Report from Maria Arnold in India
09/03/09 06:49 Filed in: Report
Dear Steve and Kathy,
The International School of Missions, Nagpur was a great success. We had 37 full time participants coming from 7 different states in India and the USA (one). Most of these participants are already serving in full time ministry as pastors, leaders and children's ministers. Several, though, are just hungry for the Lord and seeking His will for their lives. Surely this two week school has given some new direction to all of us.
Each day we began with refreshing times of praise and worship. It was amazing to see how quickly the group was able to "enter in" to the Lord's presence. Any reservation was swept away in the first few days. God really broke through and brought release in the Spirit from the very beginning.
As we searched the scriptures in each teaching session, we were challenged in many ways. As we get busy in ministry, we often forget the One for whom we are ministering! We were all called back to the basics to build our "secret place" with the Lord, seeking His face not just His hand! Most of the students testified that this teaching was the most valuable for them.
Also, the teachings about death to our selves, our plans, our work and letting God bring it back to life in the power of His Spirit was very life changing. Many participants were humbled and broken in the Presence of the Lord as He dealt with them about motives of the heart. In the end there was GREAT rejoicing.
Pastor MIki from Serbia was a tremendous blessing. His humble servants heart spoke to us all. His message on hearing the voice of God brought us to a new level.
The team activities and practical training was fruitful. Though the participants were from many different cultures and language groups, they merged and worked together very well. As they went on outreach, God used each group. Each activity had purpose that was useful for our lives and ministry.
Even during times of fellowship, long lasting friendships were made. I believe that some will work together in the future for the purpose of the kingdom.
I'll share one testimony. A friend of ours who heads a local ministry sent four people to attend the school. He told me that usually when he sends someone to a seminar he has to track them down afterwards to find out how it went. But this time was different. All four of them individually called him (even during the training) telling how wonderful it was and sincerely thanking him for sending them! Glory to God. One of them was pressured to leave the first week and return to situations in his ministry, but he determined to stay and God greatly blessed him.
Personally, I was very refreshed and encouraged. It's been a long time since I could enjoy good teaching from the word without having to worry about what my children were up to or answering all their questions. The campus (grassy fields, flowers, rabbits, and fish) entertained my children so well that I could receive from the Lord myself. His grace was upon us. I was even impressed as my children (especially Micah) were drawn to sit in on many of the teachings. I believe some spiritual deposits were made.
I was so blessed by the quality of students, and from such diverse places and ministries. An awesome testimony of the "family" of God!
We appreciate Brother Steve's thoughtfulness to bring gifts for the children. It made them feel special too!
So, thank you (and all who gave) for conducting this training and for your generosity and prayers.
We all believe that lives were changed and great things will happen as a result. Eternity will tell, but we expect to see fruit in the coming months.
God bless you and come again!
Sincerely,
Maria
The International School of Missions, Nagpur was a great success. We had 37 full time participants coming from 7 different states in India and the USA (one). Most of these participants are already serving in full time ministry as pastors, leaders and children's ministers. Several, though, are just hungry for the Lord and seeking His will for their lives. Surely this two week school has given some new direction to all of us.
Each day we began with refreshing times of praise and worship. It was amazing to see how quickly the group was able to "enter in" to the Lord's presence. Any reservation was swept away in the first few days. God really broke through and brought release in the Spirit from the very beginning.
As we searched the scriptures in each teaching session, we were challenged in many ways. As we get busy in ministry, we often forget the One for whom we are ministering! We were all called back to the basics to build our "secret place" with the Lord, seeking His face not just His hand! Most of the students testified that this teaching was the most valuable for them.
Also, the teachings about death to our selves, our plans, our work and letting God bring it back to life in the power of His Spirit was very life changing. Many participants were humbled and broken in the Presence of the Lord as He dealt with them about motives of the heart. In the end there was GREAT rejoicing.
Pastor MIki from Serbia was a tremendous blessing. His humble servants heart spoke to us all. His message on hearing the voice of God brought us to a new level.
The team activities and practical training was fruitful. Though the participants were from many different cultures and language groups, they merged and worked together very well. As they went on outreach, God used each group. Each activity had purpose that was useful for our lives and ministry.
Even during times of fellowship, long lasting friendships were made. I believe that some will work together in the future for the purpose of the kingdom.
I'll share one testimony. A friend of ours who heads a local ministry sent four people to attend the school. He told me that usually when he sends someone to a seminar he has to track them down afterwards to find out how it went. But this time was different. All four of them individually called him (even during the training) telling how wonderful it was and sincerely thanking him for sending them! Glory to God. One of them was pressured to leave the first week and return to situations in his ministry, but he determined to stay and God greatly blessed him.
Personally, I was very refreshed and encouraged. It's been a long time since I could enjoy good teaching from the word without having to worry about what my children were up to or answering all their questions. The campus (grassy fields, flowers, rabbits, and fish) entertained my children so well that I could receive from the Lord myself. His grace was upon us. I was even impressed as my children (especially Micah) were drawn to sit in on many of the teachings. I believe some spiritual deposits were made.
I was so blessed by the quality of students, and from such diverse places and ministries. An awesome testimony of the "family" of God!
We appreciate Brother Steve's thoughtfulness to bring gifts for the children. It made them feel special too!
So, thank you (and all who gave) for conducting this training and for your generosity and prayers.
We all believe that lives were changed and great things will happen as a result. Eternity will tell, but we expect to see fruit in the coming months.
God bless you and come again!
Sincerely,
Maria