Every Season
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season… 2 Timothy 4:1-2
There are environmental seasons, seasons of our lives, and there are seasons of ministry. This year has been a season of change in the Orality Institute ministry. In January, we began ministry in Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Cambodia. In February, Paul moved from his ministry base in Arizona to Stover, MO. In March, Kevin and Pam moved to Burnsville, MN which meant the Orality Institute office also moved. In April, Nate introduced Orality to New Brunswick, Canda. In May, Kevin started a sabbatical from Emmaus for the summer. In June, Kevin accepted a call to serve Minnesota Valley Church in Lakeville, MN starting August 23rd.
The Orality Institute is able to do ministry through these seasons of change because the Lord has orchistrated these movements. We have a small and flexible team with Paul and Kevin both serving churches part-time to lower OI salary budget. Nate has been doing ministry with local churches as well as four big trips this year. He is currently with a team in Ukraine leading family camp for families deeply affected by the war.
In addition, our international partners carry a big load of ministry in several other countries. Our Pakistan team has been training a new class of students in Islamabad, Pakistan, the center of the Taliban’s base. Our Ugandan team is teaching the class in Burundi that started last July. Our ministry partners in Malawi have led training in Zambia and Mozambique. We will have a graduation for 16 students in Zambia and 43 in Malawi this month. Every one of these ministries is dependent on the Lord to raise up the finances and people. We are praying for $750 to provide gift Bibles for the 59 graduates and $3000 additional to cover Malawi travel expenses.
Every Tribe
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb,… crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev. 7:9-10
Every nation, tribe, people, and language, all with one message… “Salvation belongs to our God!” What an amazing sight, what a great mulititude, what a loud voice that will be!
The Orality Institute has the unique privilage of being a part of seeing that happen here and now. It is astonishing to consider the open doors that the Lord has brought us year after year. This year we will be hosting training in twelve countries which is in addition to the ongoing local classes in other locations. What is equally amazing is that this simple strategy of using the naratives in God’s Word is the text book for teaching people about the Kingdom of God. In every one of these nations, tribes, and people groups a simple oral tool is transforming lives, making disciples, and spreading the gospel.
For example: Ernest Chigawa is from Malawi. His brother Moses introduced him to the Orality Institute. He participated in several trainings before he caught the vision of muliplication. Now, he is the leader of 15 teachers in Kasungu, Malawi where we had a large graduation two years ago and there are 43 more students receiving certificates this summer. His class in Zambia is ready to graduate, he has held two trainings in Mozambique, and he just met someone from Zimbabwe who would like to introduce his people to this strategy of training.
God’s Word is powerful. It can change us deeply when we stop and allow it into our hearts. When we pause to consider what it is saying to us, and when we share it with others. That means you could be in that multitude!
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