Out of Control Growth

[Barb Bouldrey]

In another thread, someone mentioned a concern about the "out of control" growth in our denomination in other countries.

Today, in the Prayer Mobilization Line requests they asked us to pray for the 9000 new congregations started as a result of the Jesus Film in Africa and South America. These 9000 new starts are being led by lay pastors who themselves were saved as a result of watching the Jesus Film. They are baby Christians without training.

That is why the Libraries for Pastors offering is so important. It is giving these 9000...or as many as possible...pastors a beginning library to teach them the Bible and doctrine. Of course, many of them have to learn to read first.

It is a very big challenge to our denomination to disciple the leaders and laymen until they are strong Nazarenes as well as strong Christians. We do not want to lose them because they get overwhelmed trying to understand.

We praise the Lord for the new converts and new congregations, but we need to put feet to our prayers in our giving.

Barb

[Charlene Clevenger]

I work for retired missionary, Edna Lochner (at Christian Literature for Africa). We receive emails from Africa telling of thousands at a time being saved after watching the Jesus Film. It's really incredible. We are able to send used and new Bibles, commentaries, etc., as donors provide them. They are greatly appreciated. The Libraries for Pastors program is wonderful, but, from what I've been told, only provides libraries for those who are ordained. Many are lay pastors. We hope we are making a difference in their training. CLA's goal is not to compete with the church, but to fill in the "gaps."

I don't know if anyone is doing the same sort of thing for South America. I hope so. There is a ministry in Michigan called Christian Resources International (CRI) that does much the same thing we do, but on a larger scale, and internationally. They do a great work.

[Carsten Schermuly]

In November 2003 Dr. Nina Gunter was in Berlin.
There was a young man with cap on head in service. His skin was covered by tatoos and in his eyebrows, ears, nose and lips stuck piercings.
Some looked as to be angry about him - because he has not lifted up his cap inside the church.

Thanks to the Lord about the fact he was in a church to listen to the gospel.