I have just returned from a highly successful set of trainings and meetings in the southern Africa nation of Mozambique. I was joined by my colleague Mike, and we met some amazing new partners toward preparing all that will be required to launch a Pathways in this nation. Although the travel was very long, the time connecting with brothers in the capital city of Maputo and a smaller city three hours to the north called Macia made all the travel worth it.

The main point leader is named Dr. Isaias, and he is a remarkable man. He has a masters degree and two doctorates from various schools in America, but he is thoroughly Mozambican, and his passion to bring good Bible training to those unable to attend formal training is clear and compelling. Dr. Isaias and his colleagues had gathered 15 ministry leaders for a training in Macia, and 25 ministry leaders in Maputo. We were told that most seminaries and Bible schools in Mozambique offer very poor training, and graduates don’t know how to study the Bible, so they affirmed the need for Pathways. The leaders who are being selected for this network are more advanced than most in other networks in Africa, and already demonstrate skills in Word work and a hunger to learn. There is a mixture of denominations and they have the potential to reproduce significantly. While Mike and I were prepared to consider the possibility of offering an oral version of our material here, it became clear that the traditional Pathways training is more appropriate for this group.

Mike and I offered a good, comprehensive pre-launch conference, building enthusiasm for the PW program and giving an “appetizer” of the “meal” to come. The groups of leaders shared helpful feedback (all positive) indicating they are “all in” and eager to launch a Pathways program.

Testimonials from participants:

• Amorim – We should preach only what is in the Bible and the way it is said.
• Borge – We were used to taking a topic and searching for Scripture to fit the topic and then give it to the church. Where we end up is teaching what is good for us and not what God wants said. This teaching is so useful. The focus is on Scripture not all the extra stuff. This (the Bible) is the only thing given to teach others.
• Sergio – I learned about observing the passage and comprehending it. We must preach to the people in connection with Scripture and follow the sequence of a passage, not jumping to other places. We usually quote a verse without the context and misuse it. We must look at the context.
• Dasio – We must focus on the Word not on our thoughts. We must not hurry to take scripture and go and teach. We must study the full context. Take time, this is the process.
• Sergio (coordinator) – The key point that I got from today is that the vision of Pathways is to train trainers for preaching. The Word is the key point, and we also discussed how will we take this to others. Slowly, not quickly, you climb the mountain.
• Tembe – I feel the call to participate in fulfilling the call of the Great Commission after seeing how you have come from far to be with us. We have learned what we are missing and what we need.
• Gil – I’m thankful to be a part of this team and workshop. When the teachers said that when we study, we must study context, this was so important because we do not do this. We just choose a verse here and there and start preaching.
• Sergio – I was blessed to be chosen to be part of this training. It was the gift of studying the Word. The tools you gave us opened our minds, through observation and context. All this leads to understanding. I want to be part of fulfilling the Great Commission through Pathways.
• Carlos 1 – Most of the time we preach with an anointed verse without the context. Now I know there is a better way. We must not simply teach our ideas. We must teach the Gospel from the Word of God.
• Carlos 2 – I have been to so many workshops. In this workshop I learned observation leads to understanding. If no good observation, then no understanding. We go to meetings and are told to preach when we are not prepared, like in the Assemblies of God church. This is a big mistake.
• NOTE: I (Eric) was told that in the Assembly of God denomination, which is very large in Mozambique, oftentimes church leaders gather a short time before the service to decide who will preach. Someone is selected and then that person has maybe 20 minutes to prepare their sermon. The participants recognized this is a problem.
• Arlindo – The teaching gave me trust, because we are tempted to preach what people want to hear, but I must preach the whole Word.
• Alberto – Pathways methods drive us deep into the text.
• Dr. Isaias – It is a great privilege to study and preach the Word. The basic method used to understand the Word through Pathways is so helpful. We are not reading into the text, not reading with my thoughts pushed into the text, but listening to the Word. The Word must drive us. Ezra 7:10 comes to mind. This is what we aim for. Order matters: study, obey, teach – we can’t go the other way.

Moving forward, we have a good plan for launching one united network between the two cities of Maputo and Macia. The coordinators will select several “master trainers” from each location to gather together for our series of training. Please keep these brothers in your prayers.

Also, I am only home for a few days before leaving for a very long, rigorous trip to Kenya. Please pray for all the preparation and ministry that will happen there, beginning Thursday. Thank you!

While I was in Mozambique, Holly caught a screenshot of how spread out our family is. She was with her father (Mel Frank) at the time.