Jetlag. Dozens of different languages. A challenging “comfort room” (the term for restroom in the Philippines). Unusual foods. Frightening traffic patterns (more like chaos). These are a few of the things my wife, Denise, and I encountered as we flew halfway around the world to teach ABWE’s Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship course in the Republic of the Philippines. However, our six-and-a-half-week trip produced encouraging results as well. As we taught the seminar seven times on five islands, it even the seemingly negative aspects were far outshined by the blessings:
- More than 250 pastors and church leaders were trained in worldview-relevant evangelism and discipleship.
- Over half of those participants were trained to train others.
- People began using their newly acquired knowledge and skills before we left the country.
During the training on the island of Leyte, one pastor said that he was so encouraged with the training and resources because he had been teaching a class of policemen and was out of material. Some time ago the Philippine government mandated morals/ethics classes for all policemen because of the corruption they were seeing. After receiving Good Soil training, the pastor used ABWE’s chronological Bible-teaching tool, The Story of Hope in his class and 20 law enforcement officers trusted Christ as Savior.
We’ve heard this story many times over. At http://www.goodsoil.com you can click on the “stories” tab and read other exciting stories about Good Soil’s expansion.
Good Soil Facts:
- While we were in the Philippines, ABWE missionaries Harry and Jan Gebert were training 35 leaders in Togo, West Africa.
- In October, a team from ABWE’s Center for Excellence in Missions was in South Africa training 47 pastors and leaders.
- ABWE staff recently offered Good Soil training in four cities in Brazil, training 79 pastors and leaders; 36 of them became Good Soil trainers.
These are just the most recent seminars. Many others have already been trained in South America and Europe. Seminars are being planned this year for Ukraine, Singapore, and other countries.
Visit www.goodsoil.com for more information on seminars and Good Soil training.
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4/16/12
Mary Lou Brownell passes away at 82
Brownell served in Bangladesh and the Home Office for many years.
3/27/12
Corabelle Stowell, wife of longest-serving Board member in ABWE history, passes away
Her husband, Dr. Joseph Stowell II, went home to be with the Lord in June 2007
