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Concern for the Local Churches

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by STN International Director, Ryder Kumar (SE Asia)

“There is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.”
2 Corinthians 11:28.

The STN organization was born in a local church.

Most of the International board members are either pastors or elders and their wives. Others on the board are significantly involved in the ministries of the local church. I delight in talking about these facts as the Lord has put on our hearts to focus on local churches right from the inception of Shepherding the Nations.

Pastor Suresh with his wife, Mercy

About 18 years ago, even before STN was established, when we first launched out into India, we had about half a dozen assemblies (churches) in India with whom we were closely associated and ministered. The Lord increased the number; today, STN is partnering with about 60 churches in various parts of India and Nepal. On the left, we have Pastor Suresh with his wife, Mercy. Our team worked for several years with this church in North India.

While we labored in North India, we also had a great opening in South India. Left is a picture of a local church on the left where Pastor Ravi Rathan Kumar, along with one of his elders named Timothy, participated in the study courses of STN and graduated.

Everywhere STN has operated, we have worked with local churches. In Nepal, the Lord led our regional director, Jose Simon, to work with local churches.

Jose Simon, center

A Pastor from Nepal says,

“I could learn how to stop the wrong teachings from spreading in our area. I learned what true gospel is and how to keep a church record. Through church history, I could learn to avoid the faults of the previous generation.”
-Dil Bahadur Dharti

In one of the growing assemblies (church) in a remote location in South India, we have a dear brother who resigned from his lucrative bank job to be a pastor of his church.

Having no biblical training, he not only joined our study program but also provided the use of the church facilities and food to all the participants from the beginning to the end of the program. He graduated and continued to serve the Lord at the same location. (Photo on left.)

India has a population of 1.3 billion and will have the largest population in the world by 2023.

We look forward to tens of thousands who will be trained and equipped to catch the vision. We came in contact with one senior pastor who came into the grip of this vision. Brother Paul Chepa, a senior pastor, says, “STN has been pivotal in planting and establishing new local churches in remote and tribal villages of Andhra Pradesh. I can proudly say that STN training shaped, equipped, and prepared the ministers for effective and healthy churches. I found a mentor in Ryder, International Director, who personally prays, speaks, guides, encourages, and challenges with daily devotions and different biographies and his testimonies. We are always indebted to the STN ministries for blessing us with training”.

Is the Church in India growing? Yes!

  • New churches are planted.
  • The Word is preached.
  • STN stepped into these nations with God’s provision, enabling us to serve His people.
  • There are many needs to be met, and this can’t be done without the partnership of churches with a vision for Missions!

1 Corinthians 16:9 – “For a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

The STN training and equipping is not limited to study programs. The International team that goes to India has been involved in counseling to resolve conflicts in interpersonal relationships. The leaders’ relationships in the local churches were restored.

One of the blessings has been to be an example to the local churches in keeping New Testament practices. On the right, we have prayed over those baptized by laying on of hands. On the left, we have a photo of a child’s dedication. This attests to the teaching that we do dedication but not child baptism.

We do praise God for the local churches that are partnering with STN. Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Four cities, two countries, and lots of news about STN in Latin America.

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Latin America Trip, May 2022

One of The Bridge Bible Fellowship Pastors, Eddie Bueno, along with his son, Sammy, was finally free to travel to Latin America to meet in person with our STN trainers.

 

The purpose of this long-awaited trip was two-fold:

  1. to discuss and reestablish the priorities of STN in the Bolivian cities where we had started this ministry;
  2. to encourage the trainers to make sure that many had access to sound biblical training with an emphasis on planting new churches.
Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Pastor Bueno met with our Regional Director for Bolivia, Pastor Richard Buitrago. They were mutually encouraged as they discussed the challenges that came with Covid, and the plans to move forward with STN’s training program in Bolivia.

