Browns and Venters
Sue and Mary
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 1 John 3.8
“Despite their overthrow, the powers of darkness have not yet conceded their defeat; they continue to contest every inch of their territory. The kingdom of Satan retreats only as the kingdom of God advances.” John Stott
Undermining the kingdom of darkness is no easy business and is done in a variety of ways.
Setting captives free
This year, the Vineyard National Conference was action focused. Alexander Venter from South Africa, a Vineyard pastor and author of several books all with the word “doing” in the title was the main speaker. His series includes, Doing Church, Doing Reconciliation, Doing Healing, and he is currently writing Doing Spirituality. The teaching was accompanied by action. Proclamation attended by demonstration. People were activated into hands on ministry, much of it focused on healing. It was a pleasure to sabotage the enemies attempts to keep people in bondage.
Good news to the poor
Poverty comes in many forms, but all varieties of scarcity are oppressive. Evil uses poverty to multiply theft, dishonesty, and violence. In an effort to address this oppression we have launched Vineyard Financial Empowerment. Quite simply, this is a four week business training accompanied by loans to those who can put together a business plan. Our financial arm is Faulu (succeed in Swahili), a branch of Food for the Hungry. The initial workshop at the National Conference provided the necessary information for people to move forward.
Preaching Good News
Empowering leaders through practical pastoral training spreads the good news. A workshop at the National Conference promoting Vineyard School of Ministry was well attended. There is a real appetite not just for information, but formation. Plans for our collaboration with Daystar University, the largest evangelical University in East Africa, took an important step forward this past week and we have just one more step to launch the program.
Mentoring the Next Generation
Sue has been setting up financial systems and accountability for the AVC Kenya, working closing with the national leadership team as well as mentoring Mary Gitau. Mary, a university student, is currently leading the Youth Task Force for the AVC. The word “youth” in Kenya can be used to refer to anyone from the age of twelve to thirty. All the initiatives for this age group are spearheaded by Mary who has resonated with Sue’s informal mentoring.
Finally, one evening session at the National Conference Doug spoke and then invited all those under thirty to come to the front for prayer. Over eighty percent of the room came forward! While we knew there were a lot of younger people attending the conference we had no idea of the percentages. Several of the Area Pastoral Coordinators, those leaders who oversee the Vineyard work in different regions, remarked at how shocked they were at the response. A significant ministry time occurred. Perhaps God enlisted more holy saboteurs to invade enemy-occupied territory that evening.
C. S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity said, “Why is God landing in this enemy-occupied world in disguise and starting a sort of secret society to undermine the devil? Why is He not landing in force, invading it? … Well, Christians think he is going to land in force; we do not know when. But we can guess why He is delaying. He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely.”
We rejoice in being part of God’s invading force and appreciate all your prayers. No ministry is done alone and we are grateful for your linking arms with us as we move forward.
Love,
Doug and Sue
