This spring I have had the great privilege of serving as a Visiting Lecturer in Church History at the Atlanta campus of Reformed Theological Seminary. I taught a module class that began with the history of the Reformation and carried through the early 18th century. Since the English Reformation was the focus of my PhD studies, I really enjoy being able to teach this material in a seminary setting.
One of the great advantages of the nonresidential missions paradigm championed by ELI is that it enables us to engage in ministry here in the United States as well as overseas. So, teaching at RTS is simply another application of the work that I do with ELI. Clearly, the training of leaders is not something that is only needed in West Africa – it is something that goes on here at home as well.
In both West Africa and at RTS, I’m working with pastors and church leaders, equipping them with information that will be of tremendous benefit to their ministries. And under God’s blessing, this instruction will have a direct impact on the people to whom they minister.
I also hope I provided my students with something of a unique perspective. After all, my ministry in Africa has been a two-way street—I have learned a great deal from our African brethren! One consequence is that I now tend to approach ministry (and Church History) more from “outside of the box:” a broader point of view. Teaching at RTS provided me an opportunity to share that outlook.
by admin on April 4, 2011
The past 6 years of teaching in West Africa have given me numerous opportunities to observe the African worldview. While I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject, it has become clear to me that the contrast between the African and the American worldviews is rather dramatic on several fronts. These differences between African and American views of the world present some serious challenges to cross-cultural teaching. I’ll discuss some of those challenges in a later blog post. But for now, I’d like to consider some of the advantages that Africans possess when it comes to understanding Scripture.
Africans view the world from an essentially spiritual standpoint.
I scan the newspapers while I’m in Africa, and I’m continually surprised at the events reported as fact which would never make it into an American publication: a witch who, fleeing the police, turns into a goat; automobile accidents and other tragedies attributed to demons; Christian pastors receiving “powers” from fetish priests (witch doctors) so that they are able to perform miracles. On a more positive note, I also hear regular accounts of miraculous healing, dreams that foretell the future, visions of Jesus Christ that have brought Muslims to saving faith, and active gifts of prophecy and discernment that are essential tools in the spiritual battle that rages in the lives of many believers. As an American, I have instinctively viewed these reports with a jaundiced eye; but many – perhaps most – Africans accept such accounts at face value. In their worldview, reality is essentially spiritual, and events in the physical world are firmly rooted in the foundational realities of good and evil in the spiritual world.
My own experiences with this spiritual battle have caused me to return to Scripture to reevaluate my perspective on such events. Much to my chagrin, I have been forced to admit that the world in which Africans live has much more in common with the biblical world than does the world which I, as an American, consider real. The world of the Bible is a world in which spiritual realities directly impact the physical realm. It’s a world in which God is actively involved and in which Satan and his demons are constantly in opposition. The Bible itself is replete with dreams, visions, prophecies, healings and many other such “divine interventions.” While my American worldview had encouraged me to conclude that such things occurred rarely, if at all, my experience in Africa – and the testimonies of my African brethren – have prodded me to set aside my inherited worldview for a more biblical perspective.
The fact that their worldview aligns so closely with the biblical worldview enables African believers to enter into the biblical account at a much more experiential level. It also encourages them to expect that God will do now what he did then. In their view, the healings Christ performed are neither a metaphor for his power over the effects of sin, nor a metaphysical oddity. Rather, they are part of Christ’s ongoing ministry – something that he continues to do through the Holy Spirit in the present day. In other words, the African worldview enables our brethren there to exercise faith much more readily. They expect God to be God, and their prayer life reflects that expectation. In this, they have a great advantage over many American believers.
by admin on September 25, 2009
“The leadership seminar has helped me to understand Christian leadership…It has opened my eyes to [the] role and conduct of a Christian leader in the church of God. In effect, Christian leadership is service and accountability.”
“I am a Catholic and a Charismatic leader in the church….It is our hope to learn the true teaching to change some of the beliefs or doctrine the church has clung to that may not be the true teachings. This conference has uncovered a lot of things to me which will help me go about renewing my church.”
“The material on leadership is going to be adopted to run my [youth] leadership training seminar slated for October. I have really been blessed with this material which I think would go a long way to help the youth have a biblical view of what leadership is about.”
“I am thankful to ELI because 1st Timothy has become new to me now…. I have made up my mind to organize conferences for my pastors and church leaders and even other church leaders from different denominations. May the Lord give me this grace.”
These are samples of the very encouraging comments we received after the Sunyani conference on Biblical Leadership from 1 Timothy. This was the final training conference for a group of men who, after they have taught their first conference, will become ELI Certified Course Instructors.
Over the last five years, Sunyani has become something of a second home for me. But as the thunder growled and sheets of rain battered our hotel, I realized that somehow I’d always dodged the full rainy season. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Aside from those occasional torrential downpours, the weather was actually very pleasant – mostly cloudy and low 80’s. People carried on despite the rain: street vendors simply covered their wares with plastic; farmers ignored the sprinkles as they burned fields and planted maize; ladies wore plastic shopping bags for hats and ELI teachers (along with everyone else) squished carefully around the larger mud puddles.
