Benjamin Nkusi, is pastor of Free Methodist Church, Gikondo Parish, Kigali City, Rwanda. Pastor Nkusi’s scope of ministry is nationwide and he wishes it to be international and interdenominational.
"The briefing to my bishop Philemon made him to give me a twenty minutes presentation of RREACH, GPA and my good experience in USA to the governing board of the Free Methodist Church. One of the pastors who heard of my reporting back with a good testimony of what God did for us in the three weeks said that he will suggest immediately in the Kigali Region Church meeting that I teach all the pastors all that I learned at the GPA. I have also immediately set a table for Bible study in my house, and the Evangelical college of Rwanda has called me to resume my Hebrew teaching."
Andriy Zalishchuk, from Kiev, Ukraine, is the pastor of a local Baptist Church with about 40 members, in a community of 30,000 people. He is the National Director of CLDI, an organization giving pastoral training, targeting the whole country of Ukraine. He is co-teaching theology in Kiev Thological Seminary ECB.
"I want to express cordial gratitude for these three weeks together–indeed it was an absolutely incredible time that will have impact on the rest of my life. Sunday was ahead and I had to preach. It was excellent opportunity to try the Sculpture Scripture live–and I did it! My usual problem was that I used to get stuck on step three and as a result I had a lot of material but it was dry and without specific purpose–without purpose bridge. This time my sermon had a clear purpose–I was preaching on the importance of unity in the church–and it could be seen quite clearly and vividly. I don’t know if it was coincidence or not, but at that night we had the biggest number of people in our small groups–it looks like people got the value of unity and fellowship as part of it. So thanks to God and RREACH for that. Now I plan to walk through all the materials again and thank you for giving us recordings of all classes we had (plus a tool to listen to it), so now I can almost reconstruct the content and atmosphere of the class. Also, you gave me the opportunity to meet 23 great pastors from all around the world, listen to their testimonies, have time of fellowship with them and even become friends with some of them–what a lifetime opportunity! Thank you for bringing us together. During these three weeks you really poured all of you in us, it was so tangible and clear. Dr. Richard, your teaching (second time, to remember it better) was very shaping to me and zeal, dedication and determination was a great encouragement for me to keep on in my ministry."
Munengi Mulandi pastors the Nairobi Baptist Church in Nairobi, Kenya. He is the associate pastor charged with Pastoral Staff Development. In his church he has responsibility for youth ministry, some preaching, and performing pastoral duties such as wedding and marriage counseling. He is also the Team Leader for area youth pastors.
"I was so touched by my time there and thank you again for all that you did. The GPA is a first class event."
Radi Iskander is the senior pastor of Attarin Evangelical Church in Alexandria, Egypt. Besides pastoring the Attarin Evangelical Church, he is the leader of the young Alexandria Committee an association of evangelical churches focused on engaging young professionals in Christianity, Chairman of the Interfaith Dialogue, and Coordinator of the E. E. I. program.
"...GPA impact in my life and changed every thing in my mission. I realize now that preaching can change every thing in my church. I have every day special time with Bible after GPA every thing change for the best with my family, church, my spiritual life."
Kesla Forbes is pastor of Pitfour Gospel Chapel, Montego Bay, Jamaica.
As a pastor, his ministry responsibilities include 90% of the preaching on Sunday mornings, 100% of the Bible Study, as well as working with the youth ministry and leading the men’s ministry.
"The thing that has been an immediate impact in terms of what I have learned at the GPA has to do with my preaching. Although I attended DTS preaching courses, it is only now since the GPA that I have truly given myself over to expository preaching and can see the relevancy of approaching the text from that perspective. As such, I now spend more time in my sermon preparation as much as I possibly can. The GPA has affected my life in the area of preaching and leadership. Although the conference was not about leadership, each master coach is a leader in their own field and so I was able to pick up some leadership suggestions by listening to them as well as talking to them outside of the classroom setting. I believe I am a better preacher now having been at the GPA. In addition I take mentoring more serious now because I must train and empower leaders for the process of growth and kingdom building just as how the GPA invested in me. The process has begun and I now have five young men in my church that I am training to come along with me and serve as elders and deacons as well as other ministry heads."
