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Preaching Good NewsVolume 2 (2011) Issue 4

an occasional update on the work of Langham Preaching (LP) around the world

Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church reflected recently on preaching in Africa:

“In Africa God’s people survive on what preachers want them to hear, even if it has little to do with the Bible passage that has been read. Platitudes have replaced exposition – often by preachers who scold and shout. Is it any surprise that churches are largely malnourished? As long as this is the staple diet, there is no hope for the African church.”

But there are exceptions…

Under God’s gracious hand,

Langham Preaching

In March Conrad welcomed Emmanuel Oladipo (Langham Preaching Coordinator for English-speaking Africa; pictured above) to Lusaka. Twenty-five experienced preachers gathered to wrestle with the meat, the skeleton and the heartbeat of both the text and the sermon (using a model developed by Ramesh Richard). Day One was devoted to prayer and the skills of studying a passage of Scripture. For Conrad, “the discipline is to avoid thinking about the sermon at this stage – as it is all about understanding the Word as it came to those first hearers.” Day Two was all about shaping a sermon from the text. Each

Digging and Dreaming in Zambia

one becomes seven In Nigeria the preaching movement has been developing nationwide for some years. Recently the local leadership decided to divide the country into seven regions and start the process all over again in each of these new areas. While the first two Level One programmes have occurred in Jos (March) and Abuja (April) – the ongoing unrest in Nigeria has meant the postponement of a start in Maiduguri and Kaduna.

evening Emmanuel preached and humbly submitted his sermon to the evaluation of the participants.

Conrad observed that “Just as there is no good physical health without exercise and sweat, there is no good preaching without hard exegetical spadework. We African preachers have to learn that there is no graduating from this work of digging if we are to remain faithful to our work.”

Conrad holds a monthly preachers’ fellowship for local pastors where sermons are preached - with ears trained to listen for a faithfulness to the Bible passage.

“It has been wonderful to see the change that has taken place in some who were initially disillusioned with expository preaching. I have a dream that one day pulpits across Zambia will faithfully expound God’s word in the power of the Spirit. But we will not get there simply by dreaming – it will be by means of training seminars like this one with Emmanuel.”

is nurturing biblical preaching

movements in the countries

of the majority world.

In this issue:

Zambia Nigeria India Asia Brazil Colombia Chile Guyana Pakistan Sri Lanka Sierra Leone

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“I’ve been on this journey of

preaching for many years ...

These few days have given me

the map I’ve been looking for.

I have found the right way.

It is a new beginning

for the same journey.

I am feeling the winds of sweet

liberation to go and speak

what the Bible says.”

Alongla Aier

Assoc. Prof of Communication Oriental Theological Seminary

Dimapur, Nagaland, India

(second from left in the photo)

Wedged into the space between Bangladesh, China and Myanmar are the seven states of North-East India. While it is a volatile area politically, it is also an area where many have turned to Christ. Nagaland, for example, is listed as 90% Christian in Operation World.

So why is Langham Preaching making this region a priority? These peoples are mobile and can be found all over India.

“It is a new beginning for the same journey”

It may be one of the poorest countries in Asia and it may be ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world – but this (unnamed) country is experiencing a movement of biblical preaching within its churches.

In April people came from across the country (and a neighbouring one) for the latest training programme. More than twenty people attended each of the Level One, Two and Three programmes – with facilitators Jenny, Peter (‘First Peter’), and Peter (‘Second Peter’).

WANTED: tasty sermons Tanya is one who is benefiting: “Now I realise that my sermons need a structure and a focus. In this part of Asia we are not a people who plan – but by God’s grace, I am changing and seeing the need to prepare well and to structure messages clearly.”

At the conclusion of the week the organising team met with key leaders for prayer, discussion ... and dreaming. Three outcomes emerged: Firstly, that in ten years’ time there be ‘tasty’ sermons in every church and

faithful preachers in every town across the country – that is 1840 in total! Secondly, that contact be maintained with the preaching clubs through the year, keeping them encouraged and resourced. Tonya, Sasha and Victor were willing to pick up this responsibility. Finally, there will be the need to build a national team of trainers – people who pass on the Level One training to pastors in their home areas.

Strengthening the church in the North-East may contribute to a maturing of the church in pockets all around India.

Historically, this is a Baptist mission area with the Americans in the north and the British in the South. The logical partner for Langham Preaching is the Council of Baptist Churches of North-East India (CBCNEI) – led by Dr AK Lama, a Langham

Scholar - together with his wife, Dr Asangla Ao, who is now the coordinator for the work in the North-East.

The Level One training commenced in January with 65 participants – with each state represented. It was an educated group with doctors, college faculty members, politicians, a banker, numerous MDiv and MTh graduates, and 11 staff from the student IFES-affiliate, UESI.

