Kenya Mission’s: Thank You for your Partnership in the Gospel!
Pastor Brad Abley writes:
“Thank you once again for sending me and praying for my July/August trip to Kenya. Today I reflected on Apostle Paul’s words of Thankfulness in Philippians 1:3-7, inspiring me to write this blog.
Philippians 1:3-7 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are [partakers of grace with me.”
A thank you from Pastor Brad:
“Beloved,
It’s been much on my mind and heart to write you and thank you once again for sending me and for praying for my Mission’s Trip to Kenya in July/August. A big thank you also for sending me with your PRAYER support! This morning, I felt led to study Philippians once again. As I read through Phil. 1:1-7, I knew those were the words I wanted to share with you; they express my sentiments and how I feel about your partnership with me in the gospel.
Apostle Paul uses the words “participation” (v.5) and “partakers” (v.7). Both come from koinonia – such an important word in the New Testament -- and used very often by Paul. Koinonia is a sharing in a common interest – that of “the gospel” (v.5).
But there’s much more to koinonia: it’s also the setting aside of private interests and desires, and the joining in with another or others, for common purposes (as we’ll see from Phil. 2:5-11, this is precisely what Jesus did).
Moreover, it’s a close, mutual relationship. The noun refers to a contribution, or a gift. It involves being liberal or generous. In fact, koinonia is used in several places in the NT to speak of sharing possessions or finances (Phil. 4:15-16; Rom. 12:13; 15:26; cf. 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:13; 1 Tim. 6:18).
Thus, this common interest (the gospel) -- included salvation, the life of Jesus, their inheritance eternal life and so many other things -- but presently it also involved suffering, persecution, imprisonment (for Paul), and their financial gift for him.”
“For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever. Amen”
Revelation 11:36
Thank you for your Partnership in the Gospel.
Koinonia is a sharing in a common interest – that of “the gospel”
For reporting and accountability, I’m providing you with a links (below) of all that took place in my 2+ weeks in Siaya, Kenya, and in Kisumu, Kenya on this trip. I can easily summarize it by telling you I witnessed overwhelming evidence of answered prayer!!
Through your partnership and prayer, I was able to:
Report 469 responses to all of my salvation invitations
Spoke to approximately 3,500 people during this trip
Teach 350 pastors in a three-day conference
Teach 70 pastors in a one-day conference
Teach 300 at a prayer rally
Preach at four church services over two Sundays
Teach and minister to 39 orphans and 30 widows
Minister to the leading pastor and his wife, Paul and Vivian Ochieng
Teach and lead 1,000 high school girls. Led 400+ to faith in Jesus (Ps. 1)
Supply much-needed mattresses, blankets and food to orphans
Supply a large water tank to catch rain water. The county does not pipe in water.
Record 7 hours of live broadcasts for my weekly radio broadcast in Siaya
Weekly Saturday night Radio Broadcast in Siaya: Radio Mikayi 103.8 FM
This is not to say that there wasn’t a price to be paid, however; despite our praying, I only had a few nights of good sleep – toward the end of the trip. I was often in severe back pain, and my flights to Kenya and home had more delays than I’ve ever experienced.
However, I was much encouraged by studying 2 Cor. 12:7-9, and knew the Lord would not allow as much fruit to take place as it did apart from my own weaknesses.
Lastly, I just want to give my sincerest gratitude from me, Maureen, and more than anyone, the youngest of orphans, widows, high school girls, pastors and church leaders, and my dear friends and co-laborers, Pastor Paul and Vivian Ochieng!”
https://www.bradabley.com/blog - blog posts
https://www.bradabley.com/ - ministry website
"Kenya Mission's Trip YouTube Playlist" - short YouTube video clips of Kenya
Sincerely,
Pastor Brad Abley
Thank you for your Partnership: Together we are reaching Kenya for Christ in so many ways!
“A Heart After God, Bible Teaching Ministry: Reaching Africa & Beyond!”
