Training Ministers in a Volatile World

Equipping
A Publication of GlobalEd, an Equipping Arm of International Missions
S u m m e r
Introducing
David Boyd,
Interim GlobalEd
Director
Education in cross-cultural
contexts has been at the core
of David’s ministry since 1979
when he began to teach at the francophone
College Biblique Quebec where he later served as
the Academic Dean. He helped pioneer a Distance
Education program on video in the early 80’s so
that students could continue to serve in their local
churches while studying a 4-year program. Later,
he served as the Executive Assistant for Home
Missions and Bible Colleges for the PAOC and
helped establish ministry courses in Korean and
Spanish in Canada.
Afterwards, he had a 12-year tenure at
Eastern Pentecostal Bible College and served as
the Academic Dean there. He developed EPBC’s
Internet and distance education program. During
that time, he developed a cooperative degree
program in Cuba which provided training for the
Bible College professors there and contributed to
the curriculum development for L’viv Theological
Seminary (Ukraine), where he continues to chair
board meetings.
Serving overseas, he was the President of
the Israel College of the Bible and has taught at
a number of other colleges. He has served as an
accreditation specialist for both North American
and European agencies where he has been sent
to evaluate and assist colleges. David works in 5
languages and brings a wealth of cross-cultural
experience to his role.
As Interim GlobalEd Director, David’s goal is
to review the huge steps taken by Dr. Irving Whitt
and to clarify the road ahead, looking at best
practices and the plethora of resources available
for equipping, resourcing and networking
with our global and national educators.
2 0 1 4
Training Ministers in a Volatile World
Changing the Weather Patterns
by David Boyd
Although we live in a world of storms, with all of its ‘wars and
rumours of wars’, we still take a long view. Our global workers are
not people planting flowers for decorative gardens, but are planting
trees for an orchard in preparation for a great harvest to come. And
they do it in the stormiest of contexts.
H
aving lived in Israel during the
second Intifada and the second
Gulf War, we know the stress
of danger and warfare close up. Not many
Bible colleges in Canada have to build a
totally contained safe room for students
and staff that would be impervious to
bombs and chemical weapons attacks!
Faculty and students alike carried our gas
masks and anti-anthrax needles with us for
the duration of the conflict.
Our people continue to train
spiritual leaders in the context of war
and conflict. We are planting trees and
the trees will bear fruit. Articles in this
newsletter will reinforce that truth.
Further, these leaders are not just
weathering the storms, they are changing
the weather patterns! Whether it is Jews
and Arabs studying together in Israel, or
Ukrainian extension campuses teaching
in both Ukrainian and Russian on both
sides of the border, or Congolese students
rejecting war and training for the ministry
of peace, your prayers and support
make a difference in our world.
Graduates at Israel College of the Bible, www.israelcollege.com
Storm a t the gates: Ukraine and Israel
Civil Conflict Creates
Havoc in Classroom
Arabs and Jews work
in harmony at ICB
Miriam is a Messianic believer who was rejected by her family
when she came to Jesus, and Salah, an Arab Christian who has
great potential for the kingdom. Being trained at Israel College
of the Bible (ICB) means not only will they be colleagues during
their studies, but both will be taught by Arab Christian and Jewish
Christian professors in the course of their studies. You see, it’s not
just that Arabs and Jews attend the same school, but that both
nationalities make up the faculty.
This example of Christian unity illustrates how people can
overcome their deep-seated prejudices for the sake of the
gospel, and partner in training the next generation to reach those
living without Christ.”
Turning Life’s Bruises
into Ministry
Liudmila knows how it feels to be sidelined because of a disability
but has refused to stay there. Knowing God as her loving Father,
enjoying reading and reflecting, and feeling passionate about
equal rights for those with disabilities, Liudmila works at a centre
for children with physical challenges, and has grown in her
confidence and calling.
Through LTS, she is developing public speaking skills through the
annual missions trips, singing in the worship band, teaching Sunday
school, and sharing her own experiences with young people.
At 28, Liudmila knows God’s call to work with others in an
often-overlooked population. Pray that God will continue to open
hearts to his love.
gical
L’viv Theolo
deeanr 20t13/14)
Stu
il
m a (Y
Liud
Seminary
The tension in eastern Ukraine boiled over into a confrontation at an
extension site of L’viv Theological Seminary in mid-May when masked
men with weapons barged in during a class. Citing Ukrainian
music and texts as ‘fascist
nationalism’, two students
were apprehended, blindfolded
and kept in a basement under
guard for three days. Other
students were threatened with
death if they did not cooperate.
In the end, the class, church
LTS Extension Schools
and orphanage were damaged
and shut down temporarily. Pray for God-given courage to
persevere in this climate of unrest.
Whether the conflict is in Ukraine, Congo or Israel, the concern
is real. Lives are lost and changed but the call to train men and
women for ministry is sustained.
Three pastors studying in the eastern
Ukraine extension program
L’viv Theological
Seminary
Student
Artem (Year 2013/14
)
Life Crisis Brings Clear Calling
In 2005, Artem faced a car accident resulting in a skull fracture
and coma for 14 days. By God’s grace, he survived the brain injury,
relearning to walk and talk.
