Advanced International School: November 3, 2011

~ The Mission of Jesus Christ: Cultural change ~

Jesus spent much of his time in the flesh messing with "normal." ....'you have heard it said'....'you who are without sin'....'nothing outside a man can make him unclean'... Revealing God's perspective necessitates change.

If people change, then ultimately cultures change.

A common resistance to EMI training around the world sounds something like this: "That is a western concept. It is not part of our culture." A fair challenge. After all, the USA and our culture is barely 500 years old. That makes us developmentally younger than a teenager compared to cultures that have thousands of generations of recorded history and wisdom that comes from experience. How can we, then, presume to teach?

I've asked God how to address this.
I found myself in the 7th book of Mark. Jesus is responding to Pharisees who challenge him for the disciples lack of ritual cleanliness before eating. Jesus is not pleased. In summary he says, "Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down."

Every culture is steeped in tradition.
Every culture has need of God's truth and grace.
Truth and grace that is eternal in perspective ultimately brings healing.
Healing fosters transformation.
Transformation results in a new normal.


INVISIBLE LIES
Every person is subject to those places in our hearts and spirits that have been in bondage to a lie. Most of these lies are invisible to us. The enemy of our souls camouflages lies. His intent is to kill and destroy. Jesus tells us that some of those lies are imbedded in our cultural "norms."

ONLY GOD CAN

Ultimately, I have learned to address our international guests with great respect and simply say, "Hear what God has given us to deliver to you. It is between you and God to discern what he is confronting in your culture. Only He has the power to heal and transform a person--a family -- a village -- a city -- a nation."

Every session of our International School we see men and women who come at great sacrifice to be part of our training. It's humbling to stand before men and women who live a more radical degree of faith than Americans. Some live with the danger of being exposed as a Christian. Others embrace more day to day challenges just to be able to deliver God's truth into scenes of pain and despair.

We are so privileged to know them and learn from them while they are in our midst.

I invite you meet them. Pray for them.

  

~ Testimonials ~

“The Lord helped me to sharpen my vision for ministry to train others to have a more intimate relationship with Christ in ________. I find my passion & desire and know how to land myself for future ministry.” Esther ___________ (ASIA)

“EMI’s advanced training took me beyond the fundamental skills, helping me see how to apply these principles to family situations and group leadership. God unearthed family dynamics I had not focused on before and showed me how He wants me to deal with them. Janet Plummer (USA/JAMAICA)

“I’m coming out of a difficult year….I feel like a fish that finally hit the river. ….I feel embraced, affirmed, energized.” Anne Alexander (TAIWAN)

“It was God-centered, well organized training…I learned from participants and their stories. The Lord clarified my vision for ministry; I am more confident—I am more than a conqueror! “ Tuyata Tserev (MONGOLIA)

“We can experience God from many different cultural perspectives and hear what He is doing in other places. I am now a different person; I hope a better discipler.”

Ruben Calzado (CUBA/USA)

“People are learning in a very free and safe environment. Excellent fellowship every day. As a leader in a church your training helps me significantly in empowering people to identify the will of God for them.” Yee Hwa Soon (MALAYSIA/USA)

“I realize the Lord wants me to break out of the walls I’ve built around me to really enjoy being the real me. The enemy tries to keep us earth-bound when we should fly.”

Christabel Seow (MALAYSIA/USA)

“I have seen possibilities for my life, family and ministry is coming into reality.”

Christian Cole (SIERRA LEONE)

“I was weak on vision and disciple-making; now I can move with a lot of clarity and strength. I came with great discouragement, but God through EMI helps me become revived.”

Vijayan Chinnappan (INDIA)

“I was surrounded by people who are leaders & strive after God and prayer warriors. God is healing me; I can use the skills and insights…to help many believers who struggle internally…”

Nok Prukpitikul (THAILAND/USA)

“God answered my prayer for how to help the needs of peoples. I can encourage the church and leaders in the church to serve Him better.” Tu Tipvarakankoon (THAILAND)

“Wherever I go, I’ll be a more confident person in the Lord knowing who I am. This will have a positive influence on pople no matter what kind of ministry setting I’m in.”

Esther Lee (S KOREA/USA)

July 2010 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ~ Dreams

"Make a way..." ~

The Lord has clearly exhorted EMI to open our doors to training international leaders...many who have little money to indulge in the equipping they hunger for.

Since May 2005, EMI is offering 8 days of FREE training to those who are able to travel to Cincinnati. We have been blessed and inspired by the stories of faith they bring with them.

