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Archives for September 2016

God Loves Multiplication!

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“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2 – NASB95)

God loves multiplication! He loves it in the local church and He loves it on the mission field. That is why STN is committed to training national pastors to not only plant churches but to equip others who will equip others… For many years, foreign missionaries would go out and do all the work themselves, but at this time in history it is critical that we train nationals to reach their own nations.

Let me give you a few reasons why:

  • Language. It is difficult enough to teach a missionary one language so they can minister in a foreign environment. But imagine a nation like India where there are 22 major languages and 780 dialects. It is much better to equip nationals that already know the languages so they can reach their own people.
  • Culture & Religion. Beyond the language barrier, there are a myriad of cultural practices and religious beliefs that are different than what we have experienced. STN strives to train people who already understand these beliefs and practices.
  • Politics. Currently there are a number of countries (including India) that are beginning to ask missionaries (or foreigners) to leave when their visas expire. Recently I was told by the vice president of a large ministry that his application for a visa was denied. It is imperative that we train permanent residents who can stay and keep the work going.
  • Finances. In many countries we can support anywhere from 10 to 60 nationals for the cost of supporting one American missionary. It is our desire to maximize the donations given to STN and get as many church planters out to unreached areas as possible. We still value sending highly trained American missionaries but primarily want them to be sent as national directors or regional trainers. In those positions they can recruit, equip, and deploy hundreds of nationals to reach unreached villages.
  • Effectiveness. Because of the reasons listed above we believe our effectiveness is increased exponentially by focusing on training and resourcing nationals in every country. And what joy it brings us to see them going out with a heart to MULTIPLY workers for the harvest fields.

Thank you for participating with us in the vital ministry of STN. Your time spent volunteering and praying is making a profound difference in India, Nepal, Bolivia, and beyond. And your monetary donations are making it possible for the equipping and resourcing of hundreds of workers who will ultimately be involved in planting thousands of churches. Please pray for us that we would be wise and faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. To God be the glory great things He is doing!

Updates on STN in Latin America

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From Eddie Bueno,

Since my visit to Bolivia in the month of June, we are encouraged to see the ministry continue. We are moving forward with the training plan, enthusiasm to continue with the studies is greater, and all three institutes are operating at 100%.

The Lord is opening new doors for possible institutes in other Latin America countries. We see a great desire from pastors in Guatemala, Honduras, Chile and Argentina to have sound biblical training made available to them. Please pray for us to have wisdom to find the right contacts and fields to move into in the coming months and years.
bolivia_location_map-01We ask for your prayers for the following:

  • The institutes that are already open in Bolivia
  • The new possible institute in Bolivia
  • Possibilities for new institutes in Honduras, Guatemala, Chile and Argentina
  • That God will provide finances to carry out this entire project

Thank you for supporting us with your prayers and for the financial support.

God bless you,

Eddie Bueno

STN Graduates – What are they doing now?

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Submitted by Ravi Rathan Kumar

Shepherding the Nations successfully conducted the BTCP course over a period of 5 years and held its graduation in the year 2014. Nearly 40 pastors were given a certificate of completion. More than the certificate, it was the precious teaching that was given to them that they value the most.

Ministry Changes

During the two years we have travelled to the churches where the pastors are ministering, we observed a marked difference in their preaching, ministry and teaching. One of the visible effects of BTCP training was found in evidence that their preaching is rightly dividing the word of God. The next best thing that has happened to them was the “ingraining” of the correct doctrines in this age of false teaching and false doctrines.

New Training Begins

  • One pastor has taken the task of teaching the BTCP to 10 students in his area and has completed the first 5 books of the course.
  • One more course was held in Hyderabad on the 12th of September, 2016, taugth for 10 pastors by Brother Ravi Rathan and Brother Timothy. The pastors who were trained came from the remotest places of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States, and were trained for a period of 12 days.

It is our endeavour to encourage others to hold similar training programmes, and pass on the benefit to others who are otherwise deprived of this special and precious input.

We are immensely thankful to STN international, for their vision, support in helping us to impart the training.

 

Why Would I Return to India?

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by Tammy Werth

This November I will be returning to India. Why do I want to return to India?

God has grown my heart and passion for the people and the ministry in India for many years.  Anyone who knows me, knows I’m always excited to talk about India, the pastors and their families and the training Shepherding the Nations is doing.
Ryder and Flory

Our missionaries in India.

Ryder & Flory Kumar have been in India for almost a year and they are a big part of the reason I would like to return to India. They are precious Saints who have given up family, friends and home to serve a higher calling. Matthew 19:29 says “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.”  As with any missionary on the field, it hasn’t been easy for them. Adjusting to the chaos and multitudes of people in India has challenged them. The Lord is the controller of all things and Ryder and Flory know the One (God) who controls everything and know the kind of controller He is, that He is Good. Ryder and Flory have been very busy teaching, traveling and planning. They are excited about what the Lord is doing around and through them and are making a difference for the kingdom of God in India. Ryder and Flory will always need our encouragement and more importantly our prayers.  Please pray for our dear brother and sister, for their marriage, health, wisdom and discernment and for God to show them His plans.

I hope to be a blessing when I visit India. My schedule will be hectic but I’m eager to visit several cities. I will visit other precious believers, worship with Shanthi & Ravi who are key leaders with STN India, share with three groups of women, share at a Christian orphanage, attend another BTCP graduation in Vijayawada, meet with leaders from other organizations, travel to Mumbai and have much time with our special couple, Ryder and Flory. Please pray that the Lord would use me and that I would be ready for what He has for me on this trip. Jai Masih Ki

What is Happening Now is Not a Paradox!

