Sunyani Update

The burglary occurred within hours of when I landed in Accra. Sam Oppong, the EPI National Advisor for Ghana, met me at Kotoka Airport about noon and we drove to the Deon Hotel. Ken Aull, one of the team, was due in from Delaware around 6 pm, so we were at the airport when they broke into my room. It was a professional job – they moved quickly and focused on easily disposable electronic equipment: laptop, digital camera, cell phone and chargers. They searched for money, but missed the envelope behind some Folgers Singles coffee packs. And in their haste, they dropped my Palm, where I keep my schedule and contact information. But the most valuable item taken was my U.S. passport. Everyone was stunned. They must have followed us from the airport. Checking into the hotel an hour after we did, they waited in their room until we left to get Ken. Five minutes later, they were out the door and gone.
The consequences of their “visit” were much more prolonged. That evening, Sam and I spent several hours filing a police report in a crowded, run-down police station with bored policemen - one of whom was trying to sleep at the duty desk. The application for a replacement passport required three trips to the American Consulate: the first to be told I needed a copy of the police report, the second to file all the needed paperwork (including the police report and a new passport photo we had taken) and a third because the lady and I were so engrossed in our conversation that neither of us thought to have me sign the application! But by Monday evening, it was all done and we are hoping that a new passport will be waiting when we return to Accra next Friday.
[I have been amazed at the size of the network that responded to this emergency with prayer and helpful advice. Literally hundreds of people all over the world have been following this story and have been praying for us and for our work here. I’ve lost track of the number of churches that brought this prayer request before their people. I have been humbled by your concern and am very thankful for all of you. Only the Lord knows what will come from this outpouring of support and sympathy. However, I do know that He has been honored as you have upheld us in prayer.]
Refocusing on why the Lord has brought us here, the team left Accra for Sunyani on Tuesday morning. (John Herberich had flown in from Atlanta on Sunday.) With several stops along the way and road construction delays, the drive ended up taking most of the day. Sunyani is located in west central Ghana and is a booming town of over 100,000 people. It is near the gold fields (Ghana used to be called the Gold Coast) and there are lots of European and Asian mining employees in the area.
The rain forest that used to cover this entire country is all gone now except for the occasional huge Onyona tree towering over the fields and scrub along the road. As we traveled, we often saw young men displaying some animal they had recently killed: “bush meat” they call it. Passing motorists will take the pangolin (like a large armadillo) or “grass cutter” (a LARGE rodent) home for supper. These, along with softball-sized snails and other “mystery meats” are offered in little stands all along the road. Sam assures me that grass cutter is really quite good, but he declined to stop and purchase one for our enjoyment. I’m really not all that disappointed.
The conference kicked off on Thursday morning, after a day to polish up our notes and prepare. Nearly 80 church leaders from many different denominations attended the conference and they were eager to hear the Word of God. Most of those attending were senior pastors or district pastors, having responsibility for more than one church. These are the church leaders we want to equip – those whose influence will have a strong impact on the Church at large. This was our first time teaching this curriculum on Biblical Holiness, and it was exciting to see the positive response to the teaching. There is a large amount of legalism among the churches in Ghana and it shows itself through the various lists of “do’s and don’ts” that each church seems to develop. As we explained that true holiness is a heart attitude and not produced by a list of rules, we were thrilled to see them wrestling with the Word and growing in their understanding. As always, the Q & A times provided us with the best feedback: their questions were applicatory, thoughtful and challenging. They ranged from questions about whether it is possible to become totally sinless in this life, to whether sinning after you are saved can cause you to lose your salvation, to how to confess your own sin to your congregation without losing spiritual authority. Amazingly, when we show them the answer in the Word, they accept it without hesitation. African Christians are absolutely convinced that the Bible is God’s Word and whatever the Word teaches, they believe. This is what makes teaching them such a joy.
We settled into a pattern, rotating our teaching between each of us three teachers. I stepped out of the rotation on Friday afternoon since I wasn’t feeling well, but returned on Saturday and we finished with dividing the conferees into discussion groups. They summarized what they had learned, applied it to their own situations, and then discussed potential problems with teaching and exemplifying Biblical holiness in Ghanaian culture. Their group reports made it clear that they not only understood what we taught, but they were already seeking to apply these truths to their life and ministry. It’s exciting to consider that these leaders will teach these same truths to thousands of God’s people. As we finished the conference, the three of us were each given a shirt celebrating Ghana’s 50th birthday as an independent nation.
It has been a great privilege to return to Sunyani. I have been here four times now and it is gratifying to see the spiritual growth in those who regularly attend the EPI conferences. The Lord is doing a work among our brothers here, and EPI is a part of that work. While they have many challenges before them, this conference has planted a seed that, we pray, will bear much fruit for God’s glory.
Tomorrow is Sunday and each of us is scheduled to preach in a local church. Monday will find us on the road to our next conference destination. More on that later. Thanks again for your indispensable part in this ministry!
Grace and peace,
Dan.

