The Foundation
Jesus laid the foundation for strong churches the first time He talked about it. Building on Peter’s confession that He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16), Jesus said, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18). In PPI Course 3, we study the foundational truths about the church in what He says here.
- Jesus’ church is His people. Jesus used the term ekklesia, which simply means “a gathering of people for a purpose.” In the New Testament, “church” never refers to a building or a meeting, but always to God’s people. That’s a good reminder for us.
- The church belongs to Christ. In His first teaching about the church, Jesus wants us to know that it’s His. The church doesn’t belong to its leaders or its congregation. We don’t have the right to make the church what we want it to be.
- Jesus builds His church. The Lord promises to build His church on the confession of who He is and what He has done for us (His death, resurrection and exaltation). He builds His church as we pursue His mission in His way.
The church belongs to Jesus Christ to be fashioned into what He likes and what He wants, not into what we like or what we want. And He will do it! Jesus will build each local church as we cooperate with Him humbly, courageously and practically.
This is the foundation we build upon in Course 3 and also Course 5, our second course on church leadership. All across Haiti, we’re seeing pastors get it and apply these biblical truths in their churches. As they do, God is growing their churches and impacting their communities through them. What a joy!
One Growing Example
An association of 50 churches in northeast Haiti is working together to care for destitute elderly people in their congregations. They launched Programme Amour Fraternal (Brotherly Love Program) nearly two years ago, and we introduced them to Project Piti Pami (3P https://www.3phaiti.org) last year. 3P is Michigan-based nonprofit organization focused on promoting community medical care in Haiti. A wonderful and growing partnership has ensued! 3P matches funds given by the Haitian churches for food packages, including vitamins, for elderly people in the program. Church leadership and members meet with the elderly to listen to them, encourage them in God’s Word, pray with them and provide food. The pastors and 3P currently are working to identify and involve Haitian medical workers in the program.
None of this would happen without strong, others-focused church leaders and congregations working together in unity. This is just one example of what strong churches led by godly, well trained pastors can accomplish.
By the Way
Two 3P leaders will travel with me to northeast Haiti in December. While there, Tom and Jesse will meet with Association pastors and visit some elderly men and women helped by their partnership. I’m very excited for these coworkers in Christ to rejoice in their Kingdom successes so far and to pray and discern how their partnership can grow. And I’m thankful for the many fruitful opportunities the Lord is giving PPI to encourage and train pastors to pursue the Lord’s design of and purpose for His church.
Also, 3P is hosting a Hope for Haiti Benefit Dinner on Saturday, November 8, in Petoskey, MI. Get more details and register here – https://www.3phaiti.org/benefit. I encourage you to attend if you can. Rena and I would be there ourselves, but I’ll be in Haiti at that time, praying for the Lord to use us to strengthen His church. Please pray for our November and December training!
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