AFCI Connect Blog

Training in Mindanao & Manila, Philippines

BY: Hayward Paul

I am writing this half-way through our second week of training, Tuesday night the 30th in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines. It is comfortable outside, and humid. Stormy last night and tonight. Hot and humid during the day. Our accommodations are clean with an air conditioner, 2 hard beds, hot and cold running water, and a view of the smashing Pacific and a short walk to the conference center. This crowded resort attracts many locals because of its very low price. Last week in Manila was hot weather only, cold water only, and the shortest walk we have ever had between room and conference center!!

Sixty-five (65) pastors are here from around Mindanao, and some flew in from other islands. They are enthusiastic about this program on Christian spiritual leadership the Lord is providing through us. Barbara and Jude Upjohn have 7 women instead of the expected 15, and they are working their way through Esther, and Thursday begin a short study on Heart Care - an AFCI course for women.

Chip Upjohn and I are speaking on Christian leadership - I am providing the Bible base using leaders and concepts from the Bible, and discussing qualifications and duties of Elders. Chip is using his background as a business man with two masters degrees including one he received in May from Liberty Seminary on Theological studies.

Last week in Manila we were had 45 pastors and 10 women, still shy of the expected 15 women. Not sure what happened on the women's side this time, - in the past we had to turn them away, and still had 50 for Barbara to teach!!!

This is an arduous but exciting 3 weeks including travel, that ends Sunday with our flight to San Francisco, but the Lord is with us and we are all being blessed by all He is doing.

Thank the Lord for his provision of meeting the budget and accommodating all the attendees.

Philippines Conference Update: “Going VERY WELL”

BY: Hayward Paul

Our USA team departed Monday 15 Sep for Manla, Philippine Islands and arrived on schedule Wednesday morning. We were greeted by Issachar Losbanos and his wife Edna, and later Isaias and Judith came to us. We had meetings and visits til Saturday, preached on Sunday, then to the conference site where we are now. All are healthy and well, and look forward to great ministry led by the Lord and his servant Isaias and some of his team leaders.

Things are going VERY WELL here at a conference center outside of Manila - Isaias has a great ministry and his partner Judith is so helpful. Chip and Jude Upjohn are doing a fine job in their assignments - Jude with Barbara and the 10 ladies studying Esther, and Chip with me and 45 pastors. It is a demanding time schedule, but there seems to be a great deal of enthusiasm for the work. There is much interaction with the pastors and us. Very Hot!!

Philippines Urban Church Leadership Conference

BY: Hayward Paul

I am on my way to the Philippines to join Isaias and Judith Catorce for two conferences in two separate locations. The first conference starts on August 22 and is followed by another that starts on August 28. Church leaders will gather to talk about evangelism strategies and leadership issues.  The vision of AFCI is “Teams of Nationals accelerating the spread of the Gospel through local churches worldwide.” This conference will be a training ground to help accomplish this vision. (Picture: Judith & Isaias Catorce, AFCI National Director for the Philippines)

Multiplying Church Leaders in the DRC

BY: Paul Hanak (with Fred Amoah-Darko)

This Thursday Fred and I sat down for a conversation with Dr. Kadony and his wife, Cathy. What a rich experience we had listening to how God is using them in this vast nation. Dr. Kadony’s original home is in the eastern part of the nation, where there has been unrest and much bloodshed for many years. When the nations in this region of Africa were geographically divided by colonial powers from Europe, some of the tribes were split between nations. This was surely true in looking at the border between the DRC and Uganda.  This is where much of the fighting has taken place in recent years, and continues even today.

Even though the Kadony’s have been living in Lubumbashi (in the south of Congo) for many years, for three months every year, Dr. Kadony travels to the eastern part of the nation to work with pastors in an extensive training program. The need for theological and practical training is great, and God has prepared Dr. Kadony for this work in a wonderful way. With a PhD in International Relations, he works as a full professor at the university.  However, when he joined AFCI a few years ago, he went back to school to earn a theological degree so he could better minister to pastors across the country.

Now, he and Cathy have a vision to identify and train pastors in all 11 Provinces of Congo. They have started in one of the most needy Provinces, in the eastern part of the nation, and as we sat together we worked on a plan to have ongoing training conferences for pastors there in the next 3 years. The plan is to identify a few leaders and take them  systematically through training materials developed by our Regional Director (who lives in Ghana), Fred Amoah-Darko. While this plan unfolds in the future, Dr. Kadony will also be identifying pastors and leaders in other Provinces to develop a similar program for pastors there.

DRC Pastors’ Conference

BY: Paul Hanak

For the past few days we have been interacting with some of the best and brightest pastors and church leaders in Lubumbashi. Teaching on Leadership, Lessons from Jonah, and Principles of Evangelism, God is showing all of us better ways to organize and reach out with the Gospel to this nation of 71 million people. The capital city of Congo is Kinshasa, and Lubumbashi is described as the second most important city. They say here that Lubumbashi is the New York of the DRC. Not far from here is one of richest copper mining areas in the world, and people have come from many nations to work with the Congolese people in mining and exporting copper from this region.

