Aussie Scholars News. Many of our readers will remember Alfred Olwa from Uganda who studied for his PhD at Moore SEPTEMBER 2017

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1 SEPTEMBER 2017 Equipping a new generation of Bible teachers In This Issue Langham Preaching pages 2 3 Pakistan Pacific Thailand The New App! Literature Isesomo s Story page 4 Aussie Scholars News Many of our readers will remember Alfred Olwa from Uganda who studied for his PhD at Moore College, Sydney some years back. Alfred was consecrated as the 3rd Bishop of Lango Diocese of the Anglican Church of Uganda in Boroboro on 13th August. Being in a neighbouring country, Wendy and Graham Toulmin were able to attend the ceremony, where Wendy brought greetings from Langham International. Qaiser Julius, who studied at Melbourne School of Theology (MST), continues in his role as Principal of the Open Theological Seminary based in Pakistan. He is also the Country Coordinator for Langham Preaching in that country (see Preaching story over the page). Anwar Berhe continues his studies at MST, following a successful trip back to Ethiopia earlier in the year for his research. This year we ve had two Scholars based in Majority World countries who have come to Australia for some months to make use of theological college libraries and some additional mentoring. Angukali Rotokha from India came to Ridley Melbourne, VIC and Vuyani Sindo and his family from South Africa came to Trinity Theological College in Perth, WA. George Bishai is our newest Scholar from the Majority World who is based in Australia for his studies. We asked him to introduce himself and say a little about the church in Egypt. He writes: I am 38 years old, a licenced lay minister in the Anglican Diocese of Egypt since I am originally from Alexandria, Egypt, and am married to Mervat. We have two daughters, Karin (11 years old) and Emma (2 years old). After working for a short time as a mechanical engineer, I studied for a bachelor degree in theology from at Alexandria School of Theology (AST). I then studied for a Master of Biblical Studies with Moore Theological College in Egypt, while teaching as a junior lecturer at AST till I finished my MA studies in In April 2016, I came to study for a New Testament PhD at Moore Theological College in Sydney. My passion is to equip ministers for Gospel proclamation, not only through the seminary (AST), but through local churches in Egypt as I am regularly invited to teach and preach God s Word. I believe the church in Egypt is in desperate need for clear and sound teaching of the core Christian doctrines. This huge need should be met through simple and yet deep preaching and teaching, available in different media (sermons, articles and books). The essential Christian beliefs are always under attack from liberal Christian circles and non-christians alike. Those who criticize these beliefs are usually scholars who did their doctoral studies at highly academic seminaries and universities. So the need for capable scholars who can proclaim and teach God s Word effectively and stand for the truth while still being able to communicate with God s people in local churches on a less academic level, is not a luxury, but an urgent necessity! Angukali Bishai family Alfred Sindo family My vision as a future Langham Scholar is to work to achieve that goal in Egypt, where almost half of all Arab Christians live in a very critical moment: experiencing economic and political turmoil under the threat of persecution of radical and militant Islam from both the east (Sinai) and the west (Libya). However, our sovereign God is at work! The tragedies of ISIS have encouraged many to question the very foundations of their religion. More than any other time, young people are asking questions that have been never asked before. This is a challenge and an opportunity for the Gospel to spread, for the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to the Christian, to the Muslim, to the Atheist to everyone who believes. We should never be ashamed (Rom. 1:16)! PO Box 530 Springwood NSW 2777 Phone australia@langham.org Web langham.org

2 NG P IN EA INEAC E Pakistan Preaching Conference HINEIN Dr Qaiser Julius, Principal of Pakistan s Open Theological Seminary and Country Coordinator for Langham Preaching in Pakistan has recently shared with us about their large training event held in July this year. About 120 participants met for a five-day conference where levels One, Two and Three of the Langham Preaching Training were presented. International Director of Preaching Dr Paul Windsor joined the group in a lovely mountain setting. People who attended had this to say: Ashar: I am a pastor but I never remained on the chosen text and did not know how to preach expository sermon. During Langham training I realized that there is a world inside the text which we need to explore and [understand] what it meant for them at that time and then we must apply to present world. This training has widened [my] preaching horizons and now I commit myself to expository preaching with proper planning. NE E P PREINE REINEA INE EIN INE NE P PREIN REINEA EINEAC E Qaiser teaching during the conference Jharna: My wedding anniversary was in July and I demanded my husband to send me to Langham Training as a gift of anniversary[!] When I completed the training I realized that this training is more precious than any other earthly and materialistic gift. This training is so helpful for me while I serve among the women in [my city] which is a very hard area for ministry. All the sessions were unique and quite enjoyable