Things remain settled

Dear all,

Thank you for standing with us in the GOSPEL.

The CFI newsletter is going to print for posting in Australia. It briefly summarizes events since last August.

• It is attached here in PDF format »

Lecturers are doing a great job in the college and many students have started already from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and the Republic of Niger. We have started a French speaking department to cater for those from French speaking nations and to promote training and church planting there. We have sent another pastor to Bauchi State to work among the Muslims and indigenes and open another church. I go there this February also. We have it on our heart to open a church/mission in the Republic of Niger when God allows.

Thank you for the warmth and encouragement many of you have shown us over the past few weeks. Rumours continue to spread of further trouble. The local indigenes have asked the Jihadists to leave their state, but they have said they will stay and attack again until they subjugate them and us. We have been speaking with our board about contingency issues, but there doesn’t seem to be much we can do but trust God, preach the gospel and move to our new site as soon as we can. It is safe there.

We commend the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) for their clear statement on the Jos crisis. We have attached it here. We commend the Nigerian national newspaper The Nation for printing this whole speech in their edition yesterday. We commend and pray for the Jos (Plateau State) government and Federal Governments for their roles.

This paper is an example of Christian apologetics, in which the church speaks out to commend that which is right and bring to the light that which is wrong and the perpetrators of such. If we say we will be quiet for fear, that which we fear will surely come and be worse. The children of the light have the power in a just God, so we must speak and stand and not flee as the wicked.

• If you are interested please click here »

The gospel shall prevail, but not through appeasement.  Our task is to speak out and preach the gospel boldly and clearly. This week we have been encouraging those who have been hurt and saying the gospel is the answer for in it there is forgiveness for all who would believe and peace. We have had ministers from various denominations join our student body for meetings. We have been aired in a long report on the state radio encouraging others. It is an encouragement for them for a foreigner to come at this time and show them we are moving on in faith.

We ask again for you to support us please. We are grateful for all the prayer and concern for us. We also need support and would be so grateful for your help. God bless you and thank you.

On the issue of our land: we have bought one of the portions and need funds for the second of the five portions. The land is in an area populated entirely by local indigenes favourable to the gospel and is safe as an outreach to the north and other sub-Saharan nations. There have been great changes in Nigeria over the last twenty years. The Middle Belt which was once Muslim is now largely Christian and no longer a close ally of the Jihadists. We are prevailing but must push on with planting churches, mission stations and training pastors. Praise the Lord!

On behalf of our church board in Jos, Kent

Thank you.

Love and God bless, Kent