Summary of the work in Santa Cruz, Bolivia:

  • Pastor Buitrago has seen two classes graduate with more than 30 total graduates.
  • Four churches were planted by STN graduates before Covid; these churches have struggled, but now three of these churches continue to meet, each with up to 20 adults plus children.
  • Pastor Buitrago moved during Covid and is planting a church near the airport. He will be starting training classes in his home in this new area.
  • At the same time, he is starting a children’s ministry and has already formed a group with more than 35 children. Pastor Bueno says, “I hope that God will help us to restart support for this children’s ministry, which before the pandemic reached more than 600 children.”

Prior work in Cochabamba and La Paz, Bolivia will not be continuing at this time. Pray for Pastor Tito for provision for his frail health and difficult financial situation.

Pastor Bueno in El Alto, Bolivia

Pastor Bueno was able to meet with several pastors who are interested in starting new training classes in La Paz, Bolivia.

  • Pastor Jhonny Villareal, has been a pastor for more than 25 years working with “Union Bautista Boliviana” (Bolivian Baptist Union) in one of the most difficult regions of La Paz called “El Alto.” A million and a half people live there; the majority are indigenous people of very low income, with few Biblically sound churches. This makes the need to have an STN training institute even greater in this city, where witchcraft is very common, and alcoholism is very high among the youth.
  • Pastor Bueno also met with Pastor Joaquin Barrau, a pastor in the southern region of La Paz for over 30 years. He teaches in the Christian Seminary of La Paz and has a Master of Divinity. He is very interested in our BTCP training program. Many Christians who would like to prepare for ministry are not able to attend a seminary because they don’t have a high school diploma, or they don’t have the resources necessary to pay for their studies. Pastor Barrau believes that our program would be an answer for these.
Pastor Bueno in El Alto, Bolivia

Pastor Bueno in El Alto, Bolivia

Colombia

Pastor Bueno also traveled to Tulua in Cali, Colombia, a beautiful town where they cultivate sugar cane. He was there with brother Edwin Verjan, who was a deacon of Iglesia Cristiana Puente de Vida (TBBF’s Hispanic congregation) for 14 years. He went back to Colombia and now attends a Baptist church.

The pastor of this church, Rigoberto Revelo, is from Honduras. He was a missionary in India and is now planting a church in Colombia. When he heard about our project, he was very excited to make STN a reality in his church.

Status of STN in other Latin American countries:

  • México – Pastor Marco will soon hold the graduation which was cancelled two years ago due to Covid. He will then start looking for new students to start the training classes again in Mexico.
  • Honduras – After many trials, Pastor Pino is again giving classes; they are in book nine (of ten). Pastor Pino is challenging the students to go and plant churches and there are several brothers from the 26 students that are excited to accomplish this calling. Let’s pray for Honduras.
  • Guatemala – We ask for your prayers so that God would open the doors in Guatemala again. We have a contact with a church that seems to be interested in starting STN training classes since they are growing and would like to be more useful in the labor of the Lord.

Please pray for Pastor Eddie Bueno as he is committed to the Lord and depending on his physical strength and health, he would like to continue the original plans for training classes in Latin America that Covid interrupted. He says, “I believe in the Lord that it is time to continue forward. Knowing that these times are decisive and maybe the last to preach and teach the Lord’s Holy Word.”

Multiplying in Obedience to the Mandate of the LORD

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by Ryder Kumar, International Director STN.

In accordance with the Scriptural mandate given in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The main focus of STN has been to magnify the LORD by seeing the local churches become healthy through the preaching and teaching of the Word. 2 Corinthians 2:17, “For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”

National Conference for Expository Preachers

Observing the desperate need of the local churches in the regions, our hearts were moved to hold a gathering called, “National Conference for Expository Preachers.” About 200 were selected to attend our National Conference for Expository Preachers during October, 2019. Testimonies of the participants were staggering in many ways. One pastor said, “Not a single eye was without tears at the end of the last session.” Another young pastor said, “this is the first time I heard such marvelous teaching.” Yet another from our faculty, soon after the last session – literally crying – fell on my shoulder expressing the way he was blessed and motivated. Two pastors who were leaders of the application sessions have decided to have an on-going ministry of helping each other to prepare expository preaching. Everyone present at the three-day seminar was glued to the speakers. All who attended received in abundance.

