Church Leaders Hunger For Truth And Training Truth Connect Serves Them

 

Truth Connect Leadership Training Conference Graduates,  11.3.2020
Christian Best Camp Kenya (CBCK), Kibera Slum, Nairobi, Kenya

     Truth Connect exists to encourage and equip church leaders to be more effective ministers in their local churches and communities. The above picture clearly demonstrates an extreme contrast between hope and despair. The church leaders above sit in the middle of Kibera slum. The background is crowded with homes~shacks made of rusting sheet metal, old cardboard and discarded lumber. Many of Kibera’s residents live in extreme poverty (subsisting on less than $2 per day, per person).  Kibera slum is the largest slum in Africa and one of the largest slums in the world with a population of approximately 250,000 people. Who will help them? Who will tell them about Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, the Savior?Help and hope for Kibera is found in the people proudly holding a Truth Connect Leadership Training Conference (LTC) Certificate. These are church leaders who serve in Kibera slum; their churches are some of the poorest on earth and yet they stay, living among and ministering to “the least of these” in Jesus name (Mt. 25:40). What love and commitment!

     It has been and will continue to be Truth Connect’s mission to serve Jesus Christ by serving His church by going and serving where few others will. It is challenging to do this. It’s not financially profitable to minister to “the least of these” but it is Christ-like. Truth Connect provides Leadership Training Conferences in some of the poorest places in the world like Kenya, Uganda, India, and Haiti. These church leaders are passionate about serving God and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost. Unfortunately, many of these leaders lack the opportunity for any kind of Bible and leadership training. It is Truth Connect’s mission to stand in this gap. And a key reason Truth Connect can do this is because of you!  Thanks to all of our supporters for standing with Truth Connect ~ your prayers and financial gifts make the difference.  We could not do what we do without you. You have invested in the lives of the leaders you see above and so many others. They are better equipped to serve the needy and share the gospel because you helped.  Thank you so very, very much!   

    

Just Landed In Delhi, India

I just arrived into Delhi, India a few hours ago.  I'm here to lead Truth Connect's 3rd annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC) at Berea Baptist Church in Hyderabad next week.  The trip here from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA takes about 30 hours with layovers.  I'm now 10 1/2 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time but my body is hasn't caught up yet.  I'll spend about 30 hours in Delhi before moving on to Hyderabad.  I begin the week by preaching in Berea Baptist Church on Sunday.  This will kick-off a three day Spiritual Life Conference with the church.  We will be studying the book of Romans.  Then on Wednesday we will begin the LTC with church leaders from around the Hyderabad area. Pastor Moses is the host city coordinator for the SLC and LTC. Please keep us both in your prayers.

Pastor Moses is the Truth Connect LTC host pastor.

Truth Connect Ministry Team Set To Depart For Kenya - October 19, '14

Truth Connect is sending a ministry team of four to Kenya for its second annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC).  The team will depart from the USA on Sunday, October 19th and arrive in Eldoret, Kenya on Tuesday.  The LTC runs from Wednesday through Sunday (10/22-26).  Pastor Chris Luswetti and the Word of Life Harvest Church will again host the event; last year 230 leaders attended.  Pastor Luswetti believes there could be more than 300 participants this year!  Thank you for your prayers.  Thank you for supporting Truth Connect financially.  If you would like to help with the Kenya LTC by sponsoring a pastor or providing Bibles for those in need, you may give a tax-deductible gift either on-line at www.truthconnect.org or you can write a check to Truth Connect and send to Truth Connect, P.O. Box 5608, Johnstown, PA 15904.

The Luswetti family:  Mrs. Tabitha and Pastor Chris with their children.  

LTC host church is located on the edge of Langas, near Eldoret.

Dr. David Pitkins, a veteran Truth Connect trainer in a Haiti, will teach at the Kenya LTC.

Mr. Bill Thomas, a Truth Connect board member, will teach at the Kenya LTC.

Dr. Don & Mrs. Karen Schreier, Truth Connect founders, will both teach at the Kenya LTC.

Haiti Evangelistic Outreach "Catches 176" for Christ!

Truth Connect participated in an evangelistic outreach when it was in Haiti August, 2014 for its annual Leadership Training Conference (see previous posts for LTC pictures and details).  The LTC was held each day at the Alliance Church in Limonade, a small town near Cap Haitien.  Each evening an evangelistic outreach was held in the same community.

Pastor Bazile was the outreach organizer and key leader.  He recruited local pastors and churches to participate in the big event.  The weeklong outreach was held in a goat pasture the size of a football field.  A five foot high concrete platform, about the size of a three car garage, was situated in the middle of the enclosed lot.  A local band that was hired set their equipment and large speakers on the platform.  Lights were hung on the platform and strung on poles out into the pasture.  And a rented, portable generator behind the platform powered all the equipment, lights, and speaker system.

Concrete stage in the middle of a goat pasture where the evangelistic outreach was held.

At about 7pm each evening a few people would saunter into the field.  Then when the band began to play gospels songs and cranked up the volume, it was the signal to the town's people that the event was starting.  Before long, people streamed through the rusted tin double doors at one end to the pasture.  They carried their plastic chairs on their heads with little children in tow.  Hawkers set-up shop on the perimeter and sold candy, chips,  and cold drinks.