After two days of teaching, this morning we spent the firsts two sessions just dealing with questions and comments from the participants. Their questions indicated a deep desire to know more about how to organize and work together, not only in their individual churches, but also in more cooperative efforts to reach their city and their nation for Christ. We are already in discussions of how to develop a more systematic training program to address specific needs that have been expressed. Dr. Kadony, AFCI’s National Director, has developed an extensive plan to assist churches in leadership training. Tomorrow morning we will be talking more about how to help him as he seeks to carry out this plan.

Most of the pastors and evangelists are bi-vocational, so they struggle with a number of issues regarding the management of their time and resources. Some of those attending the conference work full time as lecturers at the University of Lubumbashi, others are students at the university (I met two medical students today in their last year of medical school), others work in business or even own their own businesses. Yet, at the same time they are seeking to pastor churches that are 200 to 500 people.

One the great joys here in Congo is listening to everyone sing. Their voices are incredible and the harmonizing of voices even without musical accompaniment is amazing. Three different groups of have come in to lead us in singing at various times this week. I wish I could bottle it all and take it with me.

God’s Grace in Travel

BY: Paul Hanak

Many things we take for granted. Traveling from one place to another is usually a simple task of choosing a mode of transportation, departing, traveling, and arriving at our destination. Not so for us while traveling to the DRC. Because flying from South Africa to Lubumbashi is twice as expensive as flying to Zambia and driving from there, Fred and I decided to go through Zambia. Arriving in Zambia was easy, traveling to the border of Zambia and the DRC was easy, but crossing the border was not so easy.

Dr. Kadony (our DRC Director) sent an email the day before warning us not to travel to the border late in the day, because we may surely run into problems – but - we did not receive his email before traveling. Therefore, we set off in the afternoon for the border, against the advice of Dr. Kadony, which I picked up in my email two days later.  We had a plan to arrive at the border before 5:00 p.m., because the border closes at 6:00 p.m. Along the way, we called Dr. Kadony and he agreed to meet us on the other side of the border. Since he had not yet left his home to meet us (he thought we would come the next day), he also called a friend who works on the border to let him know we were coming and to look for us.

Arriving at the border, we crossed over the Zambia side without a problem. But after we went through no-man’s-land between the borders, we were met at the other side by an officer who did not want to let us enter. He told us our documents were not in order. About this time, Dr. Kadony arrived at the border and started negotiating for us. During the course of talking, the time of the closing of the border came and went. Finally, the officer said we could enter; but - we needed to get our passports stamped and the person with the official stamp had gone home for the night.

We were told to come back the next morning to finalize the process. Rather than drive all the way to Lubumbashi (2 hours away) and back to the border again the next day, we looked for a hotel room near the border. Finding one, we checked in just as the electricity in the area went out. We ate a small dinner we purchased at a nearby grocery shop and went to sleep.

Fred and Stephane (one of our DRC companions) in front of our hotel

The next morning we went back to the border at 8:00 AM to continue the process. Arriving at the border, we were ushered into the office of the man who turned out to be the top person in charge of this border between Zambia and the DRC. Not knowing what to expect, we were surprised to find out the official in charge of the border was a Christian and studied in the same department of the university where Dr. Kadony is a professor. He had been reassigned to this border one week before we arrived and was just getting adjusted to his new job.  Within a few minutes he had our passports stamped, and were ready to go on our way.  We all bowed in prayer in the official’s office before departing for our week of ministry in Lubumbashi. We were slightly delayed in our journey, but we had a new friend in Christ at the border.

On the way to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

BY: Paul Hanak

On my way to the DRC, I had a plan to meet with Fred Amoah-Darko, our Regional Director for Africa, as well as ministry and Board members from Zambia, South Africa, and the DRC. We found out after setting our meeting for South Africa, that it has become very difficult for many nations in Africa to get a visa to enter the country. Fred (from Ghana) got his visa just 3 hours before his plane was to depart for Johannesburg, and Dr. Kadony (from DRC) never received a visa. His passport is still in the South African embassy. Mark Kaoma, from Zambia, does not need a visa for South Africa.

Fred (Ghana), Mark (Zambia), Me, Susan and William (South Africa)

While in South Africa we had 3 wonderful days reviewing the ministry potential in S.A. as well as Zambia. In my next post I will tell you about the DRC, where we are now ministering in a conference for 100 pastors and church leaders. For now, let me share just two items we talked about while we were together.

