Thailand Initiative Information

In October 2006, Global Ministries commissioned the first United Methodist missionaries to Thailand in South East Asia. The Rev. Michael W. Morrissey, Jr., and the Rev. Sherri Tabaka-Morrissey (left) now serve as pastors and teachers at God's Purpose Church, a congregation in the city of Chon Buri, an hour outside of Bangkok, Thailand's capital.

God's Purpose Church ("Pradumri" in Thai) began in 1999 as a house church. It became a congregation in 2002 and today has an average Sunday worship attendance of more than 100. The church has active Bible and fellowship groups. It hopes to become the base of a network of local churches and ministries in Thailand, where Christianity is growing.

"This is an exciting mission development," the chief executive of the mission agency said of the assignment of the Morrisseys to Thailand. The Rev. R. Randy Day added that "the planning has been careful and Michael and Sherri are the right people for this venture in faith. They are committed and energetic."
English teaching volunteer: Ban Nong Puen Tak School, Songpeenong, Amphur Gaengkrajan, Petchaburi Province. Teaching English in Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary classes. Creating any learning supporting activities, i.e. sports, games, singing, music, etc. Term of volunteer service should be during the semesters, which are from May to October and from November to March. No stipend is paid but housing is provided by the school director.

Missionaries: Michael Morrissey
The Rev. Michael Morrissey, missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, is serving in Thailand along with his wife, Rev. Sherri Morrissey.

The Morrisseys are the first United Methodist missionaries assigned to Thailand and are serving as co-directors of National Ministries for the Board of Global Ministries in Thailand. They are responsible for planting new congregations and mercy ministries as well as training United Methodist pastors and leaders for credentialing and ordination.

Michael is an elder in the Kentucky Annual Conference, and served as pastor, with his wife, of College Heights United Methodist Church, Elizabethtown, KY, before his ministry in Thailand. He was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, and lived in San Diego before moving back to the Boston area, where he was part of a Baptist congregation.

Rev. Morrissey felt the call to mission while studying at Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, in the early 1980s after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College, Deerfield, Illinois. He and Sherri married while both were at Moody and together entered the Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, with the goal of becoming Baptist missionaries. However, they found that they were not Baptist, but Wesleyan in theology. They joined The United Methodist Church and were ordained in the Kentucky Conference.

The Morrisseys have three sons, James and Michael, who are grown, and Anthony, age 18. They have one grandchild.

”The Lord used the inspiring lives of missionaries, missionary kids, and professors to impress upon me the tremendous need for the Gospel and for justice ministries around the globe. The Lord has blessed us as we have sought to be a blessing to internationals who dwell among us wherever we have lived. We are excited about the opportunity to serve in our calling.”

Make an online donation to: Michael Morrissey #15122Z.
Additional Information:
Missionary Support Code: 15122Z
Last update: 12/08

Sherri Morrissey
The Rev. Sherri Tabaka-Morrissey, missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, is serving in Thailand along with her husband, Rev. Michael Morrissey.

The Morrisseys are the first United Methodist missionaries assigned to Thailand and are serving as co-directors of National Ministries for the Board of Global Ministries in Thailand. They are responsible for planting new congregations and mercy ministries as well as training United Methodist pastors and leaders for credentialing and ordination.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, into a Roman Catholic family, Sherri felt the power and presence of God at an early age and accepted Christ while attending a summer camp. By age 18 she knew the call to serve God vocationally and entered Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, where she met and married Mike. Sherri also holds a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, Deerfield, Illinois.
Attending South Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, each graduated with Master’s of Divinity degrees. Convinced by the power of Wesleyan theology, they became United Methodists and clergy members of the Kentucky Conference. Sherri has done doctoral studies in preaching and pastoral leadership at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky. Her ministry includes mediation and conflict management, victim advocacy and crisis intervention.

The Morrisseys have three sons, James and Michael, who are grown, and Anthony, age 18, as well as one grandchild.

”From a very early age I was drawn to mission. I recall writing for information on missionary service when I was still a child. From the time of my conversion I’ve also had a strong sense that people ought to know Jesus…Cross-cultural ministry is our [Michael’s and my] passion—reaching people for Christ and developing Christian leaders.”

Make an online donation to: Sherri Morrissey #15123Z.
Additional Information:
Missionary Support Code: 15123Z
Last update: 12/08