On the 15th May, students will gather with their teachers and guests to celebrate graduation. It is thrilling to know that these men will spread far and wide to be pastors and church planters. All of this is made possible by people paying just £5 a month. Money well spent.
As the two-year session at the Cherkassy Centre for Biblical Studies draws to a close this month and we students look forward to graduation and a farewell party, there are mixed feelings to make us both sad and happy. We are sad, because we shall rarely be able to come together with all the brothers again. We became such good friends with one another. We had discussions, similar problems, and common prayers. And we are happy, because God richly blessed each of us during the study. I can say we received a triple blessing.
Blessing number one was the academic process itself. Wonderful, God-gifted teachers, a rich informative programme, and fine conditions, all of which stimulated the students to grow as leaders and ministers of different church ministries. I serve as a property manager in the church and as leader of a home group. I praise God for my study. My knowledge is enriched and now I can answer many questions I used to avoid answering two years ago.
The second blessing was the wonderful fellowship among us. We understood and learned better as we had practical lessons together. There is another aspect to this. As one spends a part of the month back in the home location, in work and ministry, different problems arise and sometimes one feels let down. However, when study begins, we again all come together, pray, and enjoy fellowship. In this process, we soon learn that another brother has been grappling with the same problems or a comparable situation. Good advise is then shared and everyone is strengthened and encouraged. After the session is over you come to your own “ little aquarium,” with answers to the questions that you had, with new ideas and a fresh desire to live and serve God. Blessing number three is the sweetest one but that is still ahead of us. That is to put the knowledge we gained into practice. To give is much better that to receive. Jesus Christ was teaching his disciples but at the end he said: “ Go therefore, and teach all nations … (Mathew 28:19). In order that the knowledge we received should not die, we shall pass it on to others. That is what it means, “to teach.” That is how we can invest in fulfilling the great commission.
We thank God every day for the opportunity to study, for brothers and sisters who have generously given their donations to Hope Now to make it possible for us to receive a triple blessing.
CHERKASSY CENTRE FOR BIBLICAL STUDIES BECAUSE IT IS GROWING - IT NEEDS YOUR HELP URGENTLY
As I shared with you in last months News Letter, the Bible School in Cherkassy is growing and developing in exciting new ways, as we now train Sunday School Teachers and have further developed the training of Pastors with our new two year Post Graduate course.
We had, at the Hope Now Bible School, a very rich graduation service of
sermons, testimonies, poems and songs. Everyone serves the Lord, as he
is able. The Lord blesses, He uses His clay vessels as He wants.
Greetings to you dear brothers and sisters. Peace be to you. God has blessed me with a ministry in a Christian church called "Calvary". I am an administrator of the church.
01.02.2012 Pray for Alla, Lena, Ksenya and the team presently working in Calcutta for another two weeks with Tear Fund projects
02.02.2012 Pray that the Mission Fund, which undergirds all that is done both here and in Ukraine, will have the finances to meet all our obligations
03.02.2012 Pray for all the older people that came to our Christmas party in Cherkiassy, that the Lord will bless them whatever their situation or background
04.02.2012 Pray for those who had a well installed last year, that as they share their water they will get opportunities to share their faith also
05.02.2012 Pray for all those who are attending the Bible School that they can give adequate time to studying, working and being with their families
06.02.2012 For all the foster parents of children supported by Hope Now, that they will have patience as they have to deal with problems that occur from time to time
07.02.2012 Our auditors visit the Southampton offices today to audit our accounts – pray that all will be in order as figures are checked
08.02.2012 Give thanks for all the volunteers that come into the office and give of their time so sacrificially, doing jobs at times without even being asked
09.02.2012 Pray for Frank and Lin as they plan for the summer at Kompas Park, and visit churches to speak about the varying areas of service possible
10.02.2012 Pray for Misha and all the staff at the Ukraine office as they consider all the requests from those asking for help
11.02.2012 Pray that all the plans for the Annual Weekend Away next month will come together well, and that people will register early while rooms are still available
12.02.2012 Pray for Alla Kostyunina, Director of Kompas Park, that she will be given wisdom in her decisions and management of the Park
13.02.2012 Give thanks that the young people in South Africa are doing well with their education, and pray for wisdom for Margaret Ferguson as she guides and directs them
14.02.2012 On this St Valentine’s Day, pray for the students we support who are in relationships, that they will be sensible and keep up their studies
15.02.2012 Pray for David and Valerie Reddaway as they oversee the Bible School, and the Church planting and twinning programme
16.02.2012 Pray for Jon as he attends a Men Meet meeting in Milford on Sea this evening
17.02.2012 Pray for Jon and Ali as they travel to Buckinghamshire to attend the Vetinerary Christian Conference this weekend
18.02.2012 Pray for Maria Shevchuki of Kuchkivka village as she celebrates her 86th birthday today
19.02.2012 Pray for the Directors and Staff of Orphanages we are involved with, that they will look after their children with love and dedication
20.02.2012 Pray for the young girls in Swindon House, and boys in Cornah House as they learn new skills which will prepare them for their futures
21.02.2012 Pray for Jon in his many responsibilities, that he will have wisdom in each decision that he has to make
22.02.2012 Pray for Lidia Savelieva and her vision of a sheltered home for older people to be realised, and pray for finances to come in for this project
23.02.2012 For Larisa Vovk in her work of overseeing the work being done with children in the orphanages and cottage homes
24.02.2012 Pray for Jon and Ali as they travel to Carlisle for the Northern Vet’s Christian Conference
25.02.2012 Pray for Cyndee and Darrell Knight and the work they do in the American Office for Kompas Park
26.02.2012 Pray for the Food Programme in Ukraine, especially through this winter time, that all those in need will receive help and no-one will be overlooked
27.02.2012 Pray for Vitaly and Ludmila Sidenko in their work with the African Students at 2nd Baptist Church, and Ludmila’s work with the deaf community at the same church
28.02.2012 Pray that we may be able to assemble a team of dentists and nurses to treat the children in the internats
29.02.2012 Give thanks for all our supporters who pray regularly for the work of Hope Now, and give sacrificially month upon month – pray the Lord will bless them as they bless the people of Ukraine