especially observing the text, single story of the Bible and making connection. Group works and chart presentation were quite a great moment for learning more and doing practice. Through this valuable training my biblical perspective is more clear and focused. Aruj: I am a science teacher in a Christian school. Sometimes, we had to lead devotion but we were confused every time what to preach and how to preach. After attending Langham training I am now confident enough to expose a bible text with a proper tool. Langham method is very systematic and easy to grasp. Especially, model sermons were very helpful to see how to preach a faithful, clear and relevant sermon. HINE NEAC EA PR Small group work is an integral part of Langham Preaching training Pacific Preaching Update Stephen Williams (Regional Coordinator, Langham Preaching South Pacific) writes: Two significant events have marked Langham Preaching s work in the South Pacific in the first half of 2017: 1. On April 29th a line-up meeting of church leaders in Suva agreed to begin preacher training in Fiji. A planning committee was set up and is now organising the first course to take place in January Paul Windsor, the International Director of Langham Preaching, spoke, as did Andy Shudall, a Baptist pastor from Auckland NZ who will facilitate the course. The meeting brought together nine Christian denominations, colleges and ministries, as well as people of different ethnic backgrounds, keen to encourage faithful expository preaching. 2. In early July the first training of local trainers took place in Vanuatu. This milestone has been the work of Elder Ann Karie in Port Vila and Pastor Philip Baniuri at Talua Theological College on Santo. Langham training began in these islands nine years ago, and it appears that a preaching movement has begun, with congregations now demanding to be taught in an expository way. A big party is being planned for next year s 10th anniversary. For those who pray for this work thank you. I am conscious as I visit these islands (PNG, Solomon Is, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga) of God s hand opening doors and guiding His people in this work. PRE NG P PR EAC CHHIN PRE C

3 G PPR IN H EINE EINEA INE EIN PRE Teaching Trainers in Thailand EACCHI HIN PREEAC INE E P PREIN REINEA EINEAC EI HINEIN NE EIN PREINE EINEAC INE HINEAC INE Rory Shiner (Senior Pastor of Providence Church in Perth, WA and volunteer Preaching Facilitator for many years) writes: In early July 2017 Langham Thailand ran its first Train the Trainers session. It was a huge encouragement. About 14 participants pastors, seminary teachers and active lay people gathered at Bangkok Bible Seminary in Central Bangkok for three days of training. The training was not in how to preach, but specifically in how to teach others to preach. This is a crucial stage in any Langham Preaching work. If you just teach people how to preach, you re running a conference. If you can teach people how to teach others to preach, you at least have some hope of starting a movement. The work in Thailand started under Paul Barker and has had continuing outside input from myself, Craig Tucker and more recently Phil Nicholson. The movement there has been blessed by extremely high-calibre local leadership. Two Arjun (teachers) in particular, Aj Sim and Aj McClean, were instrumental in pulling together the Training of Trainers in July of This was followed shortly afterwards by a Langham Level One course, taught entirely in Thai and entirely by local Langham facilitators. By all reports, this went extremely well. Please do pray for the work in Thailand. It is thrilling to see the work attract such a gifted group of Bible teachers. The main thing now will be to see that it takes root as a genuine movement of biblical preaching. New Langham Preaching App An exciting new App for phones and tablets has been launched by Langham Preaching, to help pastors prepare sermons and organise crucial preaching clubs in their region. Users can also subscribe to various Langham Preaching mailings, such as prayer s, preaching postcards and helps a monthly worksheet/ training lesson, written by Langham s Coordinator for Training Development. Useful tool One of the biggest challenges facing Langham Preaching around the world is persuading people to see the importance of small group work and preaching clubs. So this App is a useful tool. It can: Help someone work through the key disciplines in sermon preparation Help preaching clubs to operate, through a discussion wall for group members, as well as the chance to share sermon outlines. This App isn t just for preachers connected with Langham around the world, it s a beneficial program for anyone who wants help with writing sermons. Global reach SERMONS CLUBS your own sermon archive club page with members the preparation process questions for each preparation stage the end result: a sermon outline In time, it will be translated into several different languages, widening its global reach. It s incredibly easy to use: simply download it onto your phone/tablet using Google Play (Android) or the App Store and away you go! The App has already been downloaded and used by preachers at the first ever seminar in Serbia earlier this year. Why not join them? create new club coordinator manages club see outline CONTENT Langham Preaching General Information G PPRE share with your preaching club? Subscribe to mailings via your Profile page (in the main menu) ** We are already working on Version 2:0! Our plans include: multilingual versions, Club members contact and chat; export/import sermon outlines to other apps; pages for National Langham preaching movements (due early 2018) EACCH

