A New Address, Not A New Heart

 Over the millenia humanity lived in an agrarian culture with a natural cycle of seasons. You never planted a new crop without the old one dying out. There was a season for planting, cultivating, pruning, harvesting and then beginning afresh. These days, we are less comfortable with seasons such as pruning. However, to use the words of Dr. Henry Cloud, we must have "necessary endings" so that we might have necessary beginnings.

April's class

We have just experienced a necessary ending which leads to a necessary beginning. As we have told many of our students and congregants who are grieving our move - "we may have a new address, but not a new heart".












Meet Felix Opunde, a new student who
was introduced to the program

Felix Opunde (center)  with Janet and Elvis

through Janet and Elvis, who are lay pastors at a Vineyard Church plant in a tough neighborhood near downtown Nairobi. Most young ladies in this area are pregnant by the age of 13 and 14 and most young guys are sniffing glue and have committed an array of crimes by the same age. Felix is the first one to turn up on a Sunday
morning. He shows up in the trenches and serves in a variety of ways. At the age of 23 he is the first Christian in his family and has become the spiritual compass for the family. His sister now attends the church and there is movement with others. When asked, "Why attend VSM?", Felix replied, "I am now teaching a Bible Study and I don't have answers. If I don't grow the people I am trying to teach won't grow". Felix is but one example of the students who take what they learn and immediately apply it.

Mary, Moseti, and baby Aiden

Sue receiving goodbye gifts

Sue invested significant time with Mary (pictured) who is  the Registrar for VSM Africa and also the Treasurer for AVC Kenya. Mary's life was changed by Sue's investment and patient training.




We were sent back to the US via a party thanking us. In good African tradition, speeches were made, food was eaten, and gifts were given.
We celebrate both a necessary ending and a necessary beginning. While we have left Kenya, it is our hope that Doug will be able to go back once or twice a year to teach and for Board Meetings for VSM. At the same time,  the leadership team in Kenya will pick up the reins and continue to move the ministry forward in our absence.

We are reminded of Paul's words to the Philippians; "In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will will carry it on to completion until they day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1.4-6

for the kingdom,
Sue & Doug

Reassignment by Relocation

Sailing on the Indian Ocean

In these days of social media news travels fast! We imagine many of you may already know that we will be returning to the United States next month and continuing our ministry there. While it is difficult to leave people we've invested in for almost 8 years of our lives yet, we are excited to see what God wants to do in this next season of life.

VSM local teaching Staff.  Noah Gitau, second from left.

Doug will maintain his role as Principal of VSMAfrica and will be returning to Africa periodically both to teach and for Board meetings. For VSMAfrica this is a new season with new opportunities.  Noah Gitau, National Director for the Association of Vineyard Churches, Kenya and a frequent teacher with VSMAfrica will lead the Administrative team that has been ensuring the effective operation of the school for several years now.  

The goal is to recruit additional administrative support to the team -already consisting of a Director of Operations and Registrar – particularly adding to enhance our marketing and promotion.

Students from many countries.

Strengthening and growing the VSMAfrica team is of critical importance with the recent successful and exciting launch of the Tanzanian campus and the possible expansion into neighboring countries. 

For VSMAfrica to continue along the lines of our strategy, we will need to increase capacity both in terms of human resources and financial resources. We have greatly appreciated your past support and ask you to stay the course as we seek to extend the Kingdom of God via learning. 

As we make this transition, giving can still be directed to the Pomona account we've used for the past years.

We seek your prayers as we wrestle with all the logistics of relocating and moving back into our home, purchasing vehicles, Sue restarting her business, and discerning the next steps for Doug. 

for the Kingdom,

Sue & Doug

Connecting Scripture to our World

Ringo Felix, Arusha City Councilman

As it happens, immediately before our Sabbatical, Doug had been in Arusha, Tanzania launching Vineyard School of Ministry (VSM) courses. He was there again last week teaching How to Interpret Scripture. One of the students was a city councilman and church leader named Ringo Felix. As Ringo was heading home one day he was reflecting on that day's lesson on Ruth, and a women's right to inherit land in a man centered world. One of his neighbors joined Ringo as he walked along. He told the story of how one of his female relatives was told by her brothers that her part of the family property she had just inherited from her father, could not go to her according to their culture. What should this woman do?  Ringo was reminded how relevant the Bible is to his world and began to work with this man on a solution.