SOUTH AFRICA

While in South Africa, we met with a young woman (Ilse) who is employed in a local church in Pretoria. Her church started 15 years ago, and now has 9 meeting places in Pretoria with over 1,000 members in each place. God is working in the lives of South Africans, and many are giving their lives to Him! Ilse is leading devotional times for teachers in 16 different local schools in each month, using uses materials developed in South Africa (in the Africans language) called Graceful Life. These meetings for teachers are officially sanctioned by the local schools.  As we talked, it became apparent that these materials are very complementary to AFCI’s Focus on the Heart materials for women. Ilse said, “In some of the devotional times, I am amazed that teachers will sit and weep as they realize how much God loves them.” We are now praying for an opportunity to introduce the FOH materials to South African churches.

ZAMBIA

Right after our time in South Africa we traveled with Mark Kaoma, National Director for Zambia, to his home city of Ndola, Zambia, so we could drive from there the same day to the DRC.

Mark is planning a major evangelistic event this month in Livingston, Zambia, where they expect up to 70,000 people to attend. Twenty-four churches are involved in arranging this outreach, sponsored by AFCI Zambia. While driving through Ndola, we saw the new stadium that is being built there that will seat 45,000 people. The AFCI outreach in Livingston will be in a similar type setting. This is the third outreach of this kind sponsored by AFCI Zambia, and there has been very deliberate planning on how to follow up those who are expected to surrender their lives to Christ during the week of meetings later this month.

Slovakia Connect final update!

We returned safely after the ten day ministry in Slovakia.  What’s to be said?  Great in so many aspects.  The mission was to bring the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus to children in Slovakia.  That is what we did, and the results were ones hoped for: several children raised their hands when asked if they received Jesus as their Lord and Savior!   The gospel was presented carefully throughout the week in the program content, and then on Friday, clearly summarized, and accepted by some!  Good also, is the church for them to go to for nurturing and discipleship – and a group of young Slovakian couples who will certainly attend to their follow-up. 

But, more than that occurred!  Great fellowship between the Slovakian team and the team from the USA crowded out any possibility of mishaps.  The two teams bonded so well.  Friendships made last year were forged more strongly this year.  God is bringing his people together!

The USA team witnessed Pavle Cekov’s ministry activities to several groups – to the gypsies, to nearly 50 people in a home for those whose family don’t want them anymore, to 20 at a half-way house for people in a drug and alcohol recovery program.  Watching Pavle in action in front of a group, with his guitar and his big smile and his strong evangelistic message was a treat for the team mates who were not with us last year.

It was a touch of Heaven.  One comment from a USA team mate – “I didn’t realize missions could be this enjoyable!  I feel a little guilty having this much fun doing the Lord’s work!”  Many amazing things happened – one team mate who memorized John 3:16 in the impossible Slovakian language repeated it in front of every group where we shared, and she was understood and applauded every time!  A teen who replaced Barbara Paul who could not attend due to a broken foot suffered on a previous mission trip spoke in her home church….”Thank you, Miss Barbara, for breaking your foot so I could go on this wonderful mission trip in your place!” 

And so much more to be said…..we are reminded in a way of John 21:25 - ”And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.”

………..Hayward Paul

VBS Slovakia Underway

BY: HAYWARD PAUL

Vacation Bible School - English camp - is under way in Nove Zamky, Slovakia. The 45 children age 6-13 are engaged in the program. The teaching is going well. The children seem to love it. Expectations are met and exceeded.

Extra ministry at a half-way house for drug and alcohol addiction and abuse recovery was very good. Two testimonies followed by Pavle's powerful message to the 15 people there was so encouraging.

The ministry is worth all the effort thus far. We believe the Lord is pleased as we serve Him in this capacity.

Blessings to all who read this and pray...

Arrival in Slovakia

BY: HAYWARD PAUL

Our 13 person team arrived safely in Vienna after a smooth flight from Washington Dulles. Pavle met us and took us to Bratislava - Slovakia's capital for a brief walking tour, then on to lunch and to Nove Zamky for the rest of our stay.

The purpose of the mission is to present a vacation Bible school program to children in Nove Zamky, Slovakia and feed the children's program at Pavle Cekov's church - Good News Baptist with graduates from the VBS.

Visiting Good News new church building still under construction, and the school where the VBS will take place took Friday morning. A late afternoon planning meeting with the Slovakia team began the team bonding process. Lots of planning had already been done, and it showed!

Saturday was a short tour to a nearby basilica and working with the team. Sunday church found three team mates sharing their testimonies and a fourth preaching. Lunch time was with families, and the afternoon was spent at the church setting up for the VBS.

Now what we came for begins Monday......Praise the Lord we are all well, and the Slovakia and USA teams are coming together so quickly and so well.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Slovakia

BY: Hayward Paul

Tomorrow a team of 13 people will depart the USA for Slovakia to work with Pavle Cekov (National Director for Slovakia) in conducting a Vacation Bible School for 60 children in the city of Nove Zamky. This will be a wonderful opportunity to touch the lives of children and reach out to the city. Come back to this site to follow our trip as we post events as they happen in Nove Zamky.