The Team of Speakers

Paul Brown, Randy Leinen, and David Hegg taught with a practical and relevant approach to the culture. Paul with his passionate tone and tears ministered to people as he began and closed the conference. The enlightenment from the teaching, guidance and training received through the Word to proclaim the Word has made the participants to be blessed in heart and mind as they left the conference rejoicing.

As he has in prior trips, Paul Brown had a multi-task ministry. He not only taught NCEP sessions every day, he also preached in the evenings in a local church and three times at Sunday service. His wife, Diane, ministered through her melodious voice. What a moment of blessing it was! Added to these significant activates, many came to Paul requesting prayer.

Randy Leinen with his ‘gift of giving’ did it again! He brought MacArthur Study Bibles that were so much appreciated by several pastors who received them individually. With all his admin skills, he provided dynamic service in guiding the STN India ministry. Along with these involvements, his passionate teaching every day during the sessions transported blessings form God in abundant fruitfulness. One example is new groups in “WhatsApp” have been created to help/teach/develop one another. His zealous preaching at evening services and on Sunday have developed a relationship in a new church giving us a new task of follow up. We are so grateful to the Lord for keeping Randy and his wife Susan in our midst as a great impact in the lives.
The board with 20 brothers and sisters met together several times since 2017 to pray and plan for NCEP. God answered prayers and rewarded the labors. God provided for our needs, including the venue, weather, administration, unity and above all abundant fruitfulness. Joy, excitement, enriching experiences, fellowship and to focus on multiplying is echoing in all our hearts! Would you please continue to pray.

Multiplication

Let me begin with a testimony of J. S., our newly appointed Regional Director for North India and Nepal. He says,

“A. M. of Kanpur (North India) was a participant of NCEP 2019. He attended the conference along with his newly wedded wife L.M. She participated in the Ladies Conference that went on in the same venue simultaneously. The teachings in these conferences made such a strong impact in both lives that they have committed to learning and teaching the pure Word of God to others.”

Not keeping the blessing to themselves, this young couple poured out their burden before A.M.’s brother from a different state that has desperate need. His brother plans to organize a BTCP group with 18 to 20 participants. The story goes on and on, as more doors are being opened; this is happening in the heart belt of North India where the “H” community is thickly populated.

A similar testimony from V.H., our director, soon after his appointment in South India launched into ministry and says,

“On 25th November we have conducted STN Training Orientation Class in G. Village. 35 pastors, leaders and pastor’s wives have attended. I invited graduates to share their blessings of this training.  I shared about STN’s vision and how it has grown.”

Graduation of 249 in South and North India

Presently we have 11 on-going training centers with anticipation to see another 39 centers during 2019-20. The presence of STN is felt in six different states of the country while groups in about 20 states are still waiting for us to launch out into their states. 249 graduated in October from various centers of North, Central and South India.

Nepal Outreach

Six congregations in Nepal have been established through a simple witness, prayers and love from one couple who got trained by STN.

BTCP courses are taught in two different areas in this country. There is a desperate need to see financial support for our brothers who are laboring to meet the needs of these congregations. To reach these areas we go through the mountains and cross water and mud. But it is worth it to minister to groups that are waiting to be fed, who are both hungry and sacrificial.

Please Pray

  • Significant growth over the years and multiplying of groups has brought greater tasks of administration. New regional directors have been appointed by laying on hands by the elders. We are anticipating 500 to be undergoing our training. Our goal in 2020 is to see 50 areas of ministry including existing 11 centers.
  • Pastors in Nepal need financial assistance.
  • Travel to remote villages has always been a challenge.  One of our graduates of P. village lives on the hills had to walk for two
    hours to get public transport that takes another two hours. He has never failed to be on time.
  • Goals and targets for 2020 are very high. Without His enabling we cannot proceed in this training and equipping of several hundreds in many remote villages and towns.

