The Glory of God in Ethiopia - Part 2

Yes, God is at work for His glory in Ethiopia through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even though the spiritual landscape is, in many areas, in need of greater health, what part of the world isn't? The encouraging sign in Ethiopia is that the Lord is raising up men with a desire for church health to be measured by the standard of God's Word.

Because nearly 80 men have committed themselves to two years' worth of theological training with the express purpose of planting new churches among the unreached of Ethiopia, the evidences of God's work for His glory there are apparent. Thank you all for continuing to pray for these men, as well as for Anthony and Amber Mathenia as they seek to point them in a God-honoring direction.

Now, I would like to call to your attention four brothers--two from PTI, and two from the Addis Kadan Bible College--that you might join us in praying specifically for them. Even though our time with each of them was short, all four demonstrated significant promise in the areas of pastoral gifting and spiritual leadership. Perhaps you will have the honor of shouldering up next to them for a millennium or two in the great sea of worshipers!

The first is Abraham (pronounced, Ahh-bra-ham). This brother arrived in Addis Ababa nearly eight years ago from his village which is approximately eight hours north of the capital city. Being alone in the capital city was no small challenge, but proved to be the greatest blessing in his life. Soon after arriving in Addis, he was able to being living with his aunt who is Orthodox (ie, anti-Christian). Not long after moving to Addis, Abraham heard the gospel and came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Just over one year later his aunt disowned him because of his faith, and required him to move out. For the last several years, he has been working as a guard at the Addis Kadan (yup!) offices, and has been devouring the Word of God. During these recent years, the Lord has placed a burden on Abraham's heart to reach his people (Tigray/Tigrinya) with the gospel. Pray that Abraham will be equipped by the Holy Spirit to carry the gospel to his people and that many would believe!

The second is Abu (standing, praying). Like Abraham, Abu is also part of PTI. Unofficially, the PTI brothers seemed to look to Abu for leadership. During the break times, and even during a few of the Q & A sessions, I noticed that the guys were looking to Abu for direction and articulation. His face lights up with the light of Christ. I do not remember the name of his village, but I do remember he lives about 250 kilometers from Addis, and his first language is Oromo/Oromiffa. His grasp, like Abraham's, of the things we taught was obvious. Please pray for Abu, and for the church(s) that the Lord will use him to plant. May many come to Jesus through his ministry.

The third is Misfin (pictured sitting, front row, second from left). Misfin is one of the Bible College students. He, and his eight classmates, are scheduled to graduate in mid-June from their three-year training program. Each of the eight were selected by the denomination to be leaders in/over the eight regions of Ethiopia into which the denomination has divided the territory of Ethiopia. This brother, like the rest, is humble and demonstrates a solid grasp of biblical truth. During a three hour session on ecclesiology, Misfin expressed many encouraging evidences of his desire to see the Addis Kadan embrace the biblical model for church life and organization. He currently works with the youth at a church in Addis, and is interested in further study if the Lord permits. Misfin is married and has two children.

Finally, I would like to invite you to pray for Getanet, another student at the Bible College (pictured making "wat"). A bit tongue-in-cheek, but not far from the truth, Getanet might be the only Ethiopian pastor in the entire country. The common practice among evangelical churches, especially Addis Kadan churches, is to forgo the role of pastor for an "evangelist" who travels away from the church, but from time-to-time preaches at his (or her) church. Instead of a pastoral ministry from an individual or a team that is somewhat consistent, much less expository, the churches usually have a different speaker each week. Of course, this practice prohibits the health of the church. Getanet, on the other hand, preaches to his congregation about 40 Sundays per year. This is almost unheard of in his culture. More than that, he is deeply concerned for the spiritual health of every one of the members of his church. May Getanet serve as a model that other Ethiopian pastors will follow.

The Glory of God in Ethiopia - Part 1

Of this I'm sure, God is at work for His glory in Ethiopia through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By now many of you are aware of why Nathan and I went to Ethiopia, but for the sake of those who are just now joining us, allow for a brief review.

