tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-225542892024-03-07T12:06:20.651-08:00The Ransom Note"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:28Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-54577463761491829692014-03-12T02:03:00.000-07:002014-03-12T02:05:06.715-07:00Tacloban - Typhoon Yolanda, Ground zero - Part 2<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Lemuel
shared that he and his wife and three daughters stayed inside their church as
the typhoon beat upon it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They clung to
each other and hid by the beam that they believed to be the strongest part of
the church as it was collapsing all around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no where they could run and any
attempt to leave while the 200 plus mph winds were ripping through their city
and hurling wood, metal roofs and anything else in the storms path would be
fatal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point, they noticed that
it grew quite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the eye of the
storm and as it passed over them they decided to flee to a safer place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hours later, after the typhoon had passed
they returned to the church only to find it completely collapsed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they had not fled during that small window
of time, they would all have perished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Lemuel, his wife and their youngest daughter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">After our meeting with many pastors
we drove to visit a few of their churches before it got dark.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Power to most of the city was still out and
only those fortunate enough to own a generator had light.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">When we arrived at pastor Rodin’s church, we
saw tarps covering where the roof used to rest.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">The sanctuary was filled with tents, a few burners for cooking and
people still in the process of rebuilding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">“Warzone”
is the word that comes to mind when I think about how to describe the way the
city looked. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw cars that had been
tossed, crushed and thrown around as if they were toys. Mile after mile we saw
nothing but buildings and homes that had their roofs torn off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even saw a fairly large ship resting in a
village after it had been carried about a quarter mile inland by the ocean
surge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">When
it dawned on me that all the destruction that littered the city was already two
months old, I realized that the clean up and reconstruction is going to take
months –probably years in many cases– and that some of the scars to the land,
property and people would never heal.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">The
next morning I woke up to choruses of rosters that went on for about a half
hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was accompanied by the sound
of a pump being manually operated to draw water from a well and to fill buckets
of water to provide for our washing and bathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not long after that you could hear the sound
of a chain saw echoing through the valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not doubt, downed palm trees and pieces of wood that had been launched
by Yolanda were being cut up so that they could be disposed of or used for
rebuilding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We drove about four hours from Dulag, the city we stayed
in over night, to the city of Ormac.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> We made as sobering pit stop as we visited one of the mass graves in the city.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54U9E0QadJ5NxGwAIjrU5ejjo0Xyz8FC6RzaxWHzSnDz2sKd614GOn99kQtuvFbZTrlYLHS6aqufCezT4sFN3u5ONed4wAG5drfrBbr61jOzVchoFLxyuxlzWafJNLDT4CNzH/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54U9E0QadJ5NxGwAIjrU5ejjo0Xyz8FC6RzaxWHzSnDz2sKd614GOn99kQtuvFbZTrlYLHS6aqufCezT4sFN3u5ONed4wAG5drfrBbr61jOzVchoFLxyuxlzWafJNLDT4CNzH/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" height="298" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mass grave in Tacloban</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Although
Ormac did not have the near total devastation that Tacloban did, it did
suffer significant damage from very strong winds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Most of the heavy structures remained in
tact, but many structures made of light materials such as those with coco
lumber beams, ply wood walls, and metal roofs were blown away or
flattened.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sadly, that describes the kind
of construction of many of the churches in Ormac because they don’t have the
means to build sturdier structures.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">We
met with about 30 pastors for lunch and then we transferred to one of the
churches that had survived the typhoon so that we could have a time of
sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could see and hear workers
in the background as they were repairing the roof of the church, which had been
torn off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reports were similar to
those we heard in Tacloban.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The churches
and homes that were made of light materials were destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were literally blown away to unknown
locations by the typhoon, some were washed away by the waters and others
collapsed into piles of rubble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with
the pastors from Tacloban, they also reported that the attendance of their
churches had gone up significantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rain
or shine, people were crowding many of these churches, even though some only
had dirt floors, tarps for roofs, no walls, no sound systems, no place to sit
and no bibles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had grabbed the
attention of thousands of people and these pastors are remaining faithful to
shepherds these scattered sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">We
began our trip back to Dulag and when the evening arrived, everything was
extremely black and the roads were very dark because there is no power in most
of the cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make matters worse, any
light that would have normally illuminated us from the moon and stars was not
to be seen because there were storm clouds in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">On
Tuesday we meet a pastor and his wife who shared how they had to stand on top
of the walls inside their house to survive as about 10 feet of water rushed in
from the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This water swept in
about a half of a mile carrying cars, trucks, trees and remnants of homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It devastated almost everything in its path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They explained that while the winds of the
typhoon was battering their roof, you could hear an eerie high pitched
sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, their house was
still under construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rough
structure was complete and the roof and windows were attached, but it remained
un-painted and without a ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
inside you could see clear up to the roof and the tops of the walls were
exposed, revealing where an attic would be if it had a ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They explained that, as the water began to
rise, they and their children had no choice but to climb on top of the walls in
the house and to holding on to the columns that supported the it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several neighbors joined them there to ride
out the storm because their homes were not as sturdy or as tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">After
some hours the waters receded and returned to the ocean. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waters came and receded two more times
before they could begin to clear the mud and debris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several families whose homes did not fare as
well took shelter in their home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
the floors were soaked and they only had a few beds, people took turns sleeping
while sitting on plastic chairs or on top of other furniture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had no food for about a week so they ate
old muddy rice to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They thanked
God that their house remained largely in tact and that they did not get sick
from the food that they ate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: large;">We drove through Tacloban
town proper again and went along the coast.
This was one of the places we had seen pictures of on the Internet and
on television reports. Thousands of
people lived there in small homes made of light materials. If somehow, any parts of these homes
remained after the high winds, what was left was no match for the 20 to 30 foot
ocean surge that hit the land like a freight train.</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
</div>
Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-50823668054845913972014-03-12T01:04:00.000-07:002014-03-12T01:04:45.922-07:00Tacloban - Typhoon Yolanda, Ground zero - Part 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">The
sky was blanketed with clouds so I couldn’t see the devastation as I looked
down from the window of my plane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
wondered what it would look like in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Would it look like the images I had seen on television and the
Internet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Circumstances had prevented us
from getting there earlier and I thought that a lot of the damage would be
hidden or at least cleaned up by now since it had been about two months since Typhoon
Yolanda had struck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once the plane broke through the
clouds I saw the ocean, the edge of Leyte Island and mountains covered in
tropical forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our aircraft banked
left, parts of the city came into view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We descended lower and I began to see some signs of damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm trees that looked as if they had been
licked by the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Piles of twisted
metal and damaged homes began to emerge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because the airport was on the edge of the town, this was only a glimpse
of what was to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Pastor
Rey Farol, Chad Dexter and I (Sean Ransom) landed at the Tacloban airport in the
early afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After taken dozens of
flights over the last 25 years of my life, this landing was the roughest I had
ever experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the plane touched
down, it made several loud jarring noises and then came to an abrupt stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to put my hand on the seat in front of
me to stop my forward momentum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we
reached the end of the runway’s single landing strip, we made a U-turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we taxied back to the terminal I could see
what had cause the hard landing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
thought the Tacloban airport had been cleaned up and re-opened, the scares from
the Typhoon remained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First I noticed a few pieces of sea wall that
must have weighed several tons lying broken along side of the runway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appeared that they had been tossed like a
child’s toy as they rested several yards away from their places in the sea wall.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this, the potholes in the runway
became visible; this explained our rough landing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ccKXNgQjAsY2Vqkh2scnGZS3gr6kWE5dM2VJnoN2FsONcUaM1JG3kn7U45c5mMfTFZfJwgQepBIRy8XzGykZvLeOKgMwAyKD1GUC1lH4NRuJOnnZMdvr8NzEM7RWn9y_lMgi/s1600/IMG_0699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ccKXNgQjAsY2Vqkh2scnGZS3gr6kWE5dM2VJnoN2FsONcUaM1JG3kn7U45c5mMfTFZfJwgQepBIRy8XzGykZvLeOKgMwAyKD1GUC1lH4NRuJOnnZMdvr8NzEM7RWn9y_lMgi/s1600/IMG_0699.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bagage claim at the Tacloban airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">As
we deplaned I saw that most of the walls of the terminal were gone and that in
some places, you could see through the terminal to the parking lot and
reception area.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">The metal roof was
repaired and reinforced, but a lot of work was left to be done in rebuilding
the Tacloban airport.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">We all gathered
around the remnants of the baggage carousel and waited for our bags.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">With no walls, we could see the plane being
unloaded and small carts bringing our possession over to us.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We went straight from the airport to
a restaurant that had 21 pastors waiting to meet us and tell us their
stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdTBGAS5MOTTrLmBzP0p5fOvk1UrO5fuOdD5sIr0_mp0LMZVqGHZgvV_irIJtIHp91Tk-ZfboKQGbJfK406NcNVbnyhKio6nuVcItNpG3yactl8Zcx7Y-hBbXZd3EWlzC4217/s1600/DSC_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdTBGAS5MOTTrLmBzP0p5fOvk1UrO5fuOdD5sIr0_mp0LMZVqGHZgvV_irIJtIHp91Tk-ZfboKQGbJfK406NcNVbnyhKio6nuVcItNpG3yactl8Zcx7Y-hBbXZd3EWlzC4217/s1600/DSC_0608.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first meeting with pastors in Tacloban</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">As the pastors began to share
what they had gone through I began to realize how great their needs are and how
great our need would be for God’s wisdom as to best help minister to these men
and their churches.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVVBGVRIEPM0XK7raCcFzMYJdKn2xXwjOA8PZOgIX5GzOZewR6Wr00aYyR3Ku1OsoZMG4uzXbULA7XkQg6nngAMWq586fsaJ8emHreiBhVgfOp8fDIVZm2qSlC6mT68ALFWQW/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVVBGVRIEPM0XK7raCcFzMYJdKn2xXwjOA8PZOgIX5GzOZewR6Wr00aYyR3Ku1OsoZMG4uzXbULA7XkQg6nngAMWq586fsaJ8emHreiBhVgfOp8fDIVZm2qSlC6mT68ALFWQW/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg" height="400" width="197" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Reymond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Of
the many stories we heard that day, Pastor Reymond’s story touched my heart the
most. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">As His family and other church
members sought refuge from Yolanda, they thought it best to ride it out in
their church building because it was made of cement blocks, reinforced by
steel.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">I’m sure they reasoned that this
would be safer than their less fortified homes.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Their thinking was right when it came to the almost 200mph winds, but
they did not anticipate that the sea it self would rise up and attack the
shore.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;">Someone said that the water was
higher than the palm trees, which stretch 3-4 stories high.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">As
the water rushed into their church the people scrambled to get above the
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They climbed into the rafters to
get away, but many were not fast enough or strong enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only image the horror that Pastor
Reymond witnessed as the storm surge carried off his two daughters, his wife,
mother in-law, father and two brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I asked one pastor if they were carried out to sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">He
said that they do not know if their bodies are at rest in the ocean, one of the
cities mass graves or under one of the thousands of piles of debris throughout
Tacloban.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told that Pastor Reymond
was silent for several days, probably in shock as he processed what had
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he shared his story with
us, he smiled and thanked God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a
peace that surpassed understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
peace that is impossible to have without the gracious and comforting hand of
God upon you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind shifted as he
spoke, what would I have done if I were in the situation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would I handle it afterwards?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pastor Reymond shared that he thanks God that He is still alive to make
Him known.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Another
common story that we heard from these pastors was that their homes were destroyed
so they, their families and many of their members were living in what remained
of their church buildings, with many of them having to sleep on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh91mK_fyD1rJAnLT-VCggOYkr9aYynBzAM7Y4D2bCAxutKhgQHCZKYlaI2zb4TYn54kzllcC333bbtOxc9Du_ePF737gomEWb-I4l1oKlr3vVKgX34t9gMFlxUWQj3Z8VRlLI/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh91mK_fyD1rJAnLT-VCggOYkr9aYynBzAM7Y4D2bCAxutKhgQHCZKYlaI2zb4TYn54kzllcC333bbtOxc9Du_ePF737gomEWb-I4l1oKlr3vVKgX34t9gMFlxUWQj3Z8VRlLI/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" height="318" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: x-small; text-indent: 0.5in;">This pastor stands with his family where their Church meets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Others pastors shared how it was their
churches that had been destroyed and that now, their homes served as the places
where their churches gather together to worship the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still for others, their homes and churches
were destroyed and they either meet in the homes of members, under tarps and
temporary structures or have paused corporate worship altogether until they can
rebuild a place to gather. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> ...To be continued.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-32207582127580913172013-10-03T01:23:00.000-07:002013-10-05T12:15:40.188-07:00September October 2013 Updates<div>
<b>The Expositor's Academy and Soli Deo Gloria in Davao</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Last week, I had the joy of spending the day with the elders of Soli Deo Gloria Church (SDGC) in Davao City. These humble men invited me to come alongside of them to help strengthen them and their church. In addition to their hunger for growing spiritually and training their members to do the same, they have caught the vision to help train pastors and church workers in other churches as well. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Their Pastor, Jurem Ramos, is a faithful expositor whom the Lord has used to impact the country through a radio ministry. They have recognized the responsibility that comes with that privilege and are interested in partnering with The Expositor's Academy (TEA) to help maximize their impact for the kingdom.</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Lord has just opened up a larger facility for them that has several classrooms and they have plans to use it to expand the training of their members and others. We are looking into the possibility of partnering with them in this endeavor and having SDGC be the home of TEA in the south of the country.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Starting last August, the elders and I agreed to meet every few weeks to study 1 Timothy and to discuss what a biblical ministry. Last Thursday, I flew into Davao to be with the elders during the day and then to teach a Survey of the Book of Acts in the evening to members of the church. Again, I was blessed and overwhelmed by their kindness. They have a high view of Scripture and a serious commitment to an expository ministry, including preaching, leadership, discipleship and membership that is refreshing and exciting. I can't wait to see what the Lord will do through this church and TEA's partnership with them.</div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qeBwIQh-Oi01JIvTzkd_MsykJtZRC2eSe3Bk9iXVR1bjPAavOGG1AgkepFoxy69g1joxG7UM3OwH982NdF8qzVv-ovSOY_nsk240DQX3Jk35rfCD-3n5Olei4RLEbcv76i-9/s1600/1234701_591193497593977_1225461883_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qeBwIQh-Oi01JIvTzkd_MsykJtZRC2eSe3Bk9iXVR1bjPAavOGG1AgkepFoxy69g1joxG7UM3OwH982NdF8qzVv-ovSOY_nsk240DQX3Jk35rfCD-3n5Olei4RLEbcv76i-9/s640/1234701_591193497593977_1225461883_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mentoring Time with Elders and Ministers at Soli Deo Gloria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Vincent's Visit</b><br />
<br />
From August 23 to Sept. 10, my fellow GMI missionary Vincent Greene came to the Philippines to do some scouting in anticipation of his arrival with his wife and their five children in January 2014. Jessica did the hard part, she took care of all of us. All I had to do was drive Vincent around to about six cities to help him get a feel for what housing in the Philippines would look like and cost. We looked at areas that we believe would be key for Vincent and Kim to learn Tagalog, while at the same time would be close enough that we could cultivate team unity, find them a good church that would minister to their kids as well and could potentially be a good location for future ministry.<br />
<br />
We had the opportunity to meet with a Tagalog language teacher named Emil, who has been teaching missionaries for about 17 years. He is a believer who is sensitive to the needs of language learners who are specifically learning Tagalog to serve in Christian ministry. <br />
<br />
During his stay, Vincent was also able to join me for a visit with SDGC, a church service at the church plant we are involved with (Christ's Commission Fellowship in Paranaque), our weekly discipleship group meeting there, and my on going classes at Church of the Triumphant Christ. He also preached one service at Pastor Erwin's Church, Tagumpay (meaninig "Victory) Baptist Church. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4SNg_X-lQxFCTEXiPBq2HhXTvHgAc_Erbe5IMUJAmOKl0sUXM_MJQCPqCH_1xzYYwRiV94NvVD1siHLJa0jAPkNt6RxEhpfjq7lDammlePG_PnIlD2mEb0_q39pQ9U0kqWev/s1600/IMG_2713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4SNg_X-lQxFCTEXiPBq2HhXTvHgAc_Erbe5IMUJAmOKl0sUXM_MJQCPqCH_1xzYYwRiV94NvVD1siHLJa0jAPkNt6RxEhpfjq7lDammlePG_PnIlD2mEb0_q39pQ9U0kqWev/s320/IMG_2713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Arrival of the Rest of the Team</b><br />
<br />
Lord willing, Chad, Cara Mia and Titus Dexter (also GMI missionaries) will be moving here to join our team in the next month. Chad is currently working on ordination at Grace Community Church and finalizing their support raising on the East coast before returning to California. <br />
<br />
The Greenes are fully supported and plan to arrive this January. The Lucianos (our third GMI family) are between 70-80% and pray to move here sometime shortly after the Shepherd's Conference in March of 2014.<br />
<br />
As each family arrives, we will be busy helping them settle in as they look for vehicles, places to live and getting set up. They will need to do basic things (which are not quite as easy as we're used to in the U.S.) like setting up bank accounts, paying bills, grocery shopping, etc. They may have some immigration issues as well, depending on what they can or can't get done before they arrive.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Upcoming Ministries</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>In early November, we are hoping to complete our New Testament Survey course with our men in Boracay, however, the church that we meet in there is facing eviction and we may have to move the class to Iloilo (one island south). </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We are planning the graduation of our second batch of students in late November or early December. These students have been studying with us for the past 3-4 years.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In January, we plan to start a new batch of students at Church of the Triumphant Christ. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Support and Furlough</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Lastly, our support has been shrinking to critical levels over the last year so we plan to return to the U.S. next June. The timing of this would work out well, as our second son, Christian, would be graduating from high school and starting college at that time. We can all go back together and get him checked in just before we attend our GMI missions conference in July. During our furlough, we will be focusing on raising up more prayer partners and the support that we are lacking. Our stay could be as short as six month, but will likely be a year. <br />
<br />
It will be tight financially to stay on the field until June of next year, but we pray that the Lord will provide us enough support to stay till then. That way, we can be here to help the rest of the team get settled in and our kids can finish the school year. We may have to make some adjustments to stay, but we are optimistic that we will be able to do so. If the Lord puts it on your heart to help us by joining our support team or to give a special gift to keeps us going, please let us know. You can also make a donation directly on the web: http://www.gracechurch.org/ministries/outreach/international/missionary/?id=110&tab=support<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Prayer Items</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Pleases pray for the Lord's guidance with SDGC as we look at growing our relationship with them.</li>
<li>Pray for the families who are still raising support to join us. Ask the Lord to provide for their needs, help them to get here safely and set up smoothly.</li>
<li>Pray for our upcoming ministry plans, including ongoing classes, modules, graduation and enrollment of new students for January 2014.</li>
<li>Pray that the Lord would provide for all of our support needs, including now through June of 2014 and during our support raising time while we are on furlough. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Blessings,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sean and Jessica Ransom</div>
</div>
</div>
Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-5640960351896947012013-07-31T20:21:00.000-07:002013-08-04T19:23:30.057-07:00July Updates 2013<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><b>Modular Classes </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">July was a
fruitful month for the Expositor's Academy.
Pastor Erwin flew into Kalibo to teach our men (and a few new faces) from Negros,
Bacolod, Iloilo and Aklan. This two and
half day module was part 2 of 3 of our New Testament Survey, focusing on
Galatians through 2 Timothy. We all met at Boracay Grace Baptist Church, which has been partnering with us for
about 3 years and is pastored by Angelo Panganiban. I enjoyed good interaction with the men who
had many questions, especially about elders in the church as I taught from 1
Timothy 3. Their questions included,
“Can women be elders?” and “What should we do about an elder whose children are
living in unbroken patterns of sin?” I
walked them through Scripture to see what God’s Word says on these and other
issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUpj3HRHTJi6AhKx1chnvyvsaaUtu7ijoEvkyRjDb44aFBz9OIWXfEJ2fvtEZ4l5cZYMIei9k7-BYxMv91K2FJNDpIiv0UGl9OIFESKCs1vN3gUxoSfQzTvauRJIXhKOlXUIi/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUpj3HRHTJi6AhKx1chnvyvsaaUtu7ijoEvkyRjDb44aFBz9OIWXfEJ2fvtEZ4l5cZYMIei9k7-BYxMv91K2FJNDpIiv0UGl9OIFESKCs1vN3gUxoSfQzTvauRJIXhKOlXUIi/s640/IMG_0403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Testament Survey Class at Boracay Grace Baptist Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdHaGHCtCUEkGDh7sVYziyfceHSx_nGS1zfwWSAooD6BG0yyOPj7h4bCOmYL2ReW_583EIAKHEtsbfo7gqzFBv4NsOql6_-bQZ-QRVvKSU84AnQQBDCwtvBsdKy97S71tTGgi/s1600/IMG_9520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdHaGHCtCUEkGDh7sVYziyfceHSx_nGS1zfwWSAooD6BG0yyOPj7h4bCOmYL2ReW_583EIAKHEtsbfo7gqzFBv4NsOql6_-bQZ-QRVvKSU84AnQQBDCwtvBsdKy97S71tTGgi/s640/IMG_9520.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean Ransom with students on last day of class in Boracay<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Classes in Manila</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in the
Manila area, our on-going class at the Church of the Triumphant Christ started
it’s eighth and final course in our Local Church Ministry track. Their final course is called “Mission,
Evangelism and Discipleship.” Lord willing,
many of these students will graduate this December after having studied with us for
3-4 years. Those who joined us later
will be able to attend classes with the next batch of students whose first
class will be “Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation.”</span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missions, Evangelism and Discipleship calls at Church of the Triumphant Christ</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also had the
joy of preaching for the 17th anniversary of Soli Deo Gloria Chruch in Davao City
(SDGC). SDGC Pastor, Jurem Ramos, his
wife Ging and their son Abraham (who just graduated from the Master’s College)
picked us up from the airport. Jessica
and I were so blessed by our time with them and the Church. Every aspect of their worship service
impressed us; from the choices of songs we sang to the mature words of their
prayers, the godly wisdom and humble hearts of their elders and the kindness
and encouraging fellowship the members.
