AUDITING OUR FAITH LIFE | Sam Kputu

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” – 2Cor.13:5

The bank books show every sign of insolvency and distress; only recapitalization or a complete take over by new investors can save it from total collapse”. That was the external auditors' report to the Board and share holders of Quizz Bank (not real name). “How could our internal auditors have allowed this slide to occur, why couldn't they pick it up in their routine audit?” asked one distraught shareholder. Self-examination or internal auditing is at the heart of ensuring the viability and profitability of any serious business. The same is true with our spiritual lives “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” – 2Cor.13:5

The word of God enjoins us to make self-examination a routine exercise so we do not die spiritually out of carelessness and presumption. Like tooth decay, backsliding and spiritual decay don't happen in a day, it is usually a slow process that can be arrested with a regular audit of our lives and faith.

What areas of our lives do we examine in our “internal audit”? Our lives revolve around five (5) main areas which I love to refer to as the five (5) gears of life:

  • Gear 1 - our personal relationship with God. We need to regularly examine our intake of the word, our prayer lives, our passion and hunger for His presence. Wherever anyone has lost faith, it first shows up in spiritual truancy – a loss of desire for His word and His presence.
  • Gear 2 – Our family lives. Where one is not yet married, this has to do with relationship with parents and siblings. Where one is married, there is the whole issue of communication, intimacy, mutual trust, mutual respect and parenting (where there are children).
  • Gear 3 – Our mental and physical health. Is our mind's “hard disk” renewed and virus free? Is the meditation of hearts acceptable to God? Are our minds enjoying the peace that comes from focusing on the Lord? Are our bodies healthy and enjoying His touch?
  • Gear 4 – Our careers and calling. God requires that we give our best in our chosen careers and as an act of worship to Him. God has also endowed each one of us spiritually with what to build His kingdom. We need to be up and doing there as well
  • Gear 5 – Our social relationships. This has to do with those in our 'neighbourhood' – friends, colleagues, associates and those the Lord has surrounded us with. Our relationship with them is often a good barometer for measuring our spiritual tempo.

Wise men and women do go for periodic medical check- ups to ensure that unforeseen diseases do not suddenly spring on them and wreck their health. It is godly wisdom to also routinely check our spiritual health to ensure that we do not suddenly slip into some spiritual coma. The Bible commands this. When last did you do a spiritual check up and an audit of your faith life? “…If we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment…” -1Cor. 11:31

I N T E R N A T I O N A L      N E W S

January 2010

TANZANIA

The TIMO team is making steady progress. They are a team of 7 made up of three Americans, two Canadians and two Nigerians (Yohanna & Uchechi Pam). Our team is building relationships and going through intensive learning of Kiswahili which is the national language and Kindengereko, the local language to communicate the Gospel effectively. The Pams have been delivered from enemy assaults. Within a short interval, they killed 3 snakes in their home while others escaped. Keep praying for them. They are also enjoying the favour of the people, both from other team members and the Nigerian High Commissioner in whose home they are staying with presently in Dar Es Salaam. “We’ve been here since 15th October, 2009. The family has been very good to us, taking us as their own Children,” Yohanna commented.


BENIN REPUBLIC

Man Healed of Insanity

A man was healed of insanity right in a discipleship and mission exposure program hosted by our team in a village called Houeyode. It was a gathering of pastors mobilized to be trained and empowered to reach different villages in the area.

On hearing the case, our team asked for the young man to be brought. This man has been one of the best brains in the nation, having been top of his class from his primary school days to the university. At this time he was doing his doctorate program. Among the 100 people that applied for a post advertised by the American Embassy, this young man was one of the two short-listed, and one slot was only given to Benin Republic. After submitting a paper which would determine his consideration for the post, he became insane. Incidentally, this was happening at a time our team was taking the pastors on Spiritual Warfare.

At this time the man had become violent and was in chains, and drugged. “As we laid hands on him, cast out the demons and began to praise God, he was totally healed and his mind completely restored. There was so much joy in that village,” reported a staff from the International office, Lagos, who was a witness, having been invited to teach the course on Spiritual Warfare.