EPI Report: Kaberamaido, Uganda

Pastor Samuel’s son was bitten by a snake on Sunday night. We were scheduled to be on the road to Kaberamaido by 11 am Monday but this was only one of several complications. Our ride was late due to mechanical issues, and I needed to discuss several things with the Green Pasture leadership – one of whom had been struggling with malaria all during the conference. Also, we needed to check on Rich, Pastor Samuel’s boy. His foot was quite swollen, but they think he will be fine, and were as stunned as we were that it had happened. So, it was nearing 2:00 pm by the time we left Mbale.
The road to Kaberamaido took us northwest into cattle country. We often saw young boys whacking their cattle with a stick or controlling a huge bull by a rope tied to its hind leg. The African cattle are quite distinctive with a shoulder hump like a Brahma, but also with HUGE horns that seem all out of proportion to their lean, tough bodies. And when a herd of them decides to cross the road (as they often do) they quite literally stop traffic. When passing them, our vehicle would slow down just in case one decided to jump on to the road. None of them did, though, because they were well guarded. Cattle are VERY important to the Teso and Kumam peoples since they are seen as a form of wealth. Every young man must accumulate some cows if he ever hopes to get married: even with their cell phones and email addresses, the bride price in this region must be paid in cattle. The usual minimum, we were told, is 5 cows – a huge investment.
The topography changed as we traveled, moving from the lush tea and coffee plantations of Mbale to the acacia scrub and grazing lands of the Teso region. We drove through Kumi to Soroti (where the pavement ends) and then endured another 20 miles of rutted, slippery, pot-holed one-lane “road.” Kaberamaido isn’t on the way to anywhere, so there is relatively little vehicle traffic on this road and no incentive on the part of the government to improve it. It’s no wonder that few people from the outside have been there. But its very isolation makes it an important EPI venue. The pastors there have had no training except what EPI has provided over the years, and they greatly appreciate our willingness to come. These pastors in the Pentecostal Assembly of God are hungry for God’s Word and recognize that they need it desperately. John, one of the leaders, told me at supper on Tuesday that our topic (Biblical Stewardship) and even our illustrations were divinely appropriate. “If we don’t teach our people doctrine,” John said, “We will be held accountable.” They see EPI’s ministry among them as a great help in this area. And, of course, we are thrilled to see God’s hand moving to stir up an African Reformation.
We taught on Biblical Stewardship on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning. As we worked through the material, the Lord clearly indicated that the section on Biblical interpretation was the most needed. So, we expanded that section to provide them with examples and illustrations. Dick Hannula and Doug Bond were both very effective in their presentations as we worked through the various principles of hermeneutics and illustrated them directly from Scripture. God greatly helped us and, I believe, guided our thoughts and words to point us in the proper direction. It was a wonderful experience – as encouraging to us as it was to them. And THEY were WONDERFUL students! Serious, thoughtful and insightful, they listened carefully and asked excellent questions. Even on some of the more controversial issues, they were willing to listen to the Word and to follow where it led them. On Wednesday we broke them into 10 discussion groups (there were about 250 church leaders attending) and appointed them to bring back a summary of the teaching on Biblical interpretation and to ask for clarification on any areas they didn’t understand. What a joy to hear them speak of becoming humble before the Word, interpreting in context, comparing various versions and using the “W questions” (Who? What? When? Where? Why?) to dissect a passage! They ‘’get it.” We concluded on Thursday with some thoughts on Stewardship of possessions. I also analyzed some of the errors of the so-called Prosperity Gospel to offset the strong appeal it has for them in their extreme poverty.
Under EPI’s influence, the PAG leadership in the Kaberamaido area is now planning to begin a pastor’s training institute in October. They asked us to help them by providing books – especially books on Biblical interpretation. All three of us promised to do what we can to get some books in their hands asap. Also, they want Martin Odi, EPI’s Ugandan director, to do some teaching in that training institute. What a providential opening! God is moving in remarkable ways.
As soon as lunch was over on Thursday, we climbed in the van and began the trip back to Mbale. Aside from some damage to Doug’s expensive camera, the trip was largely uneventful. We spent the night in Mbale and left early the next morning for Kampala, which seemed to be one immense traffic jam. But we persevered and were able to do some shopping and arrive in Entebbe on Friday evening. Since we had to be up at 2 am to make our flight, we hit the sack early. All of us flew together to Nairobi and then went our separate ways – Doug and Dick to Seattle via Amsterdam, and I to Ghana for another two weeks of ministry.
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The enemy has been particularly busy during this trip. Seeing the remarkable responses to the Word that have occurred in the first two weeks, it’s not surprising that Satan would seek to discourage or sidetrack us. Many of you have already heard that within a few hours of landing in Ghana, my hotel room was burglarized and I lost my new laptop, my camera (hence, no picture to head this post) and my Global cell phone, along with a number of other items. In addition, the thieves also took my passport. We have filed a police report and I have completed the paperwork for a new passport, hoping to receive it before I return home on September 1st. Although I will miss these items, they are only things and can be replaced. They were a gift from God to begin with, and He is free to use them – and us – for His glory in whatever way He chooses. We are not discouraged and the new team (John Herberich, Ken Aull and me) is looking forward to what God will do in these next two weeks. As we seek His Kingdom first, we know that He will supply what we need. In fact, the hotel has already made arrangements to loan me a laptop while I’m in Ghana. Thank you for your prayers and for your expressions of support. I am humbled to think that so many of God’s people are praying for us, and I am amazed at the size of the “network” that has emerged in these last several days. Please continue to pray that we will remain focused upon the work God has for us. We want Him to receive all the glory.
Grace and peace,
Dan.