The elders invited me to meet with them every other week for three
months for a time of counseling and mutual edification. This will also give us time to learn from each
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elders of Soli Deo Gloria Church (Pastor Ronnie, Pastor Alan and Pastor Jurem) and I</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Lastly, we are encouraged and getting excited as the three families who have
been raising support and preparing to join us here in the Philippines are
getting very close to moving here.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">One family may move here before the end of the year and the other two, should arrive early next year
(Lord willing).</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Although their primary
focus will be on language and cultural studies and not on joining Pastor Erwin
and I in teaching, it will be very encouraging to have them here
as we dream and plan on taking the training ministry of the Expositor’s Academy
to the next level in the near future.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Please continue to
pray for all of us as the Lord continues to grow us and uses us to raise up godly expositors in the
Philippines.</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-78054317499096839092013-06-13T17:55:00.002-07:002013-06-13T17:55:23.049-07:00Calvary Bible Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(This post has been sitting in my drafts folder for months now, but due to internet issues, more-than-usual travel time, and a very busy wife as my blog-proofer, it is only now getting published. Thank you for your patience).<br />
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January was a full and busy month as we had two sets of visitors come out and minister with us. PJ Tibayan, from the West Coast, and Travis Rymer, from the East Coast, flew to Manila mid-January <br />
<span id="goog_529037317"></span><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="480" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/775831_10200485952251009_540836229_o.jpg" width="640" /><span id="goog_529037318"></span> <br />
to conduct training modules on Mark Dever's Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. Pictured with me here are (from left to right) Pastor PJ Tibayan, Pastor Jurem Ramos (of Soli Deo Gloria Church in Davao), Pastor Erwin Quimboy, and Travis Rymer.<br />
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The following week, a team of eleven people from Calvary Bible Church (Burbank, CA) came out to minister to my family, the church plant we are serving in, and some of the students from The Expositor's Academy. The team started their week by leading a basketball tournament with 32 three-man teams. They used this event as an opportunity to share the gospel with the players and the crowd, as well as to introduce our local church partners to more new people from their community. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX07kAWkxbKryF_5Jj1tG6WVXRzueg1H1A49cdjylDP1BQAFJ7895l29zpyt5z5XtcHWEfHpTBibEhwv8txnoXLMkuSP68StZqf468zknuGwxAdfj70kqn8peWKldSKZRKtZN2/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX07kAWkxbKryF_5Jj1tG6WVXRzueg1H1A49cdjylDP1BQAFJ7895l29zpyt5z5XtcHWEfHpTBibEhwv8txnoXLMkuSP68StZqf468zknuGwxAdfj70kqn8peWKldSKZRKtZN2/s400/DSC_0190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Brinkley shared at the Basketball tournament</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEK3MBqWiHM8mxY1bPZUszKkL60JmE17TUbIhUPh_GT_fS5MBDCvVLJOY_mI1L-gxrolQI4EacU6vbjCCGYkc29-7UyxH3WREC561vZH-nXmBHg6688wQ8QgYF_Rj__80ZYSz/s1600/DSC_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEK3MBqWiHM8mxY1bPZUszKkL60JmE17TUbIhUPh_GT_fS5MBDCvVLJOY_mI1L-gxrolQI4EacU6vbjCCGYkc29-7UyxH3WREC561vZH-nXmBHg6688wQ8QgYF_Rj__80ZYSz/s640/DSC_0420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon Lee spending time with kids from the community</td></tr>
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The following morning was Sunday, and their senior pastor, Tim Carns, served as guest preacher at the church plant we serve in. Then he and Nestor Ual and I headed off to the airport to fly to the island of Panay, where Pastor Tim would teach a module for the next three days. It turned out that the time we spent waiting for our flight was longer than the actual flight itself, but after a smooth flight to Kalibo airport, the three of us made our way to Boracay. After landing, we drove for about an hour and a half to catch a short boat ride, followed by a motorcycle ride and then a short walk to our hotel. The next day, Tim began teaching the first part of our doctrinal survey and continued for two and a half days and capped the module off by preaching at Boracay Grace Baptist Church's mid-week service. This was the sixth module offered on this island by our training ministry, The Expositor's Academy, as we have been teaching there for almost three years now. </div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHaTLgLvVjSHIz8ZUk3dth4L0LdvsGx5jArmm13pGBeMA-OJDuNK2rIusQ6E4VWwAkp6iE7t9NgirN5VrWxkP4EppWGvZPSMfMlDKSPBeia-w2l0FVmCSx4eAIGVjoFx5Agii/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHaTLgLvVjSHIz8ZUk3dth4L0LdvsGx5jArmm13pGBeMA-OJDuNK2rIusQ6E4VWwAkp6iE7t9NgirN5VrWxkP4EppWGvZPSMfMlDKSPBeia-w2l0FVmCSx4eAIGVjoFx5Agii/s640/IMG_0116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Pastor Tim teaching theology to a group of pastors </td></tr>
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As always, we were very humbled by these men, many of whom traveled more than six hours on buses, boats, and motorcycles to attend the module. These men are all very eager to serve the Lord and His church.</div>
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While Nester, Pastor Tim and I were at the module, Jessica and the rest of the team were busy ministering in Manila. They were given the opportunity to share the gospel in the classrooms of a public elementary school. They spent about 30-40 minutes teaching in each of 12 different classrooms of 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bethany Carns and Sean Cullen with the students they shared with</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agnus Ofrecio shares with students</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team shown with Principal Myrna Visaya of Maybunga Elementary School, with kindergarten kids in front</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Lee, Cindy Dyer and Kristi Stone with students</td></tr>
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The kids were invited to come back to campus after school for more teaching about God and they did! Over 250 students showed up at the end of the day to hear more of the gospel. <br />
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Our Tyler is shown below helping one of the kids put on a "wordless gospel" bracelet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcDL7bymk2wGDrerePvVfEKuEh_Rxmbk6V4cwx6xaX7YowLLGetJkZVgLu8i8zX2aHjhLYGU9gTl79_WN0WCFjxM86smct8miRKMZ3C0ZB8LD0q0Ctxv9VbjtRMAksLVKVdx0/s1600/DSC_0493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcDL7bymk2wGDrerePvVfEKuEh_Rxmbk6V4cwx6xaX7YowLLGetJkZVgLu8i8zX2aHjhLYGU9gTl79_WN0WCFjxM86smct8miRKMZ3C0ZB8LD0q0Ctxv9VbjtRMAksLVKVdx0/s400/DSC_0493.jpg" width="400" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7VlAb_HQ9yVqEnCUyu5PDGhm8wXmNbDyw9DaUbQdCAgAHFi4OyrsvflJAQHe1n_aid6pswgmWILlfmLxvFYNt-KWVSFWXjynsxGPV_zoCUzvjdYUy46ylFd2AVe3cRmhxYO6/s320/DSC_0460.jpg" width="224" />The teachers were given bibles for the classroom (courtesy of a faithful family from our church), and the kids were given clothes that were donated by church members at Calvary Bible. <br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">After the
module, the three of us flew back to Manila to rejoin the rest of the
team for a three-day conference for the leaders of our Church plant.
Tim wasted no time and taught the first session that evening. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Tim took us through the book of Ephesians over several teaching sessions, sharing with us what God's word says about unity so that we can function as a church body that glorifies Christ. </span></span><br />
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Nestor Ual, Bethany Carns, Shawn Stapes and Jon Lee leading worship </div>
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The team from Burbank not only lead worship, provided the conference materials, and facilitated the small group discussions, but they also lead games and team activities for fellowship throughout the weekend. They made sure everyone was blessed.<br />
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Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-45653133303910531602012-12-31T02:04:00.000-08:002013-01-06T15:05:45.987-08:00Impacting Churches, not Just Men<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it's easy to get so caught up in your day to day ministry that you fail to see the over all impact that your ministry is having. During our classes it was evident that what we were teaching was impacting individual students during class as I saw them grasping concepts and growing in their biblical convictions. However, on December 14th, I was blessed at The Expositor's Academy Christmas party when I heard the testimonies of some of our students. They reminded me that our training ministry <span style="font-size: large;">i</span>s not only impacting them individually, but it is also impacting the churches they minister in.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlIKq2qwC97UKKfNrMvKvHdCSFZJgl5z8rUVQMZVxfS_wNUr9CRy8qc66iiUqNAjKG3yPhk3W6g-cS16RheBP9FGLPD7FFN8jgFX_uLXdKFuE5VfVWG9My2ILDOkWzVSXsRH3/s1600/IMG_7365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlIKq2qwC97UKKfNrMvKvHdCSFZJgl5z8rUVQMZVxfS_wNUr9CRy8qc66iiUqNAjKG3yPhk3W6g-cS16RheBP9FGLPD7FFN8jgFX_uLXdKFuE5VfVWG9My2ILDOkWzVSXsRH3/s320/IMG_7365.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Ted</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Ted is <span style="font-size: large;">a great example, for instance, because he was <span style="font-size: large;">a hard student to read. He</span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">has <span style="font-size: large;">been preaching for many years and </span>already seeme<span style="font-size: large;">d</span> to have a good<span style="font-size: large;"> grasp of sc<span style="font-size: large;">ripture</span></span> w<span style="font-size: large;">hen he first started with us<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></span> <span style="font-size: large;">In the classroom, h</span></span>e always smiled, had good input when he shared and did very well in our preaching classes. I sometimes wondered if he was getting much out of my teaching and thought that maybe he went to our school simply because he enjoyed the teaching and fellowship, despite being well versed in what we were teaching. That is why I was surprised by his testimony. He shared that before he came to TEA </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">he used to jump all over the place, from topic to topic,
when he preached<span style="font-size: large;">!</span> This was a s<span style="font-size: large;">ur<span style="font-size: large;">prise to me, </span></span>He went on to share</span> that after studying under TEA, he now preaches expository messages through books of the Bible at his church.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6o1A7R-eydY9Bso4pqqMNYdiP0em-rW_WyHThGihdQLNrRxnPYNKrGW28DEoEzJV3D_zupndTKLpqot-J_-bbBoiA0Sv_xF7KjIGmwLzE7DVVNuQAZ6Xr025KwDhjMhliZDB/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6o1A7R-eydY9Bso4pqqMNYdiP0em-rW_WyHThGihdQLNrRxnPYNKrGW28DEoEzJV3D_zupndTKLpqot-J_-bbBoiA0Sv_xF7KjIGmwLzE7DVVNuQAZ6Xr025KwDhjMhliZDB/s320/DSC00237.JPG" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Rey</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another dear pastor, Pastor Rey, shared how TEA shaped his philosophy of ministry. By training, he is a CPA and was serving as an elder in his church till the pastor retired and basically told him it's all yours now. Pastor Rey left a good paying CPA career to shepherd his church, and in his desire to grow his ministry skills, he invited TEA to hold classes in his church. I learned that when he became the pastor of his church, he inherited the elders and leaders there and that they were not familiar with what Scripture has to say about the qualifications for elders. Through TEA he learned what Paul taught in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1 regarding church leadership and over the past few years his church has worked to get all their elders on board with what </span><span style="font-size: large;">Scripture</span><span style="font-size: large;"> says regarding the qualifications of elders. Because he is such a wise and loving pastor, he was able to lead several godly women to change their roles in the Church so as to follow God's design for the Church. Pastor Rey did this without losing or shaming any of them.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbK0-MfdKbfKuS2H-I0O8z2_nmYDDqHmvV16zCbtbnzI8kKmSzc58Wf90NYXMjqzQ-6WMl7VIep5cUQd-V4OXdc1BFykY5dTvJbdBGn7lVrKwrml3S6hqOimsAgZNLCe8TycK/s1600/IMG_3239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbK0-MfdKbfKuS2H-I0O8z2_nmYDDqHmvV16zCbtbnzI8kKmSzc58Wf90NYXMjqzQ-6WMl7VIep5cUQd-V4OXdc1BFykY5dTvJbdBGn7lVrKwrml3S6hqOimsAgZNLCe8TycK/s320/IMG_3239.JPG" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Erwin</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">About a year ago I shared about Pastor Erwin who is now committed to expository preaching. He made the switch and is currently preaching through Romans on Sundays and Leviticus during mid-week bible study. His elder board and worship team are also going through a reformation as they are seeking to honor God's Word. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJwPFWB2cTc6ai8kN4tCZj1l0gDaXTLLqhcym4CpgT1v8_Uj7QRlss3pSXhkNFnFQF0ZIv6UVbTO6Ztp0KT0x1oXtc7hoyxCufCNMXy8eEfbIqik_3aupWNd5TnJ2PAt5kQ5u/s1600/IMG_3646+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJwPFWB2cTc6ai8kN4tCZj1l0gDaXTLLqhcym4CpgT1v8_Uj7QRlss3pSXhkNFnFQF0ZIv6UVbTO6Ztp0KT0x1oXtc7hoyxCufCNMXy8eEfbIqik_3aupWNd5TnJ2PAt5kQ5u/s320/IMG_3646+-+Version+2.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor David</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUHPP6g_JvTmekngopxNT0WDnrPndvTKFU-GBwSMMKUPxzJCg-2WIMpc_GkGSeFUrPq7w2ylJrbumylELJhJ-U-EAjg5bwbR0ZlCZKOGwnTktLtftjRhbm-QKxnrRv9Yc_GRy/s1600/DSC_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUHPP6g_JvTmekngopxNT0WDnrPndvTKFU-GBwSMMKUPxzJCg-2WIMpc_GkGSeFUrPq7w2ylJrbumylELJhJ-U-EAjg5bwbR0ZlCZKOGwnTktLtftjRhbm-QKxnrRv9Yc_GRy/s320/DSC_0656.JPG" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother Mon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am pleased that at least three of our men are planting churches: Pastor David, Brother Mon, and Pastor Rudy. I often get the opportunity to counsel these dear brothers as they seek to minister God's Word, God's way.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1neJoFk20dO0V_O8X3NXOVm2sT9gp3ctF2Gr4YP-FPaQ6vMIfmigaT8mOQd6dE6rbzyhH6rzWUhP3MduP64iOqqlnnSHilMkZyD76rup_7Q0HU7XN1hxlJllnMdetWFFDOkC4/s1600/IMG_7373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1neJoFk20dO0V_O8X3NXOVm2sT9gp3ctF2Gr4YP-FPaQ6vMIfmigaT8mOQd6dE6rbzyhH6rzWUhP3MduP64iOqqlnnSHilMkZyD76rup_7Q0HU7XN1hxlJllnMdetWFFDOkC4/s320/IMG_7373.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Rudy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many more stories like these have been shared with me, and, Lord willing, I'll share them sometime in the near future. What a blessing it has been to reflect and share with my students what God has been doing in and through them outside of our class rooms.</span><br />
