KAIROS BRINGS GREATER INVOLVEMENT IN THE GC
When Kairos was run for Brackendowns Baptist Church in Alberton, South Africa, the facilitators thought the participants would be 'hard ground' to break, But as the weeks went on, they saw the 'lights going on' in the eyes of the participants.
Many questions were being asked regarding outreach and the power point presentation, indicating that positive things were happening within the minds of those asking the questions. The growth point groups in the first few weeks started out at first with the facilitators having to drive the discussion, but towards the end of the course, the participants were driving the conversation.
By the end of the course, the participants testified that their world views had changed and they were challenged to be involved in the Great Commission (GC) in a greater way. An outreach to Russia was planned and some of the participants had gone on the trip. The missions committee of Brackendowns Baptist are now very keen to have facilitators trained and to have another Kairos course where more members of the congregation can participate in the course.
TRANSFORMED TO BE A MOBILIZING CHURCH
“An answer to prayer” was Ptr. Derek Parfan’s response to the first Kairos Course conducted in his church, Baliwag Bible Christian Church, Philippines. The church has been praying for a long time to be mobilized for missions. Participants were invited by the facilitators personally so that from the first batch will come a group of at least 12 facilitators who will help mobilize the whole church for world missions. Key leaders were also invited to participate so that they will begin to see missions integrated in all the key ministries of the church.
According to Ptr. Derek, who also served as the HF in this course, the Kairos Course exceeded their modest expectations. Now, a new believer is already praying that God will send her to an unreached people group. One participant is also praying that God will use him to fund a Bible translation project. They also witnessed "old" believers who only now begin to realize the importance of their call to participate in Abraham's call to be a blessing to the nations. They are now excited to be actively involved in evangelism, in praying for the unreached, in sacrificial giving and maintaining a simple lifestyle.
The church envision that God will use them to be a key instrument in mobilizing other churches in the Luzon region through the Kairos Course.
GROWING KAIROS IN GHANA
Three Kairos courses were held in Accra, Tamale and Kumasi last November 2012 which offered opportunities for 10 facilitators who had previously been trained in Ghana to be involved. The courses offered to help the facilitators gain more experience and be mentored by experienced HFs. The team was also assisted by Mavis Boakye, Yiadom and Ernestina Amponsem, Ghanaian international students who did Kairos in China with “cross pollination” from South Africa in the person of a passionate Head Facilitator, Brian Marrian.
Sixty-three participants from 16 different churches and organizations took part in the courses, including 4 Americans, 1 Congolese and 1 Ivorian giving it an international flavour mirroring the facilitating team. The graduates also included key and influential people from the Ghana Evangelical Mission Association (GEMA) and Pioneer Africa who are now partnering with Kairos in Ghana to see the growth of an indigenous mission movement.
Another highlight of Kairos in Ghana is the embracing of the course by major denominations including the Assemblies of God and Global Evangelical Church who have taken ownership and provided resources. Both churches have international congregations made up of French speaking international students from West Africa, providing an excellent pathway into Francophone West Africa.
Further courses are planned for February and July 2013 to complete phase three of the exit strategy for Ghana.
Kairos News
