The School of Discipleship has a four-fold purpose: Establishing the students in their faith and doctrine, Equipping them for effective Christian service, Extending their spiritual influence through leadership training and Evangelizing those around them as God gives opportunity in life and ministry. As a staff, we all enjoy watching God do His work in their lives as they pursue Him throughout the year. They have the opportunity to develop interpersonal relationships on a deeper level, to resolve conflicts, to address issues of bitterness, anger, selfishness and pride, and to speak truth with the purpose of edifying and building up one another in love. Their year of training, a focus on “taking root downward,” prepares them to “bear fruit upward” in ministry outreach.
On August 17th, thirty-four graduates of the School of Discipleship celebrated the completion of their year with dinner and an evening of sharing testimonies of God’s work in their lives. Then, just a few short weeks later, the new class of students arrived to begin their year. We have 32 first-year students from all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as 7 second-year students that have stayed on to complete an additional year of leadership training. They have now finished Phase One of the program, affectionately known as “Boot Camp,” and are all doing well. Please pray for this class, that God would grant them discernment and wisdom as they continue to seek Christ-likeness, focusing on the truths of 2 Peter, where we are told to “add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.” Thank you for your prayers on their behalf!