Ethiopa Team Returns

The Ethiopia Team arrived safely back in Memphis this afternoon with hearts full of joy. What a wonderful opportunity we had to work with Pastors and other church leaders in two different regions of Ethiopia. We observed a real sense of conviction and urgency on their parts to begin intentional disciple-making in their churches and then going forth from their churches in response to the Great Commission.  One of the Pastors in the closing ceremony stated: “I think we need to start the church in Ethiopia all over again.” They definitely “got it”. It saddens me that the church in America doesn’t have the same sense of urgency as our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia.

The team that taught in Mekele returned to Addis Ababa late Wednesday night because the flight we had been scheduled to take on Thursday morning had been cancelled. That gave us an opportunity to spend the night in the Guest House run by Onessimus. While there, we met two couples who had brought their adopted children back to Ethiopia to meet their birth mothers. These couples had not met before arriving in Ethiopia and learned that they lived within an hour of each other in California. Definitely a God thing.

The Mekele team then had an opportunity to visit the drop-in center and spend time with the staff there as well as a group of young boys who were at the center. These boys are some of the street children who come to spend the day at the center, are fed two meals, take part in some schooling and are loved unconditionally by the staff as they also share Jesus with them. We enjoyed playing foosball, checkers, Jenga, and card games and were able to learn more about their work from the staff members. Following that we had a brief time for shopping and met up with the team that had gone to Bahir Dar. In typical American fashion, our entire group headed to the Ethiopian version of “Hueys” for some burgers for lunch.

That afternoon and early evening we went to the compound in which Pastor Ernie Frey and his family live. The compound contains a school and living quarters for some of the staff, the Frey’s and another family that is on the mission field there in Ethiopia. This gave us a great chance to spend time with them as well as the kids from the drop-in center and some who are in permanent residence with Onessimus. There was a rousing game of soccer between members of our team and the Ethiopian staff headed by Nega. We won’t worry about the outcome of the match now, but I will say Kennon performed brilliantly in goal and undoubtedly prevented what would have been an embarrassing ‘spanking’ of the American side. All in fun!

Our hosts graciously had us participate in the sacrifice of a goat that became our evening meal. This was definitely something we don’t witness often in the US and we were honored that they did this for us. We then had a “closing ceremony” that included a wonderful time of worship and a message from Pastor Frey. I was also able to share some thoughts with everyone on behalf of our team. I can tell you that our hearts were deeply touched throughout the week by the hospitality of the Ethiopian people we encountered as well as their zeal for the Lord and the work he has called us all to do. It was very hard to have to leave them and head to the airport.

I was so encouraged by everything we encountered during the week. The Holy Spirit moved mightily during the conferences we led! As happy as we are to be home with our families I dare say we all would have welcomed the chance to spend more time with our friends in Ethiopia. Lord willing, many of us will return there in the years to come.

(Boys at Drop in Center)

(Playing Soccer)

(Worship)

(Jim Etter Sharing)

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: Day 5

Today was our last day of the conference. It has been truly amazing to see how fast the people attending the conference have soaked up the lessons we have been teaching and how invested they are already. Our team translators have even voiced how they have been moved and transformed by our teaching as well. It was difficult to leave the men and women who have given so much of their time to come and learn about discipleship. We have heard about two people whom have already taken the lessons and taught them to other people! We were able to give them copies (in Amharic, the language they speak) of all of the lessons we taught, so that they will be able to teach others. It was incredible to see how excited the people were to learn. They visibly had a hunger to learn more about God's word and discipleship. They have such a desire to reach not just Ethiopia but also the world through Jesus' model of discipleship. The pastors would even stand up and talk with one another saying, "this is what we have to do".

We ended the conference with a closing ceremony, and were able to celebrate and remember the things we had learned. After that, we walked outside on to the plot of land where they are building a new church building. It was neat getting to watch the foundation laid for the building, as we were teaching throughout the week. We were able to pray for the gospel to be proclaimed and the city, country and world be transformed! It is comforting leaving, knowing they will rally around each other to push each other to Jesus. When we get back you should ask our team members what their favorite part was. Thank you for your prayers, we are so grateful for you!