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Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-17276290508255209252012-10-31T07:33:00.001-07:002012-10-31T07:54:43.892-07:00The Expositor's Academy and CCT<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yH6CtnCIBcPU16qFZnQFcWpk5feyek06BQcIao8bKbvRLdeG0tGy7qDURUPO3R2IgU0AfuyrW1lV4R33HGsQWLcaua5RMZvcPz2GHTiIX50ybHIUSaq35E18ZncrMFHwG9fo/s1600/tea_sm_avatar.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had been talking about it for years and now it is finally beginning to happen. My friend and ministry partner, Pastor E.J. Delmundo oversees the training of a ministry called Center for Community Transformation (CCT). Pastor E.J. asked me if I'm would be willing to help by designing a modular curriculum to train these men throughout the country and to build a team to help teach it to them. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Lord put it on my heart to do this and we are putting together a two year plan where we teach in three locations; Manila on Luzon, Iloilo in the Visayas and Davao in Mindanao. Lord willing, we will expand beyond these locations in the future. The plan is to have members from our team to travel to each location for two days every month. We will be teaching our students bible study methods and principles of interpretation, Old and New Testament Surveys, Preaching, Doctrine Survey and Pastoral Ministries. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The training will include follow-up assignments. Each student will be required to read and outline the themes of every chapter of the Bible. They will also have some follow-up reading, including books on various aspects of ministry, monthly articles on the topics that they are studying and the MacArthur Study Bible notes. The students will also have weekly sermons to listen to and evaluate. Lastly, they will have biblical interpretation assignments integrated into the weekly sermons and bible studies that they teach. This will reenforce the principles that they are learning and help to show us what areas we can further guide their learning. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sean, Randal, Geoffrey, Jason and John</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month, we had a team of four men from Christ Fellowship Bible Church in St. Louis Missouri come to the Philippines as our guest teachers. Pastor Geoffrey Kirkland was joined by his father Randy Kirkland, Jason Woelm and John Kesselring. They taught a four day exposition of 1 Timothy to about 35 men. The team split in two, with Pastor Geoff and John going to Iloilo and Randy and Jason going to Davao. One pastor who attended the module in Davao wrote me:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Hi Pastor Sean, Thank you so much for everything. The <br /> module class was great...I really praise the Lord for the <br /> class. It helped us a lot in understanding the whole book <br /> of 1 Timothy. I learned a lot and I am very excited to <br /> share my learnings with those I teach. Please let me <br /> know if there are still classes in the future because if <br /> God wills, I will really attend. Thank you so much also </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> for the nice accommodation. When we went there, we <br /> are all free in registration and food...we really appreciate <br /> all your kindness. God bless you! We are always <br /> praying for you and the ministry.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another student wrote:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Leaning today a lot about prayer as ministers/workers/ <br /> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">heralds of the Gospel. Pastor Randy explained it clearly </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and also the Issues on how [men and women] in the </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> church should </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">function...God is leading u to pick godly </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> servant to teach </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">us..God bless u to and ur household. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ...prayers and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">regards from all of us from Davao</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFyGRqWMeXGE27aO4jI1_Cw1wIXbmln2-9tKCuhu1Sc3XMkFSiyueVFbAymS464pQZHVOCiMqN2FbBtiaYJShwltDoBaKvy-EeJbsGtObCDkqnWYd4Riae-jKMbxGfc1YMKv_/s1600/IMG_6886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFyGRqWMeXGE27aO4jI1_Cw1wIXbmln2-9tKCuhu1Sc3XMkFSiyueVFbAymS464pQZHVOCiMqN2FbBtiaYJShwltDoBaKvy-EeJbsGtObCDkqnWYd4Riae-jKMbxGfc1YMKv_/s400/IMG_6886.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Iloilo Students</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are excited to come along side of these men to help train them via modular training in addition to our weekly training in the Manila area. We covet your prayers for the Lord's guidance of our steps as we plan and teach these front line ministers. Also pray for the Dexter's, Greene's and Luciano's as they raise support to join us here in the Philippines.</span>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-23739770776695452062012-09-03T15:26:00.002-07:002012-09-20T15:19:23.937-07:00The Expositor's Academy's First GraduationIt didn't really hit home until I started seeing their families and their pictures and posts on Facebook. Reading the congratulations from friends and family caused me to reflect on what they had done after almost five years of teaching, studying and assignments. Our first class graduated from the Expositor's Academy on June 1 and it happened so fast that it felt like just another class gathering or worship service at church instead of the climax of finishing their courses. It wasn't until a few days after the graduation that I began to process this milestone. As the posts of our students began to emerge on facebook, I was reminded that this ministry is not just important to me, but it is also important to the 23 men and 2 women who graduated as well as to their churches that they minister in. <br />
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Over the years, I watched many of them grow in their convictions for the authority and sufficiency of God's Word. I saw their regard for God's Word increase and their resolve to accurately proclamation what it says. I saw them develop a biblical world view and a biblical philosophy of ministry; concepts that were foreign to many of them before they began their studies with T.E.A.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0C_UeE7eo1MNxN1f1psCNdVmEyr55leX4Kv0kC8HyCpZOGMwfy0CYvSWnO5OrEggabED1BWXWW9YxLh4NxjUn4NG-KaLhNYhrDGd1pY52qL7bENKenyrbknvq0ETr6gm8Sbh/s1600/IMG_3875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0C_UeE7eo1MNxN1f1psCNdVmEyr55leX4Kv0kC8HyCpZOGMwfy0CYvSWnO5OrEggabED1BWXWW9YxLh4NxjUn4NG-KaLhNYhrDGd1pY52qL7bENKenyrbknvq0ETr6gm8Sbh/s200/IMG_3875.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vincent Greene</td></tr>
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Since Vincent Greene flew out to help teach a couple of one-week modules for us just a week earlier, I asked him to deliver the commencement message for our first graduating class. He shared from 1st Thess. 2:1-12 exhorting our graduates, telling them how a biblical framework for ministry and preaching impacts our lives. He said that it will 1) make us more passionate for the gospel, 2) keep us centered on the biblical text, 3) keep us humble 4) develop a servants heart in us, and 5) It will keep us holy.</div>
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Here are just some of our graduates receiving their diplomas from the Expositor's Academy. I wish I could put up everyone's pictures and stories, but time and internet speed just do not permit.<br />
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Vincent was accompanied for part of the time by his home church Cornerstone Fellowship in Riverside, California. Pastor Mike Berry led the team as they helped serve at the graduation and with ministry in the community with a local church and the urban poor. Mike also helped teach a Biblical Interpretation Module with Vincent. <br />
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During the graduation we have a short time to allow students to share testimonies of how God had used the Expositor's Academy in their lives. This was unplanned, but I just felt the Lord prompting me to ask if any one would like to share. The results were humbling and a blessing to me. Several of them shared how they used to give a talk on sunday morning and stitch it together with some verses going where ever the wind carried them. One shared how he has grown in his discernment and expects to hear what God has said in His Word when he hears it preached, and now strives to say what God intended to communicate when he is the one preaching. Another shared how they are more series about their faith and are now serving in ways that they had never done before. <br />
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Many of our graduates are eagerly sending friends and church mates to join the start of our new class that is planned to start in September. Some of our graduates will also go on to be a part of our first master's level courses which we hope to start in 2013 if we have the man power and support.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Expositor's Academy Class of 2012<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean and Jessica Ransom</td></tr>
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To all our graduates, Jessica and I wish the Lord's blessing on you, your ministries and your families. We look forward to partnering with you more in the future and seeing what you do for His kingdom.</div>
Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-82045873616455705452012-08-14T06:35:00.001-07:002012-08-14T06:47:09.921-07:00My Macedonia Call<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently, I was remind of what has come to be known as the Apostle Paul's Macedonian Call. It is found in Acts 16:9-10 where Paul had a vision of a man pleading for his assistance. This man said, </span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b> 9 ..."Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b> immediately [he and his companions] sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b> that God had called [them] to preach the gospel to them.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What brought this to mind were several emails and phone calls that I received from men I had never met before; all coming from the Island of Mindanao and the city of Cagayan De Oro (CDO). The first was a church planting pastor who is mentoring many pastors. He shared with me his burdens for growing in his ability to handle the Word of God and help others do the same. He wrote me several lengthy notes asking The Expositor's Academy (TEA) for help and sharing about the needs in his area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Around the same time a man young in the faith, who was hungering for the Word of God and found it challenging to find good Bible teaching called me. This happened after he grew to appreciate the preaching of John MacArthur. When John preached he knew he was hearing God's Word as it was intended to be understood and he wanted more. He wrote Grace Community Church to ask if they had any representatives in the Philippines and they gave him my number. When he called we talk at length as he had so many questions about God's Word and living the Christian life. Shortly after this he happened to be in the Manila area and we met in person. He literally had a written list of questions for me because of his hunger to live a life that pleases God, but he wasn't sure how to go about it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Added to these pleas for help was another a pastor who somehow tracked me down and also asked for help. When I asked him where he was from, I found out that he too is from CDO. We connected on Facebook, and he proceeded to introduce me to another 20 or so men in the area who are desiring to be trained. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I remembered that over the years, a few pastors and students, who had traveled many hours for our modular training also asked us if we could teach in CDO. All that considered, I took this to be my Macedonian call. After talking with these men about teaching a one week module on biblical interpretation, they got excited and went to work. One of them donated enough money to fly </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Vincent Greene, Pastor Erwin Quimboy</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and I</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to CDO to teach the module. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Vincent Greene (Center)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pastor Erwin Quimboy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sean Ransom</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He also covered most of the expenses for the food, housing and books of any of the students who needed help. On top of that, He even had the training announced on the local radio station through a friend of his. Another one of those men created a Facebook page for TEA and invited others attend the module. These men even worked together to scout out a venue for the training. They arranged for The Way Christian Ministries/Shekinah Glory Christian Academy to host our module. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't know how many students to expect and what kind of reception we would have. Through Facebook and text messages we learned that about 20 men expressed the intention to join us. Added to that were about another 10 students from the host Church. After our TEA team flew to CDO with 40 books (10 more then the anticipated 30 students) we ended up having up to 64 eager students, with most of them staying for the whole week of training. A small group of them traveled for about 12 hours to join us. These men and women expressed their gratitude as they learned many principals for how to interpret God's Word. We are all ready planning on returning as the pastor from the host church was excited to have on going training at his Church and with other nearby partnering churches.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pray the the Lord would help these dear people to remember and build upon what they learned during our week together and that the Lord will give us more opportunities to entrust to them the great teaching that was entrusted to us through John MacArthur and The Master's Seminary. </span></div>
