As for more specific questions, I’d love to hear more about the circles, circuits and cycles concept, especially since some perceive this as something that will facilitate YWAM’s coming growth. Concretely, what could this look like?

Finally, as a personal response, I appreciated what was said about the responsibilities of the GLF being “assigned” to others so that our leaders will be more free to do what they need to be doing. I think this could be something for us to keep in mind at the more local level as well. Are there ways that I could be supporting my immediate leaders so that they can concentrate on some of the important tasks they never seem to be able to get round to because of the business of base life?…

Much love everyone!

Praise God for what He is doing in Africa and around the world!

I work with Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) and we love to see God-movements like what you’re describing in Africa. I am writing because I wanted to offer some assistance on behalf of our mission. We train and equip church planters all around the world with biblical and practical principles.

Some quick facts about us:
Since 1994 we’ve helped to plant over 113,000 churches around the world.
We’ve worked with YWAM before and it has always been a pleasure.
Our staff raise their support (much like YWAMers) so that we don’t have to charge for our training, we just want to see the Kingdom grow.
We train 4 concise tracks of training that are all Biblically based and proven: Church Planting Essentials, Churches Planting Churches, Becoming a Mentor, and Church Planting Movements.
More than likely, we have some certified trainers in your area.
We like to train trainers, especially nationals, so if you have some individuals that would benefit from being a certified trainer, we would love to resource them.

Please feel free to take a look around our website http://www.dcpi.org and contact me if you think this would be a good connection.

Blessings!
Brandon Becker

I really feel that cleanliness is an aspect of hospitality that is down-played. It is inconvenient to take time out to actually clean a room and I suppose that many young people don’t find cleanliness to be important. And yet, when a stranger comes into your home/base/etc. it is probably the first thing that will be noticed. I have spent many a first evening cleaning a room and bathroom so that I will be able to use it, re-making a bed so that the bedding is on correctly – or to remove that clothes pin that was made in along with the sheets – and hunting spare pieces of wood to shore up a broken bed. At one base our “welcome basket” contained two small bottles of water, a packet of ground coffee, and a bag of microwave popcorn. There was no way to make coffee or pop the popcorn – or even directions on where to go to do this, but at least the sentiment of thankfulness was there. We try to take all these things with a sense of humor, but as we get older it is becoming more difficult to work up enthusiasm to make the trips – and yet, it is what God has called us to do. We love YWAM and we hope that this most important “value” will be given its proper place at each base.

And Lynn, you said: “These were people from Muslim majority nations who could not see a compelling reason to be identified with the mostly nominal ‘Christian’ minority in their nation.” That is very understandable. But don’t you agree that the “ex-Muslim” who does not see a compelling reason to “come out from” (2Cor6:17) Islam is not really an ex-Muslim??? They have not yet entered the Kingdom of Yahweh, have they?

“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:32-39).

Of course, we should not “stand in judgment” on anyone but we do need to inspect the fruit and apply more prayer where appropriate, don’t we?

Jim (& Ann) Meredith
CDTS Kona Summer of 1985; SoFM Torremolinos, Spain 2004

I met your husband Stephe during the first LCD in India. I was blessed hearing him, I read your two articles on hospitality, great insights. I totally agree with you hospitality comes from the heart of understanding God’s generous heart. I believe generosity is one of the key indicators of our true faith in God. I did my best as school leader and being part of the leadership at UofN pune/lonavala to make our guests feel at home and experience some good indian food. I always took them out to fairly expensive restaurants paying out of my own pocket. I believe it blesses the speakers that you don’t always give excuses that the school does not have a budget…..I hope YWAM still continues to give in this area and not make excuses.

THank you for modelling this in your own life. Hope to meet you guys someday.
Raj