Exercise in Achieving your Business  Goals

  Bi-Vocational Pastoring........ A New Concept? 

It looks like I have some catching up to do here on my blog. These past weeks have been very busy. I have almost completed the the training of the first group of pastors in the Bi-vocational Pastors training course. I have been very fortunate to have some very sharp guys that have really grasped the concepts of small business. A few of them have already began the process of starting small businesses. One of the students has improved his bread making business by understanding the customers needs and money management. Another began an ice making business where he has developed relationships with the local restaurants and shops that sell soda. He is now supplying them with ice every morning. Another has really grasped the concept of supply and demand and is going to open a small shop and sell various items while keeping close track of the inventory and marketing. The stories continue to come and I am proud of these guys in their desire to follow the Apostle Paul's lead in supporting their ministries and to not be a burden on their church's that can hardly support their families. This will allow the church to use what little money that it brings in to re-invest into the church.

   Please pray for these guys as they have allot of challenges ahead of them but they now have the tools they need to face those challenges.


   Huge Opportunity For Ministry Growth

EFCA Africa Conference

Four Weeks ago Holly and I attended our ReachGlobal Africa Conference where I was able to connect with church leaders and church planters from across the African continent. As I met with each of the leaders I realized that there was a common thread between them and an opportunity that we could not pass up. Each pastor expressed a strong desire for the new Bi-Vocational Pastors training, a need to train the communities where they are working in Community Health Evangelism and also Women's Ministry/ Women's Health. At first the idea of training all of these villages, in all of these topics, across Africa seemed like an impossible task until I realized that we have everyone we need already in place "Church Planters". The idea is to now train the Church Planters in three to four different locations from West Africa to East Africa, in turn they will add these trainings to their church planting curriculum. As these Leaders train new pastors to begin new churches they will give them the skills to help the people in their communities with finding solutions for their physical needs while sharing the gospel in very practical ways. It is a great opportunity for the Churches in Africa to really become that shining beacon on the hill.

   The challenge is still big but not overwhelming!  I believe that our biggest challenge will be travel cost to and from the three or four training areas (Yet to be determined) but God will provide the way." He always does!


     South Sudan Seed Banks are finally Sprouting Up.

Lam Michael, Juma John, Tony, Moses Andruga

Last week I  traveled to Uganda where I met with three of my favorite Pastors (Moses, Lam Michael and Juma John) from Southern Sudan to discuss the business plans that they were required to complete so that they could receive "one time" startup funding to begin Seed Banks in Southern Sudan. This is a very new idea in which the Seed Banks will be stocked with seed that can be sold to those who can afford to purchase the seed. For those without money, they can borrow with repayment in the form of seed from their harvest. With interest of course! This idea began as a dream that started in a conversation around a late night fire with Pastor Moses from Pageri, my good friend Pastor Dave McIntyre from Trumbull CT (who is now with the Lord) and myself in an effort to prepare food reserves for the next famine that WILL come. Currently, there is nothing like this in Southern Sudan. Most South Sudanese travel to Uganda to purchase seed so the convenience of local availability gives opportunity for ministry and business to come together in a way that will help the local churches reach out to the Sudanese people who in turn will be open to hearing the gospel.

Update:

Moses's Seed Bank in Pageri is now up and running and doing very well. The communities around Pageri are very excited and love the convenience. Moses has developed an application that needs to be completed for one to qualify to borrow seed. He is also helping those who do not have farming experience by working alongside them to help them understand basic farming skills. Moses has also been attending free classes that have been offered by  NGO's, traveling through the area, on seed production, storage and fertilizer usage.

Lam has already rented a shop in Magwi for his seed bank and has invested some of his own money and also borrowed money from his relatives to get the Seed Bank started. He has also attended trainings on seed production and storage. He hopes to open his shop for full service within the next few weeks.

Juma has decided to plant crops on land that he already owns and supply the seed banks with seed. He also hopes to produce enough seed to sell to local NGO's. Juma is planning to get his seed certified by the government so that he can sell the seed as certified seed at a little higher price. He will also add nice packaging and treat the seeds against insects and fungus. Moses and Lam are going to teach Juma what they have learned from their courses on seed production, storage and fertilizer usage.

These Pastors all live within an hour or two from each other and plan to work closely together to help make each of these Seed Banks a success.

 Pastor Dave would be proud of these guys. I know that I am!

What Next?


Tony's Schedule


June 9 Final Bi-Vocational training of pastors here in Dar es Salaam.

June 19 - 30 I travel to South Sudan with our  ReachGlogal Africa (in country)Leader Merle for the EFCS Pastors conference in Torit. We will then travel to Magwi, Pageri and Nimule where we will observe CHE Community Health Evangelism Programs and Seed Bank progress.

June 20-July 13 Hosting team from the US that will be working at a youth (outreach) camp

July 31 - 9  Travel with Merle to Burundi to follow up on possible ministry opportunities, introduce CHE and Bi-Vocational Training  (refer to article #2)

July 13-18 Kigoma Refugee camp/ Seminar for Congolese Refugee Pastors in CHE strategy Vision Seminar


Holly's Schedule


June 4- 8 Holly is currently doing a Womens health training in Maasai land with Lauren's friend Corrie

July ?-19 Travel to Chad to Facilitate Womens Cycle of Life training

I will update her schedule when she returns.