Training focuses on one course per day in practical relationship and ministry skills. Starting with the skill of listening and growing in communicating care and understanding, SOS also teaches how to come along side someone seeking to change (discipleship), how to be set free from hidden beliefs that sabotage healthy biblical living, and how to reach out evangelistically in respectful relational ways without manipulation. Every guest receives personal healing prayer based on our Embracing God's Grace prayer teaching. God is faithful to meet their needs.


God always shows up for each guest in such personal tender yet powerful ways.
I'm happy to share with you the blessings of our July session of INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SERVICE.



Emile Bigendakumana
Ral
Soo Oh
Christian Cole
Janet Plummer
Annie Johnson









Emile is an evangelist who has a big heart for young people. He works as a DJ in a youth club. His vision spans over his nation of Burundi, Central Africa and expands to neighbors Rwanda, Congo and Tanzania where inter-tribal strife is often violent. "I seek to share the skills I learned with other ministers in my hometown, Bujumbura. I pray that many will be able to come to USA for this training."

Pastor Ral, from Asia, comes to us from a country now under military dictatorship. People are struggling to find work and food. He and his wife have taken in 30 orphans. Christianity is under persecution. He is the only Christian in his district which has no churches. His dream is to build churches and to develop young leaders to serve the Lord. While attending SOS, Ral was inspired by two things he'd never seen before: conversational healing prayer and childcare in a church. He is excited to take back the idea that a sanctified church can be useful to the community other days of the week as well as Sunday!

Soo is Korean American. She's on sabbatical visiting family after serving with YWAM in Kona, taking care of guest teachers. She was a perfect house-mate for our guests from Africa as she gracefully fell into the role of making sure they got to each EMI class. She came not sure of the direction for her life. "God has restored rest in my soul and spirit...and more passion for what God has in this vision & purpose to equip and mature the saints. Being here has given me excitement about where God wants me."

Christian is founder and president of Endtimes Christian Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He is eager to bring EMI training to the local council of churches to minister more effectively to people in conflict and distress. "I need a team to help me do this training, and that God will grant resources to reach out to the four corners of Sierra Leone."

Janet, born in Jamaica, has been living in the USA and works as a corporate consultant/ trainer. She came to SOS specifically to help the reformation of a worship arts team of Jamaicans planning to minister world-wide. "God orchestrated this to be a place of infilling and refreshment...I feel rejeuvenated, refilled and ready to outflow."

Annie is from Bangalore, India. Her heart's desire is to work with women in distress by counseling and outreach. "SOS helped me go to deep areas of my heart and renew my mind. He brought healing to something I have struggled with the last 10 years. He has strengthened and empowered me."




Join us in praying as they return home and begin to pass on what God has given to them!











Graduation includes our "Map Ceremony" ~ putting a pin into their country, where God has now taken EMI's training in healthy relationship and ministry skills.





If you would like to participate as a volunteer or guest student, contact Pam Ping, Global Training Manager pping@equippingministries.org

EMI's INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL -- 13th Session

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SERVICE*
~ Forever Fellowship

Each time we hold these schools for international leaders and missionaries, I find myself immersed in the joy of connecting with family!

Even though we've never met before, fellowship with believers is truly sweet. The heart to heart connection is immediate.


Here's a little about our guests; please join us in praying for them:

Canaan Taiwanese Christian Church of San Jose, California, has contracted with EMI to translate training material into Mandarin and Taiwanese. Their vision is to bring this life changing training to Chinese & Taiwanese world-wide.

SAMMY LEE is from TAIWAN and lives in California. An engineering professor, he took EMI's LISTENING course 6 years ago. He came to SOS to learn how to teach our courses -- to join his churches vision to impact the Taiwanese and Chinese cultures with God's transforming truth. BLESSINGS: SOS makes me more comfortable in doing mission work. I believe Taiwanese people will benefit and get life renewed through my EMI training in the future. PRAYER: Pray for my own inner healing and to pass on to others what God has done for me.

VIVIAN WANG LEE is from TAIWAN. She is eager to heal and grow personally. She joins her churches vision to equip Chinese & Taiwanese saints in the grace and truth of Christ. BLESSINGS: Through the whole week of intensive learning, practicing and sharing in laughs, tears, truth - you can tell how much deeper and wider we have been changing. This ministry enhances the value and the way to live a new life in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. PRAYER: Pray for my husband and me to be unified team in our dream to equip Chinese and Taiwanese.

ERIN WU is from TAIWAN. She moved to California 5 years ago and is Canaan's lead translator. She is eager this week to understand the meaning of the words she is translating. So many English words do not have clear connection. How do you say "empathy" in Mandarin? BLESSINGS: The classes make me have clarity on my calling and what I need in my ministry. PRAYER: Pray we continue to grow an dbe good models for students.



