What is Pastor Martin up to?
Martin wrote Kim a quick note this afternoon:
Hi Honey! Can't type much due to power issues.
I'm sorry we were not able to connect with the church this morning. The computer equipment wasn't working due to insufficient power. You have to be VERY flexible here.
I'm speaking tomorrow to 1,200 pastors but I still don't know how long or on exactly what. I have a general idea. I'm learning how to fly by winging it!
It's pretty amazing here. Things continue to go well. The people are EXTREMELY gracious by giving what they have, even when they have sooo little. It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 8:1-4. In many ways, the African church is like the Church in the second century, in terms of infrastructure and leadership. Many reasons for this, but I'll explain that later.
Please pass on whatever information you think is appropriate. I realize there isn't much here but things are going to shut down in seconds!
- Martin
The Evangelical Free Church missions leaders write this about the Conference:
What's the goal for the extended short-term missions team in the Congo? The Evangelical Free Church wants everyone involved to come away with a clear vision for what God is doing in the Congo through the Free Church, and how we might partner together as individuals and churches.
This may well be in the areas of AIDS ministry, teaching pastors, caring for sick people, teaching medical staff, and countless other things.
We do know that during this first week we are in the Ubangi (roughly July 22-26), there will be a huge pastor's conference taking place. This conference brings together at least 1,500 pastors of all levels of training plus many of their wives for days or training and bonding.
We expect that the several pastors on the trip, including Pastor Martin, will have the opportunity to teach during those days. We also expect that the pastors will be asked to preach both Sundays we are there.
The first Sunday (today) was in Gemena. This is the largest city in the area -- about 150,000 people. (The team flew into Gemena on Saturday.) It is also the site of the EV Free denominational office. Within the city there are five EV Free churches, and within a few miles more there are several others. Each pastor went to a different church to speak on Sunday morning.
The mission writes further: "We will also divide up the rest of the team so that several people go with you. We’ll try to have one of us who can translate with each team. After the service, there will be a meal of African food served by the ladies in the church – the best!
A similar scene will occur the second Sunday we are there. However, some will be at Tandala at that point and others still in Gemena or possibly elsewhere. But the setting will be the same."
More information on the Pastor's Conference:
During the first week, there will be a very unique thing happening ... the Pastor's Training Conference. Martin will be asked to speak on “the Ten Leading Indicators of a Healthy Church.” He will be given 15 minutes at another time to share with the assembly on the topic of “The Pastor and his Ministry.” As President Selenga has written, “Although the environment in which you work is very different from ours, we think that your experiences in the form of testimony or counsel to the pastors of the CECU will greatly help them.” Martin will also be sharing or observing in various small group sessions.
"Perhaps a great value in the Lord’s timing in having this conference while we are there," the mission leaders write, "is that these pastors will be able to dialogue with many Congolese pastors and get a sense for who they are, how God is using them, and at the same time ask them lots of questions about important issues they face ... such as AIDS, youth, church polity, the importance of biblical expository preaching, etc.
The pastors will also be seeing many of the widows, orphans and others who are filling the churches. These are big issues the church faces in the Congo."
The Free Church of the Congo, known by its acronym "CECU" in French, has grown greatly over the years, now numbering nearly 900 churches and at least 150,000 members, and many more adherents, across the Ubangi. Most are simple village churches, built of local materials with poles stuck in the ground, walls made of mud, and a grass roof. Some are in mud block and a few even have tin roofs.
This afternoon:
Those on our team (such as Cal) leaving for the hospital in Tandala left on the three-hour trip by 4-wheel drive. Pray that they arrive safely and are able to minister effectively the grace of Jesus at the hospital.
Hi Honey! Can't type much due to power issues.
I'm sorry we were not able to connect with the church this morning. The computer equipment wasn't working due to insufficient power. You have to be VERY flexible here.
I'm speaking tomorrow to 1,200 pastors but I still don't know how long or on exactly what. I have a general idea. I'm learning how to fly by winging it!
It's pretty amazing here. Things continue to go well. The people are EXTREMELY gracious by giving what they have, even when they have sooo little. It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 8:1-4. In many ways, the African church is like the Church in the second century, in terms of infrastructure and leadership. Many reasons for this, but I'll explain that later.Please pass on whatever information you think is appropriate. I realize there isn't much here but things are going to shut down in seconds!
- Martin
The Evangelical Free Church missions leaders write this about the Conference:
What's the goal for the extended short-term missions team in the Congo? The Evangelical Free Church wants everyone involved to come away with a clear vision for what God is doing in the Congo through the Free Church, and how we might partner together as individuals and churches.
This may well be in the areas of AIDS ministry, teaching pastors, caring for sick people, teaching medical staff, and countless other things.
We do know that during this first week we are in the Ubangi (roughly July 22-26), there will be a huge pastor's conference taking place. This conference brings together at least 1,500 pastors of all levels of training plus many of their wives for days or training and bonding.
We expect that the several pastors on the trip, including Pastor Martin, will have the opportunity to teach during those days. We also expect that the pastors will be asked to preach both Sundays we are there.
The first Sunday (today) was in Gemena. This is the largest city in the area -- about 150,000 people. (The team flew into Gemena on Saturday.) It is also the site of the EV Free denominational office. Within the city there are five EV Free churches, and within a few miles more there are several others. Each pastor went to a different church to speak on Sunday morning.
The mission writes further: "We will also divide up the rest of the team so that several people go with you. We’ll try to have one of us who can translate with each team. After the service, there will be a meal of African food served by the ladies in the church – the best!
A similar scene will occur the second Sunday we are there. However, some will be at Tandala at that point and others still in Gemena or possibly elsewhere. But the setting will be the same."
More information on the Pastor's Conference:
During the first week, there will be a very unique thing happening ... the Pastor's Training Conference. Martin will be asked to speak on “the Ten Leading Indicators of a Healthy Church.” He will be given 15 minutes at another time to share with the assembly on the topic of “The Pastor and his Ministry.” As President Selenga has written, “Although the environment in which you work is very different from ours, we think that your experiences in the form of testimony or counsel to the pastors of the CECU will greatly help them.” Martin will also be sharing or observing in various small group sessions.
"Perhaps a great value in the Lord’s timing in having this conference while we are there," the mission leaders write, "is that these pastors will be able to dialogue with many Congolese pastors and get a sense for who they are, how God is using them, and at the same time ask them lots of questions about important issues they face ... such as AIDS, youth, church polity, the importance of biblical expository preaching, etc.
The pastors will also be seeing many of the widows, orphans and others who are filling the churches. These are big issues the church faces in the Congo."
The Free Church of the Congo, known by its acronym "CECU" in French, has grown greatly over the years, now numbering nearly 900 churches and at least 150,000 members, and many more adherents, across the Ubangi. Most are simple village churches, built of local materials with poles stuck in the ground, walls made of mud, and a grass roof. Some are in mud block and a few even have tin roofs.
This afternoon:
Those on our team (such as Cal) leaving for the hospital in Tandala left on the three-hour trip by 4-wheel drive. Pray that they arrive safely and are able to minister effectively the grace of Jesus at the hospital.
posted by Larry Short at 8:18 PM
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