It has taken time to convince some that the biblical principle of disciple making really works. I was speaking with one of our team members today about what is happening in several African countries where our training has taken place. He confirmed that several men are training very effectively without our help because they have learned this principle and seen it work.
Paul did not try to do all the work by himself but raised up leaders who teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). Our emphasis on faithful men who can teach others is the only way many parts of the world can be reached for Christ. While we train “Timothy’s” to train others, we must cast the same vision for them to train others with both character and vision. One of the aspects of training “Timothy’s” is helping them develop a genuine heart for those they train and minister to. Paul told the Philippians about Timothy in this way; ““I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (Philippians 2:19–20). It’s not about formal education, pay grade, status, or title. “Genuinely concerned” is forged in a close relationship that knows the heart of God for His glory, His purpose, and His people.
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“God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC) was brought to us in May of 2022 by Randy and Pat to train Gambia leaders. After they left, 500 copies of the GPHD books were printed. Leaders who went through the introduction of the training were given the printed GPHC books and intensive training commenced in view of a graduation in November.
Considering the effectiveness of the material and testimonies I received from leaders, I began sharing the GPHC program with other ministry partners who introduced me to their leaders in Senegal and Guinea Bissau. CEMS had a convention in Gambia in July, and I spoke twice about GPHC. The response was great! I gave out 20 GPHC books to the Leaders who are currently studying the material and we hope to graduate them as soon as they complete the work. I have another group of leaders in Guinea Bissau, who are also studying the materials and I am following up with them. Forty three (43) leaders Graduated in Gambia from this first batch. There are others who are still studying and working to complete their book. The program was great, and we had new people joining for the first time. As a result, we have two ministries in Gambia inviting us to come and share this material with their leaders, which we plan to by the first week of January 2023 God willing. THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!!” (Gambia leader) This is additional information to the post on November 25th. With many NFI events taking place around the world, we are seeing God work in ways never seen before in our lifetime. Is it because of NFI and our team? NO! Is this movement because of some successful method we have designed that has made us successful? NO! It is very clear that helping students discover for themselves the power, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture has made a difference. Even in places we did not expect any results, God is moving.
Let me make this very clear that what is happening is NOT ABOUT NFI! From my earliest days with Tim, we went over and over the words of John the Baptist; “He (Jesus Christ) must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30). That is not just a nice saying that we have adopted. The Spirit is weaving this truth into the fabric of our souls every day. There is a continual battle that usually simmers in the background of our motives and thoughts and wars against the intents of our hearts. We constantly call on the Spirit to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). I believe this attitude must lie at the core of every work and ministry if it is going to be fruitful for the glory of God. It is very exciting to watch what is happening in Republic of the Congo. Our partner in Zambia has gone there many times to train pastors and church leaders with God’s Plan for His Disciples and God’s Plan for His Church. As he works with these people, he learns their needs are greater than we realized. Many (including pastors) do not have Bibles. This puts them at a severe disadvantage when seek to develop them into mature believers and Timothy’s. Some of our readers have helped us supply Bibles to this very poor area in Africa. The need is still there. Our Brother sent us a list of 41 churches that have asked for our training. This means that more books will need to be printed in Kiswahili. If you are led to help these believers, please go to our “SUPPORT” page for ways to give for this need. 100% of any funds given go directly to the need. Our partner wrote the following: “We brought church leaders from three churches together from Kipambala, Sante and Michel. We will be here for 7 days before we proceeding to Munue and other churches. The response of the leaders here is very good and means we plan to go back to the first group to do some more lessons with them. Some of these leaders speak French. We will not need the French manuals until we start trainings in Lubumbashi, the second largest city in Congo.” A movement like this is worthy of our fervent prayer and support. We have often brought you a report on what God is doing in a S. E. Asian country. Our partner there has taken our training through God’s Plan for His Disciples and God’s Plan for His Church to churches all over this region, including a neighboring country. He has just completed the 129th training. This reminds me of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus where he spent the longest part of his ten years serving the Lord planting and establishing churches. “This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). This dear Brother has a vision larger than the borders of where he lives. Though there are risks associated with his work and challenges balancing family responsibilities, work, and ministry, he presses on to train as many church leaders as possible despite the hurdles. Pray for this ‘modern day Paul’ that he will be protected, sustained, and encouraged in the Lord’s work. Thank you for praying for Pat’s time in Ghana and Gambia. It was an amazing time of ministry in both countries.