The Lord has given abundant favor to Anthony and Amber Mathenia in the eyes of many of the Ethiopian believers. So much so that a denomination (Addis Kadan) has essentially handed over to Anthony the responsibility to train its next generation of pastors. This is where the Pastor's Training Institute (PTI) was born.

Approximately 80 PTI students from all over Ethiopia (literally) who have been identified by their churches have enrolled in a two-year theological training program with the desire to be equipped to plant churches among Ethiopians who have yet to be reached with the gospel. The students live "out country" and have/will travel into Addis Ababa for two-week intensive training sessions during the next two years. After the two years of study, the students will be evaluated by the Bible's standards for elders, and upon evidence of qualification, will be sent out two-by-two to plant new churches "out country."

It was for one of these two-week intensive teaching sessions that Nathan and I went to Ethiopia. This was only the second session of PTI, the first being only one month prior (and led by our friends Kurt Strassner and Scott Duley). Kurt taught Christian Ethics from the Sermon on the Mount, and Scott taught the Doctrine of God. During our trip, Nathan taught the Doctrine of Christ, and I taught Christ-centered Theology of the Bible.

The students are hungry, and by-in-large, soaking up the teaching. There are obvious barriers for some of them though. For example, the translation of the teaching is in Amharic, which for some of the students, is their second or third language! Could you imagine taking theology courses in Spanish based on what you learned in High School? Of course, theology has a vocabulary all its own, and adds to the interesting translation dynamics. Nonetheless, the students demonstrate an eagerness to learn, and are full of questions. Daily, for two weeks, they sit shoulder-to-shoulder on hard benches for no less than six hours thinking, taking notes, and engaging with the most important things under heaven. Please pray for them regularly!

The misconceptions of biblical truth, and especially how the truth of the bible impacts local church gatherings, is wide-spread. Neither Anthony, nor any of the guys who have taught at PTI, have a desire to "westernize" the ethos of the church in Ethiopia. It is good and right for redeemed sinners to express worship to King Jesus in keeping with their own particular cultural expressiveness...unless, of course, the culture contradicts the Biblical pattern. Everyone on God's green earth is influenced by the culture in which they live. It is part of our relational DNA. We operate, talk, dress, express, and relate in a way that has been ingrained in us from our first breath. Sometimes, though, our cultural expressiveness contradicts biblical practice. This is true for Americans, just as much for Ethiopians. We have "convictions" that church should happen a certain way with certain "non-negotiable" elements (like bulletins, pews, nice clothes, microphones, 30 minute [or less] sermons, invitations, etc.). Well, you get the point. Ethiopians also have "convictions" about "the way we've always done it." For them, charismatic chaos, proof-texting, isegesis, emotional frenzy, and music-dominated services are what church is (Oh, wait, I was supposed to be describing them, not us). Again, I think you get the point.

Because of misconceptions about biblical truth (and we all have them) it is vitally important that the next generation of pastors in Ethiopia have a solid dose of biblical truth. And, what's most encouraging, is that they want it! PTI doesn't concern itself with "what we do in American churches," but rather, "what does the Bible say." Nathan walked the brothers through the gospel of John and in chapter three gave as a clear an explanation of the Spirit's role in regeneration (which, in the text preceeds faith and repentance, but guarantees them both) as I've heard. This, you see, has nothing to do with "the way we do church in the US."

So, as you pray for these brothers, pray that they will be given Holy Spirit discernment to know how to apply the truth they learn in a way that is faithful to the teaching of Scripture...even if it wars against the cultural norm. And, as you do so, pray the same thing for Grace Church!

Home Again Jiggity Jig

Nathan and I arrived at safely at 4:30p last evening. Once again, thank you all for praying for us!

There are so many things to share about the evident successes of this trip. Lord willing, in the coming days we will find the opportunity to do so here on SC.

GC, I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday. Galatians 2:11-21...Oh my!

Continue praying for Nathan who will be leaving again this Friday evening in order to speak for one week at a college/youth camp for a church in OH.

SDG!

Day 10?

