I received an email from a dear brother in Africa who is very committed to equip leaders so they can “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). I felt he voiced some feeling of being overwhelmed with the amount of work that needed to be done in The Congo. Here is my response.
“I understand the feeling of seeing the work in The Congo as larger than anyone, two, or three persons can do on their own. It will always be that way. This reminds us of three imperatives:
Thank you, Brother, for being faithful with what God put in your hand. Others may never see the little details, and a true servant wants it that way because our Father sees and that is enough! ““One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” (Luke 16:10). BE FAITHFUL
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We had a most unusual prayer meeting tonight. A guest from a very persecuted part of the Middle East was with us and shared his heart for his people, particularly believers who are still there. I am at a loss for words that convey their suffering. Unless we have lived in these circumstances, been denied work, food, and what we would call ‘normal freedoms,’ we cannot understand the continual pain from oppression and constant worry about safety.
This person was asked what their top prayer requests would be. The answers might surprise you.
Several Scriptures were read that brought comfort to all of us, and I pass one on to you with a desire that as you pray for the Body of Christ in this part of the world, you too will find comfort. “A Prayer. With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me” (Psalm 142). Is there a biblical model for what we are doing? After giving you the last few reports about Nicaragua, India, and Nepal, some might wonder if what we are doing is accomplishing God’s purpose in these places? Will these leaders take their training in Scripture and put it into practice in their culture with the intent to reach the unreached with the gospel?
Thinking about these questions took me back to the Book of Acts. After Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, Antioch, Paul and Silas met Priscilla and Aquila on a ship bound for Cenchreae. They never stopped or gave up because of a night in jail in Philippi or great opposition from the Jews. As these four came to Ephesus, “a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24). It sounds like this man was a candidate to join their team. Let’s keep reading. “He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (18:26). Further discipling was needed. In large measure, many of those we train are much like Apollos. They have a general knowledge of Scripture but need greater “accuracy” in the essential elements of the Pure Gospel of Grace. This kind of teaching results in greater effective ministry so others are discipled in spreading the gospel Following the introduction of God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD - Hindi) in New Delhi, India, Tim and Terry moved on to Kathmandu, Nepal and had a similar reception. But it got better! From Kathmandu they traveled east to Dhulikel, Nepal. In Tim’s own words, “it is hard to believe what happened in these places!” As this picture shows, there was an immediate eagerness to learn from God’s Word what it says about the “Authority and Sufficiency of the Word,” and the “Authority and Sufficiency of the Spirit.” As we find in many places, these subjects are never addressed. These first two lessons, plus “How to Study the Bible” (Lesson 6 and 7) give disciples confidence in drawing truth from the pages of the Bible. We are seeing ‘mini revivals’ ignited where believers discover for themselves that they have all they need in Scripture and the Holy Spirit, tools to become strong in faith, practice, and the confidence to disciple others. NO FORMAL EDUCATION OR TITLES! This is the freedom and joy that truth gives when it is received. The following report is from the leader who hosted the introduction of God’s Plan for His Disciples in the Hindi language. He is a man with a very large heart for raising up leaders who are well equipped for ministry across this nation. “Our 10-day leadership training is over, and all our leaders returned to their locations on the 14th. They have reached their destinations safely and we are grateful for your prayers for them. Thank you so much for the valuable teaching, time, and efforts that you invested in the lives of these leaders. May this teaching and knowledge of God’s Word be fruitful and multiply. I am glad to inform you that the banner we printed came in on time and we were able to distribute it to our leaders. Three different charts were given to each leader as visual aids in training at their home locations. Our leaders are so excited about this curriculum that some have already started sharing it with their coworkers. One of ALTC's mentoring leader, reached home from Delhi on Saturday night and briefed the congregation on Sunday Morning!!!!!!” Reports like this give abundant reason to praise the Lord for what He is doing. Since most of these leaders come from a very persecuted part of this country, giving them a reason to rejoice in God’s Word is very satisfying. Our dear brother and partner in Nicaragua has just been to the city of Nagarote. It is a small community where there is a hunger and thirst for the Word of God. The leaders there wanted material to help them grow in spiritual maturity and their walk with the Lord. David worked with them from 9 am to 2 pm over several days teaching how to use, study, and understand Scripture through using our training resource, God’s Plan for His Disciples in Spanish. This material develops the purpose for disciples and followers of Jesus so they can live biblical truth as powerful witnesses. “It was a very special time filled with the Holy Spirit giving understanding and commitment to pass on what they learn to others. There was much joy and willingness to participate in the study. I will be following up in 2 months after they have finished all the lessons.” As in so many other places, we discover that no one has ever come alongside these believers and helped them discover for themselves the foundation of the gospel in a way they are confident and able to share it with others. The past week has proven to me that God is always moving in places and ways that confound our understanding. We pray for Him to work and do things that will spread the gospel of grace beyond what we see into the unreached. As you will see in Tim’s email to me from Nepal, God is working! “We arrived Dhulikhel, Nepal and shared the introduction to God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) in Nepali.Some pastors on Friday gave a VERY positive response. I spoke at Simon's Church this morning of 1000 plus. The senior pastor wants to start GPHD in all 42 cell churches immediately and then move out to their 140 daughter churches in Nepal, each with their own cell groups. We spent 3 days in Delhi introducing the Hindi GPHD to about 100 pastors, mostly from Orissa State: a poor and persecuted church. They need 18,645 GPHD as soon as possible. One of the most productive trips we have ever done. I'm expecting another great response with Devaraj over this weekend.” As you can see, the potential is far beyond what we ever expected. That is because God is at work and we are privileged to join Him. “Jesus, you remember, trained the twelve; then the seventy. Paul never became a pastor. He won converts, ordained elders, and passed on. He placed the churches under native leadership and made them self-supporting from the very first. They were living organisms. Living organism s will grow.
In Acts14:8-10 and 18-20, we have a marvelous example of the Pauline method. In two short years, we are told, all those in Asia heard the Gospel (Acts 19:10). Asia covered a territory of approximately 50,000 square miles. There was a mighty revival. Books belonging to various false cults were burned publicly. The upheaval was so great that books costing thousands of dollars were burned.” (Oswald J. Smith, The Challenge of Missions, page 63). The Book of Acts proves the apostles had a single-minded focus – preach the gospel wherever God led them. I fear that some get distracted by political and cultural issues rather than our calling. Tim and Terry have left New Delhi, India yesterday for Kathmandu, Nepal to continue their introduction of God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD). We prayed ahead of this trip, asking God to go before us and prepare hearts so there will be good soil for God’s Word to be planted, take root, and grow in such a way that it produces abundant fruit. God has answered! It was obvious during the sessions in New Delhi that GPHD touched a critical need for the leaders that were present. Since many of them came from the Orissa State, an area with high levels of persecution, they calculated that the immediate need for training their people was 18,645 books. This is a challenge we have never faced before. First, GPHD must be translated and printed in the Oriya language. Will you stand with us in prayer that translating, and formatting will be done quickly and accurately. As this is done, we will update you on the next steps. Today, Tim and Terry will be in Kathmandu, Nepal and then leave for two days in Dhulikhel. Pray that God will also move hearts by the power of the Spirit, so this visit leaves behind a divine movement that brings Him much glory. Some weeks ago, we gave the exciting news that our children’s and young people’s book, God’s Plan for Young Disciples had been printed in two languages for Myanmar (Burmese and Zomi). Since the printing, children are learning God’s Word in a way that will strengthen and establish their faith. This is taking place at a time when civil unrest and persecution is rising. Please keep these believers in your prayers as they pursue discipling others in difficult circumstances. |
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