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Mapping a Church Plant

Later in the course the class was challenged to read how Paul planted the church in Ephesus and then diagram or map out a church plant based on Paul's model. Ringo's team designed their map based on an actual church plant and so merged both Scripture and actual practice.

Christine gesturing.

Relating the Scriptures to real life contexts stimulates passionate conversations and sometimes debate. Christine (pictured on right), is an attorney and church leader. The course helped her process a challenging church crisis, one in which she had had little support. Christine found support in this class.

                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                   



This course included an airline pilot, a Bishop, an attorney, a HIV AIDS worker, a youth worker, a city councilman, a couple of school teachers, and several pastors.




                                                                                                                                                        Please pray for:

• the spiritual growth of our students ("knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." 1 Cor.8.1)
• the completion of VSM's registration process here in Kenya.
• the Administrative Staff as they work with Daystar University to ensure our student records are current.
• the on-going funding of the ministry as it grows. 

Tanzanian Launch

"I felt something leave me when you shook
 my hand." Albert, a retired school teacher,
greeted Doug with these words on the second
day of class in Arusha, Tanzania.  A member of the Vineyard in Arusha, Albert told of the many involved in witchcraft in his neighborhood. Knowing that he is a Christian, those using evil for financial gain have attempted to intimidate this follower of Jesus.  Doug, along with Kenya's National Director, traveled to Tanzania to lead Vineyard School of Ministry's first course in that country, which, ironically touched on traditional African religions and the prevalent practice of various forms of witchcraft employed in Africa.

Arusha Vineyard 

                                                                  Together we explored how the Good News might be more effectively communicated across tribal and cultural lines. The Book of Acts was our text and we studied how Paul dealt with differing worldviews in his travels.

Doug with Tanzanian Leaders

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Students were challenged to draw the Gospel story and communicate it in such a way that people from a different tribe could understand.
The group below had a Maasai leader who told how a certain person in the village had the authority and responsibility to stop conflict by standing in the middle of the village with a raised staff and crying out. This example became their vehicle for telling their good news.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Deliberations before drawing their story.

Eating together.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   




Eating together is a universally held value signalling a peaceful gathering. In Africa, eating together goes even further - it is almost a sacred occasion indicating a unified community who share together. When everyone gets to eat and do so together it is like the Kingdom of God has arrived.

We have been stirred by these Tanzanian leaders' stories of perseverance as well eagerness to learn in a way that they can relate to their people.

for the Kingdom,
Sue & Doug

 

Bringing the Kingdom into the Real World

New Students

"In this world we are like Jesus" 1 John 4.17

For two weeks earlier this month,
students from around Kenya and Uganda  gathered in Nairobi for intensive study. Some of our new students included a nurse, a children's pastor, a business entrepreneur, a church planter, a youth pastor, and an electrician.


                   

He did it!

                                               Being together for long hours every day bonds people together quickly.  Laughter comes easily as does the ability to argue over how to apply the Bible to difficult situations. When discussing social ethics - how we apply decisions of right and wrong in social situations - the students wrestled with how to uphold their cultural norms and what Scripture says.                                                        


One pastor has a family who came
to faith in Christ while in his church.
Yet, before their conversion the family was polygamous - one man and multiple wives. To send all the wives away except one would make these women and their children homeless and unemployed. What should one do? Another pastor was given funds to scholarship some of the children in his church, but not all of them. Those families who did not receive scholarship assistance left the church and slandered the pastor in the village. What should he do as he is well known and involved in community affairs?

Almost all our students receive prayer during the duration of the courses.  Several were in tears at different points.  One pastor who had undiagnosed pain in his feet for over a year was healed. All were challenged with the claims of the Kingdom of God in their real, everyday world.

