Appreciation Letter from Busia Baptist Bible College Students

Pastor’s Farewell

5/15/2015

We thank our Almighty God for granting us this wonderful occasion to say our farewell to our brothers Pastor Richmond and Dr. Kevin Warstler. 

On behalf of my fellow pastors, I would like to take this chance to express our sincere thanks to them for they have shown great concern to our Bible study. Just as you know, America is very far away from Kenya which requires the hand of the Lord for them to fly to Kenya. 

They left their families, wives, children, friends and relatives and even their work. Instead they came to assist us in our studies. Let God stretch His hand to them and bless them abundantly.

This program has been of greatest importance to us because we are now able to study the Bible right from our home churches which was very impossible to some of us who are taking care of their families. 

I, therefore, urge my fellow pastors together, with myself; that because we are being trained as disciples of Christ, let us go and make as many disciples as we can when we return to our home churches and preach the Word very boldly. 

We shouldn’t forget to thank Principal David Gitau, Pastor Felix, and the kitchen people who have served us since we arrived here till today, though life has been much more difficult than compared to Ruiru. However, we persevered to endure our call. 

Lastly, we wish safe and good fly to brothers back to their homes in America, and God may bring them back again. 

Abundantly Thankful, 

Pastor Maurice Wesisi

Bungoma District, Kenya

Cultivating a Culture of Evangelism - Part 7

1. Provide Evangelism Training - There are many wonderful resources that will help Christians in systematic ways of sharing their faith.  Four Spiritual Laws, FAITH, Romans Road, Share Jesus Without Fear, Can We Talk?, Evangelism Explosion, just to name a few.  My personal approach has been to utilize various presentations at different times throughout the years in order to place many tools in the tool box of faithful witnesses.  I also think it wise to vary the times that these training times are available to reach as many participants in the church.  Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, Saturday morning, special emphasis in Sunday School, or home groups all can be great times to make sure that the implementation of evangelism training is holistically offered throughout the church body.  Just keep it going without letting it die out.  The value of role playing in small groups can also prove helpful even if it feels a bit awkward.  The expression of our thoughts forces us to become more efficient with our communication.  More experienced witnesses should take less experienced believers with them to model ways of soul-winning.  A word of warning should be offered that the goal is not for a rote “canned” presentation that is not a personal and friendly connection at the time of encounter.  Sometimes willing evangelists lose connection with people to whom they are trying to witness because they are so focused on trying to remember the next point in their presentation.  Keep it simple.  There’s nothing wrong (and everything right) with simply reading John 3:16 or Romans 6:23 and explaining it with a call to respond.  God’s Purpose.  Our Sin Problem.  God’s Provision Through Christ.  Our Response.  Share Jesus.  
2.   Go On Mission Trips - A church that is focused outwardly on reaching the lost will be a healthy church.  A church working to fulfill the Great Commission will not have time for selfish, inward thinking and infighting.  They want people to be saved.  They work for Christ to be glorified among all peoples.  One of the best ways for a church to do this is to go on mission trips to serve others.  True missions efforts must include the sharing of the gospel, starting of new churches, and training leaders who will do the same.  There are many other efforts that are being called “missions” that are nothing more than cross-cultural experiences or acts of benevolence.  These are not inherently bad things (although they can be damaging) and can certainly be good things but without the sharing of the gospel, starting of new churches, and training leaders who will do the same, they are not mission trips.  Go and partner with people in other parts of the world where people are responding to the gospel with great receptivity.  As Henry Blackaby said, “Find where the Holy Spirit is working and join Him.”  True mission trips will embolden God’s people to be more courageous in their witnessing at home.  They will realize that they can do the same thing next door that they did in another place.  This will also help others in the church to do the same.  This emboldening of evangelists in the local church will be a blessing in ways immeasurable.