joel7

"You must promise to return and teach the second half of Romans to us!" 
I'm about to embark once again on a month-long trip to East Africa.  Last year I was one team member short, became exhausted with a double teaching load and I contracted Malaria.  Praise God, this year He has provided full teams.By God's grace, I will shortly begin fulfilling the above request from the pastors.  Once again, I'm amazed at God's grace.  

When I started out with ELI nine years ago, my main hesitation was,  "Lord, how can I leave a full-time paid position to go and raise funds?" I was thinking, "I don't know how to do this?  Will you really provide all that is needed to minister to destitute pastors?  Really?..."

Finally I admitted to Him that this was pure unbelief on my part.  It was clear, Christ had called me to do this. Finally I followed that call by leaving the pastoral ministry in NC.

From day one, it has always been a "white knuckle faith ride". Ministering God's Word to leaders and churches with little to no training has presented profound challenges.  But the rewards have always brought tears to my eyes.  Hunger for God's Word is always there in their faces.  God had already given many promises:
"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it" (1 Thess. 5:23-24)
 "if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself." (2 Tim. 2:13)
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Cor. 1:9 ESV)

Indeed.  He has proven Himself according to His Word in teams and resources.  I am once again assured that He has great plans for the many who will come to hear His Word. God is mightily preparing for this coming harvest.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING...
Clarity in our communicating
Spirit-filled understanding among the pastors
Ability for the pastors to multiply the message
Safety and health for the team.

Thank you for your prayers. The Father has answered. He has done so in a way that He Alone gets the Glory!   As you have interceded and supported the 700 Pastors in the upcoming 4 conferences, I have seen the financial need go from $9751 to $1414. I'm now able to focus the remaining time on preparation for teaching Romans with the teams. Keep praying as the Lord moves to finish what remains.  God bless you in your sacrifices and faith in my behalf.
Joel