School of Ministries

Recently, the School of Ministries (ECOMIN) was successfully held in Lokossa in spite of several oppositions. The theme was ‘The Holy Spirit.’

The messages centered on the Holy Spirit as the Living Water whose source is from a believer’s inner being. It is “far better than the well of Jacob” and is available to every believer in meeting their spiritual needs. Through the messages, God also revealed the different manifestations of the Holy Spirit both as a Giver of gifts for the edification of the body, bearer of fruits as expressions of the life of Christ and as a Sanctifier in executing the work of the cross in the life of the believer.

God visited the people by baptizing them in the Holy Spirit and deliverance from demonic oppressions. Many souls were saved at the meeting and others re-dedicated their lives to Christ. The different workshops also impacted the participants, especially, the one on Missions. This is because it was organized specially for the pastors undergoing the discipleship and mission program in their area and constituting themselves into a formidable force to reach the villages in their area. Many participants came from different parts of the nation, especially those ones our team has touched their lives.

Mr. Odejimi, a pastor from the Foursquare Gospel Church in Lagos, Brother Malumi Ayanfe and Festus Ndukwe from the International office, Lagos were the speakers at the event.



SENEGAL

School of Harvesters

Recently, our team concluded the School of Harvesters in Kaolak with 7 students graduating. Three came from three churches planted by the ministry. They are the Dakar, Rufisque and Ziguinchor churches. The others came from WEC churches.

These graduating students are expected to be involved in their respective churches. The others we expect to work as missionaries. Presently, we have the challenge of space. This is because many churches want to send their students for training but the space we have is inadequate. Once, we had 14 students but were forced to take only 12. However, if we are able to build hostels in Passy where we have a land it will far more than meet the accommodation need.

Like the School of Ministries in other French speaking countries where we have work, the purpose of this school which runs for two months is the training of manpower for the work of reaching the remaining peoples of Senegal.

Baba Garage Beckons for Labourers

Though a great door is opened for us among this Wolof people we are yet to have a full time missionary move into this place. Since the year 2006 World Vision International handed over the work in Baba Garage to us were only able to send two short term workers. We need a missionary couple as it is totally Muslim environment.

There are 36 villages with substantial population and yet there is no known Christian in this place. Open preaching is not allowed as you will be stoned if you do, these workers praying and making contacts. Recently, they showed Jesus film in a village, and as they proceeded to do so in another village, the people refused.
Already, a medical program is being planned for some of the villages and through that share the gospel, drop audio tapes and build bridges of relationship. The team is coming from CLC church, that is, Christian Life Center in the USA.

The work in Baba Garage needs a lot of prayers. We need a breakthrough and a missionary couple urgently to be an example in this Muslim environment. One of the short-term workers by name, Ishmael Mane, a Senegalese feels called by God into missions and is praying. He wants to go for training but he needs fund for his tickets and training.

God at Work

In Rufisque, it was not easy to have people give their lives to the Lord. Today, we see people come to the Lord without being preached to. God is leading them to come to church. People like Aliou Diatta, whom our missionary plans to start discipleship with him. “People have been praying and we have started seeing results,” our missionary reported.

In Zinguinchor, the church has sent Edward Diatta to the School of Missions for training. He will be finishing in Cote d’Ivoire next year. The Odigwes are seeking to raise local people that will carry on with the vision. They are praying to go to Mauritania, and need someone to continue with the work.

In Dakar church, some of the members have started prayer cells in the university where they study, and at the same time seeking to reach out to the students. Recently, our team had a conference in Dakar. Many came out for missions when altar calls were made. The Dakar church has been a place where “we have seen more growth in our work, where we have the largest church and where we have more Senegalese.”



UGANDA

Having done a survey of the land, the Dionnes have finally moved to Uganda to pioneer CAPRO work in that land. They see a Church that needs to be taught and mobilized to reach the remaining people groups yet to be touched effectively with the Gospel in the region, and beyond. There are also a lot of Asians in the region. “For the country to have what is said to be the second largest mosque in Africa in the city of Kampala, that nation must be very strategic for the adversary,” Lucky comments. Pray along for this great work. They need all the financial support of Christians and prayers.


