averages 10.
6. Other villages where there are believers include:
- Non San village
- Kwao village (Mahasarakham province)
- Pai village
- Dat Tong village (Yasothon province)
- Dong Keng village (Ubon Rachatani province)
- Pon town (Khon Kaen province)
- Kok Yai village (Kalasin province)
- Sadomsri village (Kalasin province)
Members in these remote villages are invited to participate in the Easter and Christmas gatherings. They are visited monthly by LIFE church enabling department staff.
7. Det Udom Linkage, Ubol Rachatani province
Roi Et churches, along with LIFE, have been linked with enabling a sister ministry in the province of Ubon. This ministry, started by Mennonite missionaries Skip Tobin and Andre Provost, uses the indigenous Isaan instruments, music, songs and dance used by our Covenant churches in the northeast Thailand, including Roi Et. They are committed to planting, equipping and enabling a contextualized northeastern Thai church in their area following principles similar to our church work in Roi Et. Our two groups have fellowshiped together in the celebration of Christmas and Easter gatherings for the last two years. LIFE staff have been involved in training musicians in indigenous instrument use in the Det Udom worshipping community.