Month: April 2009

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Youth Ministry Class

This week was final exam week at JBI. The students are now on a two week break. The photo below is of the Youth Ministry class which Lori taught. The course challenged them to look at youth ministry through a new lens, to re-evaluate their current efforts, to re-focus on the real needs of young people within our local context, to set ministry goals and then to move towards content-driven rather than just multiple event programs.  The purpose youth ministry being TRANSFORMATION rather than just passing on information! Lori used Andy Stanley’s “Seven Checkpoints” as an example of content-driven youth ministry. The whole idea of youth discipleship and re-shaping worldviews was re-affirmed in hearts. To make this practical the students worked in groups and wrote chapters for a small new converts booklet in Bislama. I know we all felt like we had a productive term! Pray for this group of influential young people as they work with youth in their home churches!

Youth Ministry class

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Royal Ranger Field Day

Flag flying over the field day activities

Today the first “Royal Ranger Vanuatu Field Day” was held on the church property of We Care Assembly of God. Thanks to the hard work of Australian colleagues, Russell and Robyn Harbour, Royal Rangers is getting a new lease on life here in Vanuatu. Eighty boys were in attendance from 4 different Assemblies of God churches. They had a great time learning new skills and competing in games. Lori was invited to come out and give a devotional at the end of the day since her mother started the first Royal Ranger troop in Vanuatu in the mid-1970’s.

Timed knot testing skills I did my knot!

Winning troop - Pango AG  Lori speaking to the boys

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JBI Students & Faculty

 

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All term we have been trying to find a time when all the teachers were available and the weather would cooperate for our official school photo. It was high noon today but we found a shady spot in front of the chapel to pose. As we gathered in front of the Joy Memorial Chapel, I could not help but remember that 30 years ago we were mourning my mother’s passing and that today would have been her 71st birthday! I am so glad to be back in Vanuatu!

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Easter Sunday

police cadets

Pastor Youen preached this morning on “The Power of the Resurrection”.

One of the laymen is an instructor at the Police Academy. This group of new cadets came and sang for Easter. Recently the movie “Fireproof” was shown at the Police Academy. Pray for the police and law enforcement here in Vanuatu. A recent rise in violent crime and inadequate prison facilities are difficulties that these young people are going to face.

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Easter Week

Saturday night, Pastor Joseph John, a well-known local watercolor artist and assistant pastor at Evangel Temple, choose not only to speak about Easter but to conclude his sermon with a quick painting! There was a hush in the building as he turned and faced the blank canvas, his wife softly singing in the background. Within 10 minutes he was finished and no one will forget the message!

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Newest Addition at JBI

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The JBI Dean of Students, Philip and Serah Naias are happy to announce the birth of their first child, a son named Russell. He is a beautiful baby and his grandmother came all the way from Tanna for his birth. We have all been so excited to have a baby on campus!

Pastor Philip himself was born while his parents were on staff at JBI in the early 1980’s. Blessings to the happy family!

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Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is wonderful celebration here as everyone picks a fresh palm frond from their garden on the way to church! The youth and children were involved in the service at Evangel Temple this morning. They sang with gusto and performed a wonderful skit about Christ’s triumphant entry in to Jerusalem. The photos speak for themselves.

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