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A paradoxical shift has occurred in India as the majority of people, both in the community and government, have become hostile to the Gospel. I say this because it has become a conspicuous fact in the media. Persecutions that were unheard of in the past are happening now on a regular basis. But the God of the Bible is sovereign and will not withhold His mighty hand of power. What has been accomplished by STN International team in the past is really a preparation and prerequisite of what is now occurring. The hard labors, long and tiresome travels and long hours of the daily routines have been rewarded in abundance.

As I write this there are eleven faithful men, from different tribal backgrounds going thru a systematic equipping program. They spend ten hours a day studying and engulfing themselves with course material all to be completed in the next two weeks. This is conducted and taught by two of our STN graduates: Pastor Ravi is a retired bank officer and currently shepherds a lively church, and Timothy is a computer engineer and currently runs a company.

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Ryder teaches while Timothy translates

While these men are valiantly working, ten men from South India (all from s Hindi background) came from several remote villages a couple of days ago just in time for fasting and prayer. They began their systematic study program taught by Pastor Laxman Paul, who is a former attorney and was mentored by Pastor KB. The best part is that Laxman is a graduate of STN! How exciting that this is happening in North India in a state which is dominated by Hindu religion. Oh but there is more!

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Laxman Paul leads new training group

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The state of Odisha that became well-known for the murder of the Stains (a missionary family with two kids from Australia) houses a similar study program for 32 participants. Twenty men are expected to do the same in Nepal starting in October. For many years missionaries have tried to reach an area called Budh Gaya. This place is said to be where Buddha had his “enlightenment” that eventually proved to be futile. The same area is not only reached with the power of the Gospel, but a group of 10 men who have been captivated by the Gospel, are making serious efforts to study from one of our STN graduates. Jose Simon travels a long distance with many challenges, incurring all the costs for his own travel.

He works as a principal of a school with the responsibility the job entails, and leads a family with two young children making ministry very difficult. It is not easy for him to travel twelve times a year to a place, which entails 40 hours on a train plus surviving the rigorous bus journey and paying for the needs that arise during these trips. What the team from STN International have done in pouring out their lives to their ministry has accomplished more than just in the area of teaching. It has equipped these trainers and has demonstrated how things can be done when they follow the God who leads! Their commitment has displayed an accomplishment of ‘focus with perspective to multiplying God’s people’. We praise God for Paul Brown and Randy Leinen and the tremendous leadership they display and provide.

dscn6313
dscn6310img_20160603_162556As we look to God for more resources as there are scores of servants waiting for an opportunity to be trained in the program. There is an equal number who are in need of financial support and need your help. Would you pray for God’s enabling? The King is coming soon! Would you partner with us? Philippians 1:5 “in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.”

It is not a paradox when His power is awesome! Zechariah 4:6 “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

Update: Taste of Summer Ladies Luncheon

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Thank you so much to all of you who attended our latest fundraising event! Almost a hundred women gathered at The Bridge Bible Fellowship to enjoy a delicious gourmet salad bar lunch, with homemade breads and muffins and cheesecake for dessert!

xiomara-video luncheon table

We all enjoyed browsing the 20 raffle baskets of donated items.

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Tammy Werth spoke about how the Lord has worked in her life to bring her to participate on our STN board and also in short term mission trips to India. (Read about her upcoming trip here.) We enjoyed a video update from Xiomara Bueno about the ministry of STN in Bolivia and also a video greeting from the Kumar’s in India.

tammy-luncheon annette-mc

Over $3000 was raised for the ministry of Shepherding the Nations through the generous attendees of this luncheon. In addition, several people committed to sponsoring Ryder Kumar in India which helped to bring up his support level by almost $200 per month. In addition $440 was given towards purchasing 44 books for the pastors in India and Bolivia.

 

Prayer Requests

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India

  • Spirit of wisdom in addressing the issues and difficulties of legal documents: battles to be won; God to make the path straight; unity in the STN India board; understanding in the process.
  • TTW graduates to be good stewards, serve sacrificially and diligently. Process of ordering and getting the course books to different parts of country to be smooth.
  • Transaction of money at ATM/bank is not a easy process. Pray for grace and enabling and not to enter into any difficult situation with the government. So far the Lord protected in handling the money issues.
  • Needs of contacts to be addressed carefully. Understanding and discernment in all the dealing with new contacts.
  • During the planned visit to the US in Feb and March 2017, pray that the Lord to open doors in several places to minister the Word and share the ministry of India. Adequate financial support may be raised.
  • Visit of Tammy Werth in Fall 2016 to be very fruitful. Protection and safety in air and road travel. All the details to be worked out smoothly. Meetings at churches, audiences and individuals to be a blessing.
  • The Lord’s guidance in the future of work such as appointing area directors, administrative assistant(s), purchasing of a desk top computer with printer, STN study center and India board.
  • Forthcoming special events: October 5th there is going to an occasion of 61st wedding anniversary of Ravi’s parents where Ryder would preach. Please pray for the need of $1500.00 to help in four ladies seminars per year. Ladies have been aggressively requesting with genuine needs.
  • Travels and road journeys to be guarded and protected by God.
  • Salvation of many, ministry of training/mentoring/discipleship to be made abundantly fruitful. All those STN partners teaching BTCP.
  • BTCP classes are going in the following places to be made abundantly fruitful: States of Odisha, Bihar, U.P. and Telangana. Expecting 100 participants to be equipped. Diligence and understanding for the teachers who are teaching.
  • Travel of teachers to various places who are teaching BTCP. Finances needed.
  • God to provide a suitable place in Lucknow for office set up. All the records, folders and admin work to be done carefully and diligently. All these to be in good order.
  • Preaching and teaching ministry to be made fruitful.

Bolivia

  • The institutes that are already open in Bolivia
  • The new possible institute in Bolivia
  • New institutes in Chile and Argentina
  • That God will provide finances to carry out this entire project