Pat has just returned from Chad, Africa where they finished the study of God’s Plan for His Disciples in French. The training included 20 young men and women who learned the basic elements of the gospel through God’s Word. They all completed the course and received certificates of completion with a commitment to “Pass On” to others what they had learned. There is nothing more important than this for the present generation. With so many deviant ideas coming from our western cultures and infecting other parts of the world, it is critical that we pass on biblical truth by helping individuals discover what Scripture says about these subjects. Those of us who are involved in this ministry and those who share our deep concern for the Church around the world, need to hold up these places and Christians up in prayer. Most of us have a very limited understanding of what it costs to be faithful to the truth of the gospel. Paul understood the value of soliciting prayer from churches he had planted and ministered to. “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). He was not (and we are not) seeking any recognition for what has been done. The work of God in souls matters above anything else!
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It’s time to give you a few “mini” updates on a few things that are significant for this ministry, but not major events. Often the small items are the little cog in our ministry that will in the long run make a real difference to someone, somewhere in the world.
Please use this blog as a prayer guide for areas of this ministry that may seem small but have great potential in years to come. “The highest missionary motive is neither obedience to the Great Commission (important as that is), nor love for sinners who are alienated and perishing (strong as that incentive is, especially when we contemplate the wrath of God), but rather zeal – burning and passionate zeal for the glory of Jesus Christ.” (John Stott, Romans: God’s Good News for the World, Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1994, page 53).
Paul expressed this zeal as he introduced his letter to the church in Rome. Jesus Christ “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name among all the nations” (Romans 1:4–5). Notice that Paul’s motivation to proclaim the gospel was “for the sake of His name.” Stott goes on to say, “We should be “jealous” … for the honor of His name and troubled when it remains unknown, hurt when it is ignored, indignant when it is blasphemed. And all the time anxious and determined that it be given the honor and glory which are due it.” Do we feel this degree of passion? From the desk in my little office, God has allowed me to touch so many places in the world every day. Whether it is via email, text, or phone call, many of our team and “Timothy’s” provide updates as events are happening which makes me feel connected with what God is doing now. The following information came this morning from a dear Timothy in S. E, Asia. In most instances, I refrain from revealing the person’s name or country to protect them from possible persecution. Over the last few days, our Timothy has been training 12 young people in a remote village with God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC). I asked why he was using this book (intended for leadership) and not God’s Plan for Young Disciples (GPYD). He said they had already finished God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and wanted to learn more. The very young are going through GPYD. Where does this eagerness to learn come from? There may be several reasons. Knowing this brother, he inspires learning. It is also part of the culture and difficult environment. Most of all, God has placed this quest for learning in their hearts so they will be established and strong in their faith. Their witness will be effective even in the harsh culture. There is a small country that is wedged in between The Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania called Burundi, Africa. It has been on our hearts for some time and now the Lord is answering. Here are the details from Randy.
“Praise God for the open door He has given us in Burundi. This is an awesome answer to prayer that we have prayed! And now, we pray for our Lord to arrange all that is needed for our partner in Zambia to go and raise up leaders who will take the gospel to unreached peoples. As soon as we can get the Swahili printed, we will do so, but we do need to look into how to transport the books. It is expected that about 20 will be available to train.” Please be in prayer for this opportunity. Besides getting the Swahili GPHD updated to the 4th Edition, there is the printing that needs to be done. With all God has been doing through NFI, we have no doubt these details will work out perfectly. Trusting the Lord! This blog will be a quick update on several NFI fronts. Things are moving so quickly right now, and it is very important to keep you advised of these events so you can hold them up in prayer. Our “Timothy” in Nepal has just shipped 200 Nepali God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) to two different churches in Nepal. In a few weeks he will visit them to introduce this resource and get the believers started on their studies. Pray for his safety on the mountain roads and for the students to be filled with understanding by the Spirit. Tim and Tom have arrived in Laos to attend a graduation for this who completed GPHD. They will spend a couple of days introducing God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC). Some of these dear brothers and sisters are from villages where God is moving in mighty power. Even with little education, they are like sponges soaking up as much as they can from the Scriptures. Please pray for continued growth and understanding from the Spirit as they work together. Pat has just arrived in Chad. The Lord put His hand over 500 GPHD and 150 GPHC that were shipped from Nigeria, and they arrived safely yesterday. This is another bright spot in Africa where God is at work. Keep Pat and the Chad disciples in prayer as they work together for advancing the gospel. The last two and a half weeks have been very intense with two very important projects completed. The first was completing the translation of God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) into Urdu for Pakistan. God provided us with someone with exceptional skills in both English, Urdu, and ability to format. They were able to finish the book in two weeks and arrange for printing in time for Randy and Jonathan to introduce this resource on the 17th and 18th of this month. The second exciting development is completing the edit of the English 4th Edition of GPHD. We have added a two-page description of Salvation, a lesson on Prayer, and a concordance with 50 additional Scriptural references for each lesson. These with other edits and graphic improvements will make this book a very valuable resource for every believer. Today the printers accepted our final proof and it is scheduled for printing. We are so thankful for all God has allowed us to do and give Him praise for all the results. When we take time to compare our modern day methods with the Early Church, it should make us stop and ask what the difference is between our methods and theirs. Though Paul worked with the church at Ephesus and the elders for three years, he could say, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). That is the whole gospel!
Why is this important? One of the reasons is for the expansion of the gospel. If the gospel and planting of many churches from Jerusalem to Rome only took just over ten years, why is it taking hundreds of years for us to get the gospel to over 7,000 people groups who have never heard of Jesus and His power to save? India alone has 185 people groups and there are still 116 who are unreached with the gospel. Why? Have we not “declared” the whole counsel of God to elders of the church in India, so they are motivated to reach their own people. One of the central purposes of NFI is just this. From last October, 40 leaders were trained, and they are on the move to train 40,000 just in Odisha State alone. Could this be the beginning of a movement in this gospel frontier? One of the students in Bangladesh who went through God’s Plan for His Disciples wrote a four page summary of what he learned by going through this study. I will give you just a small taste of what he gained from God’s Word. Most of this is unedited.
“According to me, every believer / disciple should study this book. This changed my life, and I learned a lot of things such as:
When I was studying lesson after lesson, it was so encouraging as it exhorted my heart. Each lesson strengthened my spirit as I was learning. All the lessons are absolutely amazing!” This is only a tiny portion of what was written but gives you a little insight to what happens when a dry, thirsty soul is given the opportunity to drink from the well of living water (John 4:14). I doubt my brother will mind me sharing his comments that were sent to me earlier today. It represents the feelings we often have in places where we know God is working. There is an overwhelming sense of privilege just watching God at work in others.
“What a wonderful, gracious honor, and privilege the Lord has granted us to be able work with special people like the Rohingyas in Bangladesh. I am overwhelmed by God opening this door, granting us access to over a million lost souls whom Christ died to save. Thank you, Jesus!!!” We must approach every opportunity with a sense of gratitude, otherwise we begin taking credit for the results. If there is any fruit from our labors, it is because the Spirit of God has been preparing hearts to receive the Word of God and then putting into living practice. This is fruitful, effective ministry (1 Corinthians 16:9)! |
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