ECLEA

The mission and impact of ECLEA just keep increasing! I have just posted on the "Kenya" page of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net) three reports of recent all-African ECLEA training conferences and a graduation (with pictures). The insights of the students and the effect of these trainings on the churches, people, and communities are incalculable. If you want to be inspired, please take a look at these recent reports. God bless you, Jonathan

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I have just posted the revised version of the ECLEA book of Hebrews on the "ECLEA Courses & Resources" page of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net). I also have posted on the Kenya page of the website a recent update from Kenya regarding an ECLEA training course held last week on Biblical Marriage and Parenting and posted the Acholi translations of our books on Biblical Interpretation and Expository Preaching.

Enjoy!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Yesterday I returned from my week-and-a-half trip to Tanzania. I must say, it was not only a good and productive trip, but I was very heartened and encouraged by what the ECLEA-Tanzanians are doing. They are really stepping up and doing an excellent job of "owning" this ministry.

I began by preaching 4 times the Sunday after my arrival: three times in a large Lutheran church in Tanga and then once at the group New Life in Christ, also in Tanga.

On Monday, I began teaching the book of Hebrews to about 30 participants. This is the first time I have taught the book to a group of students, since I only completed it earlier this year. The book is a very important one, since its focus is on who Christ is, what he has done, and how we can appropriate the New Covenant into our lives.

It was also important in that, in connection with Hebrews 6:4-8, I had discussed the nature and elements of true, saving faith. I had laid out six elements of true, saving faith: election; regeneration; conversion; justification; adoption; and sanctification. But I noticed that I had failed to mention being sealed by the Holy Spirit. So, I will add that. Also, in connection with the book's discussion of Melchizedek in chapter 7, a question from one of the participants related to the fact that Melchizedek is called the "king of Salem." There are two main views as to the identity of Melchizedek: some hold that he was a "type" of Christ; others (including myself) hold that he was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Both the actual identity of Salem and one other aspect of Melchizedek, which I saw for the first time while teaching the book, in my view, corroborate my position that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. I will flesh that out (hopefully, this week) and repost the revised version of Hebrews on the ECLEA website. In short, engagement with the very sharp Tanzanians helped to stretch me and give me greater understanding. Praise the Lord!

Then, along with Joram Ibrahim (ECLEA-TZ's national coordinator), Bishop Bartholomew Sheggah, Paul Mdimi (ECEA-TZ's secretary), and others, I spent two days with 16 of ECLEA-TZ's teachers going over such things as ECLEA's nature, history, and teaching methodologies so as to help the teachers be as effective as possible. This was time well spent.

After that, several ECLEA-TZ teachers gave testimonies. Here is what Lazaro Chikula, who is heading ECLEA's outreach to Muslims, had to say: "I went with two others (from the TAG and Baptist churches) to 6 villages in a remote area. We had many challenges, but eventually 108 Muslims came to Christ. We then had a public baptism. Because of fear, 60 were not baptized at that time, but 48 were. We also planted one church in each of the six villages. The TAG and Baptist churches sent people to oversee the new churches. I did not have any means of transport. But, by God's grace and thanks to ECLEA, I was able to obtain a motorcycle. Now, I visit the new churches and converts. We also give them Bibles, as we obtain them, but there is a need for more Bibles. Some Muslims are angry at me and are saying, 'One pastor keeps coming and is changing our people.' But I expected this." This is a tremendous work Lazaro is doing. Please pray for his protection and continued effectiveness.

Finally, on Saturday we all participated in a graduation ceremony for 10 graduates of East African Theological Bible Institute. Our courses are included in their curriculum. That is very encouraging to me. East African governments are beginning to require that pastors be formally trained. To include our materials in the curricula of such theological schools means that ECLEA will continue to make an impact for generations, long after I am gone. Again, praise the Lord!

Here are some photos of this trip. I should now be home until early October, when I am planning on going to Uganda for my last trip of the year.

Thank you again for your prayer and financial support. I hope you can see how valuable they are and what a difference you are making in this spiritually vital region of the world.

God bless you,

Jonathan

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Two months ago I completed, and posted on ECLEA's website (www.eclea.net), the ECLEA book on Hebrews. I have now completed and posted on the website a series of 18 video lectures concerning the book of Hebrews. Each one lasts from a short of about 16 minutes to a long of about 34 minutes. They may be watched/listened to and downloaded for free. Through some error of mine, these videos were not loaded onto ECLEA's regular YouTube channel but onto another ECLEA Videos channel here: https://www.youtube.com/-e8h/playlists

I also found that there were a number of typos in the print version of the book. I have corrected those and posted the corrected version on the website.

Enjoy! Jonathan

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