Short Report November

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  I hope this email finds you doing well.  Today, I have some wonderful updates to share with you about some of the things that have been happening in Tanzania.  Then at the end of this message is an exciting announcement about the future of the work.  Firstly, Chuck Webster was recently in Tanzania for the inaugural session of the the long-awaited Cy Stafford School of Leadership!  Chuck was good enough to share some thoughts with us on this momentus occasion: "Several years ago, Cy Stafford dreamed of creating a leadership school in Arusha whose curriculum would be designed to promote the development of spiritually mature leaders within East African churches. He hoped that God would use this kind of school to help churches throughout East Africa and beyond to grow and mature as they were led by spiritually and biblically qualified elders and deacons. "God answered Cy's prayer. We're excited to announce that the Cy Stafford School of Leadership admitted its first class just a few weeks ago. From October 10-21, five men with many years of ministry and leadership experience gathered in Arusha to study leadership on a deeper level. "During the first seminar (Oct. 10-14), we studied Biblical Leadership by reflecting on the men in the Old Testament whom God called to lead His people. We spent time with Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, and Daniel, as well as others, seeking to understand better how God used them as leaders. "In the second seminar (Oct. 17-21), we spent the entire week in the life of Jesus as we studied Servant Leadership. Jesus--the greatest leader in all of Scripture--led by selflessly serving the people around Him, and He invested much of His time with a small group of disciples who would later lead the church. "Before the students arrived at the seminars, they read extended passages of Scripture, as well as four books on Christian leadership. They wrote a review of each book that they read, as well as an autobiographical paper that addressed how God had given them opportunities to serve and also how they might grow as leaders. "Classes on campus consisted of group discussions on the assigned readings, class lectures on specific leadership topics, and student presentations on parts of their outside readings. On the last day of each seminar, students completed an essay exam where they shared what they had learned. "In the weeks following the seminars, students will apply what they have studied to specific areas of need in their ministry contexts and submit a research paper that details their findings. "We're thrilled that God has given us this opportunity to work alongside Christian men in East Africa to reflect more deeply about leadership, and we're confident that He will use this school to bless His church." Here are some other updates on recent events from our Dean of Academics, Michael Losotwa: "On one occasion  Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Mt. 5:16). The best I can tell, there's no limitation to this. In other words, shining forth a good example is not restricted to the church building, Sunday service, or when just around church members. Truth be told, where it's most important to let our lights shine is at home, on the job, at school, and even on social media sites. True Christianity radiates from within and is on display everywhere and all the time. I have mentioned all of these because most of the time, I do feel more comfortable after encouraging others. "On September 19 – 24, the ASCOP students had reminders of the house-to-house evangelism campaign at Kwa Morombo near Arusha city. This campaign led to the establishment of a total number of 207 new Bible classes, 5 baptisms, and 2 old Bible classes resumed. This is one of the successful campaigns contacted by our students recently. Best plans are being undertaken to ensure all the classes are followed after that campaign.   Also, normal  ACSOP weekly evangelism is continuing. Let’s remember these fellows and the ACSOP in our regular prayers, for the good they are doing in the kingdom of our dear God. "More also on October 6 – 9, the ACSOP held the Tanzania Leadership Conference, having the theme “Church in Action.”    25 Tanzania congregations were represented, 2 represented Kenya, and 1 represented Uganda. A total number of 101 people excluded ACSOP staff and faculty attended.  Each and everyone who attended appreciated all the teaching and effort which made that conference happen. "So also, the regular classes’ studies are going well here at ACSOP. Since September 26, we have started our fourth quarter and last of this year and we are going to wind up on November 25, then graduation on the 26th." As you can tell, there are important things constantly going on with the Lord's work in Tanzania.  The Andrew Connally School of Preaching and related efforts have been huge blessings to the Lord's kingdom across East Africa, and we thank you for being a part of that.  We are always concerned about the long-term sustainability of these important efforts and we know that you are too. With that in mind, we are excited to announce the establishment of the Tanzania Missions Legacy Fund.  This is an investment fund owned by the Hoover Church of Christ that will serve as an endowment dedicated to the long-term financial stability of the work.  Principal contributions to this fund will never be touched, but the income and growth gained from the investment fund, once fully funded, will undergird ACSOP and insulate it from financial volatiles.  We would like to ask you to consider making the Tanzania Missions Legacy Fund a part of your estate plan. So many of you have been personally impacted by this work, and have a love for it.  This is a great way to see that preacher training continues in Arusha indefinitely, long after you and I are gone.   It would also be a strong last statement about the things that were important to you in this life.  Of course, immediate contributions are welcome as well!  I would love to visit with you personally about this or other aspects of the work.  I'm currently filling out my Spring schedule and would love to make you or your congregation a part of it.  Just let me know!   May God bless you richly as we approach the end of this year! Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Short Report 8/5

