Rev. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students

These are times that demand that the global Church move forward "with infallible accuracy," especially in Africa, where a world-leading Christian majority is rapidly rising. And they are also times of threatening global darkness, in which political, economic and social maps are being inexorably redrawn. Thank God for those of us who have our hands in that of God Himself. With that, . . . great days lie yet ahead!

Prayer Notes

1. As always, Masters courses continue at WATS even when the undergraduate students are away. Early in the month we welcome Mathieu Gnonhossou (a native of the Republic of Benin and currently nearing completion of his doctorate at Asbury Theological Seminary), who will be teaching his first Masters module at WATS, in Expository Preaching, as well as Kalu Okechukwu, who will teach Pauline Epistles, and Dr. Caleb Ogunkunle teaching Pentateuch. During the last week of the month we expect no less than five Masters modules to take off simultaneously: Graduate Level Teaching by Dr. Emmanuel Ogunyemi, Apologetics for Missions by Dr. Fyne Nsofor, Christian Family Life by Dr. Charlemagne Nditemeh, of Cameroon, Pastoral Theology and Counseling by Dr. Daniel Finch, and History and Background of the New Testament by Dr. John Lotzgesell.
   
   
2. To add to all this excitement, please pray for our MA in Christian Leadership modules (in our popularly-labeled "bishops" modules, for top church leaders) which also come up again in July. This time around we are expecting at least fifty leaders, who will be divided into two groups to facilitate better learning interactions. July 20 – 24 they will choose between a module in Relationships and Conflict Management, taught by Dr. Edward Beaver, and Christian Doctrines, taught by Dr. Daniel Burnett. July 27 – 31 the course options will be Discipleship for the Twenty-First Century, led by Dr. Uzo Obed, and Experiencing God, led by Dr. David Seiver. Pray for great effectiveness in these modules, and that church leaders will be positively transformed.
   
   
3. Pray for our continuing remodeling and chapel construction, which is moving forward slowly throughout the month of July. The long-delayed clearing of the two remaining 40 ft overseas containers continues to be a huge challenge for which we need prayer! Pray also for a great team of thirteen workers expected to arrive toward the end of the month from 12Stone Church (Lawrenceville, GA), headed by Dr. Daniel Finch.
   
   
4. A special visitor expected during the last week of July is my own US pastor, Pastor Steve Wood, of Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church. Mount Pisgah has until recently led the way in the number of scholarships underwritten for WATS (though recently their twenty-two student scholarships were surpassed by Beulahland Bible Church in Macon, Georgia, and Church Without Walls in Houston, who are both now underwriting twenty-four student scholarships each!). Steve will be lecturing in three of our Masters modules and speaking in the WATS chapel, before heading on to eastern Nigeria for an International Leadership Institute program in Taraba State. Pray for Pastor Steve´s journey, and for Keith Frey, who is accompanying him.
   
   
5. Pray for my own brief time here in the US during the first half of July, including quality time with Emma Lou and also with our four children and countless grandchildren (three of whom I will have the joy of baptizing on July 16), as well as travels to Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Illinois and Wisconsin. On the evening of July 16 the entire family looks forward to the ordination of Rev. Lori Maxey (daughter of our first son), at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville. (By the way, tune in to Daystar Television´s "Celebration" program at 12:00 noon CT on July 14 if you can, and wave "hi" to me.) God willing, I´ll be back in Nigeria by July 21.
   
   
6. Finally, continue to pray for God´s help with WATS finances. Our US giving is still seriously down, though we are gradually gathering new friends and nurturing existing ones. As we have said, Nigerian funding is on an encouraging rise. We are still in need of greater help to reach the goals God has given us, and with your prayers and faithful giving I believe there will be greater news to report soon. God bless you!