Update from Terry and IBICA
Warm greetings to each of you in the name of Jesus Christ. I’m glad to have yet another opportunity to update you on my work with the International Brethren in Christ Association (IBICA). There are so many exciting things to tell, and so many developing opportunities. Thanks to all of you who pray for us regularly and support us with your gifts—your encouragement and generosity are making a difference!
The highlight of these opening months of 2010 was unquestionably my trip to Israel/Palestine in February. In cooperation with the Brethren in Christ Church’s Equipping for Ministry program, my wife and I led a group of 21 pastors and other interested lay people on a three-week study tour of the Holy Land. EFM oversees much of the credentialing process of the Brethren in Christ, working to train and prepare people for ministry positions in the wider church. In their request that we offer such a cross-cultural tour of the Holy Land, they specifically asked for an alternative to the typical whirlwind, “glance-out-the-bus-window” trips often advertised on the market. So that is exactly what we did!
During this three-week experience, we visited biblical sites, hospitals, refugee camps, churches and schools. We heard wonderful speakers addressing a wide variety of issues from an equally wide variety of viewpoints. And we met real-life people—Israelis and Palestinians; Jews, Christians and Muslims—stared into their eyes and listened to their stories. Through it all, we wrestled with biblical texts, discussed the life and ministry of Jesus, examined our own core values, and reflected on what it means to be God’s people and ministers in the world. It was, to say the least, a profoundly moving experience.
But don’t just listen to me. I received the tabulated evaluations from EFM only minutes ago. Here are just a few of the many comments from people who went along on the trip:
- I could go on and on, but it will suffice to say this: One of the best experiences of my life was this tour to Israel/Palestine. The three weeks I spent there have changed me and given me new perspectives on God, the Bible, peace, and life; and I will always glorify God for the gift of being able to go.
- Every pastor will preach better sermons if they take this trip.
- This trip has deepened my faith and broadened my understanding of the places and events that I have read about in the Bible all my life. I will never read my Bible the same again. I find that I am already sharing in Bible study about things that I saw and learned on the trip. I was also deeply affected by the depth of pain that is taking place on all sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. What I saw has caused me to re-think and question what I thought to be true before the trip.
- Dr. Brensinger and Mrs. Brensinger did a phenomenal job, and each of them brought their separate gifts to lead the group. I am hard-pressed to think of another couple who could have approached leading this tour with the thoughtfulness, care and godliness that they did. It was an honor to be led by them.
- It would have been just a tour without Deb and Terry. With them it was a God moment!
Wow! It was a God moment for Deb and me as well. While I thoroughly enjoy training pastors in such far-away places as India, Venezuela and Zambia, this trip reminded me again that our leaders here in North America need renewing and stretching experiences, too.
Prayer Requests
1. Deb and I leave tomorrow (Thursday, March 25) for a ten-day trip to Colombia. We are leading a retreat for all of the BIC missionaries in both Central and South America. We will also be visiting our church in Medillin over Easter weekend. The church there is pastured by Julian, the ex-convict who I told you about in an earlier email. Please pray for us as we offer spiritual food to all of these people who themselves give and give and give.
2. I am making final plans for a trip in July to both Kenya and Zambia. In Kenya, Bishop Hamunkang’andu of Zambia and I will meet with the leaders from some 35 churches who are hoping to affiliate with the BIC Church. In Zambia, I will spend two weeks training our students at Sikalongo Bible Institute and also joining them on a one-week evangelistic effort into several of the surrounding villages. Pray that Bishop Hamukang’andu and I will have wisdom in Kenya, and pray that I will be open to the Lord’s leading as I prepare for my time in Zambia.
3. Continue to pray that God will raise up more partners for IBICA and my role as international pastor/teacher. Once again, the opportunities are great, but we need the support of many people to carry on this ministry.
In closing, let me thank you so much for your faithful encouragement and support. Together we are making a difference for Christ around the world.
Grace and Peace,
Terry
P.S. I’ve attached a few pictures from our time in the Holy Land for you to enjoy.