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There was a day when churches overflowed with worshippers during Advent through the Epiphany. Now, however, parents no longer take their children to manger scenes erected in churches. Nor marvel at the wonder that the Christ Child had been born for them. Instead, they go to shops and malls, and marvel at the wonder of the computers, phones, high-tech toys and electronic gadgets that have been manufactured for them. We become a bit crazed during the Christmas season. The distractions are so enticing, intrusive and pervasive that we simply have no sensory capacity left to absorb the “Christmas Story.” Unless it’s an abbreviated Yuletide carol or entertaining Christmas “story”. Perhaps the most popular Christmas tale features the earthly, fictitious Ebenezer.

It came without notice. There was no rain in Nairobi that evening. In a flash, in a moment, it
was upon them. A flash flood came roaring through the Mathare Valley slum. Just a hundred
yards from the Bible School. Within minutes, the otherwise sleepy “river” rose from the normal
3 feet to a devastating 10 feet.

We are well into the 23rd year of ministry amongst the Pastors of the Least. We have
become well acquainted, but not accustomed to, the slum environs of the Bible Schools. It still
vexes our souls. Chronic Poverty is difficult to watch. Even more difficult to live. We do not, but
our Pastors do. Intermeshed in their Poverty are unfathomable levels of Injustice, Corruption, Moral
Depravity, Occultism, Brutal Tribalism, Disease and Death. It’s a toxic brew of epic proportions. Where
do we Begin to address such colossal catastrophes? Perhaps the more pertinent question to answer is:
Where Do We End?

His life as a civil servant in Ethiopia was
beyond dull. It was, in his own words, “lifeless.”
He imagined there must be more beyond the
ancient Abyssinian borders. As a single man, he
had no obligations to anyone. His parents would
not miss him, nor would his age-mates at the
mosque. He set off for the border of Kenya…
convinced things could only get better. Better to
be an alien in paradise than a prince in shackles.
Or so he thought.

One of the greatest Joys of being on the mission field is directly “seeing” and “hearing” the effect
of God’s Word on the hearts and minds of the people. In the past three Semesters, we have
studied, verse by verse, the books of Joshua, Daniel, Jonah, Micah, Nehemiah, Ezra, the Gospel of
Mark, Romans, 2nd Corinthians, Titus, Philippians, Peter, Timothy, and Revelation. In addition, every new
student is required to take a semester long class in Inductive Bible Study Techniques. At the end each
semester, the Pastors voluntarily provide their feedback. Candid testimonies from those on the ground…
on the receiving end of this Ministry. We hope you will gain further insight into the Ministry and the
eternal, yet ground level, effect of this Discipleship Ministry on the “Pastors of the Least”. We trust you
will be encouraged, and even challenged, as you hear From their Hearts…directly, and unedited.

We serve a Benevolent God. He desires good, holy, and righteous things for us….even as we remain eternally unworthy of His Grace and Mercy. The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are, in fact, glimpses into the infinite “character” of God Himself…

“Take the fight to them!” That seems to be the ubiquitous mantra of our generation. Assertion has morphed into Aggression. Discussion and Debate have descended into Demeaning Demagoguery. Afterall it’s easier to defeat an enemy with vitriolic criticism, than civil critical reasoning. Perhaps unknowingly, such attitudes and actions have crept into the church. Pulpit enthusiasm is increasingly peppered with caustic sarcasm, gaslighting and emotion laden taunts. All of which seem to fly in the face of Jesus’s manner of life…

First came the headaches. Then the dizziness. Pastor Stephen was increasingly incapacitated. The point came where he had to seek medical help. Real help. Not from the corrupt counterfeit “medical clinics” found in the slums. Clinics with no diagnostic equipment, yet always quick to provide diagnoses. Clinics selling counterfeit “medicines”. Clinics owned by elite doctors who work only in the private hospitals. And have never themselves set a foot in a slum. Pastor Stephen had to get to a real hospital. He went to a local “mission” hospital. Surely, he thought, they would be able to help.

It was a most uncomfortable “marriage”. A broken Relationship seeped in dishonesty, distrust, and despair. The more that Pastor Jones drew close to the Lord and ministry, the more disturbed his wife became. She began sleeping outside the house. Much to the embarrassment of the Pastor. And to the bewilderment of their 6-year-old daughter, named Favor. The biblical admonition for a Pastor to have “his house in order” was turned upside down. The more grace, patience and forgiveness Jones extended to his wife, the more she despised him. What began as mere discord descended into aggressive disparagement of the marriage and utter neglect of their daughter.

“Love.” It’s a word with wide and fluid definitions these days. The edges have eroded. The Biblical boundaries
blunted, erased, and jettisoned for being too “harsh”, “judgmental” and “old fashioned.” Our generation has
opted for a more “inclusive”, “gracious” and accommodating version of “Love”. One that allows the one
“loved” to continue doing whatever they deem preferable, pleasurable, and profitable. One that allows the
“lover” to display a badge of tolerance and superior morality. But is that how God defines “Love”?