Jonathan Sharma serves at Fiji College of Theology and Evangelism and also the Lantoka Bible Church in the South Pacific Island of Fiji. Pastor Sharma teaches at the above mentioned college to full time students and he also oversees the academic standards of F.C.T.E. He is the Correspondence Course Co-ordinator and Associate Pastor and Youth Worker/Minister.
"It has given me a boost in the area of my service as a lecturer and pastor by the reminder that there is so much more out there to learn and the joyful anticipation of just being faithful to what God has called me to do with the fruit that will follow. The exposure to the godly servant leaders such as Dr. Richard and the host of Master Coaches has provided me with deeper insights in the area of my personal life and ministry, as well as a better understanding of those I encounter in the ministry. My joy is and will be passing onto those I minister to, through preaching, teaching or one on one, what the Lord has imparted to me through the godly servants of GPA. And this is not only through the lectures, but through the hard work, late nights and I'm sure tears, endured by those behind the scenes. And finally, not to loose sight of those whom I'll probably never meet till eternity, who provided the necessary support and prayed for it all to come true. GPA has and will be part and parcel of my life and the life of the brothers and sisters whom I serve in and across the islands of the South Pacific."
Victor Arias is the Pastor of “Ministerios Casa De Dios” located in Santo Domingo; Dominican Republic. The church’s purpose is to worship God “holistically” and to teach all believer the core trust of living to love and serve God with their entire being and to make leaders out of each Christian.
"Greetings from the everlasting Summer Land, Dominican Republic! Definitely the time at the GPA and fellowship with each one of you has had an impact on my life for the better. On my return to the pulpit I have been more passionate about preaching the text and making the passage relevant to the people of God that He is entrusting to me as a pastor."
Hiram Ramirez Caba is the planter and the directional Pastor of El Camino Bible Church, in Puebla, México, for the last eleven years. He has been training leaders and church planters. El Camino planted last year a fast growing church in the mountains in an ethnic town, the vision is to start in short time, another church in Puebla city and another in Uruguay.
Some lessons I learned from my GPA 2005 experience:
- “God doesn’t need me, but I desperately need Him”.
- “God reveals his holiness and demand holiness of his servants (thank you Lord for your grace in my life).”
- “I will concentrate myself in a few, to reach more people, without being negligent in teaching to the multitudes.”
- “God wants me to be more in my knees.”
- “My goal when I teach will not be knowledge, but the holy way of living.”
- “I go back home, challenged to be more responsible with the study of the Word of God when I teach, I want to do it faithfully, thinking in God’s desire, and I want to transmit it in a sensitive and relevant way for the people.
Tshalo Katshunga is pastor of Gospel Ramah Church in Cape Town, South Africa. His ministry is primarily that of leadership mentoring and training, teaching on discipleship in seminars and conferences, and pastoring the church.
"Sending greetings to everyone and expressing great thanks for everyone's hard work!"
Eduardo Santana Rodrigues pastors Christian Evangelical Church of Campinas in the state of Goiania, Brazil. His focus is primarily on leadership training–influencing people to influence others counseling, and preaching.
"I was passing through a very hard time before GPA. Very tired and overwhelmed because of dozen things I had to do. I was losing my scope and trying to do a lot of things, becoming a little bit stressed and think about work part time in church. First of all, GPA was an excellent time to see from distance my church, my life and my priorities. I rested and did some changes: Priority to preaching and prayer–This is really helping me and feeding the congregation. Join to the cross cultural mission counsel in my church and review some very important points. Have some time to myself. A strong encouragement to continue as a full time pastor. A love and a wish to preach the word of God. I’m really ENCOURAGED to the ministry. My life of prayer has changed. Depending more from God, instead of doing things by myself."
Nigross Manana serves as the pastor of two churches in White River/Nelspuit in Swaziland. He describes his ministry in the following manner: “We have a strong vision for souls to be won for Christ: Reaching children and adults who are dying of AIDS and bringing the love of Christ to them. Reaching out to University Students with the gospel of Christ. Reaching out to Hospitals and Petrol stations.”
