This article is Part 2 in a series titled “The Shaping of a Preacher.” To read Part 1, click HERE.
In this season of heavenly hope and joy, we here on earth are reminded each day of what is yet to come: peace.
Our fallen world is far from peaceful. From a physical standpoint, armed conflicts and violent invasions are nearly impossible to ignore—for some, they are far away tragedies, but for many, they are everyday realities. From a spiritual understanding, the daily struggle against the stalking adversary (1 Peter 5:8) and the subtle enticement of the flesh (2:11) wearies the heart and discourages the soul. The promise of peace seems like a far-off dream.
Yet, even in the midst of these battlegrounds, there is a taste of future peace. In the words of the Christmas hymn, “a thrill of hope” is being proclaimed, and “a weary world rejoices.” Steadfast men, faithful to their churches, are enduring through bombings, invasions, and occupations, continuing to shepherd and preach to those who remain. And more men like them are being raised.
Below is the story of one of these men whose scholarship has led to an enduring ministry despite conflict and unrest.
As we end 2023 and look ahead to the next year, your contribution to the TMAI Student Scholarship Fund can help to give men the tools they need to shepherd churches and transform communities. As you read this story, will you consider making a year-end gift to aid these efforts? Donate HERE.
Andrew* grew up in an undisclosed country, not hearing the name of Christ until age eight. Hearing the gospel in someone’s apartment, his unbelieving father began to attend a local evangelical church. Through hearing Scripture preached, he gave his life to Christ, his wife joining him six months later. Church life became a part of Andrew’s childhood, yet despite being involved, he never confessed Christ at that time.
While in medical school, the tension between the Lord convicting his heart through His word and his worldly flesh rose. He shares,
“When I began my studies at medical school at the age of seventeen, the internal conflict reached its climax. God exposed my hypocrisy.”
It was at this time that Andrew was transformed by the Holy Spirit:
While so many flee from the armed conflict ravaging the region where he lives, Andrew remains.
“…God gave me a new heart, and my genuine Christian life began.”
Andrew’s genuine Christ life led to his baptism, serving in his local church, marrying his wife, and later, answering the call to ministry:
“I recognized the Lord’s call for ministry and devoted three years to study the Bible and theology at [TMAI training center]**. That period of my life was a special blessing for my family and myself.
This training had a tremendous impact on my attitude to the Bible, preaching, and ministry as a whole. My view of God changed completely. I accepted the high view of the Scriptures. During those years I matured as a Christian and got all the basic tools for pastoral ministry. God opened my opportunities for me to minister both in the local church in [undisclosed country] and in the training center.”
***
Ten years after his baptism, Andrew is devoted to shepherding his church, and teaching Greek and the New Testament at the training center. He recognizes:
“The training itself produced in me a greater love for the biblical languages and for the word of God. In turn, this love led to the deeper knowledge of Scripture, which is crucial for personal spiritual growth, ministry of preaching in the local church, and teaching in the training center.”
Never before has there been a higher demand of men like Andrew seeking the training that TMAI provides. Never before have there been more men being trained in conflict zones.
Andrew is using his training not only for the sake of feeding Christ’s flock and teaching new men at the training center, he also has been pouring his efforts into writing books in his native language for the evangelical church in the nation, contributing to the growth and maturity of Christians who are without these resources in their language.
Now, while so many flee from the armed conflict ravaging the region where he lives, Andrew remains. Faithful to his church and the training center, he continues to shepherd, preach, and teach—as well as research and write theological and exegetical material for [the nation’s] evangelical church.
And due to this, there is an enduring local church sustaining believers through ever increasing hostility.
Thinking on the scholarship which afforded him to study, he writes, “This support made possible all these years of preaching, teaching, and writing.”
***
Never before has there been a higher demand of men like Andrew seeking the training that TMAI provides. Never before have there been more men being trained in conflict zones.
And never before has there been a more urgent need to provide resources to support these men.
We need your help to train pastors who are asking to be trained around the world. Please consider supporting TMAI’s Student Scholarship Fund to enable these men to accurately study the word and shepherd their churches and proclaim the gospel to the nations.
If you would like to financially support our Student Scholarship Fund, please click HERE.
This Christmas, let us sing together and work to the end of all hearing and proclaiming the name Jesus Christ:
“Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His Holy name:
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim!”
*name changed for security purposes
**school name redacted for security purposes
