Dear Friends
Thank you for your prayerful support of the work of Langham Preaching around the world. There is so much for which to be thankful as God does his work among us and through us. Here is one example from Jennifer Cuthbertson, our Coordinator for Facilitator Development, based in Parksville, British Columbia (Canada).
“Sometimes we don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone” is a saying often quoted. Let me change it just a bit. “Sometimes, even if we love and appreciate our friends and co-workers we glimpse even more of their value when we find ourselves working without them!” This is our situation within the Langham Preaching leadership team at the moment. Because of family concerns, health concerns, an annual leave and a sabbatical all happening simultaneously, we seem to be a bit short-handed. Those of us left are all so grateful for everyone who has stepped in to help where deadlines must be met, and other matters carried. Many, many thanks to each of you for your generosity of both time and gifts.
Please pray for the work in various places around the world… particularly across Africa where the week is very full of learning opportunitites.
Nigeria: Two big gatherings are happening in Nigeria this week. The first is an in-person refresher and Ushirika leader gathering in Jos, September 7, 8. Forty participants are expected with Jwan Zhumbes, Emeka Egbo, Philip Babarinde, Akin Afuwape, Arema Adeyemi and Hankura Gaya (Preaching Movement Coordinator) facilitating. This gathering is an important piece of the effort to raise up more confident and capable facilitators for Langham Preaching in Nigeria. Please pray that this outcome will be achieved by the content, focus, and facilitation of this course. As well, the facilitators ask for prayer for themselves as they teach and for the participants in need of the stipend for registration.
The second of the two big gatherings, a Level One seminar, takes place in the Anglican Diocese of Nike, September 4-8. Jwan Zhumbes, Raphael Okafor, Zion Ngoka, Emeka Egbo, Godswill Chinemerem, Mrs Ogecho Awujo and Hankuri Gaya will facilitate for the 200 participants expected. There has not been a seminar in Nike since 2017 — before Covid. Give thanks with the facilitation team that they are able to restart the cycle of seminars in this place once again. Pray that the Langham Preaching roots will grow deep and able to sustain the work. Traveling in Nigeria is difficult and often dangerous. Keep these people in your prayers as they travel long distances and arrive to enjoy the fellowship and communion of like-minded participants as they are engaged in learning together.
Uganda: Twenty-five Ushirika (Africa’s preaching club) participants will gather in Kampala Monday-Friday this week for their first seminar experience. Paul Majoli, Barbara Majoli and Isaac Nuwamanya have the privilege of facilitating this Level One seminar and ask that we pray that each church represented takes ownership of this Langham work and invests in the growth of these Ushirika members.
Kenya: A Level Three seminar will be held the first half of this week in the Lower Eastern region of Kenya. Fifteen participants ,from different denominations, will gather in-person for this seminar facilitated by Regina Mulonza and Ignatius Maimbu (Praching Movement Coordinator). Ignatius asks that we pray for unity, good fellowship, fruitful practice and safe travel for everyone involved.
Liberia: Jeremiah Zweh, Romeo Dennis, and Matthew Gonkerwon (Preaching Movement Coordinator) will facilitate a Level Three seminar in Totota at the end of this week. Please pray for the facilitators and participants as they travel to this in-person time of learning together. Pray also that all that has been learned and practiced over this three-year seminar cycle will show itself in their preaching and teaching and ultimately in the lives of their congregations.
Paraguay: A graduation event occurred on Saturday, September 2nd, and Sunday, September 3rd, in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, led by Wilfredo Weigandt. Nine individuals, all from Ciudad del Este, successfully completed their journey. Wilfredo says: I'm deeply grateful to God for guiding these individuals through the Langham program. Throughout this educational path, God's providence and unwavering presence were instrumental, guiding them through the ups and downs, the advances and setbacks, all while maintaining a strong desire for personal growth. I highly value the participants' determination and unwavering commitment. Now, as we reflect on the journey, it's a time of celebration, joy, and anticipation for creating new study groups, setting the stage for a fresh Level 1 experience in Ciudad del Este! Your prayers and support have been invaluable.
Thank-you for your faithfulness in this ministry of prayer.
The Langham Preaching Team