Equipped to Lead
  "...entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

It's Harmattan season in West Africa. Dust from the Sahara rides the winds south, filling the air throughout the region. At its peak, a brown fog envelopes everything: hiding the sun, reducing visibility and creating a sepia-toned atmosphere of gloom. But, in contrast to the weather, our time with the MINTS students was bright, clear, and encouraging. We were privileged not only to teach, but also to learn of some of the long-term results of our labors here.

Impact!

Training leaders to expand Christ's Kingdom
While it's fresh in my mind, I wanted to share with you some exciting examples of the impact of ELI's work in Nigeria. These examples were shared by various students over the course of last week, as I taught the MINTS students on the Doctrine of the Church.

Gideon Umukoro - From these reports, many of you know that Gideon is the head of Antioch College of Theological Studies in Akure and is ELI's country coordinator for Nigeria. What you may not know is that Gideon carries on an active conference ministry of his own within Nigeria, using ELI materials. He and I are in the process of cultivating leaders in several new areas of Nigeria, specifically Shagamu and Emure. But in addition, Gideon is planning to conduct 10 or more conferences on his own in 2016. Most of these will be in areas of Nigeria where US staff cannot safely travel. Another of the MINTS students, Pastor Isaac, just this week made the commitment to join Gideon in his conference ministry, traveling with him and assisting in the teaching.

Obote Johnson - Obote has been with the MINTS program from the beginning, and is one of our most enthusiastic students. He contributes both humor and insightful questions to the classes, and once he understands a concept, Obote is determined to put it into practice. Several years ago, he went home and started a Bible training institute in connection with his church. Whatever he learned in the MINTS classes was immediately taken home and taught to his students. He has already graduated his first batch of 15 students, and is now working with a second class.

Sam Anuforo - Sam is a gifted teacher and has even traveled with ELI staff to East Africa to help with some conferences there. Sam is originally from eastern Nigeria and spent some time this past week updating me on his work there. He has conducted a number of conferences and has open doors in several churches in that region. Sam is also at work mentoring other men, helping them to gain a deeper understanding of God's Word.

Kayode David - Kayode is a good friend who has faithfully ministered for years in a very difficult denominational church. He often spends time with the ELI guys, asking for advice and seeking to apply what he's learning. He told me this past week that he is prayerfully considering planting a church that will be a practical application of all he has been learning.

These men are examples of the impact of ELI's commitment to building the church "from the top down." (1 Tim 2:2) Hearing their testimonies this week was very encouraging to me, as I see the things we are teaching being passed on to other leaders. Thank the Lord for what He is doing among His people in Nigeria! I am thankful for you as well, because you help make our work possible. Now, it's on to Ghana and two more weeks of MINTS teaching!

For Christ's Kingdom,
Dan.