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"Before the week, I was in a tomb, but after the teachings, I was resurrected.”

6/10/2019

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As I reflect upon the teachings from this past week, I am in awe at the work God did in these leaders’ hearts and minds.  As we wrapped up on Friday, several of the leaders spoke about what they had learned this week. And then this morning, several of the Equip the Next Generation leaders shared more about what they had gained from last week.  Here are what a few of the leaders said (with interpretation by Theophile):

Oscar (Equip a Church Leader):  “I am now armed with power to stand before those who deny the existence of God… I now have a box of tools to respond to questions.”

Eric (Equip a Church Leader): Before this week, “personally I was lazy in my thinking.  I thought that thinking a lot was not good...I meet many people who deny God’s existence.  I now have a full box of materials to defend the existence of God...I will share these teachings to my congregations.”  

Betty (Equip the Next Generation): “If I had not been here last week, I would have lost the best opportunity of my life...My life was rescued. I was wounded for a long time...I would be happy around people, but when I was alone, I was not.  Last Thursday, I shared everything from my heart in our small group, and I am now free. I plan to take the 1st step ... to tell the people who hurt me that I forgive them…. Before the week, I was in a tomb, but after the teachings, I was resurrected.”

Moses (Equip the Next Generation): I learned that “Everywhere God puts you–if you can approach it from God’s truth–you can be a good servant in that area.  Where you’re working is not about your salary but how God is using you there...If we apply what we learned, we can change Africa, not just Rwanda.”
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As these leaders shared with the group, I could only express gratitude to God that he would use me to bring about the transformation these leaders had experienced.  Frank put into words what I was feeling: “This is God’s Church, and these leaders deserve better than us; BUT, we are here. God has put us here.”  God has prepared a way for me to be here and teach.  I am brought to tears that the God of the universe would use a broken vessel like me to train up these leaders.
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As Oscar expressed, these leaders are being “armed with power!”  Yes! God is raising up an army of church leaders here in Rwanda who are ready to give a defense for the hope they have (1 Peter 3:15).  And amazingly, he is using imperfect people, like me, to raise up this army. Part of God’s mysterious ways in working in the world is to include us in the blessing of bringing His kingdom here.  
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Let us give praise to God for the transformation he brought about in the leaders’ hearts and minds this past week!  

Alison


“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done” (1 Chronicles 16:8).  

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“Are you raising up an army?”

6/8/2019

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Picture
​The two groups on Friday celebrating after a week of “An Introduction to The Christian Worldview.”
This past week was the first time the church leaders (EACL) and the next generation (ETNG) joined together for a week of teaching.  Alison DeLong introduced the two groups to ten major categories of a Christian worldview; interpreting every area of life (philosophy, ethics, science, law, etc.) through the lens of God’s truth. This seemed to be a new approach for the entire group.  The approach of considering how the Bible applies to every sphere of life was different than studying the life of Christ, the journeys of Paul, Galatians, etc. Also, this approach heightened their realization of living out what they claim they believe. There were expressions of confession and repentance. It was truly a powerful week. They requested future weeks where we go deeper in politics, economics, sociology, the place of mind and emotions, etc.

Alison and I rejoiced with the many things they expressed and how the Holy Spirit was working in a powerful way. However, one of their questions caused us to pause. One of the church leaders was expressing his excitement about what he was learning and how this was different from how they had ever approached the Bible. Then he asked a question about the Church in the United States. Are you raising up an army to teach this? I understood him to mean, raising up an army for Rwanda, Africa, and the world to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
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What do you think? Are we raising up an army?
Frank
Picture
EACL and ETNG groups under the tent with Alison, Theophile, and Frank
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