People worshiping and praising God at the evangelistic outreach.

The people follow the worship leader by placing their hands on their head.

Dust rises as the people raise their chairs in praise and dance before the Lord.

After about 2 hours very enthusiastic and loud praise and worship, the preacher for the night would tell the amazing story of God's love for lost sinners.  Jesus Christ was faithfully preached and the truth was told about why people need a Savior.  The invitation was given at the end of each service for people to turn from their sins and to come for healing and hope and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  Many people came to publicly profess their faith in God's to proclaim Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Dr. Don preaching at evangelistic outreach.

The invitation was given and many people press to the platform for prayers and God's help.

New converts were brought onto the platform to publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ.

At the end of the week Dr. Don asked Pastor Bazile how many people came to faith in Jesus for the very first time.  Pastor Bazile's response was, "We catch 176 souls for Jesus!"  Praise the Lord!

Pastor Cherelus Exante, 40th Ministry Anniversary!

On June 1, 2014 Pastor Cherelus Exante was recognized for 40 years of faithful service and ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ.  The celebration took place on New Providence Island, the Bahamas.

Pastor Cherelus Exante - celebrates 40 years serving the Lord Jesus Christ!

The five hour celebration service recognized Pastor Exante for faithful service in ministry over the past four decades.  A portion of Pastor's biography as printed in the service program reads:

"Dr. Cherelus has accomplished many great things in his lifetime and continues to do so daily.  He achieved third Vice President Status for the Bahamas Baptist Association in 2004, Presidency for the Bible Institute and Theological Caribbean International in 2007, obtained his Doctor of Human Letter at Agape Bible College in 2008, gained a Doctor of Humanity in 2009, received a consecration certificate of bishop in 2010 as well as a distinguished visitor award from Hamilton County, Tennessee and in 2011 he received his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from McHari International College.  

"Presently, Dr. Cherelus is the Senior Pastor at New Haitian Mission Baptist Church on Palm Beach Street [Nassau, Bahamas], Vice Chancellor of MC College & University, President of the Haitian Pastors Association, President of the New Haitian Mission Baptist Church International Association and founder of the "Eyes Open on the Children" [orphanage] in Haiti.  He is actively involved in twenty-six churches in Haiti, nine churches in the Bahamas, twelve schools and two orphanages. He continues to be the president for all the children of R.O.O.L.D. 

The final line of the biography reads, "Despite all his works, Dr. Cherelus continues to be a humble, faithful and kind hearted man of God."  I can personally attest to this.  

Pastor Exante has been my friend and partner in ministry for the past 20 years.  We have worked together, prayed together, traveled together, and been in each other's home.  I enjoy being with Pastor Exante and see the sweet spirit of Jesus in him.  It was a joy for Karen and me to be part of celebration service and subsequent banquet to recognize our dear friend for 40 years of ministry.

Pastor Exante and his wife Anne.  

The church was packed for the 40th Anniversary service.

Dr. Don delivered the key note message: "... fulfill your ministry" (2 Tim. 4:5).  

Dr. Exante calls 24 young people forward and we pray over the next generation of leaders.

After the celebration service was the celebration banquet!

4 Baptized In Water Cistern - Hyderabad, India

It was my privilege to baptize 11 new converts in India.  When Karen and I were with Dr. Sam at Star Ministries, we baptized 7 (see earlier blog-post).  After the Spiritual Life Conference, Pastor Moses asked me to baptize 4 new converts.  It had been two years since their last baptism.  Therefore, these 4 converts were the church's labor of love and evidence of God's continued grace and love.  We began the Saturday baptism events by meeting at Grace Baptist Church, a small congregation of Christ followers that meets in a slum.

Ladies and children sit in the main section of Grace Baptist Church for baptism service.

The men sit in their section during baptism service.

Dr. Don praying over the believers at Grace Baptist Church - Pastor Moses interprets to Telugu.

After I taught a Biblical message on the meaning and significance of Christian baptism, we prayed together before moving four blocks away to a small water cistern big enough for us to baptize four, obedient and courageous Christ followers.

This water cistern is 8 feet below ground level.  The street is just on the other side of the top, left wall.

People walking down the street peek over the cistern wall to see what is happening.

Dr. Don waits for the first baptism candidate to descend into the cistern.

Church members and baptism candidates look down into the cistern.

Dr. Don questions baptism candidate on her desire to follow Christ by faith. 

The second baptism candidate goes into the water in obedience to Christ to command.

Third baptism candidate says she is ready to follow Christ only, forsaking all other gods.

Fourth baptism candidate publicly professes faith in Jesus Christ.

Each baptism candidate publicly professed their faith in Jesus Christ and expressed their desire to be obedient to Christ's command to be baptized.  The fourth candidate was a man who had experience a stroke a few year earlier - his right side was partially paralyzed.  None-the-less, this did not stop him from being baptized.  Men helped him to descend and ascend the steep steps on the side of the cistern.  What a powerful picture of faith and obedience in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Cold, wet, and joyful after their baptism - praise the Lord!

After the baptism, we all meet back at the church for a fellowship meal.