JOSEPH YAKUBU ITODO is from NIGERIA. He heard about EMI training from a Cincinnati mission team who spoke of life-changing training. As a businessman, he had the resources to come to the USA expressly to take LISTENING training. He is back with a vision to equip a core group who will train people throughout Nigeria and begin to transform a nation that has seen trust destroyed by years of political unrest and violence. BLESSING: I heard His still small voice instructing me on the next phase of my life. PRAYER: Please pray for my ministry, that I don't do anything outside the will of God. Pray also for Nigeria.


SYLVESTER ROGERS is from SIERRA LEONE. He is a civil servant and clergyman. He tried to attend this training last year. The ticket agent at the airport told him he had to pay $600 more to board the plane. This time he went to Liberia to find lower air fare. He is so delighted to be here gaining the training he wants to take home to his church leaders and to the Body of Christ. PRAYER: Pray for my dream to resource churches of S. Leone with trucks, equipment, materials they can borrow to evangelize and equip. Pray the enemy does not abort this dream.


GANAPATHY RAJENDRAN is from INDIA. He is an administrator, a gift he shares with one of EMI's trainers in India through Pioneer Inter Cultural Services. He is eager to experience the courses he hears others talking about. BLESSINGS: SOS training opened my eyes to see the hidden side of my heart. PRAYER: Please pray for the Lord to show me a clear vision of my ministry. Pray for my 2 children to complete their studies and for my wife who is alone for the first time as I travel the USA. I would also like to help raise funds for EMI's ministry.



TOM BRADY is an EMI friend from Hudson, OHIO. For the first time in 35 years he is unemployed. He is here to pursue healing for himself and his family. Tom is also open to this being a possible preparation time for his passion for African children. He dreams of spending this next part of his life ministering to orphans. PRAYER: Pray for enduring relationships in my family, that my children come to know the Lord, and for the next step God has for my life.













Why do they come? To learn transformational skills for healthy, effective life and ministry.
How do you SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE, CONFRONT CONFLICT, RENEW YOUR MIND, and PRAY FOR HEALING? How do you teach others this journey to wholeness and freedom in Christ?

We are blessed to witness God growing the seeds planted in these men and women who seek to serve Him. One thing I have seen every time, He will accomplish more than any of us can think or imagine! Ephesians 3:20




Pam Ping
Global Training Manager
Equipping Ministries Int'l
Cincinnati, Ohio USA
513-742-1100
www.equippingministries.org

*Int'l School of Service (SOS) is held in Cincinnati, OHIO twice annually. The Lord told us to make a way for internationals who have little money. Cost of training is underwritten by donations. At this moment, involvement is limited to those who can manage their travel. Volunteers provide training, housing & local transportation. Without EMI's community of friends & volunteers, this free training would not be possible. Our God is faithful.

TAPESTRY CONFERENCE - January 2010

When it rains, it pours!
International EMI network begins in LA area











Amidst the biggest rainstorm in over 40 years in a desert area just east of Los Angeles, the Holy Spirit poured deeply into 70 lives!

Pastors and leaders from 19 nations including Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Zambia received 50+ hours of intensive relationship skill and healing prayer teaching with tremendous gratitude and enthusiasm!

Quick to Listen Leaders stirred discussion on what a healthy, dynamic church looks like. Skills for deep heart listening and the minister of care and understanding were practiced.
Speaking the Truth in Love brought loving accountability and healing confrontation into practice.
Embracing God's Grace taught the power of the cross in prayers of invitation for rebellion, forgiveness for guilt, truth for condemnation and God's power for bondage.
Saturday presented ways to inspire congregations to reach into God's infilling and OUTFLOW his truth and grace to others.

Pastors made a point of saying that they have never received anything so practical, biblical and helpful to their own lives and ministries. "This is one conference that will not have only a book that gathers dust on my bookshelf as evidence that I was here," exclaimed Pastors Jacob and Samuel.


Our hosts, Pastor Dan & Tricia Sandoval of Church on the Hill (Redlands) were ecstatic to see a 100% commitment to continue the Tapestry vision. A core team of international pastors has come together to create an on-going Tapestry network and begin planning another training event for next year!


What is the Tapestry vision?

Just about every nation in the world is represented in the LA area.
Many tend to isolate into their cultural groups, including where they worship. Dan & Trish seek to grow a multinational network of Christian leaders who share resources and a passion to reach out in the USA and overseas with the healing grace and truth of Christ.




