steward's Kenya Mission Trip Testimony
|
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 [KJV]
This is probably the most quoted Bible evangelism verse there is. Some translations read a little different and say to preach to all that is created. That is more true to its original language of Greek, but let me just add just a little more. It not only means to declare the Gospel (a good message) to every person, but also to every creature, building, land, society, law, and thing manufactured. It is implied that this is by right of the proprietorship of the one who manufactured everything in the first place! This speaks to a message that will have consequence on the people and on the land, affecting the seen and even the unseen. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Colossians 1:16 [KJV] American Christians generally think of missions in terms of preaching the Gospel to those who have not accepted Christ, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, medical treatment to the sick, and a home for the orphaned. The mission that the Lord gave to our team was for the Christians primarily, and it emphasized teaching a greater understanding of the Holy Scriptures (logos) and clarity in knowing the voice of the Holy Spirit (rhema) clearly. |
|
Our brethren desire revival in their countries, as do we. Our religious traditions teach that revival is when those who are lost from God receive Jesus as Savior. But church history has always shown revival as a result of believers casting off their complacency, repenting, yielding to the lordship of Jesus Christ, and desiring a hunger and thirst that is not quenched; then they, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Revival is when we, who have had life in Christ, are re-enlivened.
The Lord told Christopher and Coria that they would be going to Africa, and revealed in time, Kenya. My wife Sheila, asked the Lord if he wanted her to go also, and he said, “Yes”. The Lord asked me to go; not requiring it of me, because of the high toll it would exact from me due to my compromised health.
As teach people to “hear and obey”, and I have come to a place in my walk when I respond to a request of the Lord as if it were as binding as a command. Psalms 19:7-11 reads, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” [KJV]. I am of the opinion, that if Jesus is of the opinion to request something of me, then it will be something that I should be doing, and worth doing. The same result as if he was to command me, but it is nice to be asked.
How do you process that your brothers and sisters in Christ prayed to the Lord in Africa, and he sent you in 8314 miles (13, 380 kilometers) in response? “He has declared to you, man, what (is) good; and what Jehovah (is) seeking from you, except to do justice, and to love grace, and to humble thyself to walk with your God?” Micah 6:8.
We were sent to stand alongside our brethren, and they lifted us up.
I taught on maturing the believers and marriage counsel, and how the Lord Jesus gave us the written word (logos) and the Spirit’s words (rhema). 2Corinthians 3:6 says, “who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” ESV. I challenged the leadership to disciple, but to closely guard personal time with their families.
Brethren asked for comparisons of our two Christian civilizations; our sins are their sins, and their sins are our sins. They are sometimes manifested differently because our societies and cultures have much dissimilarity. Their lost are much more open to hearing the Gospel, and the believers more readily effort themselves to grow in Christ. Many believers traveled a whole day to hear what their fellow servants of Christ had to say. They did not seek us out because we pastored a large church, nor were we famous evangelists, nor had we written any books. They came because they prayed to our same Lord Jesus, and he sent us. That was all that they required.
They are a generous people and their kindness to us is unmatched; brethren with true humility. They have received Sheila as a mother in the faith. Even men my senior humbly called me their grandfather in the faith. (Sheila as a mother and me as a grandfather; I felt instantly aged!) We have entered into bonded friendships to last our natural and eternal lives.
What of the future? Our teaching materials are being translated into Swahili. They wish for us to return to establish Bible schooling in the churches and hold annual leadership conferences. We have a dozen church invitations in Kenya alone, besides offers into Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, and others. As it was with this trip, we will pray and go where and when the Lord tells, or asks.
Our mission did not end at the airport. We understand that every time we walk out of our homes that we are on a missionary assignment. True to this, each one of us were used to spread the Gospel in the many airport terminals and on our flights, both encouraging the believers and witnessing to the lost, of our great Lord Jesus Christ and Savior.
Steward E. Murphy, Rev. August 18th, 2018
The Lord told Christopher and Coria that they would be going to Africa, and revealed in time, Kenya. My wife Sheila, asked the Lord if he wanted her to go also, and he said, “Yes”. The Lord asked me to go; not requiring it of me, because of the high toll it would exact from me due to my compromised health.
As teach people to “hear and obey”, and I have come to a place in my walk when I respond to a request of the Lord as if it were as binding as a command. Psalms 19:7-11 reads, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” [KJV]. I am of the opinion, that if Jesus is of the opinion to request something of me, then it will be something that I should be doing, and worth doing. The same result as if he was to command me, but it is nice to be asked.
How do you process that your brothers and sisters in Christ prayed to the Lord in Africa, and he sent you in 8314 miles (13, 380 kilometers) in response? “He has declared to you, man, what (is) good; and what Jehovah (is) seeking from you, except to do justice, and to love grace, and to humble thyself to walk with your God?” Micah 6:8.
We were sent to stand alongside our brethren, and they lifted us up.
I taught on maturing the believers and marriage counsel, and how the Lord Jesus gave us the written word (logos) and the Spirit’s words (rhema). 2Corinthians 3:6 says, “who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” ESV. I challenged the leadership to disciple, but to closely guard personal time with their families.
Brethren asked for comparisons of our two Christian civilizations; our sins are their sins, and their sins are our sins. They are sometimes manifested differently because our societies and cultures have much dissimilarity. Their lost are much more open to hearing the Gospel, and the believers more readily effort themselves to grow in Christ. Many believers traveled a whole day to hear what their fellow servants of Christ had to say. They did not seek us out because we pastored a large church, nor were we famous evangelists, nor had we written any books. They came because they prayed to our same Lord Jesus, and he sent us. That was all that they required.
They are a generous people and their kindness to us is unmatched; brethren with true humility. They have received Sheila as a mother in the faith. Even men my senior humbly called me their grandfather in the faith. (Sheila as a mother and me as a grandfather; I felt instantly aged!) We have entered into bonded friendships to last our natural and eternal lives.
What of the future? Our teaching materials are being translated into Swahili. They wish for us to return to establish Bible schooling in the churches and hold annual leadership conferences. We have a dozen church invitations in Kenya alone, besides offers into Madagascar, Uganda, Nepal, and others. As it was with this trip, we will pray and go where and when the Lord tells, or asks.
Our mission did not end at the airport. We understand that every time we walk out of our homes that we are on a missionary assignment. True to this, each one of us were used to spread the Gospel in the many airport terminals and on our flights, both encouraging the believers and witnessing to the lost, of our great Lord Jesus Christ and Savior.
Steward E. Murphy, Rev. August 18th, 2018