The Covid Class Graduates! - May '23 Update
My most recent trip to the Philippines saw one class complete its journey through the Expository Preaching Program and another nearing its completion. Both classes are to be commended for their perseverance and diligence in staying with the course despite the challenges of Covid and all that resulted from it.
The Survivors of Cebu
In Cebu, we celebrated the graduation of seventeen men who survived six modules, 300+ hours of instruction, more than 80 class assignments, nearly two years of weekly zoom classes, the preparation and delivery of 9 sermons in four different genres of Scripture, and enduring 4½ years of what is normally a three-year program.
After spending a week on Module 6 (which focuses on pastoral ministry), we concluded with a wonderful graduation ceremony with all the pomp and circumstance.
The program included some words of encouragement as well as a wonderful exhortation from 2 Tim 4:1-5 from Pastor Mel of Living Word. Pastor Mel has been instrumental in drawing pastors and church leaders to this program as well as being a graduate himself. Many of the men gave testimony to how the course had impacted not only their preaching but also their personal lives and ministries. The occasion was made all the more special with the families of the students in attendance as well as a great feast which followed the ceremony (one that included lechon – roasted pig.
These ceremonies were certainly highlights of not only my time overseas these last six weeks but also the last four years. I have grown to greatly love and respect these men. Below is a video that commemorates this special class and was put together by one of the students.
The Ones Not Far Behind: CDO
After Cebu, I headed to Cagayan de Oro to complete the in-class instruction for Module 5. In this module the students preach their assigned prophecy passages from Zechariah and Revelation in addition to receiving instruction on advanced exegesis as well as an exegetical example from the book of Habakkuk.
There are seven pastors and church leaders who have also persevered through the challenges of the last four years and stand ready to graduate in November if they can successfully complete their assignments.
Our week was filled with lots of instruction on block diagramming, Habakkuk and how to preach prophecy (as well as plenty of fine Filipino dishes!) But the greatest highlight for me was to observe Pastor Freddy Lavega joining me to teach the class. Pastor Freddy was one of the first graduates of the program back in 2018 and is now in training to be an instructor himself. My heart was especially warmed by seeing him eschew modern technology to do the instruction on a white board. He is following in the footsteps of his mentor.
I look forward to returning to both of these locations in November where, Lord willing, the brothers from CDO will be graduating and we will be starting a third class in Cebu. Please remember these in prayer.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for the Cebu class graduates that the Lord would use what they have studied to make them effective shepherds in their churches. Pray for the next batch that is starting in November if the Lord wills. So far 30 pastors and church leaders have applied.
Also pray for the pastors in CDO that they would complete their assignments and graduate in November.
Please continue to pray for my three weekly Zoom classes with the CDO students, pastors from Malaysia and Myanmar, and pastors in the Northern Luzon area of the Philippines.
Continue to pray for the Pakistani pastors in the preaching program. There has been a lot of political unrest in the country which has led to a more dangerous environment for Christians.
Please pray for our upcoming trip to the Philippines in July where Tina will be traveling with me.
If You Wish to Support Us
If the Lord leads you to support this ministry, you can do in several different ways:
Credit Card: go to our GMI link. Note that GMI covers all online expenses so that 100% of your donation goes to our support.
Direct Deposit: print out the form from this link and follow its instructions. The missionary/project name is “Tim Carns”.
Check: make it payable to “GMI” and write “Tim Carns” on the memo line. Then mail it to Grace Ministries International, 13248 Roscoe Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352.