As friends and supporters of PPI, you may have questions about why or how or when we do what we do. Please feel free to ask! Our commitment to you from the beginning has been to communicate regularly and transparently about how we’re working out this mission of encouraging, training and resourcing church leaders in Haiti and other developing countries.
Here’s a case in point. Earlier this week, PPI friends asked why I am taking time to teach a class on Proverbs at our church this fall and how that fits with our mission of training international pastors. Great question! You may have wondered about that, too. This is the essence of my response to them (shared with their blessing):
A respected professor of mine once said, “The secret of concentration is elimination.” I’ve tried to follow that wisdom and carefully filter what I will and will not commit my time to so we can “concentrate” full time (plus!) on training international pastors. Why then am I teaching a class at New Life?
1) It’s an overflow of my personal Bible study over the last several months. I first taught a class on Proverbs in July in Haiti at Pastor’s Jasmin’s Bible college (pictured). Since then, I’ve preached from Proverbs at two area churches, while updating one PPI supporting church and presenting PPI to another potential supporting church. I also shared from Proverbs at Gull Lake Camp in early August, where we served as Missions Rep for a week of family camp.2) It’s for our home church, which is also a supporting church. New Life has been so generous to PPI and incredibly encouraging to Rena and me. We want to continue to build mutually encouraging relationships with New Life’s leaders and congregation. As members and as mission partners, we’re committed to serving in and with our home church using the gifts and time God gives us. God intends this for every follower of Christ, including us!
3) I have a little more “space” this fall to teach. Our pastor has asked me for over a year to lead a class, and I’ve waited until now because my time is tight. That’s true especially from January through August – times I’m heavily involved in preparing for and training international church leaders. This fall – along with teaching from the overflow of my personal Bible study – works to lead a six-week class.4) I prayed about it and believe the Lord wants me to lead this class at this time. Serving in our church helps Rena and me connect with the Body in a deeper way, is (I pray) spiritually strengthening to fellow believers at our church, and is a joy to me personally. For all these reasons, I believe the Lord nudged me forward in leading a class this fall.
My full-time focus – and joy! – is leading and developing the mission of Partnership of Pastors International. Rena volunteers several hours each week to the financial management and administration of PPI. That is job one for us! Yet faithfully participating in our home church strengthens us in Christ, builds up others, and also sharpens our commitment to the mission calling God has given us.
All by His grace and all for His glory!
Thank you so much for the level of work you are doing in the kingdom of God. I greatly appreciate you and your folks.
Praise God. Thanks so much dear pastor Murphy. God bless you abundantly
Regards,
Pastor Anguria Patrick
Commissioner, Pentecostal prayer centre ministry Uganda.
I appreciate you leading a class at New Life, Ken. It is a blessing to us.
Malawi has also a need of such Pastoral trainings more because many pastors have not gone for formal theological training. I really appreciate your calling to this ministry where you equipe pastors and church leaders. May continue using you to His Honor and glory