- Erin Wukasch

(Some of the women at the conference)

(All of us at the closing ceremony)

(Kennon teaching the final lesson of the conference)

(The Bahir Dar team with several Ethiopians, praying for the new church building)

Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: Day 4

Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,

I’m thrilled that it’s my turn to check in with an update. There is much I would like to share, but I will try to just hit a couple highlights with some specific prayer requests along the way…

I felt as if our last session yesterday (which was our 10^th hour of training) was one in which we could see the lights coming on for many of the pastors we have the privilege of training. It was actually a Q/A session, and the pastors were coming out of their seats to ask questions, GOOD questions, about how to practically orient their lives and ministries around making disciples with all the other pastoral demands on them. I could see that they were “getting” it. One pastor shared honestly that his wife just last week had declared to him that she wished he would respond to her needs the way he does to every church member that calls. He confessed he was so exhausted ministering to the masses that he couldn’t even minister to his bride. You could tell that these guys were “seeing” for the very first time the model of ministry set forth by Christ in the New Testament, that of making disciples who make disciples, etc. The Holy Spirit was clearly at work, and after 10 days, they were convinced it was true but their minds were exploding trying to figure out how to make it a reality in their daily lives and in the culture of their churches. It was a beautiful mess, which is so often where I think the Holy Spirit finds us and teaches us…they had taken off the masks. They were humble and hungry, renewed in their vigor to follow closely after Jesus, and needing help for the journey.

Let me stop there and ask that we pray for these pastors. (There’s about 30 men who are actually pastors of churches in this area at the conference. The churches range in size from new plants of a couple dozen people to churches over 1000 people). Let’s pray God blesses their desire to have ministries that extend beyond the pulpit and into the lives of young men longing to know and grow in the Lord. Let’s pray they do not forsake their primary context of discipleship: their homes. Let’s pray they set an example to their people of loving their wives well, even when it means saying “no” to other needs in the Body. Let’s pray God gives them wisdom in how to identify other men who they can share the pastoral responsibilities with for their health, the health of their families, AND the health of their church. It is never good for a church to be built around the ministry or personality or gifting or capacity of one man, unless we’re talking about Jesus. The rest of us are at best “under-shepherds” and must not confuse our responsibility and His.

Today’s training had a whole different feel…one of anticipation and excitement after the great ending to yesterday’s training. I could see the pastors were on the edge of their seats. They were hustling to jot down as many notes as possible as Kem Wilson, Matt Wukasch, Tyler Springer, and myself taught the pastors. (Joyce and Jessica taught the ladies, and though I wasn’t in there, I heard their time was rich as well!)

Kem and I taught through the principles of disciple-making seen in the life of Christ (following the outline of the Master Plan of Evangelism, written by one of my professors Dr. Robert Coleman). The men and women were soaking up these truths…wheels were turning. Then Matt taught the Qualifications of a Disciple-maker. In one of his points, he was talking about how we must teach sound doctrine. He used a negative example of the heretical teaching of the prosperity Gospel as something that must be avoided. I noticed when he did that many of the pastors really perked up and glances around at one another. I knew something was going on there, and was curious what. Well, I soon found out…

When we got to the Q/A session (how we end each day’s training), a pastor of 27 years said that he had actually read the Master Plan 25 years ago, starting off in ministry, but had been lured to the church growth movement of trying to build a mega-church as fast as possible, and recently had become influenced by the teachings of the prosperity Gospel. He said the missionaries that had recently been coming to teach them were teaching primarily about these 2 things: Church Growth and Prosperity Gospel. As he talked, I felt a sickness inside. He said that most of the pastors there watch American and European TV to learn Scriptural truth and to know how to preach, and what they see is nothing but mega-churches and prosperity Gospel. I nearly wept as I thought of the unbiblical example our nation is setting so publicly. I hurt for them. Such humble men. So desirous to know how to lead their people well…and being deceived by so-called missionaries and prosperity teaching false prophets. As I looked into their eyes, I saw deep sadness, and yet a new hope, as if they were discovering something for the very first time.

