June 2024 Newsletter
Tonj Bible Institute!
We are thrilled with excitement and the atmosphere here is electric. Just over a month ago, we celebrated the graduation of our first class from the newly completed Tonj Bible Institute. With heartfelt gratitude to God, our prayer partners, and our financial supporters, the school was completed and dedicated in November of last year. Now, with the assistance of Intensive Care Ministries, we are preparing to welcome another group of students into our Pastors Training Program later this month and appreciate your prayers for this class. Please pray for wisdom in selecting the right students, that they may thrive under the rigorous schedule, and for the safety and well-being of the pastors’ families during this time of spiritual growth. We have selected four pastors who graduated in May to retake this class, along with our missionaries Ben and Michael. The plan is for these men to teach future classes in both Dinka and English giving the opportunity to all our 45 to earn a Diploma in Pastoral Ministry.
This bible verse highlights the importance of teaching and mentoring reliable pastors who can, in turn, train others, establishing a continuous cycle of leadership development and pastoral training within our church plants.
“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others.”
2 Timothy 2:2
Church Planting Program!
The church planting program is rapidly growing. Our Community Health Evangelism (CHE) program has been so successful that many communities are requesting a church plant as a high priority for their village. It blesses our hearts that they are requesting and prioritizing their spiritual needs to attend a church over their physical and mental needs for schools, community gardens and safe drinking water. This reflects the heart of the people that they desire to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto them (Mark 6:33)”.
A Calvary Church plant begins with a CHE Solar powered bible listening group that eventually develops into the church congregation. Out of the Bible Listening Group, emerging leaders are identified and trained as elders which allows for the selection of a pastor when the time comes. CHE is currently in 84 villages and aiming for 100 villages by the end of the year. This is a potential 100 churches to be planted. It is our heart that we are able to plant a church in every one of these villages. However, it is important to us that we do this in a way that is scriptural, wise and glorifies God. Please keep the following needs in your prayers:
- Out of those 84 villages, 40 villages are waiting to start a bible listening group because we need to purchase more solar bibles in their language (Cost $40 per bible).
- Pray as we continue to equip our pastors providing a Diploma in Pastoral Ministry through the Tonj Bible Institute and Intensive Care Ministries.
- Pray for our 45 National pastors in ministry. Twelve of those pastors still require sponsorship. This number will continue to grow as we plant more churches. If you can commit to pray and financially support a pastor ($25 a month) go to this website: https://pastors.indeedandtruth.org
Medical Scholarships!
Every year IDAT gives four of our medical assistants the opportunity to go to school and train in a specific area. This year, in partnership with Africa Mission Healthcare, we are training one clinical officer, two nurses and one pharmacy technician.
Please join with our team as we commit their study and time in school to prayer. We are so proud of them as they passed their interviews and entrance exams. They are committed to not only providing quality healthcare to the community of TONJ but also to the gospel and strengthening their faith in Christ. Pray they would be a light in the darkness among their fellow students.