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Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-1315157537059354622012-04-30T00:38:00.001-07:002012-04-30T07:36:04.130-07:00Our First Graduation and June Modules<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b>Our first graduation</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">It's been almost five years since The Expositor's Academy began classes at Greenhills Christian Fellowship and this June 1 they will be our first graduating class. About 25 students will be receiving a diploma in local Church Ministry with an emphasis on Biblical Exposition. The classes that we have taught are Hermeneutics, Old and New Testament Survey, Preaching, Theology, Spiritual life, Church administration and Christian Education and Missions, Evangelism and Discipleship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Several students have asked, "After we finish this course, the what?" They ask that question because they don't want to stop. Our time together has been more than just studying the Word, it has also been a time for</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> fellowship </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">to develop life long </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">friendships</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">. Meeting together most monday nights for the last five years has become such a part of our lives that the idea of it coming to an end seems strange and I get the feeling that most of our students would continue to meet as long as we are able to teach. I expect that a few will continue with us as we expand our training to offer higher levels and others will take elective courses that we plan to offer in the future. However, for some it will be a time to say good bye to each other and this season of training. TEA Team member Vincent Greene, (who is raising support to move here with his family to become a full-time TEA staff member) will be flying in to be the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">speaker at </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">our commencement ceremony and to help teach some of our June modules. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TEA Students at Greenhills Christian Fellowship</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Our upcoming modules for the month of June are shaping up well and I am very encouraged by the response that I'm </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">getting from the city of Cagayan De Oro on the Island of Mindanao. Even though it will be our first time to teach in this city, many men from there have been contacting me to express their desire to be trained. Through word of mouth they have been seeking me out through facebook, email and text. A few churches have offered to let us use there facilities and several men whom I have not even met yet are checking out possible venues. In addition to that a few donations from within the Philippines have come in to help cover some of the cost for the books, housing and feeding of the students. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pastor Weymann Lee (pictured below on the top row, far right) from Phoenix Arizona will be joining us for the third year in a row to teach New Testament Survey 1 to our men in Boracay. These men will be taking their fifth module and are almost half way through our program. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">Vincent Greene will be joining me in returning to Davao City to follow-up with our Hermeneutics module to teach Expository Preaching 1. This module is being hosted by Heritage Baptist Church.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davao Hermeneutics Module </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pastor Mike Berry will be returning for his second trip to the Philippines and this time he is bringing a small team from his Church, Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church in Riverside California. They will be joining Vincent to teach a Hermeneutics module in the city of Batangas and to serve along side of Christ Stewards Fellowship Church in their community.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batangas Preaching Module</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b>Mentoring</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">For several years now I have been mentoring a small group of men at my home every week. For the last year and a half we had been working our way a verse at a time through 1 Timothy, breaking it down into it's logical parts and discussing the meanings, theology and implications of them. We also discussed the main idea and outlines of each part and next week we will start taking turns preaching each section to the group and evaluating each other as we seek to be better expositors of the Word.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyq02WcUK3kjc2TXG2AQ-IvUEX8E8H-ekzrbaywyd2nSAt1rEzNJNAmLVCpQFZYOgoDOLXihAqLDP_Al7TAagOCGAUGBu8C_8jO2tvax2hMVrl_Uks1dArnvqDA8ft5hsjAqi/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyq02WcUK3kjc2TXG2AQ-IvUEX8E8H-ekzrbaywyd2nSAt1rEzNJNAmLVCpQFZYOgoDOLXihAqLDP_Al7TAagOCGAUGBu8C_8jO2tvax2hMVrl_Uks1dArnvqDA8ft5hsjAqi/s400/IMG_2594.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mentoring Men in Expository Preaching</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">After an extended break we have resumed classes </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">in
Alabang/Paranaque (Pa rawn ya kay). We have been teaching this group of dear brothers and sisters from many years and they are currently studying a survey of doctrine. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzzsMO_gzh9uJchJJvgWJ52kKYbZCFBd3sVM43Xj-0162Z3dAKrV060L2oLVoUB0ds2OUC1mBXZ46jjH9Ig-VHZrTNWtQoeRG_FjrKu99tdlqM-GzElX7_axnZvTsbMrgLHAr/s1600/DSC_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzzsMO_gzh9uJchJJvgWJ52kKYbZCFBd3sVM43Xj-0162Z3dAKrV060L2oLVoUB0ds2OUC1mBXZ46jjH9Ig-VHZrTNWtQoeRG_FjrKu99tdlqM-GzElX7_axnZvTsbMrgLHAr/s640/DSC_0363.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class from Christ's Commission Fellowship Alabang/Paranaque</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Please pray that our upcoming graduates will be able to complete their remaining assignments on time. Also pray for our upcoming modules as final plans and arrangements are being made. Pray for the students availability, travels and that the teaching and fellowship would be a great blessing to them. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-28643725972261610182012-03-20T22:43:00.001-07:002012-03-20T22:49:05.426-07:00Globe and Conference Hoping<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Summary of this update:</span></b><br />
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<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I traveled to the U.S. for about three weeks to attend 3 conferences and meet with 3 Churches.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I met up with three brothers who are raising support to join our training ministry in the Philippines.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have 5 potential modules coming up in June and July.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We anticipate the first graduating class from The Expositor's Academy this May/June.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My family and I will be attending the Grace Ministries International mission conference soon.</span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Travels</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I recently
returned to the Philippines after spending a weekend in Arizona to meet with friends from The Church at South Mountain and about two and a half weeks in California where I attended three conferences. My time in Los Angeles started with a missions conference at Calvary Bible Church, where I had the
privilege of preaching during their Sunday morning worship services. That was followed by The The Master's Academy International's Symposium and
culminated with The Shepherd’s Conference.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As good as the trip
was, it was not without challenges. The
first was talking my 5 year old daughter Isabella and my 1 and a half year old son
Josiah with me to the U.S. For some reason, when I
mentioned to others that they joined me for the 16 hour plane ride (each way),
a few people repeated, “ALONE, you brought them out by YOURSELF?” Yes I did, and the Lord heard the many
prayers of those who interceded for us.
The kids did great flying there and back, sleeping through most of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Isabella and Josiah on the flight back to the Philippines</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next challenge
was when Grandpa and Grandma Mereau came to visit the kids from North
Carolina. While spending a few days with
the kids at lego land, Grandpa felt sick and ended up going to the hospital and
having surgery to clear some blocking in his intestines. He is still recovering and experiencing pain,
but Lord willing, he should be back to normal soon. We are grateful that the kids still were able
to spend about 5 or 6 days with them and I had some special time talking with
Grandpa during our drive to the valley. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Meeting with the Team</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the highlights for me during my stay in
California was spending time with the three men who are raising support to join
our team in the Philippines. These
brothers are all graduates of The Master’s Seminary and competent
teachers. I look forward to serving with
them, their families and growing in our relationships with the Lord and each other in the
coming years. I’m praying that at least
one of them can move here this year. I know that times are challenging
and that raising support in todays financial climate is harder than when Jess
and I first went to the Philippines almost 8 years ago, but I also know that God is not
limited by the economy. I am content to
wait for His perfect timing.
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBztzkkr_Uo_6DDdARTodsjDpmb_o3s3W1WtS8gOKTB3UV9iR6_8cx1V0x5DCM6F1d-8GJGAgBqM8Bujk9KJcnr6bmeQK2NCSbXeFN4zE-TzdHVYo_IE-fIpNYMLNghaj_lqDc/s1600/IMG_3480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBztzkkr_Uo_6DDdARTodsjDpmb_o3s3W1WtS8gOKTB3UV9iR6_8cx1V0x5DCM6F1d-8GJGAgBqM8Bujk9KJcnr6bmeQK2NCSbXeFN4zE-TzdHVYo_IE-fIpNYMLNghaj_lqDc/s640/IMG_3480.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Allan Luciano, Chad Dexter, Vincent Greene and Sean Ransom</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Upcoming Modules</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">We usually provide modular training outside of Manila each January, May/June and September each year. We are currently looking at teaching up to 5 potential modules this June and July. The locations are:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Boracay</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Davao</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Cagayan De Oro</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Batangas</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Mindoro</span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The group in Boracay has already taken four modules and are scheduled to start New Testament Survey 1. In Davao, the pastors studied Hermeneutics (principles for interpreting the Bible) with us and are ready to move on to Preaching 1. A few groups in Cagayan De Oro have been asking us to provide training there for some time and we are ready to begin with Hermeneutics. Batangas and Mindoro are also possibilities as we look into starting them with Hermeneutics as well. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our next modules after these are tentatively planned for September with the same groups and would progress to their next course in our curriculum. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Philippines Map</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><b>Our First Graduating Class</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">This May we anticipate our first graduating class from The Expositor's Academy. Our senior batch from Greenhills Christian Fellowship has been studying with us for about 4 years now and are on track to finish their course which focuses on biblical exposition and ministry in the local Church. Pray that all the students will be able to complete their work, that they will apply what they have learned in their ministries and that it will forever change them and the churches that they minister in.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Grace Ministries International Missions Conference</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;">Also coming up very soon, my family and I will be flying to Greece to attend the GMI Missions Conference. We are excited to see biblical cities such as Athens, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Rome (that one will be on our own). In addition to all that, we look forward to enjoying some great teaching from Grace Church, some sweet fellowship with other GMI missionaries and some great family time. The trip will be a little more that two weeks and then we head back to the Philippines to get back to work in our training ministry.</span></div>
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</div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-10691444890071253162012-02-29T22:37:00.001-08:002012-02-29T22:37:40.041-08:00Reconnecting with Grandma/pa and a few ConferencesI was feeling a mixture of fear, dread, and obligation. I have three conferences to attend in March and thought, how can I go to California and not bring my two youngest children with me to see their grand parents? They aren't in school and are able to travel so I decided to risk the potential torture of 16 plus hours of flying each way with a 19 month old and a 5 year old. So far it has been great. Both kids did great on the plan ride, I only had to change 3 diapers on the way, had no tantrums and didn't even have to bust out the DVD player, coloring books or toys.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I spent the first weekend in Arizona visiting Pastor Weymann Lee who has been partnering with us to train men in the Philippines and I also spent time with good friends from The Church at South Mountain, who also partners with us. It was a blessing to be with all of them as we enjoyed sweet fellowship and some good expository teaching and preaching.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My good friends Zach and Staci Volker watched the kids part of the time for me while I traveled; I figured that my kids had enough flying so I left them for a few days in the care of others. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After picking up Grandma and Grandpa Mereau who flew in from North Carolina to see the kids, (and me perhaps) I drove us all back to grandma and grandpa Gomez's place where we had a special treat; unexpected snow fell in Banning CA. We don't really own much winter clothes anymore, but we made due. I took Josiah out for a few minutes to see and touch the snow. Bella was a little more adventurous. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella enjoying sunny California snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah's first encounter with snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella and Grandpa Mereau</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKz9YN9mbpB9ATcyVbvYzhs15_OTUztosWuFHLGGyZ5JgpShqfYllv7EiSSOyQfjNlETe4s2tr0m9cKFwS4UMjhwqREDTcrFgYWawHP9Px2v55XZ3BAOak5s-XjLSU7DCLMYX/s1600/IMG_0004_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKz9YN9mbpB9ATcyVbvYzhs15_OTUztosWuFHLGGyZ5JgpShqfYllv7EiSSOyQfjNlETe4s2tr0m9cKFwS4UMjhwqREDTcrFgYWawHP9Px2v55XZ3BAOak5s-XjLSU7DCLMYX/s320/IMG_0004_3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella's first snowman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella's first snow angel</td></tr>