A Dream Come True

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By Mika Kaltoft

Missions Trip to Africa

After arriving in Zambia, our team began traveling from village to village preaching the gospel in the open air. Many of the people in the villages had never seen white people or heard the gospel before. By God’s grace, they were eagerly listening to our message and we saw many come to know Christ. I particularly remember a Catholic man who was radically saved after one of our preaching events. The day after the event, the man came back, asking how he could start a church in his village. His face was shining as he told us about his desire to see his friends, family and whole village come to know Christ. I was thrilled about his passion for sharing the gospel, but deep down, I thought to myself, “Who is going to disciple this man and equip him to start a church?” I didn’t have an immediate answer to my question but kept pondering on it in the back of my mind.

A Seed Planted

The mission-trip to Africa had a profound impact on me. The Lord didn’t call me to pack my things, move to Africa and become a missionary, but my time of ministry in Africa kindled a desire in me. I wanted to teach and train men and women in their own country to fulfill the great commission by preaching the gospel and making disciples of all nations.

I kept asking myself, “How can we equip these believers for ministry?” But as life went on, my dream to shepherd the nations slowly faded into the background. Little did I know that the Lord had not sung the last tune on that song.

Discovering Shepherding the Nations

Moving forward about six years, I providentially began working at The Bridge Bible Fellowship in California. As I got to know my new church family, I learned that several of the pastors and church members had started a non-profit organization named Shepherding the Nations (STN) back in 2007.

I went to look at STN’s website and found their missions statement:

“To glorify God by developing a global partnership which trains and supports indigenous pastors, who will be involved in planting healthy churches that know Jesus Christ and make Him known.”

Say what? If I’m not mistaken, it sounds a whole lot like the dream the Lord placed in my heart years before in a small dusty village in Africa. I began to talk with Pastor Randy about STN, and he shared with me the impact the ministry is having in the lives of hundreds of believers in India and South America.

Shepherding the Nations in India

Our talks about STN led to planning and our planning led to the purchasing of airplane tickets and the purchasing of airplane tickets led us to India. In October, I came home from a two-week mission trip to India with STN, where we have been training more than 300 men and women to minister the gospel more effectively through the teaching of the Bible.

National Conference for Expository Preachers

During our time in India, we held a three-day National Conference for Expository Preachers. I was encouraged to see the hunger for God’s Word in India—the same hunger I saw in Africa. The men who attended the conference were eagerly listening as they were learning about expository preaching, and they were passionately engaging in their discussion groups after each session. No one sat passively listening; everyone joined the discussions with much excitement and commitment. There was so much to learn. So much to take away from the teaching. So much to consider, reevaluate and embrace. It was incredible to watch.

The men traveled from far and wide to attend the conference. A couple of men traveled an uncomfortable 25-hours in a train to make it to the conference. Other indigenous men came from a rural and dangerous area where militant Hindus daily persecuted them and where Christians have been burned alive in the past.

Many of the conference attendees expressed their thankfulness for the time, energy and resources we had sacrificed to come across the globe to teach God’s Word on how to become better preachers and leaders in their churches. A man told us the enormous impact the conference had on him as tears were running down his cheeks. He said that he had learned so much at the conference that will help him become a more faithful minister and preacher of God’s Word to his congregation.

BTCP Graduation

The day after the conference, we held a graduation for 200 students who had faithfully spent more than 500 hours working their way through the ten BTCP books to receive a solid biblical foundation on which to build their Christian lives and ministry. The following week, we went to Northern India, where we graduated an additional 41 faithful students.

Several of the graduates will be planting new churches to reach and disciple more Indians in the near future, but their commitment to Christ doesn’t come without a cost. The threat and persecution of these Christians is a daily reality in India, and our brothers and sisters in Christ need our prayers as they remain faithful to the Lord in reaching the lost in a raging storm.

Only God knows the ultimate impact of the conference and our ministry in India, but I’m confident we will see the effect for many generations to come.

The Future of Shepherding the Nations

I’m excited to continue my work with STN in the future. I’m eager to see how the Lord is going to continue to expand the ministry, its reach and the number of believers equipped to teach God’s Word and plant healthy churches.