This is only the beginning of what we see God doing in these two countries. Please join us in prayer that God will accelerate His work for His Glory. There are times when we must share the heartache of our partners overseas. It is understood that after going through the training of God’s Plan for His Disciples and God’s Plan for His Church, they see from Scriptural principles that have been overlooked for generations. It is often hard for them to convince others who hold old traditions to see principles from God’s Word. It requires the Spirit to reveal truth. This quote below comes from a brother who is seeking to help leaders from a neighboring country.
“It's very sad that most of our leaders have not done any baptisms and the Lord's Supper since they started their churches. Through the teaching from GPHD, they are beginning to see the importance of baptizing new believers and celebrate the Lord's Supper on a regular basis. There is so much to teach here apart from teaching from the manuals. We want to reach as many churches as we can before we leave this country, and we are running out of manuals. I'm just glad to tell you that we have seven Timothy’s, and they accompany us wherever we go. Please pray for them.” (See Acts 16:3). Moses was an effective leader and he said in prayer, “Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:16–17). None of our team or those we work with, can accomplish anything unless the Lord is establishing the work and Word in persons. Every year at this time, those living in the United States take a holiday called Thanksgiving. It was originally intended to pause in thankfulness to God for what He has done for us as a country, but sadly, it has degenerated into other things.
That being said, we want to take this opportunity to thank each of you who pray for us, read our blogs and newsletters, and contribute toward printing and training conferences. As we are watching God work in new places, we are absolutely convinced that He is hearing your prayers. In the fourteen years I have been involved with NFI, I have never seen movements of God like we are seeing today. This can only be that there are movements of God springing out of your prayers. This reminds me of Paul’s words; “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2–3). Though we may not speak with you personally, we want to assure you of our gratitude for your support. Please continue with us in this amazing work so we can rejoice together and give God the glory. This time we received a text from Chad and Myanmar. “Greetings Beloved. From tomorrow and for three days, I will be teaching 100 missionaries and pastors from the Christian Assembly using God’s Plan for His Disciples. I covet your prayers for meaningful impact.” (Our Timothy in Chad using the French translation). One of our Timothy’s in Myanmar is using the Burmese God’s Plan for His Disciples and God’s Plan for His Church in separate trainings to help believers to be established in the pure gospel of grace. Even though this country has been torn by unrest, these brothers and sisters press on to know Christ better and spread the gospel wherever they can. As I write this blog, Tim and Randy are on their way to South Sudan to introduce God’s Plan for His Disciplesin Arabic. This is a new opportunity for us which only the Lord could make possible. As I receive updates from these events, I will pass them on. Please be praying for each of these opportunities that nothing will hinder the Spirit from working in each person and drawing them into a deeper love for the Lord and His Word. Just today we received news from our contact in India. After introducing the Hindi God’s Plan for His Disciple, the vision for training hundred and thousand began to develop. Please be praying as plans for another translation and printing are on the horizon. “Greetings from New Delhi. Our leaders have started training their 2nd and 3rd level leaders on God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and Paul's missionary journey. Sending you a few photos for your prayers. I also wanted to inform you that GPHD materials needs to be translated into the Oriya language as we have a few thousand pioneer churches in Odisha state. Then we will need to print both Hindi and Oriya languages to mobilize our 2nd and 3rd level field leaders for greater results. We pray for God's miraculous provisions. I'll be talking to the Oriya translators and press people to pray and will get back to you with more details. Requesting your prayers for protection from many elements that are anti-Christian.” |
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