GHANA

Capacity Building

A major step to break through the Akuapem, a people steeped in tradition and idolatory, was taken recently when our team in conjunction with Ghana Pentecostal Council and Local Council of Churches, organized a discipleship and Mission Conference in Larteh. The theme was ‘Following Jesus.’

Participants at the event came from different churches in Larteh. The messages were in the mornings and evenings, and Bible Studies in the afternoons. The messages by various speakers from the CAPRO International Office, Lagos and the Shiloh Team, Lagos, centered on the call to deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus. The Lord led the speakers to zero in on the need to break out of tradition which is a major strong hold in the land. It became obvious that until the Christians are free, they will not be able to confront the powers in the land. Many gave their lives to Christ and others rededicated their lives to the Lord.

The burden of our team is to raise an army that will deliver the land through cumulative exposure of the Christians to the truth of God’s Word. The Akuapem people are notorious in the worship of a god, Akonedi, a strong hold that has crippled the Church in taking her role in the land.



INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

DIMEP RUNS…Join the Coming Set

Another set of Discipleship & Missions Exposure Program (DIMEP) is on course at the CAPRO International Office, Lagos. This program has trained over a five hundred candidates from different churches in Lagos with some of them ending up in the School of Missions. This is the 22nd set. Some of them, pastors are already nursing the missionary call. There is the big dream to take DIMEP to different zones in Lagos. Pray along and plan to be part of the 23rd set that will be taking off in March 2010.



 
December 2009

Training Research Teams

Research has been very instrumental in CAPRO’s advance to new territories. It gives our missionaries an aerial view of the scope of remaining unreached areas for strategic engagement. In this regard, several research workshops have been outlined for different regions in Africa to train volunteers who will document information of some people groups.
One of such was organized for Togo in July. Eleven volunteers and three CAPRO missionaries were in attendance but only nine of the volunteers and one missionary participated in the field research. Teams of 2 were sent to the 5 regions of Togo but not all completed their part of the work due to insufficient research thereby leaving one region of Togo yet to be researched.


South Africa

CAPRO Mission SA
The team has grown from 4 to 11 with 3 volunteers and 8 full-timers, 1 has undergone a short term training in our School of Missions in Nigeria; the other is still going through the training. Three more are billed to proceed for training in 2010.
Mobilization & Training
Our DIMEP (Discipleship & Missions Exposure Program) has continued to have a wider reach and impact. Over 50 have been trained and there are over 30 in the current set. DIMEP is also going on at our mission base in Pretoria and at two university campuses. DIMEP has been a turning point in the lives of church leaders. They are ‘becoming more confident and zealous about the work.’ Again, DIMEP is facilitating unity and reconciliation across the racial divide as there is a multi-racial mix of students which fulfills one of the key burdens of CAPRO South Africa. More churches are being impacted through our discipleship and mobilization program. We need to pray that the fruits will abide.
KINGDOM BLAZERS CONFERENCE
The youth and students in SA have been described by our team as a mine of treasures for God’s kingdom that has not yet been fully tapped. It is in view of this, the team is organizing ‘The Kingdom Blazers Conference, 2009’ (KBC’ 09) which holds from 7th-12th December 2009. It is the first of an annual gathering organized by CAPRO Missions SA aimed at raising awareness, teaching, equipping and mobilizing young people in South Africa and neighbouring countries for missions and missionary work. About 300 students and other young people are expected from various campuses around SA. The theme is “Whom Shall We Send?” Pade Tokun, the immediate past international director of CAPRO will be the main speaker at the event which holds at Kimiad Christian Campsite in Heidelburg (north of Johannesburg). Pray for this strategic conference.
FRONTIERS WITHIN OUR REACH
A number of ripe fields have been found around the region. In March, our team went on a survey of the Island nations of Mayotte and the Comoros, all facilitated by our partner mission, the AIM. In August, they were in Madagascar on a similar mission. Our team is currently praying and mobilizing labourers for these fields. For example, concerted prayers have continued to go on for the Maore people in the Island of Mayotte. The plan is to see two new teams emerge in two locations of the island by 2010. Each team is expected to be made up of 6-10 missionaries. We should pray for God to raise able laborers to make up these teams.