How Can You Get Involved?

If this article is stirring a desire in you to train believers in impacting their country for Christ through STN, I ask that you take a moment and prayerfully ask the Lord to show you how to get involved with this ministry either by praying or giving financially.

 photo credit: Alan McDole

Another Momentous Blessing for STN Southeast Asia: Regional Directors!

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By Ryder Kumar, STN International Director

North India Regional Director

What can we call *J.S.? Cobra Killer? Principal of a school of 300 kids? Missionary in one of the most remote areas of Northern India? Ten-year faculty member serving STN India?

While all these are absolutely true ‘titles,’ so to speak, J.S. joined our first batch of equipping and training students in Lucknow and graduated, and was so motivated by the teaching and dedication of the visiting U.S. ministry team that he couldn’t wait to start his ministry of sharing the Good News of the Gospel in some of the remotest areas of India.

His reliance on the Lord in facing the difficult journeys and daunting challenges he has faced every day of his ministry has been an encouragement to all of us over the past several years.

Along with his wife, L.S., son (21), daughter, J.S.(16) is determined to live in the village where he bought a piece of land with his income that he received from the sale of his property in Kerala. Different kinds of venomous snakes, including deadly cobras, menace the area. Surrounding communities worship the cobra and won’t kill them out of fear, but call for J.S. to kill them if they become a danger.

Along with dangerous areas in Odisha, J.S. has dared to go as far as Jharkhand, Bihar and Nepal, in addition to his teaching in his own village in Uttar Pradesh.

Flory and I are humbled and honored to have this brother help STN India and Nepal as its Regional Director starting next month. Many thanks to the international team for recognizing his dedication and approving him for the task.

Central India Regional Director

central india The Lord is amazing in the ways of how He brought people to the Lord’s work who share a oneness of mind and are willing to focus on the vision God has given STN International.

E.Z., our good friend from Dallas Theological Seminary who is serving in Dubai, met P. who was, at the same time, working with the Bible Society in Dubai, but resigned his post to return to India to serve the Lord. P. and his wife, D., a Professor of English, have two daughters, 21, and 20, and would visit our home regularly to participate in our weekly STN prayer meetings.

Flory’s meetings with D., such as at the ladies’ seminar, created a strong bond, while observing the vision and burden of P. led us to accept him as an STN Regional Director in Hyderabad.

P. has studied theology in seminary and has joined me on several journeys I’ve taken to teach BTCP orientation classes. That experience led him to join the faculty of STN India to teach and equip more than 50 students in several remote areas across the country.

As the International Board accepted and approved the candidature of P. as one of STN’s new Regional Directors, Flory and I are very happy that we have a person known for his dedication and servanthood leadership to take up the task and help STN move forward.

South India Regional Directors

Both V.K. and I.K. first joined STN’s equipping and training classes in 2004 when the U.S. team began their regular mission trips to India.

The intentions of these two men were so different when they first stepped into the class. They are both living proof of how God works in people’s hearts.

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”- Hebrews 4:12

While the team from the U.S. was laboring with love and commitment, the Lord was doing His work quietly and, as always in ways far beyond our comprehension.

Very soon, V.K.’s original intention of contacting Pastor Paul Brown via email in order to get financial help vanished through the ministry of the Word of God.

He had a change of heart and also brought his brother I.K. for the training and continued faithfully to undergo, and successfully complete, the entire five-year program. This brought about such a radical transformation that both brothers launched a Gospel teaching ministry that extends into five remote regions.  Many of the participants in the brothers’ ministry will graduate this year.

After spending much time observing the brothers’ communication skills, knowledge, and dedication to spreading The Gospel, the decision was made to name V.K. as Regional Director of the area with I.K. serving as Associate Regional Director, as well as STN pastor of a local church.

Flory and I have had several meetings with these brothers’ families and have seen their commitment to the Lord’s work. Flory has personally invested time in these precious lives. V.K. and his wife, P.K. have a son 15 years old.

