Training Pastors Worldwide

My planned four weeks in Africa has been changed due to an injury at the gym trying to stay healthy and fit. I had shoulder surgery, Thursday, and will recoup for the next several months before I can travel again.

The good news is that I will be working on our TLI courses to better reach students who learn through storytelling, symbols, and a variety of teaching techniques more in line with African culture and orality. Most of the world’s population are oral learners. This includes Africa and the U.S.

The following video is from my last trip to Sierra Leone. Great students, great weeks of teaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9r17AfE45k

Please pray for the team going to Freetown and Makeni without me.

In the meantime, I’ve added a few pictures and a couple of links to articles that I have found helpful.

The last link is a famous sermon by John Piper that influenced a gereration of students.

Thanks for praying and giving.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/idealism-identity-politics-guilt/?amp

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/missions-could-make-you-sick/

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/boasting-only-in-the-cross

It was a great trip with some very good co-teachers. The students are especially grateful for the training, and they wish to express their appreciation to you for praying and giving. I remind them regularly of your prayer and financial support without which I would not be able to come.

I will be home for a month now and then leave again October 9 for a week of staff meetings, then 2 weeks in South Africa, and 2 weeks in Sierra Leone. We will be ‘test driving’ some tweeks to our curriculum to accommodate those whose learning preferences are more oral than written.

Kitchen crew making lunch for 50 students in Freetown.

Thanks for looking, and reading, and giving. Our account balance is much healthier now. Additionally, I have seen great progress in the students since we began the training.

Bob.

Tomorrow morning, Thursday, August 24, I leave for 2 1/2 weeks in Sierra Leone. TLI has produced this video which explains why we go and what I will be doing.

https://m.youtube.com/watch/BfOiSmRY-j8

This week I’ve been collecting articles and videos that I thought would be good for you to check out. I also added a link to the recent sermon on retirement I preached at my church, Christ Community in Laguna Hills.

Here is a video from some of TLI’s work up the Amazon River. Click on the link below.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CKsEPjbSl8

From Steve DeWitt, a thought provoking excerpt from his new book.

“The cross is love’s highest human expression and beauty’s ultimate declaration. Before a sunset, mountain range, painting, or song can be relished as beautiful, our souls must awaken to true beauty. The cross and resurrection of Jesus shine as supreme demonstrations of beauty. Everything else is a reflection.” Steve Dewitt, Enjoying God in Everything, p 24

The following insights are from some of my students in South Africa.

“Most of us, we’re being pastored by motivational speakers, and I think this is where it all goes sideways when it comes to the Word of God. Instead of focusing on God, we focus on the things around us. And I feel like if pastors can better equip themselves by getting properly educated regarding the Word of God and then educating others, it’s going to have a trickle effect.”

“I’m grateful to be a part of this training. I trust that after this 3 year course that I will be a better person, that I will have a greater understanding and greater knowledge of who God is and his Word, to be able to handle his Word in a proper manner to teach and to share with my family and friends and colleagues.”

Next, a link to my recent sermon at Christ Community Church.

https://www.ccclh.org/list-of-sermons/?wpfc_preacher=bob-burris

Roots. Local church rootedness. From The United Kingdom.

https://www.ilfordipc.co.uk/blog/

I hope this is helpful.

Bob