August 13, 2008

God is at work in Kenya! Jack’s report: “This past weekend saw the birth of a new church, Garatua, at Ol Kalau. This represents the 16th church started this year in the Central Region of the BMOK (Baptist Convention of Kenya) as a part of a momentum generated by last year’s CPM (Church Planting Movement) training in the area. This may not seem like a large number, but it sets the standard for churches to emerge within six months of CPM training in Kenya! Expectations are high from the February ‘08 training of 16 key church planters from all over Kenya. Already, reports confirm that their training has resulted in the training of 1,600 church members and 26 associations of churches. Pray for the harvest to come and that it will be well grounded in discipleship and multiplication!”

Bert’s report: One hundred plus “Women of Impact” – this described the group who had just finished a seven week Bible study. This study had assured each of us that we were “Women of Impact” and more importantly had prepared us to train others to be God’s “Women of Impact.” As I sat among these women last Sunday during the closing session of our Bible study, each woman was challenged to find 12 more women to lead through this Bible study. We were the second step in this new multiplication tool being used at Parklands Baptist Church. Twelve women had worked through this Bible study with Martha, our pastor’s wife, earlier this year and during the last few weeks, these twelve had each taught a class of twelve. No, all didn’t make it through the entire study, but the majority of us did!

“I don’t know that many verses. How can I lead others in Bible study? What if they ask questions I cannot answer?” Another woman spoke these words last Sunday, but I could remember speaking these words almost 30 years ago when Parklands was still a baby church. I also remember the reply given by my first Bible study teacher at Parklands, Gena Hampton, an IMB (FMB) missionary – “You don’t have to know it all. Do your best, be prepared and continue learning as you teach. You only have to be one step ahead to lead! A Bible study leader must simply lead the others through the Bible study, not know it all!” I also remembered the struggles that Gena and others faced leading the first Bible study classes at Parklands. I remembered their frustration at the lack of response and commitment by some. I also remembered their joy when members became Christians and when many matured spiritually and took responsibilities in the church. I thought of Gena’s legacy – In 1978 there was one Parkland’s Women’s Bible study class. In the last few weeks as other classes met, there was a Bible study with 144 women, 12 teachers and 1 master teacher – ALL now trained to lead Women’s Bible study groups in our church, new church starts, mission points, and in their offices and neighbourhoods! Pray for us as we become a part of Jack’s prayer: Pray for the harvest to come and that it will be well grounded in discipleship and multiplication!

Yes, God is at work in Kenya! Thank you for being a part of this as you support us through your prayers and through your gifts to the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas offerings! Bert Yates