We are very happy that the International board approved these brothers to undertake this responsibility.

The Ordination of our Regional Directors

A laying on of hands of all these new Regional Directors will be done by the elders, if God wills, in October. Please join us in praying for them as they embark on their new work in God’s service.

*Names and places have been omitted for security.

Latin America Update

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by Pastor Eddie Bueno

STN Latin America continues to work with five institutes in Mexico, Honduras and Bolivia.

BOLIVIA

Last October almost 50 students graduated from three different institutes. We thank God because as a result four new churches have been planted in Santa Cruz and they are in the process of growing. These churches were planted by brothers that have graduates from our institute.

Cochabamba has planted two new churches. La Paz planted a new church that is located four hours from the city in a totally secluded place and where no pastor has been willing to go, but a student from the STN institute has decided to go there to preach and plant a church.

We also ask for your prayers for the political situation in Bolivia, this year there will be elections and the current government is a socialist government that is fighting to eradicate religion in Bolivia. Pray that this does not happen, nor affect the on-going training.

HONDURAS

We ask for your prayers for pastor Jose Antonio Pino who teaches at the institute in Honduras, he suffered a serious motorcycle accident and was about to lose his arm, but thank God that after three surgeries they managed to save his arm and he is now recovering and receiving therapy and will continue teaching in the STN institute of Honduras.

India Women’s Conferences October 2019

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When I think about the incredible opportunity and priviledge I’ve been given to travel to India with my husband and the STN team, I am truly humbled and grateful. In so many ways I’ve been ‘grafted in’ among these gifted people. STN’s ministry is to teach and train. So the Lord brought together a band of incredible teachers. The men’s conferences are rich in biblical teaching from Paul Brown, Randy Leinen, Ryder Kumar, and sometimes others. The men come away saturated in God’s Word and deeply motivated to take their training to their churches and villages.

This past trip, as in years past, we have included a women’s conference. Susan Leinen, Flory Kumar, and Tammy Werth brought great teaching to the ‘sisters’ in Lucknow and in Hyderabad. I bring what help I can – in the way of photograpy, practical support to my husband and the team, and ministering in song. What a joy!

Below are some gathered thoughts and encouraging notes from our team and also from a few of the ‘sisters’ to whom we ministered. I hope and pray these give you a glimpse of the work and fruitful fruition of our STN efforts given to us by our Lord Jesus. Also, please enjoy a few photos of our latest women’s conferences and these beautiful women – the ‘jewels of India.’

“My ministry goals for the trip in India were quite a challenge – preparing three messages and teaching to more than 200 women in India, trying to understand the needs of people with a completely different culture, language, and education, and being an example in love, prayer, humility, and team unity. It was clear from the very early planning stages that the only way to operate was in the strength of Christ and the prayers of our supporters. He was able to accomplish all of what we hoped and much more in the lives of these precious women. Please continue to pray for these ladies that they would put in to practice all that they learned and share it with others.” – Susan Leinen

“We all did what the Master had us do. It was an incredible blessing – a treat of the Word. The ladies in the churches normally get textual messages. However, in the conferences, the impact was topical and practical messages filled with illustrations, fun projects as reminders, and encouragement to carry out the biblical teaching on a daily basis. Diane, your singing was appreciated – taking them to the next level of worship. And, as one sister puts it, ‘I was mesmerised by her voice.’ Our staff assistant shared what she had learned about habitual sin to her village Sunday School children. A boy went home and told his mother, ‘my teacher said robbing a pencil is sin. I will not do it again.’ (Villagers don’t have very nice things and tend to envy or rob.)” – Flory Kumar

 

“Our heartfelt thanks to you all for spending your valuable insights, time, energy, and money by coming all the way from the US to us. May God bless you.”

“I personally was so blessed to hear from you these wonderful biblical truths. The topics shared are most needed, yet most neglected, and considered casual. That’s why God sent His word through your team. You all were so humble and stood as an example for us. I thank God for you all. Surely we will live for God s Glory.” – From our Indian sisters

Revivus: this weekend!

