March Update from CFI

Pastors Seminar at Kafanchan

We just returned from holding a Pastors Seminar in Kafanchan, about two hours west of Jos. This morning we had services in our various branches in Jos and Henry is returning to Jos after looking at a new mission station in Bauchi State. The church I was in this morning sang beautifully “Nagodai”, which in Hausa is “Thank you”. This afternoon we are going into Jos radio for this week’s on air Bible study which goes through the whole north of Nigeria.

Jos Attacks

The attacks by Fulani cattle herders last Sunday on villagers near Jos resulted in hundreds dead. This occurred just a few miles from our college – walking distance. This is not only horrible for all the people involved, but the aftermath is almost mayhem. Sporadic killings continue and rumours fly around the city of an impending jihad and of many backup Taliban/Boko-Haram coming in from nearby states. The army on red alert has permission to shoot to kill.

One of our students lives in a flat a stones throw from our college. A stray bullet hit her flat-mate in the shoulder, while they were both together in the flat. Rumours of gangs coming to our college to kill and destroy increase. Rumours that others are coming to our house increase. You go to bed at night not knowing what will happen. You wake up each morning to see what is planned for that day. On Monday at the market a stones throw from our college a stand off between large groups of Muslim and Christian youth ended peacefully. On Tuesday a march of large groups of people to the Government office to protest “remove the army and let us settle it among ourselves finally” ended peacefully.

On Wednesday night people in flats on the same compound as our college pack their bags to flee at 2:00 am. They told the students all sorts of stories and the students were awake all night to stay on watch. The student’s families or churches call them on the phone to leave Jos. The staff families call them also and ask them to get out the city and offer air tickets. Our staff in another house finds out that her landlord have fled, the day after a Muslim “spy” runs wounded through her backyard and
then is then killed. She is now alone in the house. This is all in one week.

I met with leaders and discussed events, suggesting closing for a while. I don’t think this is right, but don’t want to presume on my staff’s good faith and lives. One staff heard and said, “If you do that we will carry placards on the street and protest”. He was joking, but in love showing they would not have us close for a day. Other staff all quickly voiced the same. Gabriel pictured above received a call from his parents, “If you won’t leave at least send out your wife.” He discussed with his wife and she
said she stays with him. Gabriel said, “This is not a job, it’s a calling. Each day I come to this office in the morning I thank God for being a part. It is so obviously the work of God. I am so fulfilled.”

We encouraged the students during the week to know God’s will and do it and we leave the decision to them and the Lord. They asked, “What does a Christian do in a crisis?” I answered, “Preach, teach and heal...” I am convinced that the Lord brought us here, knowing all this would happen, and that it is His plan for us to be here now. This is the closest I have been to a war situation, without a weapon or any natural protection. Even our police left. You drive home in the evening not knowing what is waiting - almost no one on the streets. You are ready in the Lord and rested in Him.

We preach, “No fear and love your enemy.” Things have settled down somewhat again. We have our largest student population. I remember years back friends in the West said “We pray for you in the dangers of the African jungles.” I said, “The wooden bench you sit on each Sunday is more dangerous.” There is nothing more dangerous than ease. In class I acted out a person snoring through a sermon and hoping it wasn’t too long so his plans for the day wouldn’t be disrupted or his lunch late, or the pastor wouldn’t get personal and disturb his rest. The students were in stitches.

Today we shared on Moses called into Egypt to tell Israel the good news of standing against Pharaoh and against all the nations across Jordan. They would rather their garlic, onions and slavery. I remembered when I prayed for Ruth to be my wife a friend said, “How do you know God will do that?” I said, “I have faith (pistis – knowing, assurance). If God doesn’t give me Ruth, He is righteous and He will recompense the faith He has given me”. “Cast not away your confidence that has great
recompense of reward.” When He is ready to fulfil His purpose on our side “He will surely come”.

The governor is doing an excellent job and he loves the Lord. We look forward to our Mission Conference in Jos next year. What a blessing for the north!! Lots of love from us all and thank you so much for those who pray, send support and send messages to us. We appreciate them all. God bless. We are praying for you all.

Harvest & Persecution

In the early church great harvest coincided persecution. God was in control, but they seemed to feed each other.

Yesterday we started a special program on the new Jos FM station. This station reaches the whole federation, including the 14 northern states, and those areas with sharia law. It is a one hour program held every Sunday during prime time when at home listening.

CFI staff at Jos FM

We didn’t know but while we were broadcasting another attack was on against Jos villages. Many local were apparently killed by Fulani/Hausa. At present there is no escalation. We really need God intervention here, for the safety of Christians between
Jos and Bauchi especially.

Last Week at Bauchi

Henry Diamond returned after last week's meetings in one of our Bauchi State missions. These mission stations are hubs for the unreached areas of interior. The mission where I preached last week has started two interior missions: house churches in two other villages.

One man came secretly to our mission station the morning after a crusade and asked to give his life to Jesus. He was a Muslim man. When he left his son came through the back door for the same.

When his mother came through the back door for the same. None of them knew the other was coming. The next morning, our team started a Bible study in their house in the Muslim community.

When we put up the posters for the crusade Muslims followed and pulled them all down and destroyed them. The singer who came afraid and asked Henry how is that we are so bold. He said no Christians make a noise in Bauchi areas, but we went straight to the Muslim king’s house and then had loud preaching which gathered the community. Henry said, “We don’t come for trouble but to preach. You don’t run when no one is chasing you, you only run when they are chasing you.

Spreading the Good News

“Now he which establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Cor 1:21-22)

Christ means "the annointed one", and we serve Him by faith, His purpose and callings in our lives unfold to spread His gospel, power and love to those around us. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke of uncircumcision of ears and heart and gives us new birth and sets us free from sin. It is by the anointing, which we have though new birth that we move in power of God in witness. Jesus supplies the Holy Spirit to us through his gospel - His blood and merits, not of works. The gospel is the "dunamis" of God. (Rom 1:16 & Cor 1:8)

We have more students coming in – over 200 now– being taught and nurtured as God moves in their lives – future church planters. Thank God.

Kent & Ruth