Loving The LEAST, for the Greatest
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” 40b Whatever you did for one of THE LEAST of these brothers of mine, you did for ME.”
– Jesus in Matthew 25:35-36 & 40
Jesus uses the term, “the Least” to describe some of the people on this planet. He does not mean those of less value or those deserving lesser dignity; He means those who have less power, less prestige and less possessions. (Sorry for the 3 P’s, you can’t stop the preaching gene, lol)
I'm enormously grateful for your partnership which allows us to encourage and equip indigenous pastors who minister to those who are “the Least” in this world. When we train pastors and ministry leaders who lead and shepherd “the Least”, we impact the world for the greatest good. According to the mighty Risen One (happy Rez week btw) we minister and bless Jesus Himself, note how Jesus identifies with “the Least” in verse 40 above. Thank you for making it a reality – here’s what’s coming up.
BURUNDI
I'll fly out on May 18 to train a group of Burundian pastors who are working in this country where people have very, very little. Per capita, Burundi is, if not the poorest country on the planet, in the top two or three. Burundians are certainly among “the Least”.
I'll be traveling and training with Thousand Oak locals Doug Posey and Steve Larson. We will be teaching the pastors three courses on this trip. I'll be training them to correctly interpret Scripture to for faithful Bible Centered preaching, Steve will be teaching a Theology One course and Doug is teaching on Spiritual Leadership.
These needed and vital core classes can be revolutionary in the lives of the pastors and their flocks. We are currently pioneering a new 2-3-year training program in Burundi and there will be 30 to 50 pastors coming from multiple churches for the teaching!
RWANDA
After I leave Burundi, I'll fly out to Northeastern Rwanda. I'll be teaching a special group of pastors who minister among “the Least” in that beautiful country. These men lead the churches that minister to the 13,000 Congolese refugees inside and around the Nyabiheke Refugee Camp. 79% of the camp’s population are women and children below the age of 18, they live on $4-9 a month (from the UN food distribution). See a picture of the camp below, and at the top of this blog post.
I'll be training the pastors that serve in the camp how to better equip their flocks to share the Good News of hope with the refugees who live with little in the way of hope. These precious souls are among “the Least of the Least”.
SOME PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISE REPORTS
Praise: Andrea has started a job at a local preschool. Pray for lots of opportunities to be salt and light.
Please be praying for my pastor friends in My@nmar, who serve “the Least”. They report they are now having to register as Christians with the government. This could create even greater danger.
Pray for our pastor friends in Ethiopia as they minster among “the Least” and navigate unique difficulties and dangers.
Pray for deep impact on the lives and ministries of the pastors we train in Burundi and Rwanda.
Pray for wisdom and insight as I continue to mentor, coach, counsel, and equip pastors and leaders online and in person locally.
Pray for further divine provision as I reach out to new potential partners to establish the much-needed resources to fully fund this year’s ministry.
THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF YOUR MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP - from Paul Madson, President of Global Training Network
Did you know that when one indigenous pastor is trained, over 100 people will be directly impacted?
Why? Because each indigenous pastor that receives training sheperds an average of 100 people within their congregations. Not only that, but this does not account for all of the lives touched outside of the church through the testimony of the members in each congregation.
For example, if 100 pastors are trained, potentially 10,000 people are impacted. And if each person within a congregation influences 10 other friends and family members, you realize that potentially 100,000 people can be impacted through the training of 100 pastors.
(Paul didn’t mention that we aim to equip the pastors to train 3-5 other indigenous pastors for a huge multiplier to these numbers!)
Imagine dropping a rock in the middle of a calm, still pool. What happens? Concentric circles of waves continue to radiate outward. And when you train a pastor or Christian leader, the ripple effects continue on for years, decades - and even generations to come.
-Paul Madson
What you and I are engaging is a ministry that changes the world in powerful ways. Thank you for blessing Jesus, serving “the Least”, and partnering with me in a conspiracy of Global Hope.
-C
YOU CAN HELP
Your continued financial and prayer support influence the world!
Financial support can be sent directly online at:
This site is entirely safe and secure and makes it quick and simple to support our ministry financially.
For those who prefer to mail paper checks, the GTN mailing address is:
Global Training Network
PO Box 6507
Peoria, AZ 85385
Checks need to be made out to Global Training Network, not to me personally.
In the memo, it’s vital to include my name & account number for support
to make it to my personal account:
Chuckk Gerwig, ACCOUNT NUMBER #50322
