Today we met with another group of pastors, mostly from the Nairobi area but the region extends much farther than just the city. There were about 50 pastors this first day, and we provided some basic tools for ministry that seemed to be very encouraging to them.
These pastors are tired. Most of them do most of the work themselves and are available 24/7 because of cell phones (cell phone service in Kenya is excellent, and service is available everywhere. Even in the most remote areas there is still cell phone coverage, so almost everyone has figured out an inexpensive way to get a cell phone).
We taught mostly on unity of purpose in ministry and equipping the believers for works of service. Our discernment is that there are many who are trying to do it all themselves, and they are exhausted. So we encouraged them to rest, to turn their cell phone off or let it go to voice mail, and serve their families first and then the body. This was a whole new concept for them. It’s like they are getting their jewels for the crown by the harder they work. They are going to suffer incredible burnout and they will end up loving Jesus but resenting the church.
We spent considerable time ministering to individuals tonight after the session was over. We thoroughly love the opportunity to pray with these people who have such pain in their stories. The Lord is healing hearts every time we do it.
Here are some reflections:
Every time we speak we have to have an interpreter who is speaking Swahili, so we teach in phrases. Yesterday in the City Center we spoke in English with no interpreter and that may be one reason we were able to significantly connect with the people. The idioms in English don’t really translate well into Swahili so we never really know if they are understanding our examples. Today I talked about people coming in the front door but losing them out the back door. They just looked at me like, “What?” Then I walked over to a side door and said people come in the front door but leave out an exit, and we have to close the exit door, and they understood.
As we got into the teaching, it seemed the Lord was really shaping the direction of the ministry to this group, and we were responsive to that. The pastors we talked to individually are extremely appreciative of the encouragement they are receiving.
It will be exciting to see what the Lord gives us tomorrow to encourage and shepherd these beautiful servants of the Lord.
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