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.       I hope this report finds you doing well.  Things have been VERY busy since my last report, so I'm looking forward to catching you up.  In fact, I might should call this one a "Not Quite So Short Report", haha!  I've just recently returned from spending much of the summer in Tanzania, so let me begin by sharing with you some highlights of that trip.      The major agenda of this trip is what we call the "Good Will Tour".  We try to visit the home congregations of each of our students during their two years of training at ACSOP.  This helps us to maintain good relationships with those congregations and better understand the circumstances from which our students are coming.  It also is a chance to recruit more students as well as identify ways that the mission can be a resource to help these congregations.  This trip also provided an opportunity to check on congregations that have received help in the past to see how they are progressing.  As a liaison between many of these congregations and their supporters, it is vital that I get around to make personal visits with them.  The maps below show some of our road destinations on this trip.  Although the routes shown may not be exactly how we went, it does give you a sense of the extent of the traveling. All in all, it was more than 4,350 miles of African roads taking us from the Indian Ocean to the Zambian border to the shores of Lake Victoria, and the shadow of Mt. Kenya.  Such a trip is wearying, but very worthwhile.         It is exciting to see how the church is spreading and thriving in all corners of the country!  If you'd like to help with land or facilities for any of these congregations, then I would be glad to let you know of some specific needs.       World Video Bible School was generous enough to donate a projector and three hard drives loaded down with biblical materials.  In the picture below, I am delivering and demonstrating this valuable tool to Yusuph Mdaki for use by the churches in the Ushirambo area.       Some of you recently donated some communion sets for use in Tanzania.  This trip gave me the opportunity to deliver those as well.  There is always a great need for these, in case you feel inclined to help with this need for more congregations!   Baptism in Lake Victoria: Seminar at Ushirambo:    Meeting with the elders at Mbagala: A sampling of more church visit pictures:       The Andrew Connally School of Preaching was very privileged to have the opportunity to host Dr. Jim Gardner of Freed-Hardeman University. Dr. Gardner gave us a preview of his upcoming book, sharing some of the material in a seminar on the foundations of the Christian faith.  The seminar was well attended and well reviewed by the Tanzanians who were present. He also stayed over to share more material with the Kisongo congregation during their regular Sunday services.         That Sunday was also highlighted by the baptism of Augustine's son, Samweli!  The picture below shows one of life's sweetest moments, the embrace of a Christian father and his newly baptized son.  We rejoice with the angels! Speaking of Freed-Hardeman University, they are giving us an exciting opportunity this school year.  FHU has invited me to spend time on campus this school year promoting missions among the student body.  This will allow me the chance to encourage young people to consider entering the mission field in East Africa or elsewhere.  This also grants me time to help train these mission-minded students with lessons that I have learned in service to the Lord's kingdom.  The best part is that I'll still be free on weekends to visit with churches in America about what's happening in Tanzania. Reach out to me if you would like to schedule a visit.  I would love to make that happen! Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Short Report 6/21

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  As I write, I am sitting in JFK airport awaiting my flight on the way to Tanzania.  As I look forward to being physically back in Africa, I wanted to take this time to share with you some recent highlights from the work.  A good friend of the work, Neil Richey has just returned from a visit to Tanzania, and was kind enough to share some notes on his trip.  We'll start there:      "Every trip to Tanzania continues to be a blessing to my life, and I hope that, in a small way, I’m able to return the favor when I go. This year we conducted a seminar at ACSOP on the intersection of Scripture and Mental Health. This discussion was much needed and appreciated, as evidenced by the feedback. Tanzania is dealing with a mental health crisis. 2.5 million Tanzanians struggle with mental illnesses. Specifically, the areas of concern are depression and anxiety. Attendees at the seminar said we need more material like this to help our congregations and the community.       "In addition to the seminar, I had the opportunity to work with Isaac, the preacher at Arusha. We conducted several Bible studies together and baptized one soul into Christ. Additionally, we set up an opportunity for Isaac to visit a local school each week to teach Bible classes on Wednesdays. There are 1,300 students in this school. The school is a short walk from the Arusha church building.       "It was a joy to reconnect with men like Ahimidiwe, Charles, and Agustine. They continue to do great things with the churches in Kisongo, Kwa Mrombo, and of course, the ACSOP. I was also happy to get to know the Staffords—Noel, Jessica, and their four fine children. I’m excited about their new work in Moshi." We're so glad that Neil was able to shine some light on a needed, but neglected subject.  Here are some thoughts on the event from one the ACSOP directors, Charles Mwanga:      "'Why are you casting down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.' (Psalms 42:5).       "'Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God' (Psalms 43:5)      "In both of these passages the Psalmist is asking his soul as to why it is deep in anxiety and depression. He is asking his soul to deeply depend and look unto the Lord who is his salvation. Sometimes it is very easy to look down to those who are around us suffering from “mental illness” and think that they are crazy. But that is not the case, as we have learnt this past weekend from our good brother Neil Richey, who is a professional Counselor and great preacher. We were surprised to know that “Mental health issues” can be spoken of everybody. We had examples of people like Jacob, Ibrahim, and even Jesus Himself.      "We are so grateful to brothers like Neil and many others who are constantly coming here and help on sharpening our brains so that we can in turn be great tools for Lord. Every one who attended liked what they heard to the point of asking the school to have these kind of programs regularly.     "The school is out of session but teachers are working hard to prepare themselves to the coming classes and also going out to do more recruiting for the upcoming year.      "We are so thankful to all who are praying and supporting this work, May the Lord continue to bless you every day."      We also rejoice that our friend and teammate, Noel Stafford, has finally arrived, along with his family.  You can read their latest newsletter here:  Kilimanjaro Missions.  Keep the Staffords in your prayers as they get settled in and adjusted to their new life.  We look forward to the ways that they will be blessing the church in Tanzania.       I am still scheduling visits for the fall and winter.  If your congregation would be interested in hearing more about the Lord's work in Tanzania, then I would love to meet with them!  Just let me know and we'll schedule a presentation. Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Short Report