People were so appreciative. Geter, a pastor in Arunachal Pradesh which shares a lengthy border with China, expressed how the training was “a blessing for a pastor like me, without education and working in a Christian minority region. Believe me, my preaching will never be the same after this seminar.”

James (on UESI staff in Tripura) noted, “I have been thoroughly soaked in the world of preaching – and the simplicity of this seminar makes it much easier to be a preacher of the Bible now.”

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On February 19 Latin American Regional Coordinator, Igor Amestegui, flew into Belo Horizonte (BH) to oversee the start of the work in Brazil. Welcoming him at the airport was Nelson Salviano, the national coordinator. BH is Brazil’s third largest city (pop: 6 million). The plan was to run back-to-back seminars in BH and Governador Valadares (GV), 200 miles to the east.

The training started with 16 people in GV, situated in the shadow of Ibituruna

Back to Back in Brazil

Seventy pastors gathered in Bucaramanga in April for a Level Three programme. Facilitator Jorge Atiencia is encouraged by what he sees developing: “These people are maturing in their preaching. They are placing more emphasis on the text, working harder at application as well as becoming clearer in their communication”. The church in Colombia needs such preachers. Like in so many countries they are struggling with allegorical and topical preaching, with nominalism and

Watching Transformation in Colombia

“This has been a turning point for their ministries.

They can no longer preach as they did three years ago. Their respect for the Word

and their sense of responsibility as they preach

has grown significantly.”

Dionisio OrjuelaCountry Coordinator

Colombia

(lit: “black mountain”), world famous for paragliding as it is blessed with great thermal winds. Then it was back to BH for three days with another 37 people. While BH and GV are centers of Christian work in Brazil, topical preaching prevails, often in an improvised and unprepared manner. Igor notes how it is common for “the preacher to deliver a series of well-known slogans which are completely unrelated to each other and to the Word. But we believe that if a transformation can take place at the center, in BH and GV, it may well spread through the church in Brazil.”

In BH, Igor’s attention was drawn to a pastor from Visosa, Hélio Miguel de Siqueira (and his wife Gláucia Teixeira Costa de Siqueira) – pictured in the

photo. Hélio had been a dedicated church planter and evangelist for years, until he was called to be the pastor of a large church. He recognised that his old style of preaching was not building up the church and that he needed this extra training.

Igor picks up the story: “Hélio told us that what he was learning was useful to him in his new role. He then asked us to pray for him, and we knelt down together with them both. His final comment was that the seminar had come at an important stage in his life. It was all providential, since it was giving him the tools he needed to improve the quality of his preaching. Now Hélio is showing great enthusiasm for taking part in the next levels.”

secularism, and with prosperity teaching and a lack of unity. The preached Word of God can, and does, transform these situations.  

The preaching clubs, or escuelitas, are at the heart of this growth. One meets every Monday in Medellin – facilitated by Eliana Ortiz. People gather from four churches to study the text together and to prepare next Sunday’s sermon together. This has been happening for two years. They’ve worked through sections like the parables of Jesus together – and even the book of Revelation! The growth in each other is obvious and encouraging.

Dionisio Orjuela, Country Coordinator for Colombia, notes that there is a “growing number of churches and pastors who are immersed in the task of preaching. They value, receive, assimilate, and apply this teaching – and this is reflected in their growth, year by year, as Bible expositors.”

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C

Ninety people from across the denominations gathered in Georgetown for a Level Two seminar.

onversion in Chile

A night-watchman, off to work at the end of each day: “Losing a little sleep is no problem compared to the spiritual strength I am receiving. My time and strength is from God and He will help me to rest later this week.”

A woman in her 80s, a well-known scientist & educator: “I am rejoicing in what this seminar has taught me. Now I am able to dig into the word of God more faithfully and teach more clearly and relevantly.”

Pakistan is a country living in the global headlines for all the wrong reasons. And yet it is home to one of the longest running Langham Preaching programmes in the world. A feature of the movement is the number of respected senior leaders who are involved. Dr Pervaiz Sultan (St Thomas, Karachi) has been committed right from the beginning – and at the forthcoming Level Three programme in June 2011, Ashkenaz Khan (Principal, Zarephath Bible Institute, Islamabad), Irfan Jamil (Bishop of Lahore), Asif John & Chris Hawke (St Thomas, Karachi), and Qaiser Julius (Director, Open Theological Seminary, Lahore) will all be involved in delivering the training.

Quotes from Guyana

Local Leaders Shining in the Regions of Pakistan

They came to Temuco from Santiago, Osorno, Validivia, Concepcion, and Talca – 40 people, all ready for the start of the Level One programme. Daniel Mardones (Country Coordinator, Chile) was pleased to see so many influential leaders in attendance.  

One such leader, widely known and respected within the churches and colleges, confessed to

coming with low expectations. He was even preparing to leave soon after arriving. But not only did he stay for the entire week, his positive attitude encouraged the other participants. He has committed to attending all three Levels of the programme and agreed to coordinate future monthly meetings of one of the six preaching clubs that was formed. 

