Even though he had many hats, he still only had one head, and only one hat could be worn at a time. As a result, each of the hats didn't get "worn" as much as they should have been. Finally, before we went on furlough to Canada, Mike assembled a hiring committee to help search for a person to work full-time in school discipleship, and we also made the volunteer who had been helping us with the Jesus Film to be a part-time staff person.
These two men of God, Walter and Ceasar, have stepped into their roles with all their hearts and given these ministries the "Tender Loving Care" that they deserve. And, surprise, surprise, things are flourishing! (And the office finances are getting caught up too!!).
So what has been happening? Let us first take a look at the School Discipleship ministry.
School Discipleship
Walter called a meeting of local church leaders to talk about this vision and come up with a unified strategy to build meaningful relationships with the schools. The plan they came up with was to move together as a team of church leaders from various denominations from school-to-school and have a program where they would share a message from the Bible, and a personal testimony. They would rotate who would preach and who would share the testimony. And they would praise and worship God together, as one Body of Christ!
So, the plan is in action, and it is producing fruit! The team of leaders have reached 5 schools up to now. They have all gone well, but we most encouraged by the story of the visit to the ALARM Pader Technical Centre.
We had some concern that since we called the church leaders together in the first place, they may not see this ministry as their own, but rather as belonging to Emmanuel International. However, we have also been encouraged to see that there is a core of 5-6 church leaders who have attended every single school, and who demonstrate a passion for youth ministry. The church leaders have also, on their own, started to discuss how they can do follow-up with the many students who have come forward to be prayed for.
Please pray that God will keep opening the doors and building strong relationships and unity so that the secondary students in Pader will have spiritual mothers and fathers who will care for their well-being while they are navigating the storms of adolescence!
Next post: A Little TLC...Part 2, focus on the Jesus Film Ministry