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This weekend the conferences start. On Saturday I will participate in our partner Calvary Bible Church's mission conference on Saturday evening and then preach two services there on Sunday morning. Monday and Tuesday are The Master's Academy International's Symposium and Wednesday through Friday is the Shepherd's Conference. Many meetings will also be taking place throughout the week as well (including spending some time with me son Kian at The Master's College). I will spend my last Sunday at our home church on March 11 (The Bridge Bible Fellowship). The kids and I will return on Monday March 12 where Jessica and three of our other kids are waiting for us. Classes in Manila will resume shortly after that. I appreciate your prayers for a fruitful trip and traveling mercies. </div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-76829127029148206412012-01-31T01:22:00.000-08:002012-01-31T01:22:06.768-08:00Modular Training and a Macedonian Call from the Southern Philippines<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-l8D7aL88N8Q3UNMgt0uVlVCLCfiycclRuilhJO18gCIKeny8yuwUoHhJexEKz6lrTmCLnbimxwggkSJHpGbQbd04Mb0UTTq701SZ2d2AM-arK-4EKwa1LaqcrH_DaGHF46Q/s1600/IMG_3195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-l8D7aL88N8Q3UNMgt0uVlVCLCfiycclRuilhJO18gCIKeny8yuwUoHhJexEKz6lrTmCLnbimxwggkSJHpGbQbd04Mb0UTTq701SZ2d2AM-arK-4EKwa1LaqcrH_DaGHF46Q/s400/IMG_3195.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Boracay Grace Baptist Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Pastor Erwin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Pastor Daisuke</td></tr>
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This week I was joined by Pastor Erwin (whom I have been mentoring for about a year and a half) and Pastor Daisuke, (who leads the TMAI training ministry in Japan) to train a group of pastor's at Boracay Grace Baptist Church (BGBC). Although we met on the Island of Boracay for the Old Testament Survey module, several of the some 40 pastors were from other Islands. Many traveled for 5 hours by bus from the Island of Panay. Four pastors even traveled for about 12 hours from the Island of Negros taking a combination of bus, boat and motorcycle. When Pastors Erwin, Daisuke and I learned this, we felt very humbled. Knowing that these men were willing to travel so far to grow in their ability to handle God's Word, shepherd His people and to be imparted with some of the training that was entrusted to us just increases my passion to help them. We know that we are not worthy of such a great privilege, but we thank the Lord for the Grace to do so and try to do our best to serve them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Sean Ransom</td></tr>
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Some of the highlights for me were teaching the books of Job, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Malachi. Even though I read them every year I always learn something new and I am also struck with how their voices are still relevant to our lives and ministries today. For example, Job (which I admit I really struggled with the first few times I read it because I didn't understand it) really speaks to our trials and suffering today and how God doesn't allow His children to be shaken by them to the point of falling away. When I think about the end times my mind defaults to Revelation and Daniel, but I was reminded that Isaiah has so much to say about the end, Christ's rule on earth (not to mention a lot about the Messiah); Ezekiel has much to say about the end as well. Malachi offers great teaching on marriage and always generates some good discussions on tithing verses the free will offering and our relationship the Old Testaments covenants.<br /><br /><div>
Another impact that this last module had on me is from request I received from some of the men from the Island of Negros. It reminded me of the call that the Apostle Paul received in Acts 16:9 which says, "During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us." One of the pastors shared with us how he is unable to get good training, (probably due to time, resources and availability) and how he and others in his area are constantly under attack from false doctrine and teachers. He along with a few other pastors repeatedly asked us if we could offer the same training they were receiving at BGBC on their Islands. My heart really goes out to these pastors and too many others who have made similar request to us. Pray with me for more workers to help train these faithful men. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Us with some of the men from our on going training in Boracay</td></tr>
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My plan is to try to return to Boracay in June as well as Mindanao. Join me in praying for the provisions (including teachers and funding) to continue training these eager and faithful men and others like them. <br /><div style="text-align: right;">
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</div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-66240430518267912112011-12-31T04:11:00.000-08:002012-01-01T22:48:06.458-08:00Christmas and Kian's Homecoming for the New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent the evening of Christmas Eve at a party thrown by some of our friends (Edwin and Charlyne) who used to live under Manalo Bridge. This faithful couple now hosts bible studies in their home and reach out to the children and families living in their building. They offered us the opportunity to provide Christmas presents for the kids as they hosted the party. It was a joy to give gifts to these kids who have been faithfully attending the studies. We had Grace, Tyler and Isabella handing out the gifts to give them an opportunity to be a blessing to others and to remind them of how much God has blessed them. </div>
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Below is a portion of the kids who attended and helped with the party. We gave out 31 gifts, while Edwin, Charlyne and their kids hosted and served the party for their neighbors in their community. I gave them the curriculum FOF (Fundamentals of the Faith), which was produced by John MacArthur and Grace Community Church and has since been translated into Tagalog. Lord willing, they will use it for their bible studies this year.</div>
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Last Friday night we took our kids with us to the airport to pick up Kian, who had left home for college last July. This was made possible by some dear ladies from our home Church, The Bridge Bible Fellowship. The Lord put it on their hearts to send Kian home for the Christmas and New Year holidays. As much as we wanted him to come home, we couldn't afford it. Jessica teared up when she read the email explaining how the Women's Morning Support Circle wanted to send him home. I'm not sure what excited the kids more, seeing their big brother again or the Christmas presents that they were anticipating getting from him. Although Isabella was so excited to be with Kian that she had him promise that he would spend time with her every day, it didn't take her long to ask about those presents. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">Even though Kian's flight didn't get in till after 10pm, Josiah stayed up till after 11pm to see his big brother (he usually goes to bed between 7:30 and 8pm). Kian was happy to see that Josiah still seems to remember him and was quickly playing with him. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">We are all happy to have him with us again for a few weeks and will try to spend a few days at the beach together before he returns to the U.S. and schools starts up again for the rest of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">the kids. </span></div>
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Grace was also pleased to see Kian who gave her a computer game that seems to be her favorite Christmas gift this year (and Christian's). We all got to enjoy watching fireworks together at Faith Academy and Kian is been catching up with good friends of his who are still living here or visiting their families. They even managed to set off a few fireworks themselves.</div>
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He really enjoyed his first semester at The Master's College and his mom and I are pleased to see growth in him both his maturity as a young man and in his spiritual life. He is making good choices as he processes the world more and more through biblical lenses. Currently, he is pursing business and is enjoying music on the side. He is on the worship team at our home church as well as playing with other musicians.</div>
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We were also blessed by Calvary Bible Church who sent presents for the whole family. That was a blessing as our limited budget makes it a bit challenging to buy Christmas presents for six kids. It is a good things that our kids have learned to be content with a modest amount to gifts. Even knowing the reason for the season, it can be disappointing for kids (especially American kids like ours) not to get anything or much for Christmas. Before we opened any gifts on Christmas morning we sat around our table with our kids and discussed the real reason we celebrate Christmas. We talked about the many symbols of Christmas, like the Christmas tree, lights, bells, presents, wreaths, candy canes, etc. and the realities that these symbols point to Jesus Christ.</div>
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All in all, we are having a great Christmas season and a New Year. Thanks so much to all of you who support us in prayer and financially. We couldn't be serving our Lord in the Philippines without you. We continue to pray for all of you. God bless and happy new year.</div>
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<br />Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-52145204270785409762011-11-30T00:40:00.001-08:002011-11-30T01:53:00.781-08:00Meet some of our students<br />
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<b>Mentoring Pastor Erwin</b></div>
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For over a year I have been
mentoring Pastor Erwin Quimboy. He is a sharp
Filipino pastor and I have been enjoying his friendship and fellowship. Along with about 6 other men, we have been
meeting weekly at my house to work through the interpretation, outlining and
preaching of 1 Timothy. We also discuss
what a Biblical Philosophy of ministry looks like and how that impacts the way
we teach, preach, lead, serve, disciple and evangelize God’s people. Our time together has had a beautiful impact
on Pastor Erwin and his church. Not only
has he committed himself to expository preaching, but he also committed himself
to a biblical philosophy of ministry. It
is a joy to see the fruit in his ministry.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0XCuONdJTOIvOfT2mnUhE6MN1oSa1xOcOzsWsiRy098VVgnodBa5f3JjTCA-12uRnzBrCJDWQxfznV8gdKLfw_53-kUISn82AJoWsE-e5pkkblWBwhnMDidyYYpvIUOQxeqz/s1600/Quimboy+family.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Pastor Erwin, his wife Rita and </div>
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daughter Yana.</div>
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The first impact
I saw was on his elders. During our
mentoring time in 1 Timothy, the Lord moved Pastor Erwin to discuss the
qualifications of an elder with the elders of his Church. They all went away for a weekend retreat
together and after studying the text together, all of the men learned what the
qualifications and job requirements of an elder are. Together they came to the conclusions that
they are not qualified to be elders, but they love the Lord and still want to
serve him. Instead of being angry at Pastor Erwin (I’ve seen this happen in this kind of situation before) they all
stepped down as elders and changed their role to “ministry team” as they grow
the necessary character and skills to be elders. <o:p></o:p></div>
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God didn’t stop there. Next, He began to work in the hearts of the
worship team. As they realized that
their lives were not right to lead the Church in worshiping God in song, they too
stepped down. Now the church sings acapella
until there are leaders raised up who can lead worship of God in spirit and
in truth. Pastor Erwin is now discipling
both of those groups and we pray that someday they will be able to serve the
Church again sometime soon, but with a whole new heart and understanding. What a testimony this must be to the whole
church, pray that more fruit is borne through this. Also pray for pastor Erwin who faithfully pastors this Church with very little pay. The Church is located in an area called "Quatro" because it is near the fourth hole of a golf course. Hundreds of families are squatting their as they hope to find work, schooling and a better life for their families. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Ministering in Prison with Pastor Jim</b></div>
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Recently, I joined Pastor Jim, who has been studying with us
for about two years now. He volunteers
to minister to government officials, workers, Philippine Police Officers,
and prisoners. We went to the National
police headquarters in Manila to teach a group of eight Nigerian men who have
been detained for the last four months and are awaiting trial. I never asked them why they were arrested,
but I told them to see this imprisonment as a gift from God as He uses it to
either give them the gift of eternal life or sets them on a path to serve him
with the rest of their lives. I taught
them one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 101:1-8.
Since they had nothing to write with I told them to remember three
things from this passage if they wanted to live a life that pleased God. I told them to Practice Praising God in all
circumstances v. 1, Practice Righteous Living vv. 2-6, and to Practice Remove
Sin from their lives vv. 7-8. The Church
at South Mountain in Phoenix Arizona kindly donated a box a Bibles which, made
it possible for us to give each of these men their own Bible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pastor faithfully ministers to men and women like this several times a week all over Manila. He does this as a volunteer as his church cannot afford to pay him a salary. Pray for his strength, wisdom and provisions and he continues to serve the Lord in this way (and many others).</div>
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Thanks for all your prayers and support, which make it possible for me to pour my life into many great men like these who faithful serve Jesus and are hungry to learn how to do it better.</div>
<br />Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-22010660263867626232011-09-25T06:53:00.000-07:002011-09-25T17:36:09.557-07:00Encouraging Moments<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I often have
conversations or receive messages that encourage and remind me why I’m
here. I’m thankful that the Lord causes
this to happen because it keeps me focused and motivated. One man who studied under our training ministry,
the Expositor’s Academy for a short time, recently wrote me and asked for
counsel regarding continuing his training for ministry.
