Faith

I recently taught a lesson on "faith". As we went through the pre-selected verses I tried to give a brief explanation of each and then I asked everyone to make a "vow" to re-read the verses at home. At the end of the lesson we parked in Hebrews 11 to discuss the type of people that God used as an example of faith. In the chapter we find men and women.. some were murderers, some adulterers, one was a prostitute, others struggled with their flesh, while one made a crazy vow to God. Sometimes we get the impression God can only use the most perfected of all people - yet, we see He truly delights to highlight His glory in imperfect vessels. His ways are so not our ways... 

Through all these amazing examples there is hope for us. There is hope for the people we minister to in the rural areas of Zambia. There is hope for the illiterate and uneducated. There is hope for the scarred and weary. There is hope for the unknown "little" people. There is hope for the rich and calloused. There is hope for the all men everywhere. Why... because great faith is not dependent on great people... great faith is dependent on our Great God! 

I am so encouraged to see our God do a great work in the hearts of the people we are sent to reach with the Gospel message. Although relatively poor and without many of the common standards most Westerners have been afforded, faith is able to grow (Rom 10:17), we are able to please God (Heb 11:6), and the name of Jesus Christ can be known among the Nations (Mal 1:11). 

Have we strayed in our Missions "strategy"?

I have been reading an interesting book about Missions and the strategy of the church. Below is a small excerpt from the book that parallels the "methods" used from pioneer missionaries compared to "methods" used by our contemporary churches. 

Taken from "When Missions Shape the Mission" by David Horner

As I thought about this comparison it almost seems shameful to see how much less the contemporary Missionary movement relies on Christ and His Power compared to the previous generations of those seeking to bring the Gospel to all Nations. I certainly am an advocate for planning and tuning a proper strategy but I wonder if we over-think the command to Go into all the world and Preach the Gospel? Have we made a wrong turn in our zeal to make a proper strategy that actually leaves God out of the equation? 

Lord's Supper at Big Tree

We have been teaching on the Lord's Supper as spoken of in the Scripture. Over the last few weeks we have gone through 1 Corinthians as well as the Gospel accounts of when Jesus breaks bread with His disciples. We spoke of the purpose of the ordinance and why it is so important for the church to remember the death and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Yesterday, we decided to go forward with having the Lord's Supper celebration! It turned out to be a tremendous time and I truly believe a very reflective time in which we all re-focused on the immense love of God shown in the death and suffering of His Son. I know the service deeply impacted and renewed in me a greater desire to again fix my heart on following Jesus. 

There was roughly 80 people in attendance and maybe 60-70% participated. Although I dont know the hearts of the people that did not participate, it always surprises me when people choose to pass it by. Although there is a warning not to partake "unworthily" I am pretty sure Paul was encouraging us to a place of reconciliation, repentance, and right living and not simply a place of refusal.

Please be praying for us as we truly desire to see all of these people walking in the Spirit and allowing God's Word to influence and direct their lives. 

Leadership Training

We are starting a new phase of teaching in our churches around the idea of leadership development. Although the concept of leadership can be fuzzy or sometimes without proper focus, we are hoping to concisely and biblically give our men an opportunity to learn the Scriptural concepts of leadership.  

As we began teaching the very most basic concepts of leadership I am again impressed at how diplomas and certifications just are not a part of Church leadership. Instead, the Bible focuses on such characteristics as humility, compassion, commitment,  meekness, holiness, and servitude to name just a few.  Such a difference from how the world and even many churches actually lead. 

Please pray that we would not only Biblically teach correctly but also model these concepts. As one teacher liked to remind us, "more is caught, than taught". If we want churches to truly represent and declare Jesus Christ we will need men that can lead, model, and disciple their members to live the life of Jesus Christ. 

First Ever Literacy Graduation

We just graduated 16 people (12 ladies and 4 gentlemen) from our first ever literacy course! The story starts back in 2012 when we began Big Tree Bible Baptist Church. Each week we were meeting on Wednesdays and would give everyone the opportunity to memorize Scripture in order to earn a Bible. We noticed a section of people that did not participate in this exercise. After some research, we found there was a significant group of people (both older and some young girls) that had never been to school, could not write their own name, and could not read a word in ChiChewa or English. 

Of course, I am always telling people to read the Bible and study the Scriptures but what to do about people that can not read for themselves. So, our little literacy school was birthed from the need of people wanting to read the Scripture! 

We found the perfect teacher (Mrs. Zulu) and she began teaching from Sunday to Wednesday each week. Of course there were struggles. Some students stayed and went the distance but some did not. Mrs. Zulu poured her heart into this endeavor which was evidenced by the fantastic accomplishment of 16 people graduating. 

Upon hearing about our efforts and little graduation, the chief (Royal Chief Mnukwa), wanted to be a part of our celebration! We set a date, invited everyone, and prepared for the day... truly, a profound highlight to see 16 people move from not being able to read or write even one word to now being able to write letters and begin understanding some simple Scripture. Praise the LORD! The Chief spoke during our graduation and gushed with excitement for what is happening because of our Church and small literacy school. Even a local government school administrator came and was surprised at how advanced we are! Again, praise the LORD!