Johnsons - Nairobi/ILA - 9/20/08

I leave tomorrow afternoon for Ethiopia and Kenya where we are helping the national Campus Crusade staff and church leaders who work with them to start and upgrade their church planters training. I’m teaching this week in Addis Ababa and next week in Nairobi on small group ministry.
 
In both Kenya and Ethiopia the local name of ILA (International Leadership Academies) is Transformational Leadership Centre or TLC.
 
Here is a report from Don Lovell, the ILA-USA director reporting on the ILA class that just graduated from the first ILA in Kenya, a 10 month residential format.
 
In the grip of His love,
Mike


From: Don Lovell
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2008 1:20 PM

I am now in Addis Ababa getting ready to start the Ethiopian TLC training. Last week I was in Nairobi. where TLC-1 has ended with the graduation of 18 trainees on September 13th. The trainees planted 8 churches while in training (10 months).

Here are some comments they made:

Jeconiah, “I planted a church – Deliverance Good News Church - with the help of Kennedy. I have learned to be a servant leader.”
 
Daniel, “I thought I knew a lot as a trainer in the telecom industry, but I have learn many new approaches to training people. I have learned to build people for ministry service. Jadiel and I have planted a team led church.”

Pastor Elijah (older senior pastor), “The small group dynamics showed me how to use small group leaders to shepherd people.”

Denis, “I have understood how to preach from the Bible. I have learned to work with a team.”

Pastor Jackson (who has planted many churches.) “I thought I had learned everything. I now train my members to reach out and to grow.” TLC has taught me to be accountable to others. It has changed my personal life and the way I treat others.”

Kennedy, “I have learned how to multiply using the Church Based training.” “Biblical Interpretation and Application has changed how I learn from the scriptures.”

Rose, “Many visitors are coming to the cell groups.”

Benard, “I have applied servant leadership, especially in my family. I have 10 years experience in leading a church, but now I minister differently – I empower people for ministry.”

Frances O., “people use to come late to my teaching, but now they are on time. I had neglected my family life to do ministry, but now my relationship with my wife has come back. I am now responsible with family finances.”

Michael, “The course on Spiritual Disciplines changed my devotional life.” “Before I commanded people and now I align people for ministry. I have learned to be accountable.”

Frances K., “ I have a vision to equip others. I am working with 20 pastors to train them. In my devotional life I actually let the Bible speak to me.”

Pastor Joseph, “My church in Kibera was destroyed in the violence after the election. I am now building it back in a new way with small groups.”

Faith, “I have 3 small groups with 27 people. Three additional small groups are led by leaders I have trained.”  TLC has changed the way I apply the Word to my life. I can listen to others and help them.”

Keep praying, Don

Williams - India - 9/18/08

I know you all are concerned for India and so share  some of the recent developments in my dear country. Some of you may already be  aware but some need the brief information (you can google search for details)  to stimulate your intercession before the Throne of Grace.

For the past month or so  there has been concerted acts of violence targetted against christians and  churches and churches in the North Eastern State of Orissa [FoxNews info can be found here:  http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Sep20/0,4670,ASIndiaReligiousViolence,00.html]. About 4000 thousand Christians  from the tribal and lower caste areas fled into the jungles for safety having  lost home and everything else. The violence then found a reaction from  Christians across the nation and their protests caused a Hindu militant group  called the Bajrang Dal [mentioned in the link above as well as here:  http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Sep16/0,4670,IndiaReligiousViolence,00.html] to  attack and burn churches in some parts of a South Indian State of Karnataka.  Just yesterday a 150 old RC Cathedral was attacked and damaged in the North  India in the State of Madhya Pradesh.

The TV and News media has  been highlighting all this and the Central (Federal) Government has yesterday  sent a warning to the States of Orissa and Karnataka under Article 355 of the  Indian Constitution that the Central Govt. may take action against these  States if such violence continues against minorities.

A fall out of these  incidences has been that there is an increased checking of:

1. Conversions to  Christianity: Is this happening through incentives being offered or force.  Remember that most conversions to Christianity (not necessarily Christ) has  historically been from the poorer and lower castes of India. Many have  benefitted by this.

2. Foreign Funding: there is much funding from overseas  and the major portion of that is towards humanitarian aid to poorer and lower  caste groups. However several charismatic and other "fringe" christian groups  are recepients and use foreign money to "evangelise" India.

3. Foreign Personel: Many  come in the guise of "tourist" or "business" and do "missionary work".

The fall  out has also been that the Roman Catholic Church is trying to distance itself  from the so-called "fringe" sects of the christian church.

Please note that I  repeatedly use the word "violence" rather than "persecution". this is because  the bible teaches us that biblical persecution is for righteousness and  Christ's sake. What is currently seen in India is really a mixed thing --  there is persecution but much is because of a misunderstanding of the message  and methods by so-called christians and churches.

Besides the violence  aganst christians and churches there has been an increase of human tragedy by  way of flooding in the Northern State of Bihar and now imminent flooding in  the States of Orissa and Gujarat. Literally hundreds of thousands of people  are affected and the poor are always the most to suffer.

In the midst of all this  God's Sovereignty is not just a wonderful doctrine to believe in but the most  securing one. He is in control and has given true disciples of Christ a  wonderful opportunity to serve Him and live for His pleasure. The future is  challenging but He has a purpose and has placed us here for such a time as  this.

Chris

Bridgman October Prayer Letter

Recently we have been impressed with how important prayer is in advancing the Lord’s work. That is because we are involved in a spiritual battle for the souls of men. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”(Eph 6:12). Right at this time when we are excited about getting land and building for the church the Enemy tried to cause havoc in our fellowship. One dear believer was severely offended by something he mistakenly thought I said in my sermon on August 31st. He gave me such a severe tongue lashing, I was almost sure he would leave the church or that I would have to go to another ministry. However, the intervention of a godly Japanese pastor whom I work with, (and I’m sure your prayers had a lot to do with it, too.) cleared up the misunderstanding. He apologized the next Sunday and we both attended a church conference on September 15th, where the visiting speaker spoke about spiritual warfare and the importance of prayer. It was such an encouragement to me to hear him speak of a similar experience in his ministry. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”(I Corinthians 10:13).

We saw how clearly God answered our prayers for land. Every Sunday service each church member took a turn to pray for land and building. God answered with a piece of land that is large enough for a building and a parking lot, is located in a very visible place, and at a very reasonable price. Negotiations to purchase are in progress now.

Please remember to pray for the following:
1)    Unity of our believers as we decide on the building
2)    That we can reach more young people for Christ
3)    The calling of a suitable Japanese pastor in the not-too-distant future
4)    Provision of missionary or interim pastor while we are on home-assignment July 2009~2010
5)    Jeffrey and Kevin future plans after college and high school.
6)    Violette is thankful for the 6 ladies who are studying the Bible with her in English.  Pray for their salvation as they study her 8-week “Light and Darkness Bible Course”.