"I am praying God's best for you the entire staff at RREACH. We are just on fire for God this side many people are coming to the kingdom of God, growing in Him and in His Word. The radio program is transforming lives. NB: the Radio has won the no. one in listernership in all other radio stations and they were waiting for me to come back from GPA to break the news. Remember this is a secular radio station coming no 1 through my programme-Christian program for that matter-GPA has raised my hunger for the Word like I never had it before."
Nixon Echavez is the founding pastor of Word for the World Christian Fellowship in Mandave City, Cebu Province, Philippines. The church was founded in 2002, and are currently at about 150 people worshipping together in cell groups and in celebrations. The church is currently transitioning to the G12 model since this past February.
"I am scheduled to conduct the Scripture Sculpture seminar on August 11-12. It will be attended by pastors in our organization and affiliate churches in the Central and Southern part of our country. If everything goes well, our National Outreach Coordinator would like to bring me to Manila, our nation's capital, to hold the same seminar to our pastors in Northern provinces. I feel so inadequate to be doing these seminars. I can only hold on to the assurance of our brother Paul that, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13)
Pastor Chama Joseph is pastoring a local church in Kasama which is in the Northern Province of Zambia. He also is overseeing churches in Zambia under Christian Faith Ministries.
"I am really appreciative for everything during our GPA time. Please continue to stand with me in prayers for the full release of God best for my life and to finish the task assigned to the church. I have organized a big conference for the church starting 30th August."
Afrim Karoshi is involved in campus ministry in the country of Albania. He is focused on evangelism, discipleship, and sending students to impact their communities and beyond (i.e. the world).
"Finally we are back in home, in Albania. Everything is like it was before here in my country... but we are different! Really, we feel like we were in a dream... with wonderful people, wonderful believers, wonderful communicators, wonderful hearts! I know for some of you it was really "a nightmare"... but you have to know that GPA was one of the best "nightmares" that one can have to encourage people like me and my family! For years I was trying to do my best for God and that was great! I think now, after what I saw and experienced with each of you I will try to be my best for God. Each one of you has been a great encouragement for me: your words, your teaching, your prayer, your ministries, your difficulties and challenges, your vision and hope that we can RREACH the world will be a lifetime encouragement for me."
Pastor John Hodozso is pastoring a church in Budapest, Hungary. He is in church planting and presently has a church of about 10 members. Between 10 and 20 people meet every week on Sunday afternoons.
"My three weeks in Dallas have been a real challenge to me. A challenge to think globally, to see also the big picture not just the small details. I look forward to seeing what God wants me to do next. Right now I am still serving as a bi-vocational pastor spending a lot of time with other than what we can call Christian ministry. I pray that the Lord will provide for my family so that I can go back to full time ministry."
Vincent Nyathi is the Pastor of The Powerhouse in Pretoria (Mamelodi) South Africa. His church devotes endless hours preaching to juveniles in schools and in the community as Senior Pastor of the Powerhouse.
Pastor Jean Bilda Robert is serving in the Baptist Church of Despinos and also is the National Director of the Bible League in Haiti. In the Baptist Church which is a Mission Church, Pastor Bilda preaches and also teaches. In the Bible League, he gives training on evangelization and on how to plant churches.
Edward Seleka Goitsemodimo is a pastor in Mmabatho, Botswana. His ministry is preaching, counseling, and church planting. Most of his time is consumed with strengthening new churches that his church has started.
Ganbat Shileg is pastor of Lighthouse Church and Bayanhoshuu Bible Baptist Church in Mongolia. His ministry includes reaching Mongolians with the good news of Jesus Christ and planting churches.
Pastor Motipi Ranthimo is the Pastor of Tsoelike L.E.C. in the district of Qacha’snek, Losotho. The church encompasses preaching the message of hope from the word of God to the poor of the poorest by utilizing the natural resources available around them in order to fight poverty and hunger standing in agreement with Genesis 2:8.