One woman Bible-reader: “Before this seminar I would read the Bible and find it confusing. I looked just for things that would help with my problems. Now my study is richer and deeper. I am beginning to understand the Bible. I am finding God in its pages.”

A Pentecostal pastor: “My ministry is deepening. I am ashamed of the lack of preparation I used to do. Now I am able to feed my people.”

A counselor: “It has taught me things that I really needed to know about reading and studying the Bible.”

A Bible School student: “The principles taught at the seminar were taught at my school – but the seminar helped me to understand them better.”

In July 2009 it was decided not to have any programmes facilitated by overseas trainers for two years. Instead regional initiatives – in and radiating out from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad – with local trainers taking Level Ones were to be encouraged. This has been happening. Asif and Chris have been active in Karachi for a number of years. In the picture to the right, Qaiser – beneath the ‘five looks’ diagram devised by Andrew Reid and so loved by Langham trainers globally – is seen taking a Level One seminar with 45 people in Lahore.

Qaiser writes: “It was exciting. People appreciated the method. We are now receiving requests from other areas and I am trying to develop a team of facilitators who will be able to help in leading the seminars in the future.” Qaiser Julius in Lahore

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An island nation blighted by thirty years of civil war and terrorist activity, Sri Lanka is a

country with two ethnic peoples. There are the Tamil people who are Hindu and the Singhala people who are Buddhist. Religion and ethnicity stick together. Singhala-Hindu and Tamil-Buddhist are not combinations that happen very readily.

But guess what?! There are both Tamil Christians and Singhala Christians in Sri Lanka. In fact 21 of the former and 20 of the latter were present together at the first Level One training week in February. And they came from 13 different church groups and organisations. Anglican and

Two Becoming One in Sri Lanka

Here Emmanuel Oladipo tells the story of Janet Koroma:

“Janet has something in common with Jeremiah: she entered the ministry against her will. But rather than protesting that she was only a youth, she protested that she was only a woman - and a poorly trained one at that.

Janet did not complete high school. Her boy-friend fled to the USA and was going to obtain a visa for her to join him. It did not happen. The bright-eyed young lady was left in a lurch. A friend enrolled her in a Management course - but a male teacher, with whom she refused to ‘cooperate’ by being tutored in his home at night, ensured that she did not graduate.

Life took an upward turn when Janet fell in love and married a man of God. She embraced the demanding role

Janet of Sierra Leone

Baptist and Apostolic and Reformed and Methodist - as well as Youth for Christ, Back to the Bible, and IFES-affiliate, FOCUS. There is a unity to be found in the gospel – and in the preaching of the gospel. Country Coordinator, Lokendra (“Lokki”) Abhayaratne, was thrilled to be present: “Even if the Lord returns before next February, I can go to him with joy and thanks in my heart.”

Lakmal and Joel translating into Tamil and Singhala

Facilitators included Ivor Poobalan (Principal, Colombo Theological Seminary) and Ajith Fernando (Youth for Christ). Ivor is a Tamil, while Ajith is Singhala!

It was crucial that both languages be spoken and so a

wireless system was utilised, with participants wearing headphones and Lakmal and Joel sitting side-by-side at the back bringing simultaneous translation.

Eight preaching clubs were established – from Colombo in the West to Batticaloa in the East; from Galle in the South to Jaffna, where such unspoken and unspeakable sadness occurred so recently, in the North – and where FOCUS staff worker, Paheerathan, will be the facilitator.

of being a pastor’s wife with enthusiasm. She took an interest in a church-plant 15km from home, often travelling there to encourage the new believers.

On one visit a distraught 7yr old little girl pleaded with her to come and pray for her dying sister. Janet had never hesitated to proclaim that the miracle-working Jesus was still active today - but this was different! On reaching the house she broke into a cold sweat. The odour coming from this girl, covered with putrefying sores from top to toe, was awful. What else could she do but cry out to the Lord?

Three days later she visited the girl - only to be mobbed by the entire village because her prayer had broken the curse of the witches and healed the girl. Now the entire village wanted to become Christians. Janet was able to show to them the way of salvation.

The church continued to grow. They needed a real pastor - and they insisted that it be Janet. She was not given an option. Dropped in at the deep end, she took courses in her church’s Bible school and did the best she could for the people under her charge – and then she had the opportunity to attend a Langham Preaching seminar.”

“I have been preaching many messages

– but often out of context and only from

the New Testament. Now I know about taking

the text in its context and preaching from

the whole Bible.”

Janet Koroma a pastor in Sierra Leone

Address: Langham Preaching, 16 Eden Drive, Oxford OX3 0AB, England For fuller reports on any story of interest, please contact

Jonathan Lamb (Director, jonathan.lamb@langhampartnership.org)

Editor: Paul Windsor (Associate Director, paul.windsor@langhampartnership.org)