 Early this year, CMA had a Lay Leaders Training (LLT) in rural Massai land in Kenya. Thirty-four men and women from different tribes and walks of life began their meeting by passionately praising God. They lifted their hands in worship with rich words, accompanied by traditional Massai humming, and a fervour in their hearts to spread the Word of God in their communities.
Through your support, Christian Mission Aid is empowering these 34 leaders in evangelism through a four-year training program. Since they cannot afford to go Bible colleges and are unable to leave their families, homes and ministries for long, they meet two-times a year for week long trainings to learn theoretical Biblical and church planting topics by distinguished professors and church leaders, which help them become more effective in their ministries and spurs church growth in their communities, predominantly in the rural areas of Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.
In addition to providing a strong theoretical foundation for the leaders, CMA partners with the local churches in which they serve to provide guided practical training and support. This integrated approach is invaluable as the lay leaders are empowered to put into practice what they have learned with the support and the wealth of experience of other church leaders. By the end of their four-year training, the leaders are confident and well-equipped for their missions, inspiring not only their communities, but other lay leaders, most of whom hav e never left their small villages.
One of the leaders whose life CMA was changed through LLT is Mary, a Massai widow and a mother of seven. Mary has had to overcome many traditional norms and cultural boundaries to share God’s word with her people. She is now attending her third LLT training and is making a big impact in her community.
“It was difficult at first because of my culture and status in society as a widow. LLT has given me a strong foundation of Biblical knowledge and the support to serve in ten churches, and work with many women groups during the week,” Mary vibrantly shares.
CMA’s LLT has not only enriched Mary’s ministry, but has also strengthened her personal faith. Her fiery spirit has inspired many women to devote their lives to God. Many of which are widows who had once believed that they were cursed and forsaken by God, but now believe in a loving God who cares for their needs and loves them immeasurably.
 Another leader that the seminars influenced is Pastor Patrick. A soft-spoken but zealous man whose eyes light up and smiles broadly when he shares about what God has done in his life. Pastor Patrick is attending his third LLT and in addition to serving in his 70-member church, has planted six churches in the community. The impact of the Biblical Truths and church building knowledge he learned through LLT has had far-reaching effects in the lives of all his people.
“I was so hungry to know the Word of God and to teach it. That is how I joined the LLT. You can see how it has transformed the lives of my congregation. My community is gradually embracing Christianity,” he shares excitedly.
Mary and Pastor Patrick are among the thousands of lay leaders CMA has empowered through LLT. Although they may never have the opportunity to step into a distinguished Bible College, or read lengthy spiritual books, they are changing countless lives in some of the most remote and under reached areas of Kenya for Christ. |
