Adoption of the Deaf of West Africa

There are between 6500 and 7000 unreached people groups located across the globe. One of the most unreached of these unreached is the Deaf peoples that are scattered across the globe. In many areas these peoples are considered outcasts and are greatly dehumanized.

By the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, School to the Nations has recently begun a partnership with Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO to see the Deaf of West Africa gain access to the Gospel message of Christ. Evangelical tools and tactics are completely different when looking at the deaf community for many different reasons. Consider a people with an illiteracy rate near 70%. The gospel is most effectively presented in a visual presentation rather than a verbal or written presentation as we would do with most other cultures.

If you would pray with us that boldness, creativity, and perseverance would be available for us as we prepare a church to take ownership over these peoples. Pray that we could continue to walk and respond to the guiding hand of the Spirit for "He will do it." 1 Thess 5:24 says, "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it."

Prayer Trail Video Tour

Take a video tour of School to the Nations completed Unreached People's Prayer Trail with Tessa!

Baptism

The nights are getting longer and soon, so very soon they will be much colder, but that's no reason to stop dunking people in the trough. Sunday evening Jason Hall was baptized after the Lord took hold of his heart and began the great work of redemption and reconciliation. Praise the Lord that he is the great pursuer of our hearts.

My prayer is that we would each daily remember the great cross of Christ.

We have come to share in Christ

if we hold firmly till the end
the confidence we had at first.
Hebrews 3:13-14

I once wrote about "the confidence we had at first". If you will allow me to share and challenge you:

"What is "the confidence we had at first?" I began to think back to when I first came in repentance and offered my heart to the Lord and received his forgiveness; back to the first time I approached the cross. Most of us if not all of us hopefully when we first came to him we came with a repentant heart that was confident, at that moment, in his love that was displayed on the cross. We were confident that he truly did die on the cross and take our sins upon himself. We received forgiveness. "At first" we saw the cross and we saw his love, his forgiveness. Most of us probably heard at that time that we would not go in perfection, that we would still mess up, we would still sin but that if we returned in repentance we would step always into forgiveness, his great work of reconciliation."

Friends let Him preach His gospel to you again today, and tomorrow, and forever. Isaiah 30:15 tells us that

"In rest and repentance is our salvation;

In quietness and trust is our strength."

Rest, repent, be quiet, and trust. "He will do it!"-1 Thessalonians 5:24

Kelunka Training Village

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:32-34 and 39-40

The pages of the Word unfold countless tales of faith that enabled mere men to conquer kingdoms and return the nations’ to the heart to God. The author of Hebrews recounts the mighty acts of the weak believers who became our benchmarks for spiritual giants. With each account the author credits the true beauty and mighty force…faith. This sweet mercy of God that allows us to forge ahead and render mountains for His glory has been the trait that ushered in His name through the ages. Throughout scripture God gives these weak workers bold words that build a calling. Yet, in order to hear the call they had to first be silent and listen.

Listen…we hear a multitude of sounds in each millisecond, but do we really listen? Are we able to silence the madness and the ruckus to understand the call? Our Father cries out for your heart, the nations moan in the reality of their captivity and the church whimpers with a deep need for community and movement…do you hear it?

During the last month we have had two teams come to Kelunka Training Village and tune their ears to the heart cry of Earth and Heaven.

Through intense discipleship and extreme challenges these teams have prepared for the battle they will face as they venture to the lost and hurting world. The teams have prayed, practiced, explored, laughed, rested and listened in faith so that the King’s call may move us in mighty ways among the nations.

The biblical examples of small and grand faith in Hebrews 11 give hope and direction to us today. At School to the Nations we get the privilege of training today’s Gideons, Davids and Isaiahs. Men and women who grasp the strands of faith and humbly say, “Here am I. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) I hear the Lord echoing His joy over today’s servants willing to go. I hear Him whispering the promises of the immeasurable goodness He has prepared ahead for those who move in faith.

Please be in prayer for the Convoy of Hope team leaving for Haiti this week.

Please be in prayer for the School to the Nations team headed to Mali, West Africa this winter.

Praise the Lord for a life that is changed!

I would like you to meet Kendra. This last weekend at School to the Nations Kendra made a public declaration of her faith. She was baptized in the infamous STN trough. We simply wanted to praise the Lord for the work he has done in Kendra's life.

We are so humbled here at School to the Nations as we continue to see college students come to hear the word of God on Sunday nights. We are hoping and praying that this is only the beginning of the work God is doing to see the final frontiers penetrated by the mobilization of this next generation.

Fall and New Prayer Trail

As September begins to fade and October begins to be seen upon the horizon fall also teases and brings memories of its beauty. Such shifting of seasons reminds me of the whisper of the Spirit, the great mysteries that the Creator longs to paint as beautiful and bold as the colors upon the fall leaves. There is great anticipation here amongst the staff of School to the Nations both for the tangible beauty of fall, and the slightly more abstract beauty of the coming season within our souls and the coming revelations of his heart for the great multitude around his thrown from every nation, tribe, people and language (Rev. 7:9).

So just as fall teases creating longing and hope for the crisp, cool mornings, that may, so appropriately, be filled with the great gift of good coffee, so also does my God tease... creating a great craving within our souls for the next glory promised. He is good to teach me that the hope manifested should indeed leave us very confidently expecting. We serve a faithful God! I’ve heard him say that there is beauty in the transition, in the waiting; that we are to live today for the beauty of today lest we miss the whole of his goodness, grace, and glory.

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom

and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!"

Romans 11:33

I am excited to announce that the Prayer Trail is finally complete. There are 13 different posts positioned around the camp on a trail that is almost a mile long. These posts have specific prayer points for unreached peoples around the world. We are excited to be able to share of Christ's love for the nations but even more excited to provide opportunities for people to hear of Christ's heart for the nations from God himself. Visit our blog soon and often for you will get a chance to hear of the 13 different prayer spots over the next few weeks and a chance to pray yourself. Or always know you're welcome to come and take the trek yourself.

Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”

Isaiah 55:5

Recap of International Day 2011

A short video recap of this years International Day.

International Day 2011 Student & Volunteer Interviews

Some interviews from students and volunteers who attended this years International Day. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this event a success, and thanks to all the students who attended. We hope all had a wonderful and uplifting time!

Interview with Tessa

Interview with School to the Nations staffer Tessa from the Africa trip this June & July.

Message from Randy - International Day

A message from Randy about the upcoming International Day event.

Interview with Colin

Brief video interview with team member Colin from School to the Nations Africa trip this June/July.

Interview with Melissa

Interview with Melissa from the School to the Nations Africa trip of June/July 2011.

Africa Trip Interview with Becca

A Thank You from Randy and Maureen

School to the Nations Africa Interview

Africa Team is Home!

The Africa team has arrived safely at home. They had a great outreach, with many people coming to Jesus. Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Africa Team Update

The Africa team is making the journey home. Please be in prayer that they are able to make all of their flight connections, and arrive home safely!

Team in Africa

The team in West Africa is doing well, and they are preparing for the long journey home. They have seen God move in powerful ways on this outreach, with over 80 people coming to Christ. God is at work! Please be in prayer for safe and smooth travel home.

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to the School to the Nations Blog. Check back for more info, pictures of recent outreaches, and more!

New Video!