INTERNATIONAL MISSION TEAMS IMT is a mission initiative of Perth Bible College. PBC, since 1928, has had a heart for mission and ministry, this continues to today. IMT now forms a regular part of the practical outworking of this heart for mission. The vision of IMT is: To partner with, encourage, and build up under-resourced networks of Christian leaders across the world. In many lands and contexts, especially the under-resourced rural and regional areas of the developing world, there exists neither opportunity nor ongoing support to ensure the continual strengthening of the churches that were planted. As one pastor from South Sudan puts it: The missionaries have told us about the gospel and we believed. But they never told us what it means to be a mature Christian. This leaves those people and churches open to becoming weak, syncretistic, affected by heresy, or completely side-tracked by cults or other religions. We believe the missional partnering approach of identifying key network relationships, identifying and addressing particular training and development needs, and of sending training teams, short term yet regularly, is one of the most effective ways of strengthening the churches and facilitating a deep genuine indigenous response. In essence it is: Short Term Mission with Long Term Vision. Investing in partnerships and leaders ensures the growth of the churches and is one of the most effective ways of impacting an entire community for Christ. What is learned by the leaders is readily passed on to all. In other words: Train One Feed Many. IMT AFRICA After working in Cambodia since 2008, we commenced a work in Kenya, Uganda (among the South Sudanese), and Ethiopia in December 2016. The team (see photo below) was itself international, with each team member coming from a different country, with someone belonging to the country visited, and speaking the local languages of the people we worked amongst. The diversity and unity of the team was commented on by many of the participants at the conference and proved to be an incredible asset as it: Demonstrated unity in diversity. Enabled immediate connection to the local community. Brought an international teaching authority. Naturally cut through language and cultural barriers. Enabled immediate and effective communication around specific cultural issues. The topics presented at each conference included: God s will, Integrity, Forgiveness Social Concern, Corruption Marriage and Family Preaching and Interpretation Church Ministries, Honest Leadership The Highlights: The impact of a truly international team. 21 denominations coming together as one in Kenya. Kenyan pastors embracing the South Sudanese churches in Eldoret. 15 South Sudanese tribes unified in Uganda. The stance of the Sudanese against cultural allegiance and the embrace of oneness. God s blessing through finances, safety, national organising teams, and unity. The IMT team in Kampala, Uganda, December 2016 James Samuel, Meseret Cohen, Dr David Smith, Darius Kemboi
KENYA We held a three day pastors and leaders conference in Eldoret to serve those in the surrounding rural areas. Darius Kemboi, a church pastor from Kenya, and a PBC graduate, has a heart to serve and lead his own people. He coordinated the Kenyan work which provided training to 90 leaders across 21 denominations. The conference included 70 delegates from Kenya and 20 from among the South Sudanese community residing in Eldoret (There is a large population of South Sudanese refugees in Kenya). Many of the participants commented on how great it was to have so many denominations come together for the first time. Such an interdenominational gathering had not been experienced before by the leaders in and around Eldoret. The South Sudanese churches had previously never felt accepted or included by the Kenyan churches until now. The Kenyan pastors all prayed specifically for the healing of the poverty, war, and division in South Sudan. This was a key moment of acknowledgment and acceptance. The unity experienced and expressed at the conference was compared by some to Revelation 7:9, After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. We experienced a taste of this image of heaven on earth. A number of young South Sudanese leaders expressed that they now want to go back to their own country to preach the gospel. During the conference they felt empowered and encouraged, especially through seeing Meseret, our youngest team member (21), participating in the program. They identified with her because of her age, nationality, and background, and captured a vision of what could be for them. Eldoret is Darius hometown. Having Darius return home to work among his own people impacted those in Kenya. They experienced the love that Darius had for them. We presented sessions on social concern and the need for pastors to be supported. This was a new concept to many. Often the leaders were doing ministry alone without any form of pastoral care. The conference provided a unique opportunity for relationship building which we hope will provide an ongoing support network for the pastors in the future. The group discussion times enabled the people to learn from each other s experiences and provided a place for open conversations about difficult and challenging topics. The cultural default in Kenya is to not talk openly about difficult issues. This is a problem because if the church is not open and ready to discuss such issues then people tend to find answers through listening to other voices. However, at this conference, we saw the pastors asking the difficult questions about topics like corruption and marriage, and openly talking about them together. This overflowed into the many question and answer times we had following the conference sessions. The IMT conference served to encourage further study and to promote the local Bible Colleges in the Eldoret area. The conference exceeded the hopes and plans of the team. The unity and diversity of the team which flowed over into the conference was the highlight. The unity will last and grow beyond the conference. IMT Kenya - Pastors and Leaders Conference 2016