Liberia

Two similar workshops were organized by the Liberian team in Monrovia and Ganta respectively in August. The volunteers for Monrovia workshop were 35 while that of Ganta were 27. They are to be involved in church, town/city, and people group surveys. The research of that nation is already on course. It is expected that they would be producing the first documented information on the spiritual state of Liberia at the end of the research.
Great Things He has Done
Somebody said, “If you go to Liberia as a minister of God, and for six months you are not captured, then God has sent you there,” echoed Peter Omowole, the CAPRO Liberia Coordinator. However, God has kept our team these five years. Within this period, our team has trained 102 people from 50 churches in 5 counties. They are also spearheading research in the land. God is blessing our team’s labour with fruit. The challenge they received from the Lord is “Go train an army for me.” The first couple they sent to the School of Missions in Nigeria, the Baloguns, has completed their training and probation, and would be joining them in January 2010. Pray that they will go in God’s strength and power. The same January, 3 missionary candidates will be going for SOM. Continue to pray that God will strengthen the building of missionaries and raising of nationals.
The Force of Islam and the Occult
The team is sensing a glorious move of God in the days ahead. They reported that nominalism in the Church was 70% but now it is changing. They are receiving Macedonia calls from various counties. They need strength to harness what is happening. Our team is planning a Conference for Muslim Evangelism in Liberia in a place called Mecca. The knowledge of Muslim evangelism is zero. The purpose is both awareness and training of Christians in Muslim evangelism so that they can stand against the force of Islam. Already, Sierra Leone which started as a Christian state is now 70% Islam. The largest mosque in the region is here, and the target is to use this mosque to islamize Liberia. Freemasonry and other cults are having a free reign also.


Botswana

Recently, our International research secretary was in Botswana to facilitate another national survey of Botswana. It was a huge success.

The School of Missions Project is on course. A property has been acquired with 20% of the cost paid. Renovations are currently going in preparation for inspection by the authorities. We hope to see the school come on stream in January 2010. Pray for the over $250,000 still needed to pay up for the SOM property.



Malawi

A Convention with a Difference
Recently, our team held their yearly "Yao Church Convention" where they bring all their Muslim converts and other believers together for fellowship. A former Malawian Catholic Bishop, Bishop Kambalazaza who encountered the Lord in a dramatic way and has been all over the world sharing his testimony and ministering the baptism of the Holy Spirit with signs following was the speaker at the event. The participants experienced God’s visitation during the time of breaking of bread which is changing lives and the spiritual landscape of the Yao land. Young converts have been seen taking re-known Muslim clerics to task in the power of the Holy Spirit. Hitherto shy, the brethren are now bold and zealous to share their faith and pray for others. There is obvious character transformation with some others going to serve the Lord full time.
An Islamic Crusade Back fires
An Islamic crusade near our church, aimed at bringing church members back to Islam has back fired. Radio Islam had reportedly aired that the pastor of Yao church (that is, our church and in some 4 other locations) was crying during their crusade wanting to embrace Islam. There was confusion as many thought it was our missionary. The Lord knowing about this plot had led our team at this time to host Muslim Evangelism seminars at different centers in Ntaja, Nselema and Chikweo. The report was that the brethren were now bold in sharing their faith based on what they learnt from the seminars with some even organizing crusades in Moslem villages. Two Muslims and another couple came to faith in Chikweo and Nayumbu areas respectively.
Man who opposed the work joins the Ranks
Brother Adiyo, am Islamic convert has joined our harvest force. He will be labouring as a witness among his people. Another one, also from a Muslim background, who has been used of the enemy in the past to oppose our work, has joined our ranks. He was one of those that were instrumental in closing down a study group of about 12 people that we were holding in his village. The way God arrested him helped strengthen our knees in prayer and this has reduced the intensity of opposition against us. He is now working very hard to re-open that Center.