After the car accident, Artem realized he needed to follow
God and repented. Now, he is called to ministry among children and
youth: to run camps, clubs, sports, outreach parties—everything for
God’s glory. Artem ministers among teens in his church in
Mariupol, in the heart of the current conflict.
LTS helps Artem to gain the knowledge and spiritual growth
necessary for ministry. He expresses a great appreciation for the
Timothy Fund scholarship and responsibility to use what he has
gained at LTS for God’s kingdom.
Serving in the storm: Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
How can they hear if there
is no one to tell them?
by Murray Cornelius
This year our Global Workers in Africa met in the
Muslim nation of Senegal. It was a privilege to join
them and to pray together and dream together about
more effectively reaching the almost completely
unreached nations of North Africa.
There are 361 unreached people groups
in North Africa and the Middle East. 80% of all
Muslims have never met a follower of Jesus. How can
they hear if there is no one to tell them? So we prayed
to the Lord of the Harvest to raise up an army of workers “from
everywhere” to go specifically to North Africa. While many workers will
come from countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, like Ethiopia, we still need a
few Canadians to be called. Pray with us to that end.
North Africa and Middle East Region
Ethiopian Israeli brings
strong Christian message
Adina, an Israeli student of Ethiopian background, serves in educational
ministry in her congregation, and works as a school educational
counselor. She is in Israel College of the Bible’s Masters of Arts counseling
program. She has a very strong voice in the Ethiopian community
regarding family life and roles, yet Adina has been rejected by her family
of origin because of her faith. She is blessed to be married to a believer
and mother of three children. Adina is the face of the growing Jesus
followers in Israel who are impacting society.
student
he Bible
lege of t
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Isr
Adina
2013-2014
Dr. Erez Soref (left),
President of Israel
College of the Bible
Sitting at the feet of the wise
As one of the poorest countries of the world, the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) desperately needs leadership training. Numerous
pastors lead congregations with no formal training in theology or
practical ministry.
Pastor Tumba (photo right), a married
father of twelve children, leads a church
in Lubumbashi. He came to ISTADC* to
develop his ministry for greater impact in
his community for the kingdom of God.
As a pastor and a mature student,
Tumba is an example by his academic
success and humble attitude. In his
own words, he came to “sit at the
feet of wise and experienced men
of God” and to learn how to better
serve his Lord.
* ISTADC stands for Institut
Supérieur Théologique des
Assemblées de Dieu du Congo
Discerning the Seasons
A former student of Irving Whitt, Simon Peter Emiau is now the
General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Uganda,
and the General Secretary of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Africa.
Recently, Rev Emiau posed these questions:
As God multiplies Christ-disciples in North Africa,
> Where do we meet?
> What do we do in those meetings?
> How can we learn from those we are ministering to?
> How do we harness on-the-ground networking efforts?
> What prayer networks are in existence, and how can we
tap into them?
As Rev. Emiau put it, “The winds are changing direction, this way
and that. Ultimately, the atmospheric conditions will result in rain [an
outpouring of God’s kingdom].
How do we discern those
winds of the Spirit for
northern Africa?” Pray
with the African church
to reach their unreached
neighbours.
Rev. Simon Peter Emiau
Timothy Fund Scholarships Make a Difference
On The Verge
b y D r. C a r l Ve r g e
Dr. Carl Verge, former academic dean and
president of Eastern Pentecostal Bible
College reports, “I recently returned from
TELTEC meetings in Nairobi with African
Bible College principals and academic
deans. The issue of funding is critical,
particularly as expats turn the work over
to national leaders. Into this, we continue
to support the colleges through Timothy Fund Scholarships.
With 200 scholarships raised each year for an enrolment of
2500 full-time students and over 5,000 part-time in 30 colleges
worldwide, a great need exists. Every year many students
cannot enroll or are unable to continue for lack of funds.
You have an opportunity to be part of the solution
through your donation to the Timothy Fund.”
rt card:
Five-year repo isbursed
D
Timothy Fund
3
40
2009
4
32
56
2010
2011
ols
Number of Scho
Timothy Funds
9
135
156
2012
2013
15
16
d Scholarships
= 10 Timothy Fun
As you can see, Timothy Fund scholarships have multiplied in
the past five years, both in the number of students receiving
scholarships and in the number of schools applying worldwide.
The message is clear: training nationals is critical.
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
David Boyd
Interim GlobalEd Director
[email protected]
Questions or Comments:
Valerie Penney
[email protected]
Count me in. I’d like to invest in Timothy Fund scholarships!
Please accept my monthly scholarship contribution of: n $100 n $50 n Other $
Please accept my one time gift of $
($600 would assist one student for one year)
Investment Options: n VISA n M/Card n Cheque
Card #
(made payable to PAOC or attach void cheque for monthly contribution)
Expiry date
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Name
AddressCity
Prov/State
Telephone (
Postal Code/Zip
)
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Email
Please mail your donation to: PAOC, c/o GlobalEd, 2450 Milltower Court, Mississauga, ON, Canada, L5N 5Z6
June/14
To contribute online, please
go to: www.paocglobalEd.org