Fire and Revival
Fire is often paired or present when the seemingly ever elusive reality of ‘Revival’...
Fire and Revival
Fire is often paired or present when the seemingly ever elusive reality of ‘Revival’ is mentioned. However, the fire I am referring to in this case was and is at the moment, very literal. For the first time in recorded history, Titus Project Montana took the teacher-trainee’s away for the weekend, and coincidentally a forest fire nearly consumed the entire base while we were away. We spent the weekend at a breathtaking Bison ranch on the other side of Glacier Natural Park, for some relaxation, fellowship, and just as a plain good place to make some headway with our intimidating stack of required reading. Around seven o’clock we received startling news that a forest fire had been started near the base, and was rapidly spreading towards Lakeside. Immediately books were forgotten and we gathered together to pray and seek how we should respond to this situation. From the first phone call evacuation seemed imminent, and we were instructed to choose our most valued belongings for others to grab for us on the way out. We began to pray and ask God what we should do as a group strategically situated outside the crisis that could devote serious time to prayer. Surprisingly, we heard very clearly from a number of sources that God wanted us to take time out for a simple time of repentance and clearing any idol or thought opposed to Him. We broke up into groups and began simply asking God what we should pray for and repent of. The response was astounding. Time and time again God showed us areas in our own lives where we were not honoring Him, had given into despair, allowed unbiblical thought processes to creep in, lost hope for his mission. Not only did He give us the grace and gift of true repentance but replaced what we gave Him with passion, hope, and vision for the future. For myself and another Titus Staff member we were gently shown how we had each in our own way given up hope for the existing Church ever being the unified, equipped, effective and obedient Bride of Christ. Naturally this had led us to stop actively trying to build or contribute in those areas and instead put all emphasis exclusively on frontier missions. As we repented, God supernaturally gave us a heart for the western church specifically. The question being asked is ‘was this fire orchestrated by God?’ We will never know. However, this crisis brought us to our knees, made us discover what really was valuable to us, brought us together in prayer and worship, and helped us as a group to refocus on God in a way that would not have been possible before. The dynamic of the group has clearly changed and as a friend has said “We weren’t on that Ranch by accident”.
Joshua
Note: Although the fire came within two miles of the base, the forest fire has been contained and evacuation is no longer deemed a possibility. No homes were torched in the making of this post.
Welcome to Montana
“Big Sky Montana” is aptly named. This often ignored destination is a hidden gem. However, the beautiful scenery and friendly, laid-back locals are not the reason which inspired me to make the 1, 500 kilometer drive to Lakeside. Rather, the small town of Lakeside plays host to a large YWAM (Youth With a Mission) campus with a strong missional conviction to see the Gospel and the truth of scripture penetrate difficult and unreached locations around the globe. Specifically, YWAM Montana facilitates and operates a frontier bible-teaching ministry known as Titus Project. The goal of Titus project is to “equip SBS (School of Biblical Studies) graduates with teaching skills and mobilize them onto the field”. Typically this ministry begins with three weeks of preparation which is followed by eight to twelve weeks of intensive teaching outreaches in countries starved for discipleship and bible teaching. Nearly ten days into the program, we have received teaching on various topics such as ‘The Heart of the Teacher’, ‘Preparing a Lecture’, ‘Presenting Your Lecture’, ‘Reaching Oral-Communicators’, ‘Effectively Communicating to Differing Learning Styles’, and ‘Expository Preaching’ with more to come in the ensuing weeks. We have finished one of five practice teaching sessions where we teach/preach to a panel of fellow-students and staff for evaluation and constructive feedback. Last week we taught a 45-60 minute overview of the Inductive Method of bible study, showing believers how they can effectively study the scriptures for themselves. The program currently has twenty participants which will be dispersing to four different outreach locations; Ukraine, Tailand, Nepal, and Kazakhstan. Personally, the past week has greatly opened my eyes to the mammoth task and responsibility of the modern bible teacher, and equipped me with skills for practically communicating the gospel and God’s word in a way that will bring lasting change and transformation to the hearers. I am falling in love with teaching and God’s word all over again. The goal is that by the end of the seminar program that all participants will have an arsenal of different styles and experiences teaching. Specifically, we will have learned how to teach Inductive Bible Study Overview, Bible Overview (The Meta-narrative from Genesis – Revelation), expository sermons, and individual books of the bible or topical studies. Pray for the upcoming outreaches and for those that will be impacted and empowered by God’s word. More on Titus Project coming soon…