For EMI this event could not have happened without significant underwriting of a partner church in Cincinnati and 5 trained volunteers and Board members who paid their own way: Pastor Josh Colón, Dr. Jay Diller, Dr. Bob & Janis Lerer and Randy Richards. This kept the conference costs at a minimum in order to be accessible to every interested person.

Only God knows how these seeds will grow and what fruit they will bear. At EMI, we are rejoicing in a vision caught and nurtured by faithful servants in the desert!


For more information, contact EMI: info@equippingministries.org

REJOICING! GRADUATION PRAISES!

How is it possible to grow so in love with strangers in only one week?

God's people from many nations bring to us the fragrance of eternity...a hint of the richness of fellowship in the Spirit we will experience over eons.

We share passion for serving the Lord, growing more deeply in Him and touching people with His transforming grace and truth. And we have fun!
Following are their praises and prayer requests. We invite you to join us in lifting them up to the God who is able to make their vision for changing nations a reality.

Geoff Gle - GHANA [front left]: Director of Co-Impact Inc., Accra.
Goal: Facilitating short term missions & training + promote public health + assist rural communities with educational facilities & library projects.
"My wife and I return to Africa [this month] to serve and lead in ministry. The church in Africa is growing, but we need solid teaching so we can be effective. The Lord gave me a greater insight into empathic listening and how to meet people at their level of need. I've learned that conflicts are healthy, but must be resolved in a biblical way."
PRAY: for effective Christian witness + impacting lives for God's glory.

Nok Prukpitikul - THAILAND : counselor to international students, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago.
Goal: Return to Thailand in less than 5 years with her husband to teach and minister.
"SOS shed a new light of the work & power of God. I became much more open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. I'm so encouraged by the way God revealed many great things to me. I felt detoxed in my soul."
PRAYER: Continual freedom from bondage of fear & worry about the future, clarity on our ministry as a couple in Thailand, a miracle for a family business, and salvation for family.


Bong Barredo - PHILIPPINES: director Asian Youth & Children Ministries, Bacolod City.
Goal: evangelize & disciple children through schools and camps.
"I've been looking for this kind of training opportunity--this is an answer to many prayers! It's great how the teaching is very personalized and the skills are so practical and doable! I am a better person, servant and child of God after my SOS experiences."
PRAY: that I use what I've learned , that I can send more staff to SOS, that the Lord makes it possible for me to be a certified EMI teacher, and for my team to be faithful and diligent in doing God's work with warmth, respect and empathy for all kinds of people!"


Ye Hwa Soon & Cristabel Seow - MALAYSIA [back left]: currently completing doctorate in Tacoma, WA. Setting up e-training in Malaysia.
Goal: Bring transforming experience of God to chinese churches in USA, Malaysia and the world.
"I have never experienced such a wonderful gift from God than this free transformational training. I experience true love from God through peple who hosted, served and taught us. EMI teaching is really powerful & would make a great impact in the lives of many people."
PRAY: Seeking wisdom in initial plans to train a team an begin walking out an equipping plan; also need living expenses while completing degree--not allowed to work under student visa.


Ren-Song Tsay and FuHwa Li - TAIWAN [back middle] Founders/teachers of Wonderful Life Ministry focusing on EMI training
Goal: change Taiwan culture through EMI training
"Your wonderful ministry fills us with love, equips us with skills to equip others. Seeing many volunteers serve unconditionally out from their hearts, I think I am touching the essence of the true teaching."
PRAY: Wisdom and health as we continue to meet demands for training in Taiwan that are filling several weekends monthly; that the Lord is revealed & known in a way that changes nations.


Dan & Tricia Sandoval - PHILIPPINES / USA [back right]: pastors with The Church on the Hill, Redlands, CA
Goal: Share vision with EMI to sponsor training and resources for international pastors in LA area. . .to overcome isolation and grow in knowing and serving Christ.
PRAY: for openness of pastors to networking and sharing ideas and resources. For the Lord's anointing on our October conference to begin this process. Pray for my family to find a suitable home."

SOS Graduates - March 2009

Professor Josiah Shindi ~ Nigeria
Many, many thanks for being practical Christians, demonstrating the Word in action. Your labour of love in giving will certainly have multiplying effects as I pass on the lessons learned from the Seminar to the generation following ours.
The biggest lesson I have learned is that there are some of you who are willing and able to open your hearts and homes to others like me without reservations.
The teaching has gone a very long way to enhance my Christian growth and widened my Christian outlook. May God bless you abundantly, from the bottom of my heart.


