07/02/24 Quick Updates
So much happens in such a short period of time with Global Baptist Training Foundation. Here are just some of this week’s highlights:
First, as you know from previous updates, Global Baptist Training Foundation-trained pastors are in the process of starting 405 new churches in Africa this year. This brings the total church plants to near 1,000. As of today, July 1, 50 more church plants are beginning. Our church planting partner, Advance, was already supporting 100 of the 405 current church plants. They have raised enough funding to support another 50 – 10 in Uganda and 40 in Liberia. That means we are now at 455 new church plants for 2024. We are thankful for the partnership with Advance and for the pastors who have been GBTF trained and prepared who are willing to take the gospel to towns and villages where no gospel witness currently exists.
In many cases, these churches begin with a showing of The Jesus Film. We provide our trainers with projectors, laptops, cell phones, and other equipment to help them be successful in this endeavor. Timothy has just shown The Jesus Film to a group of people who needed the gospel in Liberia. Over 100 people attended this showing, and 45 people made a public statement of faith in Jesus Christ, most of whom were young adults. Timothy now has a great burden to disciple and train these young people, and this may open a new avenue of training for GBTF. We will tell you more about Timothy in an update soon!
We also have classes going on in several countries. Pastor Samuel has just completed a class of 61 in South Sudan. Most of these church leaders labor among the refugees who have fled the war and violence in the north.
Fidele recently completed a large class in Ethiopia. Fidele is opening new countries regularly with classes. Two of his classes (Malawi and Kenya) will have graduations in September. Look for great pictures and videos.
Jackson completed a class in the Democratic Republic of Congo. GBTF is expanding rapidly in the DRC. This is especially exciting for us because, after years of being unable to get into the DRC, nationals are now being incredibly effective at training pastors and church leaders here.
Intentional multiplication is how we will reach the world with the gospel. If you are already giving, you are a huge part of helping us to train nationals and then support nationals training nationals. If you are not a part of this exciting work, please visit www.globaltrain.org.
Your fellow servants,
Bruce and Grace Snavely
Global Baptist Training Foundation