He wrote:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hi Sean,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">…I would
like to ask for your advice concerning studying for ministry. I believe I
am being called to pastoral or some form of lay ministry. I would like to
get some Biblical education behind me and am wondering on how best to do
this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">Ideally I would like to go TMS (The Master's Seminary in the U.S.) but
it just seems like a financial and logistical impossibility (I'm married, have
two kids, will be 34 this Sept., and am pretty much broke). <b>I've
been looking for schools here but</b> <b>most seminaries look like places where
I'll have to fight for my faith rather than grow in it</b>…Anyway, all
this to say that I'd like to pursue ministry but don't have
seminary credentials and think it'd be hard to get some, given
my present circumstances…What do you think would be a good path to take?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;">…Right now I'm...educating myself by reading as much as I can by
my favorite teachers and listening to hundreds of sermons (which is
basically what I've been doing for the last 15 years). <b>I imagine
the best thing would be to study at the Expositor’s Academy. Can you
kindly pray with me and lend me your thoughts on this matter on how to
proceed?</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">It is men like this and the
current state of many schools and churches in the Philippines that make it necessary
for training ministries like ours to equip pastors and train up expositors
here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">In August I had the privilege of speaking at The Solo Christo
Singles Conference at Higher Rock Church in Quezon City. I was blessed to share from the Word on pursuing
a life partner. Those who attended
received the Word with eagerness and I was encouraged afterwards by several
texts and facebook comments. Here is one
of them… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pastor Sean. How are you? Just to encourage
you. Your talk about unequally yoked relationships in our Single's Conference
has borne fruit. One of the guys in our bible study after hearing your talk
decided to break up with his nonbeliever girl friend the following day. He has
already heard many times of the folly of this relationship but he was hoping
for a "missionary" relationship. He already had this girl friend when
he became a Christian and he was pining that she also becomes a believer but it
didn't happen that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Praise God....take care...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">On another note, we have been getting some encouraging notes from our son Kian. Although we miss him, we are very excitement
about his studies and enjoyment of The Master’s College. He
wrote…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I’m really loving it here and I love the reading. The books we are required to read are sooooo good. Sprinted through Genesis, literally 25
chapters due every other class period, but it was really cool reading it that
fast, and seeing the progression and the history in a plot form, rather than
out of order stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He
also said that the week of welcome or “WOW week” made a big impression on
him. He said that after all the fun
events each day a speaker would share a different distinctive of TMC. He was very impressed with their commitment
to The Word, Discipleship, Worship…and the challenge to live these distinctives
out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">How
you can pray for us:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pray
for the Greene and Luciano families as they raise support to join our team in
the Philippines.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pray
that God would continue to give us wisdom and favor as we seek to follow His leading
of our ministry.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pray
for Kian as he studies at the Master’s College and that the Lord would continue
to grow his faith and biblical worldview.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pray that the Lord would continue to guide Jessica and I as we shepherd the hearts of our children.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Pray
that God would raise more supporters for us to keep us on the mission field
doing His work.</span></li>
</ul>
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Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-55913853501135022492011-07-31T03:35:00.000-07:002011-07-31T06:36:00.188-07:00Separation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnWy6H7gOs6mdFnsmWVBsFmo8JugQQy3cGOhSq18R4I60SLB5DuqEaFs7zW1xLoyBktWoYgYdzH7u7WdsqVUS9Z2HgFmkSusjVQbfa7OVll-rOS4HnYlaBiIuoGR38ZjlW7Dr/s1600/Kian-Tyler+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3rAIck8sXtoVRAxA52pF-GaGrkFI5_DhFDqNhyVyQVMdkHX-i7mkfi4GgBILn0T0peakU88pcYn_F9ytLeTza7RBhh_zzPlnzgUMjF7koAtCoqgSEwLsIJIPx51M9o0AVXSl/s320/Kian-Dad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635490252551530114" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHf4Mw9nW6mHCO5f24yFdGotLw42z37oyeKTunvFFe0Rk0ZZd2Jiz4UamcpQXOS2w73iPU-KuwsIT7MMOBs_0s6m5dyuI75yuRan1u8lQVjyiTc4s2Q2a619PfYnzIYZ794dM/s1600/Kian+Dad.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Why do we hate separation? Children hate being separated from their parents, like our one year old son who panics sometimes when </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jessica or l leave the room. We all hate being separated from those we love, like when a young man goes to serve in the military or a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">young </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">woman moves out of the house to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">live with her </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">new husband. We also hate being separated from the things and the places that mean a lot to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">us, like a family home or the country we love.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij05mr_7LzsjPBhfKUTWu3NUHCwiPfGKY9H9neBrnoWf0S5RrzqMlSWRpn0VsT1TywzMO69VNRXw1Jw0vAkn98IYy8IAK9vbkbkD-j169MMB1r5UCWvWFUZVouHfcIB5FRROWA/s320/Kian-Grace.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635490607939973218" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was reflecting on this a few nights ago after we took our oldest </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">son, Kian, to the airport. He left the Philippines </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">to go to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Master’s College in the U.S. We are very proud of Kian and excited for this new chapter in his life</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, but it is a bitter sweet time because </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we won’t get to watch him </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">mature each day as we had for the last eighteen years, and now we will not be able to see him make his mark on the world. Although we </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">are </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">family, our family is forever changed. It </span></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWR3nZy5jWvLkqnHBc48hHtLbBDmHX0KdnOWRiSN35Lnx4DYQl-kWp6t1IVat-7NtFH3OluI7BGFwvtTt6E5svOzVewBCFQKOqh5iLNGfGiS6kBKG1vzsmG-Er7PBk9ygwh-ew/s320/Kian-Josiah.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635490860338302178" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">will </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">never</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> be </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">q</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">uite the same. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I suspect that in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">some ways, things will be even better as Kian grows into the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">man God made him to be; perhaps even having his own family </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">someday.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgL2MaRDfckRsAMU3GaVwLZPBYsLsDwu2TpVmnj9wCTTE4ycxlKyTKZXveytbGY8ZXA9HUcYMIAia_ZtomqX7NVzN02gSoFvpN8s3ZhcnNIbercy5fajkxakdU2Eq1qjwuyE2/s320/Kian-Isabella.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635492161235078578" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 320px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHf4Mw9nW6mHCO5f24yFdGotLw42z37oyeKTunvFFe0Rk0ZZd2Jiz4UamcpQXOS2w73iPU-KuwsIT7MMOBs_0s6m5dyuI75yuRan1u8lQVjyiTc4s2Q2a619PfYnzIYZ794dM/s320/Kian+Dad.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635495464070385058" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, when we sit around a table with our other five children at a restaurant, one </span></span></p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmwm4PBqlZetnZzhThMBTHigdbiy7yb3ju3qZ0e9eleX8ypjjQhQgAxcBwFJi6sVpJrKp9f84GlSPScGN0Hoqa9ZM1LAkD49WapYpFdzhv6LfZYUrB-VZPb4R9dbyZLGl9IXG/s320/Kian-Mom.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635491174222535058" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">less seat </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">will be occupied. When we </span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">pile into the van, there will be one less face in my rear view mirror. And as the voices compete with each other</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to share with me how their day went, there will be one less waiting to get a </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">word in. I know we have the internet and various ways to communicate today, but it won’t be </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">quite the same and I must say that I don’t enjoy the separation. I </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">suppose I better </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">understand how my mom felt when we left our home seven years ago to serve as missionaries.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These feelings of dislike of separation got me thinking about how horrible it will be for those who see the glory of God at judgement only to be separated from Him for eternity because of their refusal to acknowledge God for who He is. They will forever have burned in their eyes the </span></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m2Bal7Rdaw_-kbym6N3-Vs-Tgq1ngOf6hr9uhughtIyMZC51-qEZAncWTX-5BNdHqlapx7Zrj3mT0sPc2onRFiZkYqDRE8_aYC4JK2aCkb3Dx2gT1vdkrjmNMb-HPR4RQMoY/s320/Kian-Christian.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635497668811217330" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'times new roman'; font-size: large; ">sight of the most beautiful and awesome being whom they will never be able to</span></span><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">see or approach again. How sad to see the beauty of God and then to go through eternity knowing that your own choices permanently separated you from Him. This makes the sorrow of being separated from my son by his leaving for college seem insignificant. It also reminds me of the urgency to warn others of the consequences of their choices. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmwm4PBqlZetnZzhThMBTHigdbiy7yb3ju3qZ0e9eleX8ypjjQhQgAxcBwFJi6sVpJrKp9f84GlSPScGN0Hoqa9ZM1LAkD49WapYpFdzhv6LfZYUrB-VZPb4R9dbyZLGl9IXG/s1600/Kian-Mom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWR3nZy5jWvLkqnHBc48hHtLbBDmHX0KdnOWRiSN35Lnx4DYQl-kWp6t1IVat-7NtFH3OluI7BGFwvtTt6E5svOzVewBCFQKOqh5iLNGfGiS6kBKG1vzsmG-Er7PBk9ygwh-ew/s1600/Kian-Josiah.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></span></p><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-74807007827498169222011-07-20T02:21:00.000-07:002011-07-21T23:21:46.838-07:00Kicking and Fighting<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Two held her down while two others attacked her. She begged to be let go and cried "Get me out of here!" as blood began to run down her head.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">However, we couldn't give into her request. As much as it hurt, it was for her best, so Jessica and I helped hold her down as</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">he doctor and her assistant pulled her skin together with three stitches.</span></span></div><p class="Body1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"></span></span></p><p class="Body1"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Jessica and I were actually glad that we missed the call and text from our oldest son while we were on our way home from teaching a Preaching class. Though only 30 minutes away, it would have been a torturous ride if we had read what Kian wrote. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Only after walking in our room and finding our four year old Isabella happily playing and with a bandage on her head did we find the text and missed call. The text read, "Don't want to worry you, but Bella fell from the top bunk and split her head open. Lots of blood, 3quarter of an inch gash, but minimal pain, and no panic what so ever. She's got a bandage but will likely need to go in for stitches in the morning." </span></span></p><p class="Body1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It had already been a long day and Kian had assured us that he g</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">oogled 'stitches' on the internet and learned that we had eight to twenty four hours to take her to the hospital, so there was no need to go to the hospital until the morning (it was already almost 9pm). Even though we were tired and Kian is a pretty responsible eighteen year old young man (headed for college next week), I decided to investigate myself. He was right about what the web said, but I wanted to check out her cut myself. It took about one second for me to say "Get your shoes on, were going to the hospital". Just below her hairline above her right eye, the gash was about an inch long and a quarter of an inch wide at it's center. It was fairly deep, needed to be closed and I wasn't taking any chances with my baby girl. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> If you are not squeamish, can handle the sight of blood and are curious then you can click here to see </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://ransomreport.com/BellasCut.png"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Bella's cut</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, otherwise just read on.</span></span></p><p class="Body1"><span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRj4s7wByrO2I6572kxs7B7N4t608zr4SLnyeOVWzx0zl-9CBlXbQgJS236up3lye18lUqEhDvWmwFaVI_OrL1p7GcacK8w85dAGoacNxJuXr8ZoiwPOuMhJCX9zwn5ADq4imv/s400/Bella+in+Wheel+Chair.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631591263287509538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">While we struggled to hold her down on a table in the hospital emergency room, I couldn't help being reminded of how we do the same thing when God tries to help us. Our fear and lack of understanding causes us to kick, scream and fight against Him when He is only seeking our best and only trying to help us. We often fight Him like a scared and confused little child. Even with medication to numb the wound, my ipad playing the movie "Toy Story" next to her and promises of balloons and candy, she still struggled and cried.