EPI Report: Mbale, Uganda

We landed in Entebbe, Uganda last Sunday night to the smells, sounds and realities of Africa. Although we had reserved our rooms at the Entebbe Flight Motel some time in advance, we discovered that the rooms had been rented out to others. So, after our entourage made the short trip to the motel, we found ourselves in two “dorm” rooms, each sleeping 6. It was quite a group – 9 EPI teachers with three or four bags apiece, tired and bedraggled from nearly 24 hours of coping with planes and airports. It took two trips with the motel van to ferry all the people and luggage. The next morning, after a quick shower and a good breakfast of fruit and toast, six of us left for Mbale in two vehicles. (The other three were headed to Mbarara – in the opposite direction.)

Any drive in Africa is an adventure, and this was no exception. After some errands in Kampala, we were to stop on the eastern side of the city to fill up with gas, but our driver got lost and we took an unintended hour-long tour of several residential sections. Numerous dead ends, potholed streets and cell phone conferences later, we were able to retrace our steps and meet up with our companions. We ate a late lunch in Jinja, near the Nile R., after being accosted by two armed soldiers for taking pictures of the Nile bridge. (It appears that taking such pictures is forbidden unless, of course, you pay the 10,000 shilling fine – about $6 – that the soldiers immediately pocketed.) After lunch, we bounced along a seemingly endless portion of this main road that has remained unpaved for years, dodging on-coming traffic and alternately rolling our windows up when the dust became too bad and down for ventilation. Eventually, just as the sun was going down, we reached Mbale and settled into our home for the next week, the Dreamland Guest House.

