Training for Trainers: Embracing and Progressing

Training men and women for ministry is a privilege. At times it can be exhausting and feel like you are going nowhere. Then there are days like this week.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Kenya and many things were getting shut down, a new opportunity presented itself. A few young men are preparing for cross-cultural ministry, hoping to leave in 2021. They found themselves with ample time to study and be trained as everything else stopped.

I found most of the meetings and trainings I had planned or was planning were cancelled. As a result of both of these happenings I began meeting weekly with these 2 young men and a friend they invited (I will not use their names as they are going to an area which is not open to Christian workers).

“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

2 Timothy 2:2

T4T

I began taking them through Training for Trainers (T4T) material I have taught before. We sing, pray and then have a time to study God’s word. We go through SPECKA as we study the Bible.

We discuss the text and discover together what the Holy Spirit is teaching. I lead but I also learn from them and what the Spirit is teaching them.

We have covered sharing our faith, assurance of salvation, baptism, repentance, study of God’s word, prayer, and many other topics. We have shared meals, laughed together, and carried each other’s burdens.

Embracing the Training

I admit at times I wondered if this group was worth the time every week. With the preparation time and going to meet takes an afternoon, I was not sure if it was the best use of time. I began to doubt the impact I was making. I had encouraged the group to share the teaching with others. However, they seemed reluctant to do so.

This week I asked them if they thought we should continue to meet. One of them is getting married in a month and his fiancée has joined the group. I thought maybe they needed to devote their time to preparations. One of the original members of the group stopped attending. The other guy is serving at a church and I figured he could devote more time there.

I was shocked, humbled, and excited about their response. They told me it was a great time for them to get to discuss the word. It was a time to learn and worship together. They want to continue meeting.

Work in Progress

That was great, but not the best part. Then they asked if it would be Ok if they shared this training with others. I could not believe it. One of them shared how he wanted to start a group with the church where he is serving.

Wow. I was shocked. I had been thinking so much of me and how I felt, but God was, no God is working. This is exactly what I had hoped would happen. The timing was not mine as I wanted it quickly. God had it under control.

Don’t underestimate the role of persistent faithfulness. It takes time, but we must persist in moving a little bit at a time.