I think its day 10?? At any rate, it is Sunday morning in Addis Ababa. Nathan and I will each be leaving shortly in order to preach at different churches in the city. Nathan will be expositorily exulting in Romans 3:21-26, and I will be doing the same in Matthew 7:21-23. We are praying for Jesus to be exalted here, and in the service at Grace. May the hearts of everyone at these services be preoccupied with the God of the Bible, through the work of His Son, in the power of His Spirit!

The PTI program concluded yesterday morning. We are convinced that the Lord cares much for His glory in Ethiopia. The supernatural way that Nathan and I felt carried during our teaching responsibilities was another convincing evidence of the Lord's care for these future pastors. Thank you again for praying for us. Please continue praying for these future pastors too.

Nathan led a bible study in Anthony and Amber's home last evening. Wonderful and worshipful exposition of God's love in the gospel of His Son!

The degree to which we miss our families, and our church family, is impossible to describe. We look forward to seeing you all again soon!

SDG!

Day 7

Great day again. Please continue praying.

For my morning class, 1 Kings 12-Malachi. John 3 (regeneration) for Nathan's afternoon class. My afternoon class was canceled today.

Such a blessing to be part of a congregation that gladly embraces our opportunity to be here equipping these brothers to spread lasting joy in Jesus. We look forward to worshiping with you again soon.

Bryan, we've heard several encouraging reports about the word Sunday. "The knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea." That's a lot of glory coverage! Amen!

SDG!

Day 4

Another wonderful day.

Worshiped at International Evangelical Church this morning (heard great word from Exodus 15). Nathan ably exposited Colossians 1:15-23 this afternoon for the PTI guys (Even though there was much charismatic chaos going on in the room above us).

Pray for the Addis Kadan pastors/churches to embrace of Christ, not hoopla! He alone is the great attraction to Christianity!


Yo, B... update from GC services this morn? Praying for you all.

Day 3

Class went well again this morning. We Worshipped the Great Eternal Worshipper who invited man--created in His image--into His restful worship of Himself on the seventh day. Looked at the role of the Trinity in creation (e.g., Col 1:16; Heb 1:2), and the idolatry of creature-worship (e.g., Romans 1:25). Gave attention to some of God's incommunicable attributes (to complement a class they took last month) to close class out today.

Late morning til... (still going) was an awesome wedding ceremony. Separate pre-wedding parties at bride/groom's place. Groom shows up with posse to claim bride at her place. All attendees, along with wedding party, head over to the ceremony location. Wait 1.5 hours for another wedding to finish. Have ceremony, more ceremony, then onsite reception (still going), followed by wedding party party someplace else. Elaborate, beautiful, rejoiceful from start to finish (or at least as much as we saw).

We will worship tomorrow at an International Church, then Nathan will have his second session. As always, your prayers are much needed.

These believers are deficient in so many areas of biblically informed Christian living and ministry. Culture is king. But then again, who are we to talk?

SDG!

Day 2

Not sure how often updates will come, but we will do so as often as possible. Please continue praying.

The first day of class for the 71 PTI guys was great. Little awareness of God through Scripture, but great eagerness to know Him Scripturally. These men are virtually drawing the teaching out of us. They are tireless (some rode as many as 18 hours on bus yesterday to arrive) in the class setting. Full of good questions too.

Nathan introduced the doctrine of Christ with an exaltation of Christ as the only God-pleasing pattern for life and ministry. After some survey of the gospel of John, he concluded with a powerful explanation through Philippians 2 exalting both the humanity and deity of Christ (which is a vastly misunderstood doctrine here). They seemed to be tracking well with him.

My first session on Christ-centered biblical theology went well too. Thank you for your prayers. We looked at Christ as the Subject of all of Scripture as foundation (e.g., Luke 24:27, 44), and then an overview of the history of God's redemptive revelation in Scripture. Then, we will take an epoch of redemptive history each day in a more focused manner from here on out. Tomorrow morning is Genesis 1-2.

Food is good. Actually, great! Amber and Anthony Mathenia are doing well, and have found much favor with the people by the grace of God.

Wedding tomorrow afternoon...really looking forward to the experience.

May the Lord bless you and keep you all...

SDG!