Dear prayer rafters,
How do you cope when your level of enthusiasm for life and ministry dips or wanes? Many leaders I talk to worldwide, in this pandemic era, desperately need a lift in energy and zeal. In my daily reading, I have been slowly meditating on the book of Haggai. In his day, people were demotivated as they thought how pathetic the second Temple might be, compared to Solomon’s Glorious Temple. It made them feel limp and listless.
Here’s Haggai’s message from Yahweh:
“I am with you,” declares the LORD. So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel… and the spirit of Joshua … and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work… Haggai 1:13-14.
Notice: Two gifts: 1. God’s Presence. He would be right there with them. 2. Revival. God would stir them up, so they served him enthusiastically. One outcome: the work would recommence and eventually be completed. God’s prophecy: The glory of this present house will be greater than the former house. (2:9).
Central Africa: Cohort 1
This amazing cohort were planning to complete Module 4 and graduate in Lubumbashi from October 4-9. How plans have changed! Our beloved DRC National Director, Emmanuel Ngoy Kakudji (pictured) is in hospital with Covid and greatly in need of your prayers. Then there was the additional challenge of pastors having to come from other countries and be tested at the borders. We decided to separate the Francophone and Anglophone groups. The French-speaking group will complete Module 4 in-person once Pastor Emmanuel is well again. The English-speaking group will complete Module 4 online under Rowland’s mentorship in mid-October.
Zimbabwe: Cohort 1
Under the leadership of Pastors Leonard Skumba and Rodwell Masanga, we have experimented with a mix of in-person and online for Module One on Servanthood. The response has been unbelievably positive.
Nepal: Cohort 2 – This wonderful group completed Module 3: Mentorship online, with input from Pastor Timon (CityReach, Adelaide)
Cohort 3 – Pastors Ram Devkota and Yogendra Thapa are flying to the Far West to share in mentoring and teaching this group with Pastor Kishan. They will be completing Module 2: Leadership from September 28 to October 1 in-person.
Myanmar: Cohort 6
We hear encouraging reports about the sixteen women involved in this online cohort. Several have been teaching women from their own church, again, online.
Please Join in Prayer:
Pray Haggai 1:13-14 for all these BSL trainees and for their mentor-teachers. Ask the Lord to stir up (revive) their hearts.
Pray earnestly for Pastor Emmanuel that his health will be fully restored.
Pray for Cohort 1, Zimbabwe, that they will become true servants and encouragers like Barnabas.
Pray for Cohort 3 in Nepal – as they meet from Sept 28 to Oct 1.
Lastly, may I encourage you to pray Haggai 1:13-14 for yourself, that you will have a powerful sense of the Lord’s Presence with you, that you will be stirred up (re-energized) and work enthusiastically for Christ and his mission. For the glory of the Lord Jesus, and the beauty of his church,
Rowland Forman Mentor-Coach
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