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Dave and John
left this evening. It has been a good week of teaching and learning from the
pastors here. On Thursday we had our last class session and spent time with the
students. They shared with us what they have learned in the class and it was
clear that they want TLI to keep sending teachers to teach. They showed that
the course has made a difference in their lives and were not shy to say that
they have been wrong in their interpretation of Scripture. One pastor stood up
and said that his church tradition is known for a lot of noise and no content.
He said it is so good to have a serious session in interpretation. He hopes
that they will move from being noisy to being serious about the truth of the
gospel. According to this pastor, they have always thought that a lot of noise
is evidence of the Spirit’s anointing but now they are seeing things
differently. Another student, to our shock, said that he started the class
believing that the Bible does have contradictions. In the end, he confessed
that he now believes with all his heart that the Bible fits well together and
does not contradict itself. These are just a few of the testimonies that were
given.
The students,
from the little that they had, gave gifts to all of us. They purchased African
clothes and gave us. We received them with much joy. This is a giving culture
and we have come to appreciate it.
Below are
comments from Dave and John about their time here.
From Dave Sowers
“Like newborn
babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in
respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).
Most of us have
seen a baby’s intense desire for milk, but we don’t always see, or experience
that level of desire for the word of God. But I saw that kind of hunger and
thirst for God’s word this week in Douala. By God’s grace, there was a great
eagerness to learn the Scriptures, and humility to acknowledge that they have
not given the Bible the attention it rightfully deserves. On the last day of
class several of them testified about how the classes had made a difference in
their lives (when Philemon gets back he will create a link to video clips). And
because these men are all pastors, whole churches will be influenced to be more
serious about the word. I am thankful for the opportunity to see God working in
the hearts of these students, and would say with Paul, “finally, brethren, pray
that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified” (2 Thess. 3:1).
Dave Sowers
From
John Bothof
"Being
asked to put my experience teaching hermeneutics to pastor in Douala, Cameroon
seems like an impossible task. Here goes! Everything I imagined that I would
experience in Douala was blown out the door in the first two days. The word
flexible has taken on a whole new meaning which is impossible to communicated
in words (you got to come and experience it for yourself, and yes, I believe
that is a plug). I have witnessed pastors who are hungry to learn how to
interpret the Bible faithfully. Churches who hunger for training full of warmth
and hospitality. A city in desperate need of well trained pastors who are
faithfully ministering the Word of God and bringing good news to the
spiritually confused and lost. And people just like me who need the warmth of
God's reconciling power found by faith in Jesus Christ. Oh, before I forget I
almost caused a riot (I'm embellishing a little) at 5:30 in the morning on
Sunday because of the bread dropping incident. Douala has the craziest
motorcycle drivers in the world. My son Isaiah has almost forgotten what I look
like because I've been gone so long. And I have grown to love this work more
each day and I regret leaving so soon. Last but not least, the greatest
experience has been God's humbling of my heart to serve pastors. To God be the
glory, and as I say with my kids at home with glasses raised high, 'and to the
kingdom'. Amen."
John Bothof
When I have access to good internet, I will put up pictures of our time here. Thank you all again for all your prayers on our behalf.
Philemon
Today we finished up with teaching and spent time with the
students encouraging them and listening to them tell us why they give thanks to
God for our coming. We were once again reminded that training pastors here is
important and strategic. As write this, Dr Randy Stinson and Gunnar are on
their way back already. Dave and John leave tomorrow and I (Philemon) will
travel to the village to visit my family for a few days.
Here are some thoughts from Dr Stinson on his time here.
“On the last day of this trip, I have a few thoughts:
- This
trip has been unforgettable for both me and my 15 year old son, Gunnar. We have
a lifetime of Gospel memories that I am sure we will be talking about when we
are both old. Living in the city of Douala for 8 days, gave us first hand
experience and observation of the world-wide need for the Gospel. We came on
this trip not to become more grateful for the things we have (although that has
happened) but to cultivate a more robust love for the nations. That has happened
as well.
- The
need for pastoral training here is great. There are 3 million people in the
city. To reach these people, it would take 15,000 churches of 200. These
pastors here are hungry and teachable.
- The
need to reach families is universal and cross-contextual. Deuteronomy 6 is true
for all cultures for all time. Although there are some unique challenges here,
many still need to lead their homes, care for their wives, and shepherd their
children.
I am grateful for the vision of TLI and their mission to
give pastors the training they need. Gunnar and I are both honored to be a part
of the team. God bless Philemon Yong and his leadership on this trip.”
Randy Stinson
Continue to pray for safe travels for all the team members.
We thank God for our families who so graciously allowed us to be here. Internet
is poor today and so I am not able to include any pictures. Hoping it will be
better tomorrow.
Philemon
Today was an encouraging day for all of us. Dr Randy Stinson
has been sick and consulted with the doctors yesterday. He was given medicine
and after much rest, he was able to go out to eat with all of us tonight. We
are so thankful to God for his recovery. He and Gunner fly out tomorrow
evening. His time here has been helpful is many ways. What he has taught has
opened the eyes of pastors to think differently about Christian Education. He also
got to see first hand the ministry context of Cameroon.
Today I interacted more with the students and learned much
about who they are, why they are here, how they see the courses impacting their
lives and ministries etc. Their testimonies encouraged me that we are doing the
right thing here. I asked one student what he thought about the courses. He
smiled and said, “The teachers do not allow us to wander off on some
theological arguments. They tie us to the text and do not allow us to go until
we have dealt with the text.” Training pastors here in Douala is important and
these pastors made sure we got that message.
