Ministering in Madagascar and Beyond
Ministering in Madagascar and Beyond
It's been a while since we sent out our last update, but for much of the past 6 or so weeks Tim has had very limited access to communications and we're just now beginning to get caught back up!
In late July Tim travelled to Toamasina on the eastern coast of Madagascar. The journey took 3 (full) days from start to finish just to get there. 18 Pastors who between them lead 25 churches, gathered for 2 weeks of intense training. Some of these men travelled more than 1,000km to be part of this training while others walked 45km just to get to a road where they could then board a bus for an additional 5+ hour journey.
In addition to teaching 2 courses, Tim also preached each Sunday at a local church and every evening for special evangelistic services that were held to reach out to the community. When he got up to preach the first time, he was surprised to see that a cell phone was placed beside him. After the service he asked why it was there and he learned that several churches are located deep in the bush areas with very little access. At this time because of a shortage of trained pastors, these churches don't have anyone to preach to them on a regular basis. So the phone was there because groups of believers across the country were gathering in these bush areas to sit around a speaker phone and to worship together and hear the Word preached. What a humbling thing to be a part of, but also an important reminder of just how crucial the work of training leaders and pastors for the global church really is!
After returning from Madagascar, it was a quick turn-around before heading to the Far East to train a group of pastors from the underground church. Of particular encouragement was a pastor who told Tim all about how he had implemented in his church what he had learned from Tim the last time he was there. Due to security issues in this region we can't share more details about our work there, but God is on the move. Remember to pray for our brothers in these regions where they are facing increasing opposition and persecution.
Be sure to check out the brief video that Tim recorded in Madagascar (below).
Thanks for your prayers and your continued partnership in the work of the gospel.