They asked me to speak into these issues, to give them counsel on fighting these false teachings and false perceptions of church health with a culture that has now bought in. Let me admit the obvious: there are men far more qualified than I to speak into these issues with grace and wisdom. Even as this fact ran through my mind, I also realized the humbling truth that God had me there, and our team there, and they were seeking our counsel. As a young man and young pastor, I feel SO blessed to have learned under such good and Godly men who have strived for faithfulness in building people and not their ego’s. Their faces rushed through my mind, and their words came like a flood. I felt conviction of the Lord stirring deep in my belly as I began to share. It felt like the Holy Spirit was really at work rooting up the deception that these men have been fed, and watering their souls with truth, by His grace. At one point, I could see a handful of them with tears running down their faces. I knew their tears were tears of regret and also tears of passion and hope. I could tell that for many if not all of these men, a new day had dawned. They would not spend any more of their precious time trying merely to draw a crowd so as to be perceived as a successful pastor, and I could see their disdain growing for the lie of the “prosperity now” gospel. I could sense they were ready to get back to their roots, to their first love, to throwing all else aside and following their Lord in the midst of pain, persecution, rejection, and suffering, if need be, to bring the Gospel to the people God has given them to shepherd. And I felt in those moments that a burden was lifted from them…they didn’t have to impress anybody. They didn’t have to preach like the men on TV. They could simply be faithful. They could simply disciple. They could preach the Truth, set the example, and disciple a few men in each season along the way, and their God would be glorified.

Before we left, the sage pastor of the group admitted that when we arrived, he was disappointed b/c of our youth. He thought that the teaching would not be good. He wanted us to know that he had been foolish to think such, and that the Holy Spirit had used these 2 days to change their way of thinking about ministry and pastoring. He said a new day is coming in Bahir Dhar. Somehow as I listened to this man I don’t know and in a language I don’t understand, I felt a deep sense of gratitude b/c I knew the Spirit was alive in that place, and was moving in the hearts of these men. I could sense the very real providential purposes of God in our trip, and I felt very privileged to be a small part of a great team serving an even greater God whose purposes are being our wildest imagination.

All that to say, let’s keep praying that Jesus be made much of in this place!!!

Tomorrow is our last day of training, and I think after 4-5 hours of training, we will try and allot 2 hours to Q/A because of how explosive and Spirit led those sessions have been. Specifically, let’s pray God gives us wisdom to answer their questions with truth and grace. Let’s pray God gives these men discernment to know truth from what is false, and to have the courage to follow the example of Christ, who gave Himself that others be rich in Him, and not that of certain TV personalities who manipulate the truth to make themselves rich. Let’s pray they are deeply satisfied in Christ, and their deepest joy is not found in the size of their church, but in their faithfulness to their calling to pastor well, and to make disciples as they go.

It’s such a joy to share these few experiences with you. We are so grateful for your prayers! God is faithful!!!

- Kennon Vaughan

 (Kennon answering questions of the pastors during the Q/A at the conference in Bahir Dar)

Mekele Team; Felipe Avila's Perspective

So far, every single bit of the trip has been a complete blessing to me. Even before I got on the plane, I had experienced God's hand walking along with me through this process. I have got to say that I am full of joy. Today was the day that I got to teach my lesson, which was on Devotional Time with The Lord. Even though I was well prepared, I did feel a little bit nervous because I did not know if I would be as respected because of my age. I was afraid I would miss a point or even say what I did not want to say. My time came, and as I taught, I wanted to interact with them, so I got them to read Bible references and asked open-ended questions for them to answer and comment on. By doing this, the atmosphere changed completely. By listening to their comments and questions, I could tell they were thirsty for more. At the beginning, I got to share my testimony briefly with them, and they were encouraged by how, at such a young age, the power of the gospel made me a useful tool to share with them what they needed to hear.

