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I’ve been struck recently how God uses our training to make pastors confident in two ways:
This potent combination lights a fire in students by reminding them of God’s power and helping them realize “Hey, I can do this!”
I have seen this in Ecuador for years and also in a recent trip to Western Asia with Leadership Resources International.
This trip opened my eyes to how God is at work in one of the top countries where it is difficult to follow Jesus. (Our training took place in a neutral country.) Here are three reasons I left this training venue extremely encouraged:
I could go on and on sharing testimonies because everyone had a dramatic story of conversion—you really have to since conversion is punishable by death in their home country.
In spite of government opposition, the church in this hostile Western Asian country is among the fastest growing in the world. One of our partners even used the terminology “Great Awakening” to describe what’s happening. While this is incredibly encouraging, it also presents a great need for pastors to be trained so they can disciple believers by teaching them God’s Word. Without a biblical grounding, false teaching and unbiblical versions of Christianity can flourish as well.
Students were greatly affected by our study of Jonah. Jonah takes readers to the compassionate heart of God who cares about not only His wayward prophet but the souls of thousands of pagans as well. Most of the trainees came from a religious background where their god is impersonal and vengeful, presenting a powerful contrast to our personal and loving heavenly Father. Here is what one leader said:
“These three days have had a very positive effect on me. I have always known that God is merciful and gracious, but it wasn’t a deep meaning in my life. I never understood it. With the tools I learned in these three days, I learned how to dig into the Word of God and make it more personal for me… Before when I was reading the Bible, I was just reading. Never thinking ‘What is the main idea? What is the message?’ I didn’t learn everything perfectly. But I can start using [the tools] to understand the word of God more.”
God has given us a front-row seat to see the amazing things He’s doing in this part of the world. Waiting in the airport terminal before my return flight, God reminded me of our need to pray. This amazing work isn’t done yet. It’s also vulnerable.
The New Year brings a need for increased monthly support. I’m so grateful for faithful friends and partners who support this work in prayer and finances and am excited to see how God will provide for a new season of ministry.
My current financial needs are an additional:
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