Mbale has one of the most beautiful settings that I have seen in Africa. A several thousand foot escarpment rises sharply to the east of the town, its bulk hiding the much higher Mt. Elgon that sits behind it on the Uganda/Kenya border. With its verdant slopes and numerous waterfalls, the escarpment looks like a setting for “Land of the Lost.” Susan, Ray Warwick and I were at this same location last summer, for the inauguration of the Christian Education curriculum. This trip, I returned with Doug Bond and Dick Hannula to teach the same curriculum to a new group of teachers. Doug and Dick are both ruling elders at one of our supporting churches, Faith Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, WA.

Our conference work began on Tuesday morning. Actually, there were three EPI conferences running simultaneously. We were doing Christian Education, Don Mountain and his team were teaching Biblical Counseling and Les Miller was teaching a small conference on technology, using the 10 refurbished laptops he had brought with him. (That explains much of the luggage we toted!) This conference schedule evidences the growth of EPI in the last several years, both in number of teams and also in focus of our equipping. We have come to realize that God is bringing Reformation to Africa and, as with the Protestant Reformation of the 16^th century, it moves beyond pastors to educators and to the intelligent use of available technology. May the Lord use our small efforts for His glory!

Each day we drove the muddy, severely rutted “road” to the Green Pastures compound. (It has been raining here almost daily.) Our passage always provoked the curiosity of the neighborhood and we often accompanied by a small parade of children who easily kept up with our slow crawl down the path. The teaching began about 9:30 am, after a time of prayer and singing, and continued until lunch around 2:00 pm. The participants – over 200 in the three conferences – then lined up for their lunch, which was cooked on site over an open fire. As the special guests, we walked to the conference coordinator’s house to each our lunch there. Since we ate the same food as did the conferees, it was always an African meal: beans, rice, chicken or beef, greens and the Ugandan staple of matooke (steamed green bananas). Stuffed to the gills after lunch, we taught for another couple hours and usually finished about 5:00 pm. After returning to the guest house and cleaning up, we often went out for a late supper: eating about 8:30 pm and falling in bed sometime around 10 pm.

About 50 teachers and administrators attended our educators’ conference, and we had a wonderful time teaching them about Biblical Worldview and its application to a truly Christian Education. Their quick grasp of the concepts and the feedback we received in the Q & A sessions were both very encouraging. In our discussions with these educators, they suggested that although the truths they were learning were transforming their thinking, they needed regular reinforcement of these truths if they hoped to continue in them. On their own, they met on Wednesday evening to lay out the structure for an organization, the Christian Spiritual Concern Mission Uganda (CSCM). Their goal is to take these truths and to use them to transform their schools and, through them, Ugandan society. Their proposal stated that one of the specific objectives of CSCM is “to extend the new approach of Christian Education to a minimum of 65% of the Christian founded schools and churches.” This, along with their other objectives, sets an ambitious goal. But we are taught in Scripture not to despise the day of small things. It shows how serious they are about implementing what they have learned. Pray for these dear brothers and sisters as they seek to “bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I have agreed, at their request, to remain involved and to provide counsel and mentoring throughout the coming year via email. We praise God for such results!

Our fellowship here in Mbale has been sweet. I have been able to renew friendship with Barasa Philemon, the conference coordinator, and his wife Harriet. Also, we have spent a lot of time with Pastor Nelson and his wife Agnes. These dear folks are being used by God to establish a model school in Green Pasture Outreach, and their vision is to see this kind of Biblical equipping of pastors and educators extended throughout Uganda. To this end, they are thrilled with their partnership with EPI. In fact, at dinner on Thursday night, I spoke for some time with Barasa about training 10-15 Ugandan couples to teach the EPI Marriage Conference. Marriages in Africa are in terrible shape and having these trainers would greatly broaden the reach of God’s truth.

On Friday, we scheduled a visit to a local coffee processing plant. Dick and Doug enjoyed the tour, but I was ambushed by some kind of virus and spent the day in bed instead. Saturday we traveled into the mountains to visit Sipi Falls. The region called Kapchurwa boasts beautiful mountain scenery and abundant waterfalls. The beauty reminded us of the greatness of the God we serve. Tomorrow, we will each be preaching in a separate church here in Mbale. Monday we leave for Kaberamaido and our second conference. Thank you for your prayers. This ministry depends upon your faithful support.