Our time together ended up being powerful and edifying. They had a lot of questions and wanted to dig deeper in some aspects. It is hard to know if they are understanding everything you are saying, because you do not know the language, but by the questions they asked and how they responded to my questions, I knew that they were completely engaged. It was very gratifying. Between sessions, the children would come to play with us, out of which most of them were the attendees' children. It was a very fun time to take pictures with them, teach them songs, and laugh with them.

It is crazy to imagine that we only have one more day with them before we return to Addis. It is exciting to see how God has been moving among the brothers in Christ in Ethiopia.

My prayer is that they may store all that they have been hearing in their hearts and reproduce what they have learned.

"... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
-- Philippians 2:11

Juan Felipe Avila
Mekele, Ethiopia
April 1, 2014

Mekele Day 4!

When most Americans think of Africa, they think of a place that is in desperate need of help. A place full of sadness, sickness, and starvation. While there are definitely some serious physical needs here, I have learned that these perceptions are not true of all areas and all people. The people we have had the privilege of teaching, learning, and worshipping with are beautiful, generous, gracious, and eager to learn how to better serve God in their country. Their love for Christ is so pure and has tremendously encouraged my personal relationship with The Lord.  There are workers from different careers, moms, and college students all coming faithfully to each session, listening carefully and taking notes.  They have been incredibly welcoming and wonderful hosts.

We have officially been in Mekele, Ethiopia for 4 days and we are all exhausted. The time change has had a huge effect on our bodies, and I don't think we were prepared for it. Despite our lack of rest at times, The Lord has been gracious to provide us comfortable beds to sleep in. We are so thankful.

Today, was our second to last day of the conference. We arrived at the church tired, but ready to see The Lord do work. Matt and Felipe led the men's morning time, while Mary Holland and Lachelle led the women's morning sessions. In the afternoon both Shad and Matt led lessons on the Theology of Work  and the 4 Missing Ingredients of Discipleship. Both the men and women have been asking questions of us, eager to clarify what we are teaching and apply it in their lives.  I know without a doubt The Lord was glorified today.

Finally,
I wanted to apologize for not posting a blog day by day. We have had some issue being able to log on.  I am excited about the next few posts we have planned as we wrap up our time here.  I have asked a few of my teammates to share their experiences of teaching or their perspective on our trip so far! I will also try to update the blog with what we are doing during the day! Please continue to pray for our team as we share the gospel and teach about discipleship. Our God is so good and we are so thankful. My prayer today is Psalm 25. It's honestly been my prayer all week. Pray that each and every attendee at our conference allows The Lord to Shepherd their life.

Morgan Masterson

Mekele Team: Mike O'Donnell Perspective

The Mekele team is having a great experience with the loving people of this city! There are unique challenges facing His people here, which include lack of teaching resources, bible teaching Churches, and persecution from other religions. Perseverance has taken on a new meaning for our team, it's amazing God would use us for this work of teaching and encouragement.

During Sunday's local Church service, I was given the special opportunity to share the Word of God with His people in Mekele, Ethiopia. It was one of the highest privileges I've had in my life. The hope was to provide encouragement to the local Church through Paul's letter to the Ephesians. The four truths from Ephesians we discussed included our Identity in Christ, Unity with God and fellow believers, Maturity, and Spiritual Warfare. This was based off of Dave Newman's teaching at the DL Institute. It was also important for me to share my own testimony, the gospel, and how sin defined my life before Christ initiated a relationship and gave me a new identity through Himself. This experience is helping me further understand the grace and love of God.

If there are seeds being planted in God's people here from our presence, then praise Him. Also pray that both our team and the Mekele people would be encouraged by one another, would know Christ more, and would help others know Him.


By His Grace,
Mike O'Donnell