In about 7 weeks we will enjoy a 3 month Sabbatical in the US. One of our needs is use of a vehicle from October 20 to January 20th.
Please contact us if you are able to loan us a car

Sue & Doug                                      

A Big Step Forward

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3.13-14

In this passage in Philippians, Paul reminds of the importance of having a goal and in particular, one that has eternal implications. It is significant that the letter to the Philippians reveals a tenderness and depth of friendship that is not necessarily present in his other epistles. His goal is personal.  It is directly tied to relationships he has forged through many trials.

Three years ago a group of men and women began a journey. They made sacrifices to achieve a goal and along the way made rich friendships.  On the last Saturday of June they graduated from VSM Africa with a Diploma in Theology. For each of them this accomplishment is directly tied to the work they are already committed to – transforming the lives of the poor and broken ones. 

In Africa, all theology is practical and involves plunging one’s hands in the soil of life with the poorest of the poor. 

We celebrate with these leaders who have lived lives of tenacity and perseverance to achieve something not just for themselves, but for those whom they serve.

for the kingdom,
Sue & Doug

Keeping Our Focus

Survivor of Garissa University attack.

Just over 200 miles northeast of Nairobi was the location of the worst terror attack in Kenya's history since the bombing of the US Embassy in 1998. Current figures list 147 dead and 79 wounded with Christians being the specific targets. People are shaken and doubt that there is a reliable deterrent to terrorism. Please pray with us as we both care for those impacted by this horror, and at the same keep focused on the ministry tasks before us.

Ministry Tasks


Financial Freedom

Sue leading Financial Freedom Course

With a high rate of unemployment - 67% for those under 35 - and an ever increasing cost of living, many Kenyans list finances as their number one concern.
Sue & a team led another Financial Freedom Course as one way we endeavor to help our community.
Almost invariably troubled finances are related to other relational challenges and God works in people's lives at all levels.






Leaders Developing Leaders

Joseph Musyoki

After three years of study Joseph Musyoki will graduate in June.  Joseph says that when he began VSM courses he felt like he was spread thin and had a hand in most ministries of the church. Interactions with other church leaders attending VSM courses, and provocative classroom conversations about church leadership caused him to reevaluate this leadership style.  He feels like he has discovered his area of calling – developing people.

Doug and Bernard

He began mentoring Bernard, now also a VSM student, and observed how Bernard has now changed. Joseph discovered more about himself and Bernard in the process. Joseph recently commented that “The uniqueness of VSM is that it focuses on practical theology and equips people for ministry in the real world. “

Five Year Plan 2015-19

VSM Africa Board

The Board of VSM has developed
and is now seeking to implement its
5 year plan. The unique curriculum combined
with the distinct delivery method makes
VSM Africa a transforming tool that can be spread through more of Africa.

Sue keeping the Board on track

To paraphrase Paul in Philippians 3.13-14 "One thing we do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, we press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us . . . "

for the kingdom,
Sue and Doug

Is Christ a Stranger?

Is Jesus considered a stranger to the continent of Africa? The class discussion was about the trinity.  Few Africans have a problem understanding God the Father or God the Spirit as African Traditional Religions have beliefs in versions of both.  But God having a son whom serves as a Savior and Mediator for humanity has no history in traditional African philosophies. This missing piece is also the case for other cultures around the world.

However, on the African continent stories abound of Messiah-like personalities who have done something heroic to stop a plague, prayed passionately for rain, or endangered their lives on behalf of others. These legends provide the bridge into more detailed conversations about how the gap between fallen humanity and God is filled. Christ's mission and therefore ours is to make God's transforming power accessible to troubled humanity. This accessibility is accomplished by entering the other's world with the good news contextualized to their context.  This is exactly what we are attempting to do through VSM Africa.

VSM Instructors with 20 Diploma Courses

Twenty Diploma Courses Completed!

Small Business Entrepreneurs

A 3 year journey of dialogue with instructors, pastors, and leaders from other disciplines accompanied by researching and writing, has resulted in the completion of twenty Diploma level courses. One guiding principle in the writing of these courses is that the student pastor or leader would be equipped to minister to their people in ways that are comprehensible to their setting and therefore intensely practical.  It has been said that there is no Systematic Theology in Africa, only Practical Theology.