How I Became a Paedobaptist

Since I’m leaving for Africa on Saturday, I don’t have a lot of time to post this blog. However, I wanted to put up something that might be helpful for those who read it regularly. What follows is my response to a question from my friend, “C,” a Baptist attending a Presbyterian church, who asked me how I made the transition from Reformed Baptist to Presbyterian – especially in regard to the issue of infant baptism. My answer might be seen as somewhat controversial, but that is not my intention. Nor is it my desire to offend my Baptist brethren, some of whom I know read this blog. As I say in the response, I don’t consider one’s views on baptism to be something central to Christian fellowship. (I couldn’t minister in Africa if I did!) Also, I understand that Baptists view baptism as one’s public profession of faith, not as a covenantal sign. Neither the email nor this post is intended to be a comprehensive theological discussion of the issue of baptism. Theologians from both perspectives have done that and done it well. Rather, I am writing to convey my own history – the Biblical passages and personal questions that caused me to change my views on the issue. I’m posting it because this kind of personal approach may be helpful for someone. And it is my hope that God will use it to bring about a greater appreciation for the paedobaptist position.

Dear C,
Responding to your question has been on my list for some time, but I've been thinking about how best to reply. I'm honored that you would ask me this question, and I certainly don't want to give the wrong impression because, to my mind, baptism is not an issue that is central to fellowship. I also don't want to offend you - and some of what I write may sound offensive. Please forgive me, if it is, and know that my only intention is to answer your question as honestly as I can. I don't expect to be able to convince you one way or the other - that's the Lord's business. That said, I'll relate my own experience.

It took a series of very serious spiritual shocks, but the Lord brought me to the point in the early 90's where I began to question some of what I had been taught in Baptist circles. Like you, I looked at my bookshelves and realized that most of the men whose theology and Biblical exposition I respected held a paedobaptist position. Since I was serving as the Principle of a Christian School at the time, I took my first step toward the paedobaptist view when I began to consider what the Bible teaches about the children of believers - both in the OT and the NT. I began to develop a theology of children, drawing on OT passages (like Ps.127,128 and Is.44:1-5; 54:13), Christ's teaching (...Don't hinder...of such is the Kingdom...), His actions (laying on of hands and blessing), and Paul's direct addresses to children (obey...in the Lord). In the process, I began to perceive a unity of perspective moving from the OT into the NT. In the OT, children are specifically included in the covenantal community, and in the NT, children are treated and exhorted as members of the covenantal community.

I began to see that the Baptist view of the church tends to be atomistic (i.e. radically individualistic) - the church is essentially a collection of individuals who voluntarily associate (and disassociate) as they please. This view is antithetical to what I believe Scripture teaches about the unity in Christ of God's covenant people - a unity that is spiritual, and is to be expressed outwardly in church life. And as time went on, I came to believe that this unbiblical atomism is most visibly expressed in the Baptist view of the sacrament of baptism. This view reinforces atomism by making entrance into the covenantal community dependent upon the choice/action of the individual. Even if you grant that salvation is all of God (as I know you do, along with many Baptists), one who is saved by God's grace is still does not become a member of the covenantal community (the church) until they present themselves for baptism. Granted, they are members of the invisible church and are saved, but they are denied access to the Lord's Supper and have no essential role in the church until they publicly declare their faith by presenting themselves for baptism. In contrast, infant baptism displays a clear picture of the sovereignty of God in salvation: the infant is brought into the covenantal community through no effort or choice of its own, just as we are saved by God's action from outside ourselves. (No, baptism is not salvation, and a public profession is still required before partaking in the Lord's Supper - but I'm assuming you know that line of reasoning.)