4 Langham Literature releases Isesomo s story The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country ravaged by two civil wars, tribalism, nepotism and the undeniable hardship of daily life. This is the context of the life and ministry of Bishop Muhindo Isesomo and this book tells the remarkable story of his humble, yet bold proclamation of the Good News of Jesus in the jungles of eastern Congo. Born into a life of loincloths, Isesomo, in the midst of a hedonistic and wild youth had a radical conversion to Christ that set him on a path of sharing the gospel at every opportunity and transforming the lives of those God put in front of him. Without ever seeking higher office or power, but serving with integrity and faithfulness, he was consecrated as Bishop of North Kivu and entrusted with unifying a diocese that had seen years of social and political unrest. Isesomo is also the Country Coordinator for Langham Preaching in DR Congo. Based on extensive interviews and research, Joshua Maule masterfully tells this true story of a modern hero of the faith. Here s an excerpt: It was 1984 and Isesomo had become the secretary of the archdeaconry in Butembo in eastern Congo. He wasted no time in his new position. As he had done before his conversion when he was a young drinker, he formed a gang but this time it was to start churches. With two older pastors, Musunganya and Musungolya, he began planning how he might spread the gospel in the region. They formed an evangelistic group and set their sights on rural areas where villagers had little opportunity to interact with God s Word. We can t just stay here in Butembo, they said. Gathering money and food, they caught lifts on the tops of lorries and travelled to far-flung dusty villages. When they arrived in a village, their first move was to speak to the local chief. We have come here to preach the gospel, they would say. We will be preaching in public areas and public gathering places. If people appreciate what we say, we would like to talk about starting an Anglican parish here. Isesomo today If it was market day, the team would go to a public place and begin to preach to the crowd about Jesus and the need for forgiveness through him. With its capacity to pull people from far and wide into a central place, market day proved a good opportunity for preaching. However, in the clutter and chaos that was a Zairian marketplace, it is hard to imagine anyone focusing on three men speaking from the Bible. But the men knew how to get the attention of a crowd amidst enthusiastic sellers offloading chickens, shopkeepers weighing materials for their customers, and the noisy hum of bartering. Here in Africa, Isesomo said, to start the service to call people we sing. Once a throng of marketgoers had gathered during the singing, the men delivered their message. They broke it up into three parts. One man covered the introduction, the second developed the main point, and the third offered an invitation for the crowd to respond with faith in Jesus Christ. Sometimes village chiefs would put a halt to trading while God s Word was preached. As many as four hundred people might be standing and listening for as long as an hour. On other days, in smaller centres, the crowd was more sparse. The preaching was timed to fall outside work hours. Often they preached in the morning between 5:30 and 7am, and in the afternoon between 4 and 6pm. During the day they would look for locals to speak to. We met a lot of people with many problems, Isesomo recalls. Many listening to these three strangers from Butembo were moved. Our goal was to bring people to Jesus, Isesomo says. At the end of the sermon, when we did the call, there were many people who responded. Isesomo has been published by Langham Literature as part of its Global Library which provides intercultural exposition and application of the Christian faith, within the framework of the Cape Town Commitment, by authors from the international evangelical community. It is available from Langham Literature at and through major online book sellers. Isesomo looking at the book with Wendy Toulmin (previous LPA Executive Officer), also serving the Lord in Congo. Gillean Smiley Langham Australia Executive Officer writes: Numbers Telling a Story While it is always exciting and encouraging to report on activity, we need to make sure that our activities are meaningful, effective and make the difference they are intended to. How do we know what impact the Preaching Program is having around the world? Findings from a survey of Level 3 Preaching Seminar participants from 34 nations, 2-3 years after they completed the training tell us that before training, 75% preached with no preparation, while now fewer than 5% undertake no preparation. Before training, only 16% preached systematically through Bible books, while now 52% do so. Whereas only 11% previously sought feedback on clarity and relevance, now well over 50% seek the feedback, 90% use illustrations from everyday life and 96% have seen people change habits as a result of a specific sermon. Possibly most exciting of all, 91% of participants train on average 64 more people to use the Bible Study skills they learned at Langham Preaching seminars. As we read of the exciting developments in the Preaching Program around the world, we thank God for the difference this is making in churches as well as in individual pastors and teachers! Can you help us to continue the multiplication effect of the Preaching Program?

