One of the greatest Joys of being on the mission field is directly “seeing” and “hearing” the effect of God’s Word on the hearts and minds of the
people. While we attempt to convey some of this through the newsletters, the fact remains that your prayers and support are a much greater act of Faith than what we do in the field. You do not “hear” the glorious prayers of the pastors ringing out from the Bible School as we arrive in the morning darkness. You do not “see” the joyful tears of a grown man receiving his first Bible School Certificate...a pastor who is barely literate, and has never been encouraged in his service to the Lord. We literally see the spiritual fruit ripening before our eyes, and abounding to God’s Glory. At the end of every semester, the pastors provide their comments through answers on a short questionnaire. I keep some of them in the back of my Bible...and pull them out to remind me of the reality, the truth, and the power of what God’s Word is accomplishing in and through His “Pastors of the Least”. We hope you will gain further insight into the Ministry and the eternal, yet ground level, effect it is having in the lives of the “Pastors of the Least”. And we trust you will be encouraged, and even challenged, as you hear from their hearts...directly, and unedited...
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What part of the Program do you find most challenging? The discipline of the schedule, volunteering and studies have challenged me and changed me for God’s glory The schedule: it encourages me to wake up early, to deepen myself in the Word of God, and to know God more and more The reality of the true Gospel message of the Cross of Jesus Christ, as exposed in class, really challenged me. I was used to the false gospel of Prosperity, which has failed the church Through volunteering duties at the school, I have learned that the time factor in ministry is important. No time should be wasted Studying each chapter verse by verse
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How did this Semester’s classes help you or change you? You have helped me to understand the real Gospel of Jesus Christ It has helped me develop my Christian Character I am now able to memorize Scriptures, and meditate on God’s Word My spiritual life and my preaching have changed: both are now firmly based upon the Word of God I have learned to labor with my own hands to help the needy and my family The classes have directly dealt with specific situations in my life in a way that surprised me. I was given the direction of what to do and not to do, until now I can say, it was all the doing of the Lord As I was exposed to the truthfulness of God’s revealed Word, I was actually healed. I had been sick. The false gospel in Kenya had kept me in bondage in my sickness I understand what Context is, and how important it is. This is something I never knew It has changed my ministry conduct and my behavior, knowing the time is short. I use every hour to teach and preach It has eliminated false interpretations that have been handed down to me It is when we claim to be complete, and then we go through His holy Word, that we find we have been misled by our own understanding It was not just a Change; it was Transformation!
What is the Single Most Significant Change that has taken place in YOU as a result of your participation in the Bible Institute? • The message of the Cross of Christ I received at DSM has set my life free! • I have known the truth of the Word of God through DSM • My daily life has changed in focus, in a more Godly way, not earthly ways • I see the need to heed and draw more closely to my Creator, so that I may not be found still sleeping and searching for worldly gains, and so-called prosperity • I am working now, and teaching people they should work for a living, no idleness • I learned to improve my Prayer Life and to develop Patience in handling situations • I have the fear of God’s enemies no more • I have now known that if I use the Word of God correctly, many will know the truth, but some will hate me • I have come to realize some of my problems are due to my own sin, and through the teaching I have repented • I am now treating all people with respect and the love of Christ • I have learned to call and then wait upon the Lord. And to be content with what I have • I did not know how to interpret any verse in the Bible. Now I can, and correctly! • What we were taught has sunk deep into my spirit • All Pride has vanished away
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What Changes have taken place in your CHURCH since attending the Bible Institute? Members have started to depend upon the Word of God in all things. There is great maturity in the members. People in our church are now waiting for and expecting the Word! I have been able to point out to our Pastors that we must now teach and emphasize the Gospel. Rapid transformation is taking place! Our church has started studying the Bible, book-by-book, and chapter-by-chapter. Praise God! At first, our church was not interested in Teaching - but rather pleasant preaching of blessings and prosperity. But it has changed. They now prefer and understand Bible Teaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ, as I have now learned it, has brought a new beginning in my Ministry Improvement in the Bible teaching at our church has brought growth and spiritual maturity Previously, I preached about prosperity, but now I teach them about eternal life We have changed the system of denominational teaching, and now we teach the Word of God My congregation can now read the Bible by themselves and understand! The church has learned to fear God, and has increased in His knowledge There is a now a standard of Holiness in the ministry I lead
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Other comments… This School is of immense benefit to me and my church I thank God for what DSM has done to my life through the provision of rightful Bible teaching. It has transformed my life radically This School has the zeal of teaching the Word without diluting it. Keep it up! Praise be to God for this Bible School! For through it, God is bringing Revival in the church. Especially by laying the foundation of God’s Word. My comment is to say you - continue teaching the Word of God! You are helping us very much! The Sponsors should be assured that their Sponsorship is not in vain. Something profound is taking place within the Nairobi churches and community!
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urely the testimonies of these pastors and ministry leaders are a testimony of the Lord’s grace and power. And yet we know that God works through His people. You are His hands, feet and heart here on earth until His return. As such, the testimonies shared are an indication of the fruit that is abounding...as you enable, equip and co-labor by Faith, with the pastors...together bearing “ fruit that remains”. We pray that you will be encouraged. We pray that all of us may continue to reap this great harvest that God has begun in the desperate darkness of the urban slums of Africa. Each of us bringing our little loaves and fish...to be multiplied by the effective working of the Body of Christ in love... “…(through) speaking the Truth in Love, (the Church Body) may grow up In all things into Him Who is the head – Christ From whom the whole Body, Joined and knit together By what every joint supplies, According to the effective working By which every part does its share, Cause Growth of the Body For the edifying of itself in Love.” Eph 4.15