I was still not a paedobaptist, but by this point I was considering the possibility that it could be a legitimate view. Its legitimacy was further reinforced by the fact that I already believed in the essential unity between the OT and the NT. Later on, I realized that this hermeneutical question lies at the heart of the issue. Reformed writers – regardless of their view on baptism - assert the continuing between the testaments. But the Baptist view MUST make a strong distinction between OT and NT in regard to the relationship of circumcision to baptism, in order to explain its radical restriction (vis-à-vis the OT) in the membership of the covenantal community. Yet, all agree that the OTHER sacrament, the Lord's Supper, is a direct-line development from the OT sacrament of Passover. What Biblical line of reasoning (I asked myself) allows us to disassociate baptism from its OT roots? And by what right, absent any clear Biblical statement, do we have to bar children from the covenantal community (and, by implication, from the sign of the covenant) when their INCLUSION is so central to the identity of the people of God in the OT?

It was at this point that I asked a simple question: What would have been the expectation of a new Jewish believer in the early days of the church in Acts? Clearly, they would have expected that their children would also be part of this community of faith, which they saw (correctly) as the fulfillment of OT promises. They would also have expected that the sign of inclusion - whatever that was - would be given at least to their male offspring. Suddenly, I found the shoe was on the other foot. I had been used to "shutting up" paedobaptists by asking them where the NT taught us to baptize our children. But now I realized that the silence of the NT may actually be a clear indication that these Jewish believers ALREADY UNDERSTOOD the rules of covenantal inclusion. They were essentially the same rules as had applied since the time of Abraham. IF THE RULES HAD CHANGED, then the NT would have had to state the new guidelines in unequivocal terms. And there was only silence. Could it be that the only essential change had been in the nature of the covenantal sign - a change that had been heralded by John and by Jesus from the very beginning of their ministries? Could it be that this was part of the reason why Paul, in his ministry to the Gentiles, insisted so strongly that circumcision not be required of them - because it had become a purely ethnic thing, having been superseded by the covenant sign of baptism? Was baptism the NT form of circumcision, retaining its meaning as a rite of cleansing, but removing the shedding of blood because Christ's blood had now been shed? Apparently, the Council of Jerusalem agreed with Paul since it allowed that there was no imperative for the Gentiles to be circumcised, even though they were clearly seen as "the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles." For although the Gentiles had once been "excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise," they were now "brought near by the blood of Christ." "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household." Eph. 2:12,13,19. For "in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham [came] to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ....And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:27,29

With that, I crossed the line. This all happened while driving home from a Ligonier Conference in Florida. I started the drive as a Reformed Baptist and arrived home a Presbyterian. As I began to think back through the relevant texts, things began to realign into a new pattern. Now, BOTH sacraments were expansions upon OT roots - they carried the same meanings but had taken on different expressions. Just as in the OT, inclusion in the covenantal community did not constitute salvation - a work of God's grace in the heart was still required. But also, as promised, the New Covenant was better, including in the covenantal community (and in its sign of baptism) not only men but also women, not only boys but also girls, not only Jews but also Gentiles. And the passages bore this out: "The promise is for you AND FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL WHO ARE FAR OFF, as many as the Lord shall call to Himself." So also the household baptism passages in Acts 16; Paul's exhortations to children to obey their covenant Lord (Eph. 6:1); and his clear equation of circumcision and baptism in Col. 2:11,12.

I had a place for children and an answer to the atomism: covenant. It is not just believer's baptism (although adult believers do receive covenant baptism in Acts, usually accompanied by the baptism of the entire household); it is covenant baptism - a sign of God's promise to bless His people and their children. It brings the entire family into a relationship with God: for the believer, the full relationship of saving faith; for the infant, a relationship of blessing and instruction that looks forward to the day when, by God's grace, the child will embrace his birthright and trust in Christ alone. This perspective of being "God's household," carried from the family into the church, becomes the paradigm for both biblical submission and the exercise of divinely delegated authority. One does not simply choose to associate, one is called by God, marked out as belonging to Him and sovereignly placed within His household, under His rule. The Kingdom is far more, and far more important, than its constituent individual members.

Now, there are many other issues that impinge upon this one - mode of baptism, eschatology (at least in its dispensational form), ecclesiology, etc. Maybe we can talk about some of these when we get together later. May the Lord give you wisdom as you consider these things. They are not written as clearly as I would like, but perhaps this will do for a start.
Grace and peace,
Dan.