MONICA S STORY Monica is 17 years old and originally from South Sudan. She now lives in Eldoret, Kenya, as a refugee, having fled the strife in her own country. She believes her immediate family are still in South Sudan. Monica now is left to find a home with anyone who is willing to care for her. She is a youth leader at her church and has a passion for ministry. We first met Monica at the conference in Eldoret. We noticed her when she gave feedback from one of the group discussion sessions. After Meseret shared her testimony Monica came and spoke to David saying, I can t believe I was chosen to come to the conference, it must be from God. On hearing the story of how God changed Meseret s life and seeing her participate as part of the IMT team at such a young age she said, I have a new hope for what God can do in my life. Monica also showed interest in studying at Perth Bible College in the future, but was concerned that the people who were caring for her would no longer be able to afford to support her to finish high school. All the members of the team saw Monica s potential to be a future leader among her people and decided to find the required support for her schooling if needed. Once we returned to Australia Monica emailed us confirming that she had no support to enable her to resume school for 2017. In conjunction with Monica s church in Eldoret, the team quickly arranged for her sponsorship. There are thousands like Monica, who live as refugees, displaced from their homeland, not eligible for government schooling, and are unable to continue their education in the country of refuge without the funding of sponsors. Monica Malith with Meseret Cohen
UGANDA / SOUTH SUDAN Following the work in Kenya we travelled to Uganda to work among the South Sudanese pastors and leaders that have been displaced from their war-torn homeland. There are over 1 million South Sudanese refugees in Africa with over 500,000 refugees who have moved to Uganda to escape the violence. James Samuel, a key South Sudanese pastor and PBC student, led this important work in Uganda. The focus of the conference was to: build a faith foundation that leads to allegiance to God first rather than tribe, to confront nominalism, and to provide a pathway for deep discipleship and faithful witness. The conference in Kampala, Uganda hosted over 100 South Sudanese leaders from 15 tribes representing 13 churches. A gathering of such tribal and church unity had never been seen before among the South Sudanese. We found an audience who were hungry to learn from the Word of God. Many were younger in the faith and in age than those in Kenya, needing more time on the basics. When we taught on Knowing your Gifts, they were keen to know what their gifting was so that they can serve God in that area. As one of the speakers put it, they had the hot oil and the meat (themselves as the ingredients) while we brought the fire to the leaders (to put it all together and make the meal). James and Meseret shared their testimonies, and again their stories proved powerful, lifting the eyes of the people to a vision of hope, of how God transforms lives for his purposes. They were so open and receptive to being challenged on cultural issues. Many people had questions on the topic of marriage and relationships. There was one moment when David was speaking, and James who was interpreting into Arabic took over and spoke forcefully on the issue of marriage, speaking on how the dowry system is being used to oppress rather than bless their people. James felt empowered by being part of an international team to boldly confront his own people on a number of cultural points. One of the most profound moments we had was after David spoke about allegiance, to God or to culture. Most people struggle, being tied to tribal and cultural allegiance, rather than only having allegiance to Christ in all things. At the conclusion of this session people publicly took a stand against division, disunity, and cultural allegiances. They expressed complete acceptance of each other, laying down tribal differences. It was a moment to be remembered. At the end of the conference James said, We thought we went to serve the leaders, but we ended up serving the entire nation. The unity of such an international team allowed them to see unity in action with their own eyes, as something to be followed to break down tribal divisions. Some commented it was the gospel in action. IMT South Sudan - Pastors and Leaders Conference 2016 in Uganda
ETHIOPIA It is also anticipated that we will commence a work in Ethiopia in the future. Following the conferences in Kenya and Uganda the team held meetings with pastors in Ethiopia to discuss the needs and possibilities for training leaders in the needy regions of that land. Meseret Cohen, a PBC student originally from Ethiopia, feels called to work among her own people and is leading the development of the work there. We spoke with pastors about the vision of IMT, as well as asking them to share about their heart for ministry, theory training needs and opportunities, and the strengths and weaknesses of the various church networks. The first meeting was with pastor Minday, the senior pastor in a Baptist church in Addis Ababa with around 400 members. He has a heart for training and resourcing the rural churches, which is a ministry he is doing by himself. The second meeting was with Pastor Meseret who is currently serving in a small rural town of Siri, two hours from Addis Ababa. He is working among the Ethiopian Orthodox converts who are often persecuted by the Orthodox followers. They have about 21 rural churches with no access to training of any description. We also met with Mulugeta, who is the head of the Christian Brethren churches of Ethiopia. They have around 200 churches across the country. Currently he runs interdenominational leadership training in Addis Ababa and also in one regional centre. The leaders also spoke of the various challenges they are facing, namely: nominalism, integrity, prosperity doctrine, family issues, and prophecy addiction. These issues are not only in Ethiopia but extend right across the churches in Africa. We are still praying about how we can best partner with these and other pastors as we explore the possibilities of working together. It was good to meet the leaders and we are excited about the future possibilities in Ethiopia. Discussing leadership training possibilities with Pastor Minday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES IN KENYA, UGANDA/SOUTH SUDAN & ETHIOPIA While the countries visited have had a Christian witness for many years it is evident that the depth of the Christian witness needs attention. The impact of cults and other religious influences in Africa is clearly evident. The influences fall into four major categories: NOMINALISM From the early mission days the mainline churches have made great impact across the country, mainly driven through their social development programs. Today these denominations have a large church following due to their ongoing and sizeable social input. Many of the local churches themselves, however, perpetuate a Christian tradition devoid of life transformation. The people belong to the church, often either because of what they can get from the church in the way of support and social development rather than having a passion for the gospel. Therefore the result is social nominalism on a grand scale. A number of participants representing these churches attended the conferences, including the Anglican Bishop of the South Sudanese in Kenya. Specific to Ethiopia is the Orthodox Church. In Ethiopia, where Christianity has been present since the third century, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is embedded in the culture. To be Ethiopian is to be an Orthodox Christian. However, the Orthodox Church is concerned with a tradition of rituals not transformation of hearts. A typical Orthodox Christian will mix animistic practices, like witchcraft and ancestral worship, with Orthodox observances, and still consider themselves Christian. Orthodox Christians are also antagonistic toward born again believers to the point of persecution. CULTS & OTHER RELIGIONS The Jehovah s Witnesses, Mormons and Potters House have large followings in the areas visited. These like the mainline churches offer significant social assistance. This naturally attracts the allegiance of the poor. The Potters House, however, attracts its followers mainly through the appeal of the next two points, namely prophetic and prosperity promises. Islam has a presence in each country, the most prevalent is in South Sudan. South Sudan, nominally Christian, was formed in 2011 to break away from the Islamic North. However, the influence and oppression of Islam from the North to the South is growing. PROSPERITY DOCTRINE The desperation of the poor provides a ready ear for those who would pedal the prosperity heresy which is rife throughout Africa. There are many church leaders who, either because they have little biblical depth, or because they enjoy the appeal of the message, have built their congregations on the promise of wealth and prosperity through faith and allegiance to their particular church. This prosperity influence has flowed over into the life and language of most Pentecostal and Evangelical churches. Coming to God for life improvement and advancement is the topic of the day. PROPHETIC FOLLOWINGS There exists across Africa a desire to pursue the prophetic. This is fed by a number of things. Firstly there is a great gap between the knowledge of the pastors and the general biblical knowledge of the congregants, allowing for a godlike status to be attributed to the preacher. Secondly the desperation of the people, because of their poverty, produces a desire to follow anything that seems to provide a possibility of hope for more. We found among the people we served an inability to biblically discern the veracity of any prophetic message. This lack of discernment coupled with a desire to improve life, fuels the prophetic followings and has created an atmosphere ripe for the development of personality cults. In this environment a gospel of the heart is replaced with a gospel for improving the moment. While engaging in social concern in a moderate way, the evangelicals have largely focussed on evangelism through proclamation. Thus the attraction of those offering social assistance, or appeal through prosperity or prophetic promises works against the spread of the gospel in many areas.
STATEMENTS FROM AFRICAN PASTORS This was special because the teachers didn t come from one denomination, but many, and they represented four countries. The testimonies shared by James and Meseret really encouraged us to commit our lives to Christ and serve him. When people become a believer they often don t know how to interpret the Bible. I found this time so helpful. It was the first time for many of the churches to come together in Kampala. The unity of the churches was a real highlight. We want more of this biblical teaching on family, rather than holding onto our traditional views. Now my eyes are open. If the things we have been taught go out and the people of South Sudan take these issues seriously - it could save our country, we might not need the UN. You can see the need in the refugee camps, one of the main needs is training. The people will all take back to their churches what they have been taught. Thousands will hear what has been taught here. We want to thank the Australian churches for supporting and remembering us. 2017 IMT CONFERENCE SUMMARY God willing it is anticipated that we will send teams to conduct the following IMT conferences during 2017. Country City Dates Participants Cost Cambodia Siem Reap July 10-15 150 $15000 or $100 per leader Kenya Eldoret Nov 29-Dec 4 200 $15000 or $75 per leader South Sudan/ Uganda Kampala December 5-10 200 $15000 or $75 per leader Ethiopia Addis Ababa December 14-16 50 $5000 or $100 per leader IMT PARTNERING All participants in the countries we work in are expected to contribute to the cost of the training according to their means. However, the leaders who attend these conferences are mostly very poor, many surviving from day to day. To be able to attend these conferences they need others like us to assist in meeting the transport, food, and accommodation costs. We invite you to share financially and prayerfully in this work. All funds raised go toward supporting the training of the conference delegates. If you are able to assist, tax deductible donations can be made via the Perth Bible College website. Click on the donate button at the bottom of the home page. TRAIN ONE - FEED MANY Perth Bible College, 1 College Court, Karrinyup, WA, 6018 P: 9243 2000 E: imt@pbc.wa.edu.au www.pbc.wa.edu.au