December 3, 2014

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Do Jack and I honestly believe that obeying our Saviour’s Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 can lead to the day when the eternal gospel is proclaimed to all “on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:7)? YES!!!  And the best part is that this IS happening!

As the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, I have the joy of reading prayers letters from IMB workers among Sub-Saharan African Peoples. This means that every day I get to read reports of how co-workers are going, making disciples, baptizing and teaching. An added joy for me is that it is my job to share these stories. You can also read some of these stories at Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Yes, this is on FB, but can be viewed by anyone.

Bert's new Facebook Cover photo added to promote the LMCO.
An old photo, but one of my favourites of a child walking home
 with a Gospel tract clutched in his hand after a visit
with a group of NC Baptist Men and Women on Mission!

As the Principal of the Kenya Baptist Theological College, Jack gets to be a part of training Believers not just from Kenya, but from other African countries and hopefully in the near future from other continents, how to go, make disciples, baptize and teach God’s words and commands! For more from KBTC, visit Kenya Baptist Theological College.

We were blessed with two special events this past week which were extra special to us as they occurred during the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO) season. During our visit with the new National Council of the Baptist Convention of Kenya (BCOK), which met last week at KBTC, and at the dedication of the new worship centre of a Baptist church in Nairobi  on Sunday, Lottie Moon or the LMCO was never mentioned, yet Jack and know that the offering named for Lottie led to both of these special times.

The BCOK meeting held on campus last Thursday and Friday was special as we got to see many friends, but it was exciting to sense the enthusiasm and commitment of the 68 delegates from 20 regions of Baptist work representing every corner of Kenya. Jack’s response: "I am in awe of what God has done since 1956. Thank God for the BCOK, its leadership and the leadership of the Holy Spirit as Kenyan Baptists work towards the day when the eternal gospel is proclaimed 'to every nation, tribe, language and people.' Rev 14:7”

I love this road sign on Thika Road at the exit for the church
dedication. For those who have not been to Kenya for years,
Thika Road is now 12 lanes wide! The sign could have
added that 140 km (87 miles) past Garissa is Somalia.

Will you join us in praying for the leaders and churches represented at last week’s BCOK meeting? Many of those attending have never heard of Lottie Moon, but most, if not all, have been trained thanks to the LMCO as they’ve been taught by IMB missionaries, received scholarship help at KBTC and assistance for their churches, including Sunday School books, etc., which were funded in part by the LMCO? Will you pray that they will continue to grow in their desire and ability to share our Father’s love and salvation in their homes, villages, towns, cities and country, as well as in neighboring countries?

Praise of the Week: Pastor Chacha, a professor at KBTC,
has been very ill this year.  It was a joy to see him
and his wife, Florence, at the dedication last Sunday.

Sunday’s celebration at the church dedication was also a time of reunion with old friends and making new friends. It was a time of celebrating how a church begun 20 years ago with the help of several IMB missionaries (supported by the LMCO) is now a strong group of Believers (discipled and equipped by books funded by the LMCO, etc.) who had outgrown their first building (and yes, LMCO fund’s helped build this) and taken responsibility for their new building, as well as claiming their own responsibility for carrying out the Great Commission as they minister in their community and as they begin new churches!

Yes, I've said lots today about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, but that is because without this funding, we could not be in Kenya doing what we know God has called us to do! Therefore, I want you to know how thankful we are for your being our co-workers as you pray for us, send workers our way and as you do your part in giving to the LMCO and the Cooperative Program!

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Added note: An invitation from David Platt, IMB President: “What if thousands of churches came together on December 7 for the sake of spreading the gospel to all nations?” A full sermon video, a three minute sermon extract and a sermon outline are all available for download for use personally or in a church or small group setting. http://www.imb.org/2272.aspx
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Nudges to Action for SSAfrican Peoples at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples.

Kenya Baptist Theological College at https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege.

More on the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatwork.asp?PageNavID=111.