“Knowing and Doing” is a biblical foundations course for believers. There are 20 separate lessons in the course covering a wide range of core Christian beliefs. A group of almost forty participants from four denominations have been engaged in this training for the last 2 years. The participants included a number of pastors, elders, church leaders, ministry workers and the GROW agricultural trainees.
At the graduation, we asked for a few of the participants to stand up and share how the training has impacted their lives.
Anton, from partner church: Talking about church unity
“We all claimed Christ, which was all well and good, however, our lives did not show it. In particular, there was no unity within our churches or between our different churches on the Island. The Knowing and Doing training has brought unity between us. Today as I look around at this group, I see one body. And I believe that if we continue in this way as churches, then we will be able to overcome any obstacle that comes our way.”
Round, an elder from partner church: Dealing with worry
“As I stand here this morning, I am a changed man. I used to be a person who worried about everything. In particular, I used to worry about my wife who was always sick. But because of the training, I learned to lay my burdens on Christ. The training about being a ‘Christian family’ was very impactful for me. After hearing it, I went home and committed myself to loving my family and my wife. And now I have even seen a change in my wife and in her health, praise God.”
Pelija from the GROW Program: Passing on her learning
“My family and even the people in my community have really benefited from this training. You see, they have seen a change in my life, and I have been able to share what I have learned at the trainings with them as well. One area where I have seen a lot of change in my own life is in the area of self-control.”
Simone, a church elder from partner church: On leadership, and family
“As an elder in my church, I felt that I needed to go to Bible school. Unfortunately, I never seemed to have the time or money to enroll. But now with this course, I have learned so much. And as an elder, I also share what I have learned with others. I have noted a big change in how I relate and engage with my family.
On the church side, most of us as believers were not doing well because we were not biblically founded. We used to argue about the Bible amongst ourselves, but now there is no more arguing, we only teach each other.”
Pastor Peter from partner church: Talking about church leadership
“In 2009, I was appointed as pastor here on the island, however I have never been trained. It has always been my wish to attend a Bible school for training, but to date I have been unable to do so. Thanks to the Knowing and Doing training program, I feel like I have been to Bible school, the knowledge I have learned has really helped my church ministry.”
