Teaching Resources International

Update for February

At the end of January, I traveled to Kiev again to teach for two weeks at Kiev Baptist Theological Seminary.  This time, I actually had the opportunity to teach two courses.  In the mornings, I taught the Masters of Ministry class on Issues in Church History.  The focus of the seminar was a biblical/historical examination of Revivals.  For the class, I had a number of resources translated into Russian for them to read.  These included my article on Asahel Nettleton, Jonathan Edwards’, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and a number of articles by Jim Elliff including “Five Resolves for Personal Revival,” “Dull Preachers,” “Serious Preaching,” and “Returning to Your First Love,” and “Gospel Preaching” by A. W. Pink.  I had also scheduled for them to read sections from Jonathan Edwards, “The Distinguishing Marks of the Work of the Spirit of God,” and “Lectures on Revival,” by Charles Finney (both translated into Russian) but, for some reason, we could not find the books in the library.

The class lectures went extremely well and were full of great, practical questions.  But most exciting was reading the papers that reviewed the readings.  Most of the pastors were impressed with the ministry of Nettleton compared to that of Finney and they desire to change their ministries to be more like Nettleton’s. They were also impressed with Edwards’ sermon and the ways that doctrinal truth can be preached and lead to revival.  All of them were personally impacted with Jim Elliff’s writings and one pastor even made copies to share with his church on Sunday.  He is asking them to pray for revival and to seek personal revival and renewal in their lives.  One of the pastors even preached Edwards’ sermon (with modifications) on Sunday and he said the response was very good.

This week, I will also be traveling to St. Louis to lead a conference at Rockport Baptist Church near St. Louis.  I will be preaching about 6 times on Saturday and Sunday on Suffering for the Glory of God (Feb. 10-11).   On Monday (Feb. 12), I will be teaching a group of pastors a four hour seminar on Suffering and the Problem of Evil. Please be praying that these lessons will be useful in helping believers trust God in all situations.

I’m also continuing to work on the next issue of Teaching Resources on the “Resurrection,” and preparing two essays on Jonathan Edwards to be presented at the Southern Baptist Founder’s Conference in St. Louis in March. Debbie has more test this Wednesday that should give us some direction as to the next stage of treatments. We certainly appreciate you all and all your prayers of us.

New Year’s Update 2003

As we begin 2003, we continue to be amazed at how much the Lord has allowed us to do through the ministry of Teaching Resources. Since 1997, Jim has been able to teach in 7 different countries including Ukraine, Belgium, Russia, the Netherlands, France, Haiti, and Bulgaria. Most of his time has been spent in teaching at Kiev Baptist Seminary in Kiev, Ukraine where he usually teaches 2-3 times each year. (Some of the full-time professors there joke that he has taught more classes than they have since the school opened in 1997.) He will be teaching there three times again this year to help fill for missionaries on furlough.

This Spring, Jim will be teaching “Biblical Revival and Evangelism” in Kiev, January 20-31 in the mornings to the Masters of Ministry program (similar to Th.D.) and teaching “Ministerial Ethics” in the afternoon to the M.Div. students. Then he will be doing a church conference on “Suffering for the Glory of God” at Rockport Baptist Church in St. Louis, February 7-9 and will be speaking at the Founder’s Pastor’s Fraternal in St. Louis on Monday, February 10th. In March (11-13), Jim will be presenting a lecture on “Assurance as Seen Through the Microscope of Jonathan Edwards” at the Midwest Regional Southern Baptist Founder’s Conference. In April 7-11, he returns to Kiev to finish the class on Revival from January. Finally, in May, Jim will be teaching a doctoral level class in Belgium entitled, “The Doctrine of Sin in Contemporary Theology.”

In addition to teaching these classes, we plan to continue producing the monthly “Reforming Reflections” and the quarterly Teaching Resources Journal. The next issue (on “Heaven”) should be out this month. Our website continues to be a great source of ministry outlet with many persons visiting the site to read or download articles.

Janu

December 2002 Update

In November, I attended the Evangelical Theological Society Meeting in Toronto, Canada. The topic for this year was related to pluralism: Christianity and other religions. Although I went somewhat reluctantly, thinking that the topics would not be especially helpful, I really appreciated the conference and greatly benefitted from a number of the papers presented. I especially enjoyed being part of the Jonathan Edwards Study group meeting where many of Edwards’s assessments of other religions and God’s glory and purpose in allowing them was presented.

Beginning this month, I will be teaching a 5-week, Monday night class in Hot Springs for Hot Brown University (3 weeks in December and 2 in January). Please be praying for me as I teach this class. Normally the majority of students are not evangelical believers and there are a number of opportunities to present the gospel clearly for them. In this class, however, it appears that the majority are at least part of an evangelical church. Be praying that the class will deepen their understanding of the gospel and purpose for Jesus coming to us.

I am finishing editing articles for the next issue of Teaching Resources on “Heaven.” The last issue was especially well received and I have had many requests for additional copies. If we have the finances, it might be possible to consider putting the issues on the “Death of Believers” and “Heaven” into one book. Pray for us as we consider this possibility. Also pray for our year-end giving. Many of the operating expenses, especially travel expenses for the first 6 months of this year, are covered by year end gifts.

In January, I return to Ukraine to teach in the Masters of Ministry program (similar to Th.D.) On Issues in Church History. This year, We will be looking at biblical revival and evangelism through the ministry of Jonathan Edwards and others. Pray for me as I work on these lectures over the Christmas holidays.

Debbie’s health continues to be tentative. She is increasingly weak and her doctor has asked her to begin considering whether the possibility that the chemo is causing more weakness for her than the cancer itself. This will be a major decision and we appreciate your prayers.

November 14, 2002

Debbie continues to have a great deal of weakness, although some of the medication is improving her awake time.  She also continue to have some difficulty with memory — especially short-term memory.  This means that I have to be much more attentive to her needs because she has trouble remembering things she has just done (like taking her medications or eating a meal).  At time, her memory loss is more acute, even to the point of not being able to remember my name or hers.  Thankfully, those times are usually short and resolve themselves in a few hours to a day.  She has another round of tests coming up the week of Thanksgiving.  Be praying for us, especially for strength and wisdom as I make decisions for her and for the ministry.  So far, I have been able to remain active in ministry and I pray that I will not have to miss any teaching times this spring.  Also continue to pray for us regarding our medical bills.  We pay over $1000 each month out of pocket on medical bills.  Thankfully I have no debt except my home mortgage, but it is still difficult financially.  Thanks for your prayers.

September 27, 2002

September 27, 2002 — Weakness continues to be Debbie’s biggest difficulty.  Some of the weakness is dues tot he chemotherapy; some is due to a thyroid problem that has developed which makes her sleep most of the day.

The Gamma Knife surgery to remove 3 tumors (one more had grown in the last month) went well.  We will not know the complete results until her next MRI in a couple of months.  I’m preparing to go the Ukraine to teach on October 13th.  Debbie’s parents will be here while I’m gone.  Thanks for your continued prayers for us.