In working with the students, I also realized how much the
school needs the help of TLI to train their pastors. Dale Kietzman University
offers courses in International Development. The founders of the school had a
vision to create a theology department in the school to train pastors for the
French speaking parts of Cameroon. Since the founding of the school, they have
not been able to fine someone to help them start this department. Working with
TLI, they believe that they can get this off the ground and finally offer
theological education to those who need it. This location is well suited for
TLI’s vision of school planting where good schools do not exist. If we do our
job well here and persevere through the challenges of a new beginning, the
results will have huge impact.
When we started on Friday, I sensed hesitancy on the part of
the students about the training. Some were feeling like this is just another
training that will not go anywhere. As they sat in classes and learned, they
have gradually grown to appreciate the program and believe that this is the
beginning of something serious.
Here is a link to random pictures of students that I took
today.
https://picasaweb.google.com/100169672487476705151/OurStudentsInDoualaCameroon#
Continue to pray for the Cameroon team as we draw things to
a close tomorrow.
Philemon
Time goes by so fast. We cannot believe that it has been a
week already since we left home. All of us continue to be thankful to God for
this opportunity to serve here in Douala. There is contentment in serving the
Lord by helping people understand his word and his body better.
As teaching continues, we continue to see the importance of
what TLI is doing here Here are a few reasons:
- The
majority of our students are from Pentecostal churches. At first, we were a bit
worried about how teaching will go, particularly when one of the first
questioned asked was why they need a course in interpreting the Bible when the
Holy Spirit tells us what to know. The comments have changed and we are seeing
a more humble mindset that seeks to learn. One student said that in his Church
background, they tend to go directly from each verse to application and he now
sees how wrong they have been in doing so. They have made many mistakes as a
result. He then said that there is a need to correct this problem and also
asked, “Is more training the answer?” You can just imagine the answer of the
teacher.
- Over
90% of the students in our classes are currently serving as pastors. Unlike a
normal school setting where students wait to graduate and then look for churches,
these students come to class and then go back to their churches. This means
that the impact of our teaching on their congregations is immediate. We find
them asking questions in class that relate to ministry issues they are dealing
with right now. One student commented that following the example of 2 Timothy
2:2, we are teaching him and he will teach others who will in turn teach
others. This reminds us that we need to teach well. It encourages us that
students see the importance of passing onto others what they have received.
- One
of the pastors in class expressed his joy that TLI is involved in training
them. According to him, their church groups are known for being loud and
lacking in substance. He sees that what we are teaching is solid and will enable
them to move from being loud to being credible in their teaching.
- When
questions are asked and we take them through a passage to answer it, they
immediately accept the answer if they see it in the text. One of the students,
after asking a question and being taken through a passage to answer it said,
“well, that is just Paul.” He said this because he did not like the answer. The
rest of the students in class basically looked at him in shock and said, “that
is what the passage says and it is true. Let us move on with the class.” As
Dave says, “It is good to have allies in class.” I think that much of the wrong
doctrines here are a result of poor exegesis and people will generally accept
the truth when they are helped to see it. We are not only helping these pastors
see the truth of Scripture but also to teach it to others.
- Another
student called me today and begged me not to abandon this vision for training
French speaking pastors in Cameroon. He says that this training is needed and
in more places than Douala.
Thank you for sending us here and for praying for us.
Continue to pray that we will stay healthy, teach clearly, and have open eyes
to see the work that God is doing.
Philemon
What a weekend? As I sit here reflecting on the activities
of yesterday and today, I marvel at how gracious God has been to us. I have
come to see that while TLI sends people to teach, they also impact the local
churches through their teaching and preaching ministries. Although we came here
to train French-speaking pastors, the team had a significant ministry this
weekend in various churches. Just those events themselves are worth a trip.
On Saturday, Dave, John, Gunner and I (Philemon) took a trip
to the town of Buea, about an hour away from Douala. Randy stayed in Douala to
lead a seminar on family discipleship at Trinity Baptist Church where Ndzi
Jones is the pastor.
In Buea, Dave led a seminar at Macedonia Baptist Church on
leadership in the local church. John did a seminar on mission in the local
church at Gethsemane Baptist Church. (Randy led a seminar on family
discipleship at Trinity Baptist Church in Douala.) The most common comments
that came to my attention were, “we have never looked at it that way. This is
really good.” The teachings were exactly what the churches needed to hear. That
was evident in the kinds of questions that they were asking and from the
observations of the pastors. The pastors were thankful that they came.
The seminars on Saturday highlighted for me again the needs
in the Church here in Cameroon. People are indeed hungry for the truth and are
ready to embrace it when taught. I am thankful that our team could minister to
the local churches in this way.
On Sunday, Dave, John and I returned to Buea for preaching
assignments. Randy and Gunner stayed back to preach at Trinity. While in Buea,
we were able to observe the worship practices here and appreciate how the
people worship in this context.
It was a great weekend and we appreciate all your prayers
for us. The next week looks busy but we are all ready for it. Pray for strength
and for continued good health. Tomorrow (Monday) we return to the university to
teach. Pray for wisdom as we meet the students again and work with them. Pray
for discernment for me (Philemon) as I try to understand the needs of the
university in terms of training pastors and the role of TLI in it all.
Here is a link to some pictures I have taken during the
trip. Other team members have pictures and they will feature later.
https://picasaweb.google.com/100169672487476705151/CameroonPictures
Philemon
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Follow along as teachers in the field offer their experiences as they share theological training with local church leaders.