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  Today I would like to share with you a couple of accounts from our ACSOP alumni, working for the Lord's Kingdom in Tanzania.  First,  William, the evangelist at the Maji ya Chai congregation shares this account: “Today I would like to share with you a little story about Mary Innocent who was a new baby in Christ pictured below.  Mary was a Pentecostal, and believed that the Pentecostals were the only saved people.  However,  after our studies plus twelve lessons in correspondence courses, she realized the truth and obeyed it! “      Yusuph, the preacher at Usharombo, tells us this heart-breaking tale: "The man in the picture below studied with us for one and a half years. He believed that people could perform miracles today.  But the pastors of his denomination failed to heal his child who was suffering for a long time before passing away.  When we taught him the truth about  miracles today, he believe and understood."    Now, I'd like to ask you to pray for our friends and teammates, Noel and Jessica Stafford along with their children. The Stafford family is on their way to Tanzania TODAY with a one-way ticket.  They'll be working for the next few years in Tanzania, especially with the congregations in and around Moshi.  We're excited for their new adventure and believe that they'll be a great blessing to the church there.  I cannot image how proud Noel's father, Cy, would be to see his son following in his footsteps.  May God bless them with safe travel and smooth adjustments as they get settled in.   I do have slots available in the Fall, if you'd like for me to visit with your congregation to give you an update about the work in Tanzania. Let me know, and I would love to put you on the schedule!   Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Short Report

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  Let's begin with this message from our Dean of Academics, Michael Losotwa:             "This month of March is one of the busy months for the ACSOP staff, especially those who serve as instructors on under and post-graduate programs. We had a master’s class (New Testament Theology & Homiletics) on March 7 – 18 which was taught by Jerry Bates. In that class we had 13 students attend.             "The first quarter of studies here in ACSOP for undergraduate students is impressive. Our teachers are working harder and harder to impart to these fellows the knowledge of God’s word. They are doing exactly what I would be quoted for this month from Paul’s letter to Timothy, "The things which you have heard from me...entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." II Tim. 2:2. The first-year students are showing a great improvement in their studies. Different from the last 3 weeks in which we had some who were struggling to cope with their studies but now the majority of them are catching up with.  As we speak now we have a total number of 24 students in that class whom we think are the best men we would like to have in ACSOP because of their great effort in their studies and christ-like manners.                   "We greatly thank our dearest brother Daniel Gaines for his arrival from the US to Tanzania to teach a short course on Denominational Doctrines, which he did from March 28 through 1 April.  Before teaching that short course, he was also able to lead our 13 second-year students on the door-to-door, soul to soul evangelism campaign from Monday of 21st March through Friday 25th, at the Meserani area in Arusha. Through that effort, the following is the report of what they were able to accomplish. Forty new classes were created, five different topics were taught; Authority of the Bible Church of Christ Salvation (this includes Hearing, Believing, Repentance, Confession, and Baptism) God’s final judgment. Difference between Old Testament and New Testament. This was of the most successful campaigns because; Biblical teachings were taught to many. Tracks were distributed to many people. Many questions were answered biblically. The true church (church of Christ) was known to many people.           "Besides the above token, on the 4th of April, the ACSOP will be the beginning of the 2nd quarter for both first and second-year classes before they depart for the holiday on May 28 – August 6, 2022. Let’s remember these faithful fellows in our daily prayers, giving thanks to God for the great heart of loving the Lord for coming here to study the Word so that they can go back to their homes to teach others." Here are a few images from the student campaign: ______________________________________ I also want to thank those of you that have contributed to the truck for the farm!  It has now been purchased and will be a tremendous help to the farm project. There is another need that I'd like to bring to your attention. The school of preaching here is in need of folding tables and chairs for the classrooms.  We have a brother who is shipping a container in a couple of weeks, and has agreed to give us space on that container.  I'm looking to raise $3.231.90 for 19 tables and 48 chairs to be placed on that shipping container.  Can you contribute to that sum?   Thank you for your continues prayers and steady encouragement for this good work. We appreciate you being a part of it.   Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions

Short Report

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.  Today I want to share with you messages from the two local Co-directors of the Andrew Connally School of Preaching, Ahimidiwe Kimaro and Charles Mwanga.  These men are great friends, co-workers, and servants of God.  We are thankful for them and their families. Ahimidiwe will tell you about the success of Tanzania Christian Camp, and Charles will tell you about the incoming class at ACSOP.  They both want to express their gratitude for your interest and support that facilitates the work in Tanzania.  Enjoy their comments below. Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions _______________________________________________ "Tanzania christian camp is a camp designed by ACSOP and church to help young men to equip spiritually. Many young men have being receiving the gospel through this camp. We give opportunity to the non-christians to attend the camp in order that we can reach them with the gospel. This year we had one hundred and twenty youth attended the camp from over twenty congregation. Most churches sent the adult to serve this camp where had great achievement .Also we had a brother from America who is being great encouragement in many years, brother John Rice. The theme of this camp this year is “Jesus Christ is …..” -Jesus Christ is lord.Acts 2:36 -Jesus Christ was our sacrifice 1 Corinthians 5:7 -Jesus Christ is our great shepherd.Hebrews 13:20-21 -Jesus Christ is our example 1 Peter 2:21 "All chancellors and teachers were happy teaching these young men. "This camp is been the best to the most kids because there are many good Bible lessons, sports activities, and also many singing sessions.  They also visited the snake park to declare the Lord’s creation. Kids have a good time determining how God has wonderful made all things, and everything is perfect. "As the result, good Bible classes we’re conducted by the best evangelists and some of the youth especially those who were not Christian were baptized. It took three days intensive study which caused big results. Now sixteen of these youths obeyed the gospel. Everyone in the camp was exited for what God had done. "We thank God for all who served in the camp. But also I thank you who donated money for this camp all these souls are to Christ due to what you have done.We should continue to pray for these sixteen souls that God added church. "I am here to inform you that God values what you are doing for his kingdom.Next year we have a big plan to expand, this camp and to advertise it in the community that we can reach more souls .Please pray for us as we put all these together." In His Work. Ahimidiwe Kimaro ______________________________________________________      “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). The world now is in need of good people who knows what God want than ever, Christ is near and there are still many lost souls which have not even heard about Him. That’s why here at Andrew Connally School of Preaching, it is of a great deal to train faithful men who will go out to the community and proclaim the good tidings to those who are still in darkness.      "We thank our Almighty God for another good year, we have started our new year with new class. We have been able to recruit 34 new students in our fist year class and the second year class have 14 students which makes up a total of 48 students. These are faithful men who have been sent by their congregations throughout East Africa. They will be a great help to the Church when they leave here after two years. Please continue to pray for them as they begin their journey here at ACSOP.      "We would also like to thank every one who is supporting this effort, your generous contribution is highly appreciated. We can not be able to fully express how we appreciate you and your contribution, but the Almighty God knows how our hearts are grateful for that, we pray that He may continue to bless you beyond measure for what you are doing to His Church here in East Africa, especially Tanzania. THANK YOU SO MUCH.      "Thank you for all that you mean and do in His Kingdom, Your servant in His Kingdom, Charles Mwanga

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Year in Review

 

Grace and Peace to you friends.       As we begin an exciting new year, let's take a moment to appreciate an overview of some things that God accomplished in Tanzania last year:   2021 YEAR IN REVIEW   478  Precious souls baptized into Christ 305  Erring brothers and sisters restored to the faith   30  Total students at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching   16  Graduates from our Bachelor program     1  Master graduate    15  New congregations planted in East Africa     1  Congregation restored     1  New Bible School established     2  Camps hosted at ACSOP      In addition to all of this, construction of the Cy Stafford School of Leadership was completed.   What a year!  We're looking forward to an even better year this year, and we're thankful that you are a part of it.          Last month, I told you about the great opportunity to boost our sustainability efforts by buying a 3-ton truck for the farm with a $15,000 matching donation.  Thank you for responding so well!  We are over halfway to our goal and only lack $6,150!  If you would like to help us cross that finish line, then donations can be sent to the Hoover Church of Christ at the address at the bottom of this email or through the link at the website.  Just make sure that the donations are clearly labeled in the memo line.    Till all have heard, Daniel Gaines Mission Coordinator Tanzania Missions