Cheers,
Joshua
A Year in England
England is traditionally notorious for it’s rainy weather, red phone booths, traditional ales, and suave MI6 agents. However, what is often overlooked is a rich Christian heritage of men and women who changed the world. From diligent bible translators and scholars, to unforgettable preachers and missionaries the likes of Charles Spurgeon and William Carrey, to political activists such as William Wilberforce and beloved writers such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien – England has made its mark on the world. The world may pretend to have forgotten, but some of us know better. The inspiration behind all these great men and woman of faith sprung from a passion for the Gospel, the word of God, and it’s author. Interestingly the same pursuit found me over the pond in what some still claim is ‘God’s Country’. Or so my British friends tell me… Over the past year I have been attending an intensive UofN (University of the Nations) course called the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) which is run and operated out of a campus in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The School of Biblical Studies intends to study scripture in its entirety within its historical context while expositorily discovering its profound relevance and urgent implications for the church and world today. It is twelve months, sixty-six books, eleven flights, and hundreds of coffee cups later and I am far more passionate about God’s word than when I began. Honestly, steal my bible and watch the withdrawl simptoms kick in. What is more, you have one on your shelf, and in the store down the street. The bible is not only accessible for Scholars and Pastors but for every regenerate, passionate believer who’s not afraid of getting his/her hands dirty. This is beginning to sound like a rant – so I’ll wrap it up. In summary, though challenging, studying in England was absolutely brilliant. I tip my hat to all of those who helped make it happen. Keep your eyes open in the ‘Study (Blog)’ category for an upcoming study tips series.
Cheers,
Joshua
Portraits of China
China by all means is an unforgettable place, and as my first visit to an Asian country China made a great impression for the rest of the continent. For those of you out-of-the-loop, or simply victim’s of my communication deficiencies, myself and ten friends and fellow-students spent the summer working in China following school graduation. However, we did not go for sweet-n-sour pork or because of the countries various tourist attractions but we went in response to the incredible need for discipleship and biblical training for the rapidly expanding church in China. Primarily, we taught the inductive bible study method to upcoming christian leaders from university students to Pastor’s-in-training and taught through the books of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and the gospel of John. The beauty of the inductive method is that it is a tool for believers to unlock the Bible themselves. You can give a message, teach a principle, or encourage the socks off someone until your blue-in-the-face – but generally speaking the process ends there. And then you leave… The end. We didn’t go to China to hand out fish for hungry believers but to give fishing lessons and tools to help feed them for a lifetime. We received excellent feedback and got the satisfaction to see the lights coming on for numerous students who themselves are going on to plant churches and influence the future of China. Though the trip came with unique challenges overall it was an excellent, strategic, and fruitful outreach. More on this later…
Cheers,
Joshua
Home Again…
Today is five days short of the one-year-mark since I left for England and though unknowingly, China. I’ve gone around the world and back (Literally) since then but I am finding it refreshing to catch up with friends and family while I regroup. When you have five younger siblings (18, 14, 13, 5, 1) you can miss a lot in a year. For example, my youngest brother Jesse can now successfully walk, talk, and scream louder than he could this time last year. I also recently had what could be considered the ideal homecoming reception – a labour-day weekend camping trip to slave lake with the entire Major side of the family. It was a perfect two-birds-with-one-stone sortof scenario. Not that my family consists of pidgeons – but when you have five younger siblings, eight cousins, plus uncles, aunties, and grandparents on ONE side of the family it almost can take a year to track them all down under normal circumstances. So at this stage it is good to be home and I am excited about the launch of some possible future plans for this coming year… (Coming Soon)
Cheers,
Joshua
Welcome to Montana
“Big Sky Montana” is aptly named. This often ignored destination is a hidden gem....
A Year in England
England is traditionally notorious for it’s rainy weather, red phone booths,...
Portraits of China
China by all means is an unforgettable place, and as my first visit to an Asian country...
Home Again…
Today is five days short of the one-year-mark since I left for England and though...