I hate to overwhelm you with prayer items during these days of economic stress and election fever, but as I sat in church this morning, I realized that I had to share what I was experiencing! I owe it those of you who have supported the Baptist work in Kenya as you prayed, gave to the Lottie Moon Offering and Cooperative Program, and as many have come to serve with us. Plus this is good news, really good news, unlike most news these days!
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I must admit that I arrived at church this morning a little frustrated. The chairman of the Trustees of our mission board (IMB), Dr. Paul Chitwood, is in the city and it was arranged for him to speak at Parklands Baptist Church this morning. I love Parklands, but I know from past experiences that many of our special guests have more unique experiences if they attend a newer church start or one of the churches that is located in the slums or more difficult areas rather than our biggest church. But I left the service praising God that this seminary professor has experienced such a testimony to what happens when the Great Commission is lived out!
Now to begin, you must understand that this morning was not designated a special service, but between the announcements and guests it became an incredible time of praise and worship. Early in the service, the leader of the United Church of Gujarat, a mission of Parklands, reminded everyone of the special “Gujarati Gospel Music Concert” to be held this next weekend. He shared their desire to reach the thousands in Kenya from India who do not know of our Savour’s love and salvation. Then a special volunteer team was introduced from Tokyo Baptist Church in Japan! The group included a man from the Philippines, a woman from Taiwan, an American businessman working in Japan and his family, Kenyans working/studying in Japan, and several Japanese women. This team worked last week with a Parkland’s team among the Ilchamus, a Kenyan unreached people group that Parklands has engaged with the gospel by sending Kenyan missionaries and teams to the area..jpg)
The Tokyo Baptist team first made contact with Parklands through a young Kenyan, John Mativo, who attended their church while completing his doctorate in Japan – a young man who was in the Royal Ambassadors group that some of the missionaries at Parklands began in the late 1970’s!
Later the church watched a film clip that was taken by a deacon last week as he visited in Southern Sudan. The star of the film was a greatly missed member of the church named Mark, who is the leader of the church’s popular Christian rock group and a member of the Kenyan armed services. Mark sent greetings to the church from his post in Southern Sudan where he is serving with a peace-keeping unit. During his time off, Mark who has been discipled and trained at Parklands, is active in starting new churches in this country where few “foreign” missionaries can survive or are even allowed! I almost forgot to include two other exciting announcements we heard this morning – A Parklands team will go next month to Indonesia on a mission trip to East Timor AND the Prison Ministries’ Team in western Kenya this week-end called the pastor to report that 300 prisoners accepted Christ as their Saviour yesterday in the Kakamega Prison!
I have not talked with Professor Chitwood and heard his reactions, but I know how I felt after the service this morning – it was a true example of what happens when God’s children obediently participate in their Saviour’s Great Commission of going to all nations to make, baptize and teach disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The missionaries who struggled from 1978 to begin Parklands had great hopes, but I think this morning was proof that God has been at work blessing their early work in ways beyond even their dreams! Their seeds have not only taken root, but grown and are multiplying. All of this is also the result of lots of prayers and lots of financial giving so THANK YOU for your part of God’s work in Kenya! And don’t stop praying, giving, and investing time in Kenya. The harvest remains plentiful in Kenya and workers are needed for prayer, financial and personnel support! Bert Yates
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I must admit that I arrived at church this morning a little frustrated. The chairman of the Trustees of our mission board (IMB), Dr. Paul Chitwood, is in the city and it was arranged for him to speak at Parklands Baptist Church this morning. I love Parklands, but I know from past experiences that many of our special guests have more unique experiences if they attend a newer church start or one of the churches that is located in the slums or more difficult areas rather than our biggest church. But I left the service praising God that this seminary professor has experienced such a testimony to what happens when the Great Commission is lived out!Now to begin, you must understand that this morning was not designated a special service, but between the announcements and guests it became an incredible time of praise and worship. Early in the service, the leader of the United Church of Gujarat, a mission of Parklands, reminded everyone of the special “Gujarati Gospel Music Concert” to be held this next weekend. He shared their desire to reach the thousands in Kenya from India who do not know of our Savour’s love and salvation. Then a special volunteer team was introduced from Tokyo Baptist Church in Japan! The group included a man from the Philippines, a woman from Taiwan, an American businessman working in Japan and his family, Kenyans working/studying in Japan, and several Japanese women. This team worked last week with a Parkland’s team among the Ilchamus, a Kenyan unreached people group that Parklands has engaged with the gospel by sending Kenyan missionaries and teams to the area.
.jpg)
The Tokyo Baptist team first made contact with Parklands through a young Kenyan, John Mativo, who attended their church while completing his doctorate in Japan – a young man who was in the Royal Ambassadors group that some of the missionaries at Parklands began in the late 1970’s!Later the church watched a film clip that was taken by a deacon last week as he visited in Southern Sudan. The star of the film was a greatly missed member of the church named Mark, who is the leader of the church’s popular Christian rock group and a member of the Kenyan armed services. Mark sent greetings to the church from his post in Southern Sudan where he is serving with a peace-keeping unit. During his time off, Mark who has been discipled and trained at Parklands, is active in starting new churches in this country where few “foreign” missionaries can survive or are even allowed! I almost forgot to include two other exciting announcements we heard this morning – A Parklands team will go next month to Indonesia on a mission trip to East Timor AND the Prison Ministries’ Team in western Kenya this week-end called the pastor to report that 300 prisoners accepted Christ as their Saviour yesterday in the Kakamega Prison!
I have not talked with Professor Chitwood and heard his reactions, but I know how I felt after the service this morning – it was a true example of what happens when God’s children obediently participate in their Saviour’s Great Commission of going to all nations to make, baptize and teach disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The missionaries who struggled from 1978 to begin Parklands had great hopes, but I think this morning was proof that God has been at work blessing their early work in ways beyond even their dreams! Their seeds have not only taken root, but grown and are multiplying. All of this is also the result of lots of prayers and lots of financial giving so THANK YOU for your part of God’s work in Kenya! And don’t stop praying, giving, and investing time in Kenya. The harvest remains plentiful in Kenya and workers are needed for prayer, financial and personnel support! Bert Yates
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