GO100 Progress Reports
Celebration in Africa!
We are excited indeed! On February 17, Paul Strand left for Jos, Nigeria to teach the opening course in the brand new “Training of Trainers” school of NEMA (Nigerian Evangelical Missions Association), which has begun under the auspices of Bethany’s GO100 (Global Outfitting 100) vision. For more than three years, Paul has been praying, planning and preparing alongside African leaders for the inaugural course, which began on February 20, 2006. The course is a one-week, 30-hour intensive titled “Cultural Anthropology for Field Missionaries.” Paul gives the following update:
Sustainable
GO100 waited to officially start the program until it was certain that the Nigerian church and leadership were able to not only maintain, but also grow and develop the program on their own.
Passion for Evangelism
Africans have caught the vision to bring the gospel of salvation in Christ to peoples that are still unreached. Western missionaries have done a marvelous job. They have sacrificed and suffered much to reach Africa, but many unreached people groups still remain. Now, the African church has caught the missionary vision, and they have called for help. They want to be trained to do cross-cultural ministry!
Paul Strand (front row, 4th from left) at a NEMA workshop last year
Nigerian Evangelical Missions Association (NEMA)
More than 100 African denominations and missions organizations are members of NEMA. Together, they have sent out more than 4,500 missionaries, with over 1,000 of them going outside Africa to minister. But they recognize that most of these missionaries were not trained and many are returning burned out and crying for help and training.
Multiplying Training Schools
At least 400 Bible schools are operating in Nigeria alone. Many want to offer missionary training. Teachers from these schools are coming to take the courses and learn how to teach them in their own schools. Our task is not just to teach the knowledge and skills, but to show them how to teach it and give them the materials to do so.
Please Pray!
We believe that God has opened this door of service for us. But we need His power and alert sensitivity to do the task day-by-day. We need His protection, especially as Muslims around the world lash out in anger over various issues. In return, we need to show love and understanding.
To Delight God's Heart and Extend His Kingdom
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