Paul Ndahigwa ~ Rwanda
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your generosity in funding my stay here in Ohio and the cost of my training in EMI. EMI has been a passion of mine since I heard about it 4 years ago. Your contribution allowed me to get the opportunity to experience different things in unparalleled environment. Everyone I have met has been eager to help me learn and share their experiences. Through this training I will be able to work with some of the best minds in my country. I have learned valuable things that I would never have been taught if it wasn’t for this training. I’m truly grateful. EMI has sat on a high pedestal in my mind all this time. To have the opportunity to learn and experience the entirety of the school is a gift that will not soon be forgotten. EMI links different people world-wide and opens its doors to all who wish to increase their knowledge. I feel truly privileged to have been one of the trainees and being trained by the selected staff who dedicate their lives to the advancement of lessons educating people. Thank you.

Randy Richards ~ Princeton Pike Church of God Mission Board, Cincinnati
Words cannot express my gratitude for your support of the International School of Service. My life has been changed and I hope to share the skills I have learned with other people around me. I can share it with my family, church, co-workers, mission board, and others I meet in the mission field. No one can calculate the change your support will make in the world !!




Luisa Moce ~ Fiji
So grateful to God for your generosity and love for God and others like me to come taste and see that God is good!
I found out that evangelism is so simple but I’ve complicated it for too long. Thanks to EMI for uncomplicating it for me – how it’s easier and understandable to reach lives everywhere at every level with the great love of a loving God that never ceases to pursue us with His loving kindness.
I want to express how grateful I am to you for making it possible for me to make the sacrifice to come to EMI and realize it’s worth it all. I came in a huge way to take and marry the materials with what I already have, but God is never boring. He’s always full of surprises and in a bigger way He met me at an unexpected place where I can personally swim deeper with him. That’s revolutionizing. So is EMI!


Sisa Vukialau ~ Fiji
Thank you for all the transformation blessing that you have demonstrated to me with all your hospitality, generosity and kindness. I have experienced a lot of breakthrough in my inner being. Thank you so very much for kindness, warmth, respect in believing in the call of God upon my life. My life is not the same in the way I think and listen. With all the teaching that I have gone through it has made a great impact in me.
I’m amazed with the puzzle that God has put together in place. I’m transformed with God’s amazing love and grace.


Proverbs 18:16: A gift opens a way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of great men.

SOS GRADUATION - July 25, 2008

Thank you, thank you Jesus!

EMI Staff & volunteers celebrate our 10th International School of Service graduating class:

>  Gade Chew  (Thailand-2nd from left/front)

>  Rev. Obed Ochwanyi  (Kenya-4th from left/back)

>  Brother Martin Odindo (Kenya -6th from left/front)

>  Christabel Seow  (Malaysia-4th from left/front)

>  Yee Hwa Soon  (Malaysia-5th from left/front)

After 7 days of in-depth training in eight EMI courses, our five guests graduated to EMI family status!   We celebrated with worship and praise. 

><>  Praises

It is the Lord's answer to my prayer, and it is way beyond what I expected. Our Lord is good.

Yee Hwa Soon

The Lord challenged my false belief and give me assurance and peace.  Actually seeing how the skills are being applied during prayer time is something that I can emulate.

Christabel Seow

The Lord showed me what issues I need him to work on and how to be transformed from inside to outside.  He comforted me and was with me.

Gade Chew

By equipping me with life skills of listening, speaking the truth in love and renewing my mind, a fresh breath of God's direction came over my family, social and spiritual services.

Brother Martin Odindo

The Lord met me with more openness of the heart, which has always been unusual for me.  This training will enable me to train more people in my area of jurisdiction. It will also bring more family relationships in perspective.

Rev. Obed Ochwanyi

><>  Worship

in Mandarin:   Gan Xie Gan Xie Jesus (3x), Xai Wo Xin.  

in Thai: Kob kun , kob kun Pra-Jao (3x), You-ni-Jai.

in Kiswahili:   A sante sana Jesus (3x),  moyoni.

in English:   Thank you, thank you Jesus (3x),  in my heart.

><>   HELP  <><

People have asked how they can support this part of EMI's ministry to the church world-wide.

The cost of SOS training is underwritten by donors; students pay nothing to EMI.

Any donated amount is helpful.

You can call 513-742-1100  or  donate on our web site:   www.equippingministries.org

And you can pray!

Thank you for joining us through this blog.

God bless you, too!

Pam Ping

Global Training Manager

Equipping Ministries Int'l

Cincinnati, Ohio   USA

pping@equippingministries.org