Mali

And the Work Grows
The work in Mali has continued to prosper by the working of God’s power. Our team coordinating the work from Bamako reported this as they visited different fields recently. They were in Farakala and participated in building the work among the Senoufo people. God continues to work and raising labourers for the work. Bambah Coulibaly has left for Abidjan for his training in the School of Missions to become a missionary. The cost for his training is 2000 $US. Bambah needs our prayers and support. He was the one that was the principal of the Secondary School in Farakala. Still among the Senoufo people, our team in the course of their visit taught in the holiday discipleship class that is being hosted by Belco Poudiougo, the field leader in the local church. More than 30 students attend this class regularly on Sundays in the afternoon.
Evangelism Effort Intensifies
In Molasso village not far from Farakala, the Zous are working hard to plant a church. The Bamako team met the first three converts and encouraged them. And in another village, M’pedougou, some distance south of Farakala, the Poudiougos are also working hard to plant another church. The team met an old lady who worships Jesus among thechildren. She expressed that her only wish and prayer is that God would save her village. And among the Malinke people, the evangelistic efforts have continued to go on in two villages. More prayers are needed to strengthen the hands of our missionaries working among this people.


Cameroun

Raising Missionary Manower
Though some great work has been done in the land, certain cultures and tribes like the Buduma, Kotoko, Arab Shua and Kanuri are yet to have a Gospel presence among them. From Younde, the Ogbadus is strategically teaching, training and raising manpower that will be shot as arrows into these people groups. The people testify about the lives of our team as one key factor that has affected them. Already the labour of our team is bearing fruit as some are emerging as missionaries out of the discipleship group of sets (PRODEM) they have trained. One of them is Sister Valerie who has just finished her training in Cote d’Ivoire. Another, Frere Paulin Fomena has resumed her training.
Discipleship Seminar
Recently, the team hosted a two day training seminar in Younde to close the Prodem set 6. The theme was “Gird up your loins and Serve Me,” Lk.17:8. Rev. Emma Dassi, a Bible School Instructor from Bamenda and Festus Ndukwe from CAPRO International Office, Lagos were the speakers. The Lord challenged the participants on the Christian preparedness for service and the need to occupy with what the Lord has deposited in them until He comes. It was also an opportunity to present the unreached people challenge in Cameroun and the need to engage them. The seminar was a huge success.


Kenya

Evangelistic Outreaches
Recently, our team hosted a week long evangelistic outreach to two areas of Mombasa. One was a one on one personal soul winning in an old town in Mombassa and the other was a film show in Kisauni, both places Muslim strongholds with some of the people groups: Arabs, Asians, Digos, Somalis, Swahils, Bajuns, Boranas, among others. Pray that the fruits of these outreaches will abide.


 

R E G I O N A L      N E W S

January 2010

SOM Nigeria

Over the years, CAPRO SOM Nigeria has trained most of the CAPRO Mission work force in our various fields in Africa and beyond. However, in recent times, we have had low enrolment in our School of Missions which is not good for CAPRO’s attempt to engage more people groups, the worst being the last set that graduated only 4 missionary students. While you pray that these four will chase 20,000 in different fields they have been sent, ask the Lord of the Harvest to send more labourers to the harvest fields.


Ajegunle for Christ

The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in conjunction with CAPRO International Office has slated an outreach to Ajegunle district in Lagos, Nigeria for February 2010. Ajegunle is a slum in Lagos. About 10,000 beneficiaries are expected. The outreach is holistic in nature. We seek to use all forms of medical means (health education, surgeries, counseling, and improved living conditions etc). This program will last for a week with mass evangelism and film shows. Ajegunle is a challenge to the Church in Lagos. If you have any skill or resources to give out for this outreach, please call “Ajegunle Project.” +234-803-301-0331


December 2009

Hausas in the diaspora

Mission trends are changing with the trend of globalization. The Hausa and other Islamic people groups we are called to reach in their geographical location, have by God’s divine working been brought to our door steps. In response to this move, the Jubilee Parish of the RCCG in Lagos Island, a year ago, began an outreach for the Hausa speaking peoples from the north of Nigeria. This has resulted to a growing and vibrant Hausa church service, many of who are motor cycle riders. Recently, the church held a one year anniversary of this great work that attracted other Hausa believers in Lagos. It was a celebration of gathering of nations. The climax was a Hausa man that came with all members of his family to give their lives to the Lord.