The conference itself was a delightful time of teaching and fellowship around the Word of God. This group of men (there were about 15 who attended) has been involved with ELI for years now. Each of them has become a friend and feels free to comment, question and participate in the conference. In fact, their participation was a big part of what took place. Since they were training to actually teach the ELI curriculum (more on that in a minute), we wanted to give them an opportunity to practice. So, the ELI team taught the first 6 lessons and then the trainees (in groups of 2 or 3) taught the remaining 7 lessons to the class. What a bunch of gifted guys! As they taught the material, each with their own styles and illustrations, we saw things in 1 Timothy that we’d never seen before. And as we took time for comments and questions after each presentation, their insight and maturity were evident. We came away very encouraged and excited about what these men will be able to accomplish for Christ’s Kingdom.
The value of having Ghanaians teach their fellow countrymen should be obvious. But, for those who might be questioning why ELI is taking this approach, let me give you a quick apologetic:
1) This is essentially the method used by both Jesus and Paul. (i.e. commit the truth to faithful men and then cut them loose to train others. See 2 Timothy 2:2)
2) Training trainers is the next logical step in developing a strong church with a self-sustaining indigenous leadership. We hope that some of these men will soon begin teaching the training seminars and we just become advisors. Having the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, they are much more effective communicators of God’s truth in their culture than we could ever be.
3) Equipping leaders is the most efficient and cost-effective way of doing missions. It also builds up the church because everything rides on the character and quality of the church’s leaders. Except in those areas where the Church is not yet established, equipping leaders should become the primary mission’s paradigm for the 21st century. Let them do evangelism and start the churches; we assist them by equipping leaders. (There’s a book in there someplace!)
Here’s the facts: these 15 men directly mentor 200 other leaders, who obviously teach a number of other people. Consequently, through the leaders they are training and through their own teaching/preaching, these 15 men impact the lives and beliefs of about 11,000 people! And that’s BEFORE they begin teaching these conferences on 1 Timothy. Interpret those quotes at the beginning of this update in the light of this kind of influence.
THAT’S why I’m so excited about what God did in the final week of this trip. ELI has 15 new partners in Ghana – along with the 25+ trainers in Nigeria – who are building up Christ’s Kingdom. Oh! And one other thing: Chris Fowler is planning to return with us in February. He absolutely loved the teaching and the people in Ghana – and God’s people there were blessed by his teaching. Pray for Chris as he takes this next step of faith.
Well, it was a long trip home. But it was safe and, aside from a close call on making one flight, largely uneventful. We landed in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon, thankful for God’s protection and for His incredible grace in giving us the privilege of teaching in West Africa. Thank you too for your faithful support in prayer and in material ways. We could not do it without you.
Grace and peace,
Dan.
Susan and I will be in several churches in the next month, speaking about the ministry of ELI. If you would like us to come to your church, we still have some open weekends. Drop us a line and let’s work out a time.
Certified Course Instructors at Sunyani
by admin on June 16, 2009
We traveled to Jackson, TN on May 16 & 17 to give a report on our ministry with ELI. Covenant Presbyterian Church in Jackson has enthusiastically supported our ministry since the very beginning. Over the years, we have developed a special relationship with that church and particularly with Mike and Keri Salazar. Mike is an elder at CPC, a professor at Union University and he and Keri teach their children at home.
Knowing we were coming, Mike had said that their daughters Lillie and Lizzy wanted to give us something. It turned out that these lovely young ladies had decided to do a project to raise support for missions. They settled on making earrings and had been selling them for $1.00 a pair to church, family and anyone else they could find.
So, while we were at their house for a church picnic, Lillie and Lizzy proudly presented us with the results of their labors—a huge wad of cash. Susan and I carefully counted it while they watched - $203.50! What an encouragement! We pray God will bless Lillie and Lizzy for their generosity in supporting missions.
After finishing the African Evangelical Church conference in Ghana, the denomination’s General Overseer, Alex Gyabaa, met me at dinner. After some talk about how God had blessed the conference, Alex handed me a plain white envelope. “This is for your ministry with ELI,” he said. “It is not very much, but we want to plant it as a seed. We have been greatly blessed by your ministry to us and we know that our God will supply your needs.” He then asked to pray for me, we shook hands and he departed. Inside the envelope was 100 Ghana cedis—about $100. For a poor denomination like the AEC, this is a substantial gift.
The blessing of this gift goes far beyond its monetary value. You see, our brethren are “getting it!.” They understand the Biblical principle that those who benefit from the Word should share financially with those who teach them. It is an expression that they recognize their full equality in the faith and have taken a significant step toward self-sufficiency. Praise God! It is also a substantive affirmation of the value of our ministry in their eyes. Knowing my cost of travel and desiring that I continue the work, they wanted to become a financial partner in the ministry.
1. For wisdom as we plan and staff two trips to West Africa this fall to train Certified Course Instructors in Ghana and teach at Servant Leadership Institute in Nigeria.
2. For openings in churches to present the ministry of ELI.