Distributing Chickens

Poultry Business
In a world where macroeconomics and big business makes the news, it is perhaps amazing to some that 3 or 4 chickens can change someone's life. Donations made by the Children's Ministry of Vineyard Community Church has empowered small businesses to take a step forward in providing for their families!

Prayer Requests

Please Pray:
For Sue as she assists various ministries with their finances.
As we train new teachers.
As we roll out a Certificate program in rural areas.
As we explore extending VSM Africa to other nations.
for the Kingdom,
Sue & Doug

Doing what we've Learned

Hills of Rwanda

Rwanda has been called "the land of a thousand hills". This beautiful land marked by green sloping hills is mostly identified in the West with the genocide of 1994. While the healing of the land and people's souls will go for years, sowing seeds of future hope is happening.

Dorcas the missionary

Vineyard School of Ministry student Dorcas Karuiki is not only learning a tremendous amount in her classes, but she is implementing what she is learning.
Having already made one exploratory trip to Rwanda's capital Kigali, she is planning another trip in 2015 as she wants to be a missionary to this war-torn country.

Dorcas with fellow VSM students

There is nothing theoretical about what is learned in VSM and the student's attitude is consistently one of implementing what they are learning.

Please pray for Dorcas and other students like her who are passionate about Jesus and have a hope for Africa.

Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Matthew 7.24

for the kingdom,
Sue and Doug

Merry Christmas!

As we reflect on the past year we are reminded of the tension of living a Kingdom life. This year has brought us both challenges and blessings.

Ben & Atara's Wedding

October Festivites
Our eldest daughter Atara married Ben Parkinson. Ben is a quality guy who adds value to the family. He and Atara are settling into a life together. We celebrated the 'joining' together with exuberance!

Sue with cast feeding Shiloh

November Challenges

Sue fell and severely fractured her arm in multiple places requiring not simply a cast, but the insertion of a titanium plate.

One week later Doug's mother Janey passed away. She had lived a rich life of long service in Congo and later in the US. She left behind a legacy that is still palpable.

Sue & the Grads

December
VSM - We have just completed three weeks of intensive courses. What made this last series of classes special was that it marked the completion of our Diploma Program for several students who will now graduate in June in Daystar University's program.

Empowering the poor

Finally, due to the generosity of the Children's Program of VCC Pomona, we were able to purchase goats for Maasai pastoralists whose economy is dependent on livestock. The distribution of the animals resulted in a celebration that reminds those of us who live in abundance how much we take for granted.

While the past quarter has been difficult on a number of fronts we are overwhelmed with gratitude for you faithful prayers and support. With Christmas now upon us we remember . . . . For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8.9

Christ is Born!

Sue and Doug

Growing despite Drought

Drought conditions in Southern Kenya

The Ordination ceremony for the Pastors was delayed because the community had taken their goats and cows in search of water. Despite the fact that these Pastors had been eagerly waiting for this ceremony for months, the possibility of losing their animals, which is their entire livelihood, took precedence. They've had to travel further and further away from their villages and the precariousness of life here is almost tangible.

Maasai Community Gathered

Despite these challenges, perseverance is not an option, but a necessity. The same qualities that have developed a toughness in the Maasai have served them well in their approach to their faith. Once a commitment to follow Christ is made, it is taken with great seriousness.

Wives of the Pastors

The charge to the Pastors and their wives during the service was that the Pastors would respect their wives and include them in the ministry. The charge also included a strong encouragement to put an end to female circumcision which often ends in the death of young girls.  Both of these challenges were a strong challenge to the culture.

Proud Pastors with their Certificates

                                                                                                                                             


The Ordination ceremony and the accompanying certificates represent an endorsement of a leader in the eyes of the community.





                                                                                                                                                       

Celebrating with Dance!

This event not only brought joy to the Pastors and their families, but to the whole community who broke out in dancing.                              

Please Pray For:
Transitions - Karen Vineyard Church has just moved to a new venue, hired new Staff, and is filled with new faces. Pray for sustained continuity to follow our vision and fresh inspiration for the future
For Doug as he participates in the Vineyard Institute Board meetings in Columbus, Ohio, Aug.26-28.
For Atara Brown, our eldest daughter, who marries Ben Parkinson in early October.

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;" Romans 5.3