5 Preaching Calendar Prayer Points Cut off this slip and use it to pray for Langham s ministry. Please pray for these Langham Preaching events: September September September October 1-7 October 8-14 October October Oct 29-Nov 4 November 5-11 November November Nov 26-Dec 2 December Dec 31-Jan 6 January Jan 28-Feb 3 February 4-10 February Feb 25-March 3 Croatia, Argentina, Zambia(3), Liberia Lesotho, DR Congo, Liberia Sierra Leone, DR Congo, Congo, Liberia, SE Asia, Benin, DR Congo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bolivia, Zambia(2), Zimbabwe, Liberia, Uganda, Serbia, Zambia, Liberia, Trinidad & Tobago, Liberia South Sudan(2), Myanmar, Liberia, Haiti, South Asia,, Zimbabwe Nigeria,, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Ghana, Benin, Zimbabwe Cote d Ivoire Trinidad & Tobago Slovenia, Fiji Cambodia * Where countries are considered sensitive, the region is mentioned rather than the country. Response Form My Gift I want to Give $ regularly monthly / quarterly /annually (circle whichever applies). Give a one off gift of $ Please make cheques payable to Langham Partnership (Aust) or complete card details over the page. Please use my donation: Where Most Needed $ Langham Scholars $ Langham Literature $ Langham Preaching $ My Total Donation $ Yes, I would like to receive Daily Thoughts along with the monthly enews. My Address Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr/Rev Family Name First Name Address Phone Postcode Pray for the expanding Preaching leadership team, that God will grant them wisdom and strength as the work continues to grow. Pray for the 100 or so participants who attended the Preaching training held in the Middle East in August, that they will put into practice what they have learned! In September in many parts of the world, new Langham Scholars begin their PhD studies. Please pray for the scholars and their families as they settle in, particularly those who have moved to a different country to study. Please pray for the Literature distribution team as they finalise work on a new library grant catalogue for 2018 that includes many thousands of library resources. Much wisdom and diligence is required. Pray that the Lord will provide more support for Langham s work, so that the ministry may expand to help meet the growing needs of the Majority World church. Please continue to pray for Ethiopian Scholar Anwar Berhe at Melbourne School of Theology and Egyptian Scholar George Bishai at Moore College, Sydney. The dates over the page are correct at time of printing but may change! For a weekly ed update, contact us at australia@langham.org to request the Preaching Prayershot. Response Form Payment Authority Credit Card Donations Card Type Visacard / Mastercard Card Number Expiry Date Name on Card Signed Date / / Periodical Payments/ Internet Deposits You may wish to arrange with your bank to set up periodical payments from your account directly to the Langham Partnership bank account or to transfer monies directly via internet banking. The details you will need are: Account Name Langham Partnership (Aust) Bank and Branch Westpac, Springwood NSW BSB Account Number See website for online donations langham.org Langham Partnership Australia PO Box 530 Springwood NSW 2777 For More Information: Phone australia@langham.org