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)

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