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Shepherding the Nations is now being sponsored by Breaking Ground Worship Band who will be participating in the Revivus event this Saturday, August 4th in Simi Valley.
Come hear Breaking Ground Worship Band at 4 pm; we will be passing out free stickers at their booth from 3-9pm, so please stop by!

Our pastors need your help; our pastors need you!

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By Tammy Werth

Are you interested in supporting an STN pastor without money or even leaving home?

We all benefit from having someone pray for us. How much would a pastor in another country benefit from your prayerful support? We may never know how important it is to have others praying until we get to heaven. I’d like to share the joy and excitement God has given me praying for a couple STN training pastors and their classes in India.

A few months ago, Paul Brown sent a request for prayer partners for the pastors being trained in India. I noticed someone had signed up to pray for seven pastors, one for each day. I thought, I can pray for a couple pastors and his class. I requested pastors I had met when I visited India. I thought I could easily pray for a pastor familiar to me. I didn’t realize I would be given everyone’s name in the class. Overwhelmed by the number I wondered how I would faithfully pray for all these pastor students. I broke down the list by class and wrote all their names on index cards. This seemed a little more doable and would help me to keep track of the ones for whom I had prayed. I committed to specifically pray for three or four names each time I set aside times to pray for these pastor students.

prayer index cards

What happened next overwhelmed me.

I thought my familiarity with the pastor teachers would get me started but God in His omniscience has not allowed me to rely on my strength or wisdom. The first day I prayed for the two pastors I already knew and met in India. That seemed easy enough. The next day I had three cards with names on them before me and I pleaded with God to help me because I had no idea what or how to pray. In an instant “unity” popped into my mind. I thought, even if this was wrong or my own thoughts I could pray for so many things that had to do with unity. The next time I prayed and asked the Lord for help and “protection” popped into my mind so I prayed for protection. In the middle of praying for protection someone else on a mission trip popped into my mind so I prayed for them as well. Wow this was overwhelming and brought me so much joy to be a part of what God was doing in a place I could not see.

The Lord has faithfully directed and guided me to pray for what these men and their wives need. Each time I’ve asked the Lord what to pray I haven’t been without a thought or direction from the Holy Spirit for these pastors who are on the front lines in the darkest areas on our planet, where they face the greatest opposition to the gospel. As a bonus, when I got further down my list of names a few ladies, probably pastors’ wives or ministry leaders are taking the classes making praying more thrilling. The Lord has given me clarity and direction whenever I have asked and caused me to be excited about praying for the classes.

“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Ephesian 6:18

If you would like to join this prayer ministry, please email STN at info@shepherdingthenations.org and let us know how many names you would like. We will send you the name(s) and approximate location of where they live.

SaveSave

SaveSave

Prayer Requests – August 2018

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Latin America:

  • Wisdom for Pastor Eddie Bueno as he plans a two-week trip to Bolivia in mid-to-late October with Paul Brown and possibly a few others. They will conduct outreach events, preach in churches, and hold graduation ceremonies for the BTCP students.
  • Wisdom for our BTCP instructors in Bolivia, Honduras, Guatemala, and Southern Mexico as they lead their students through the materials each week.

India:

  • In Odisha, they have finished the BTCP course and the students are willing to begin training others. Pray for multiplication of trained men to continue for years to come (2 Timothy 2:2).
  • Ryder is preparing a seminar for Odisha pastors in September on “Assurance of Salvation.”
  • Instructor Jose Simon hopes to launch a new BTCP group in Nepal in the near future.
  • Ryder needs about $1,400 more per month in financial support.
  • Wisdom as Ryder and his team work through and then select a number of applicants for BTCP training. They hope to be training 500 future church planters in India & Nepal by the end of 2018.
  • There are 7 churches in Nepal with anywhere from 20 to 60 people in each. None of the pastors are paid. Pray for sponsors.
  • Wisdom as they prepare for a National Expository Preaching Conference in early October 2019.