</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27L5Kk9y4xU8NEBTrcBbF5qNhnNH-JeMt4or_wdpfAfFcV8SrJCE2Zhij2-fP0Caz-NQw2HuzSlLiG9Xlx2eDqW7e6UTg3aNf20Em_pmqOgQ0Pov8hABnUu0C-V4kefdej3p-/s400/Bella+Watching+Toy+Story.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631619419889496098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px; " /></span><p class="Body1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Three stitches later her terrifying ordeal was over.</span></span></p><p class="Body1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveOdyXf3SrzrmCClUukzpc9mWYi5I2V5q_bdZddI4n7b6Z6mKcJZ1AohbInYUin2HquqEIQSG3Sdkmyh44PKd9L6Xi825p1HlZNEGp0fUNfDD53wt9LWvlkIIDKTlk69uHj3_/s400/Bella%2527s+Stitches.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631691081303018322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span>It wasn't long till she was her sweet and happy self, exclaiming that o so familiar phrase, "Can I have a snack now?" Like a master manipulator, she milked the moment as best she could (who wouldn't, I suppose?). First, she worked the doctor for three surgical gloves: two to take home and one to have blown up like a balloon. Then, after settling with the hospital, we proceeded to the pharmacist for medicine and snacks. Once again, all was well as Bella drank her favorite chocolate milk and ate a candy bar. We didn't take anymore pictures that night, but here is one of her usually smiling face.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvROyppRKH9Zf6CI3ZsihJJyNV4Fw1LTT1Uk3Xy0UsMlueGdG943X8XwniQ81vOZ4IgqBaXr6fsg3zz2yFU3KAhj7HB0bt9nJx2ieV59K-h7FhH3SNO-Aapk4mBYacrCc49EPZ/s400/Bella+Smiling.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631650058201806466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px; " /></span><p></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div> <!--EndFragment-->Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-9397231816875871762011-05-23T19:51:00.000-07:002011-06-12T19:26:30.015-07:00Island Hopping<div style="text-align: left;">It's been a busy month and it's not over yet. Last week we held our first family module where we not only taught pastors, but a few ladies joined us to teach the wives of those pastors. These ladies included my wife, Jessica, and two Action Missionaries, Ruth Ortiz and Pami Ellis. First, four fellow graduates from the Master's Seminary (Felix Ballon, Vincent Greene, Chad Dexter and Mike Berry) joined us in the Philippines to teach with our training ministry, The Expositor's Academy. They started with a one day seminar on The End Times at a local church in the city of Cainta. Then together, we all travelled to Boracay to teach at the family module the week of May 16th-21st. We taught a survey of The Old Testament to the men, while the ladies with us taught on various issues on marriage and family to the wives. We had a few joint sessions in the evening for family messages as well.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVvaYRJXG3hhwGaHF8ar7omNrvOtHkH-JBDT4lVMcY7Jkb_JTJHphPL7W-2tLsdPrMHh-9hy5VajErDj8UBSv2RMW6SM2a8MhytFrEA8fAaU59wXN9dG_UbUnfGcb1VZP1Hvs/s400/IMG_2284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610114580590573794" border="0" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg_fHaegyKGUpZOaQFacK1D4fCOt3IhRO0HEMG7PrKPFTUQRSIHuwWtihKGzefOiXh9sxaAKTvJm-897XwzTGfKfIs7MSIXDQ-AXY8bA47_XCh7TeMxT64kYOA7gVIMdjMGzx/s320/IMG_2264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610129332319594498" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " border="0" /></span><div>On Sunday, some of us preached at Grace Baptist Church of Boracay and a couple of it's outreach churches. In the evenings we taught on more OT survey and preached on family issues. I taught a two hour survey on the book of Judges and preached a message from Genesis 2 on "God's Intention for Marriage." The students and church members were very appreciative as they fellowshipped with us and interacted during the Sunday morning and evening worship services as well as during the module from Monday-Friday.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbW8RVUzuPLl0pNSiPF4MK70dtgKdPeyA0ogEL0Pc5Zyxzb0WkZAP35m1Zt-onRXwUJUYsYlj_aYAYEPLQITGp39KtIq3bgu-a85UyM_VD0iD9otYoHXK5NX03f9xerkUPush/s400/IMG_2175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610116669586098114" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " border="0" /></span><div>Chad Dexter, who is finishing up his second graduate degree at The Master's Seminary, is exploring where God wants to use him and his wife Kara after he graduates and is considering joining The Expositor's Academy in the Philippines.</div><div><br /></div><div>Chad did a great job preaching twice, once from the books of Romans and the other time from the book to The </div><div>Ephesians and teaching several session for the OT Survey including Judges, 2 Samuel and 2 Kings.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI4QT1e47Jn5mJBLVk8s-M5XK1mw_irmg85bUaaT2HUhxvKg9PWzb-ILbt1qSiKZCM0-MgEOQfQJFyceDdsnLCUqB_WmZYxdUK7dej9Vl0rg6mwk8ziiQjVd8uTtOrXI8KC9I/s400/IMG_2243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610118481938914738" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " border="0" /></span><div>Vincent Greene is joining us for the third time and is already in the process of raising support so that he and his family can move to the Philippines where he will join the TEA staff to help us focus on and train men to be expositors of God's Word.</div><div><br /></div><div>Vincent taught on Ezra, Nehemiah, Ruth, Esther, 1 Samuel and 1 Kings as well as preaching. He also joined us in Mindanao in the city of Davao where he preached twice and helped teach a module on how to interpret the Bible.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOw9CDpoi7AXPF8zrKAnX_1rhUh_8PUOajruD5fzsIPJeEEvhQRj0HFUaIKKOU4b5XyKzvOpb0BVOYS3TwljFs7BooNsv2Bcq5ldsDhSjx0t15sjL99HEdeyVfMD4o8n3MZUom/s320/IMG_1947.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610123691060986898" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " border="0" /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl-IRog9qYL6hLKcLgx7vya32QlRFjah15zMLgKtq0iF_WtA5UE3p-4TCmD-UTu0piJCOVObvVW8Lla9zGP6-mFzyRkHYsofME4hRUtkjg49ucUxopaIO4cEQmr6qxN4jkxfi/s320/IMG_1959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610125473424113826" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " border="0" /><div>Pastor Felix Ballon came out a week earlier to teach a one week module module for us on biblical interpretation at Christ Commission Fellowship in the city of Alabang, followed by the one day End Times seminar, and then spent three days with us to help teach the module in Boracay. This was pastor Felix's third time teaching for The Expositor's Academy and he is fast becoming a favorite guest professor.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZBRYrwKx2xU6qSNvi2j6TpXn1MBycAcE7MlqflHq0MH-xsUBvdsmf7ukkq4Mc4rVlHPqhQxBI43uqDI-Zey_b9S1DA69dHKBsydm92OSuG27y53risTkPhBAjqggcnS7YvOq/s200/IMG_2194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610120110985597218" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " border="0" /></span><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKBuUOVa1ASki-O1KlrW57UaZRb4eiuxU9X3MECTr_pq0bK6arNU-IuTYrqdlMCYgD0ccUioPHrKt0y3fBqcqndRp-cFZoliW-Wm9ARUVfLTUKB8pFM_ULqNRMCGFSw-1OJJ6/s200/IMG_2225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610121004923221058" border="0" /><div>Pastor Mike Berry (Left) from Cornerstone Fellowship Bible Church in Riverside, CA, also</div><div>joined us as he taught the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. My wife Jessica (Right) taught the pastor's wives on the marks of a godly wife and mother. She was blessed to be able to encourage these godly ladies (below), some of whom enjoyed her teaching at our Purpose and Passion Conference at Greenhills Christian Fellowship in Manila last year.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5DpPxJsTdl2kNRoC85sqtJ0jOvjilcOewOL939WEL7N9_x1dC3YTuMrrKpmnbY_xDqtAwbnWGAyhrn53c1oSCp-jjoaugLJBJVJXoLMR53bBtNPq6OlqCWqIVp_F4hvH5OMC/s400/IMG_2314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610122556985935234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " border="0" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyN6bdXAtqzZzasxwXzIhXTPv51T56nqWJqkN_-0clVCh81C_WvmCdOY7rfRn0pRKkZyliiu4Yl2AVI1TO5974ov5epNvbbCmMEraR9S5cLxW9RoVW2icsd1712ApaO6JQtJw8/s320/102_0611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616804372931659874" border="0" /></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Jessica taught the ladies the first half of the week, and Pam Ellis and Ruth Ortiz arrived on Wednesday to teach the second half of the week. Ruth taught the women on biblical counseling while Pami, a nurse, taught about family health issues. (By the way, both ladies spent some of their childhood growing up as missionary kids in The Philippines. It's great to see them back here again serving as adults).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcGPcMvwtOiQQGaLvNAeJ5NRgzpPp8R7dQJPmp65OGOirwTa87PMc2lwzFjR8cWrF8HTA0Bt4eSfJpB8L4WtwwJdey9tu8TmhFYxTWMZyPM2X9VcW0SIvnrJgoffjrKRK8vRK/s320/IMG_2364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610127348091054754" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " border="0" /><div>The Boracay module was followed by the Davao module on biblical interpretation at Heritage Baptist Church. Pastors Felix, Mike and Chad </div><div>returned to the States, but Allan Luciano (Left)</div><div style="text-align: left;">and a team from the Church at South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, (Brent Milner, Linda Strickland, Andy Lack, Jameika Manradge, and Abram Davis- Below) joined Vincent and I to teach, serve and observe some of what God is doing in the Philippines.</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFLLipv76lNFTBHaQETW7hJLXIN9af-xdYgILOke373quOjslxH2159IBHuCXROqNd-6LH9Gl3vfAIV93bjiYD2eAyNKwnPF2UZAeroDIe2asLXNEXgy8f_Wklu-te-cERo8V/s400/IMG_2411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610155717741224626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " border="0" /><div style="text-align: left;">Allan, his wife Sandi and their two children are also raising support to join us as part of the TEA staff in Philippines. During our Davao module he helped teach several sessions on interpreting the bible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-88745896864980504482011-04-30T00:07:00.000-07:002011-05-02T17:35:55.812-07:00Myriads of the Surprised<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I was shocked when I received the text. It read, "He was accused, and he admitted raping [her] with the excuse that she wanted it. She was drunk and he was high on drugs." I knew the man lived in extremely difficult circumstances and that he was struggling to live the Christian life as he fought old vices developed over decades, like smoking and gambling, but rape? Drugs?...I would never have guessed. My heart not only breaks for him and his victim, both of whom I have been sharing Christ with and helping with physical needs, but the Lord used me to bring the gospel into his life and I have been hoping that His accepting it was real. At times, he would seem to show evidence of being a follower of Jesus; and at other times, he would seem to act just like a person who does not believe or follow Him. Ultimately, only God knows, but I always hoped the best for him . . . and I still do. I must admit that things sure look bleak at the moment. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';">I met him many years ago and he took to the Bible pretty quickly. He read more in the first several months that I knew him, than some other Christians read in years. I shared the gospel with him during that time and it wasn't long before he professed to believe it. He became a regular attender of our bible study and sunday worship services, even went on to take a several month long class on how to share his faith. In spite of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';">flashes of being a young and immature believer, he seemed to be a believer none the less. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';">Like with my friend above, I have shared the gospel with many people, and I have had the privilege of seeing some of them acknowledge faith in Christ. However, I am usually skeptical when someone claims to believe in Jesus and that they want to become a Christian. I'm not saying that they aren't, but I only feel confident that the confession of their lips is the reality of their hearts after I see a consistent pattern of following Jesus and obeying His commands over time. You see, it is through the trials and choices in our lives that the genuineness of our faith is demonstrated. Perseverance through trials and right choices gives confidence of a genuine faith to those who claims faith in Christ and to those who witness that confession.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IKtwPTrj7MccLn6Fe3TBHU9NfTXh_2xzl1dWPA_qZvb2bBdOSpdNkX-awXi9pYAlaAvWDRu0xVwpBkUFkxMBZVoGOum0jlzpOhPv9vr3A95QO7Tguk68AS4A_PhjBFLLC1IY/s400/th_Fork_In_The_Road.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601667209887998290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 160px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Instead of praying for my friend's growth as a believer, I am once again praying for the salvation of his </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">soul. I fear that he may be among the myriads of the surprised who hear Jesus say,</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Luke 9:46) or even worse, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Many will say to [Jesus] on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Then [Jesus] will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (John 7:22-23). The truth about my friend will be made evident in time. Some may read this and believe that the truth is already clear. Perhaps, but my question to you is, "What about you?" Is your faith real? Does your life demonstrate it? Which way are you headed? Will Jesus say, "I never knew you" or "Well done good and faithful servant."?</span></span></div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-40819630418049714602011-03-31T05:08:00.000-07:002011-03-31T05:37:24.532-07:00A First for the Expositor’s Academy<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W3OFODqQ0fK5AgoWNgDc6PYr2Iukw9T_vvyyTcYwQidUzG-nubALZGiAJnPMH2TYEa0UBc3NtMWM9OQf2kp1lm8jEti9x5_BJuRb9MJZbpJqCN28LNJunE9mwds0hKg27kfS/s1600/DSC_0796.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0W3OFODqQ0fK5AgoWNgDc6PYr2Iukw9T_vvyyTcYwQidUzG-nubALZGiAJnPMH2TYEa0UBc3NtMWM9OQf2kp1lm8jEti9x5_BJuRb9MJZbpJqCN28LNJunE9mwds0hKg27kfS/s400/DSC_0796.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590217442389884914" /></a></div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px 'Arial Narrow'; color:#47403c;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This May 16th -20th The Expositor’s Academy (TEA) will begin teaching it’s third module to pastors in Boracay. We have already completed Hermeneutics (how to interpret the Bible) and Homiletics (an introduction to preaching). Our next module will be an intensive one week module that will survey the first half of the Old Testament. We have taught seven modules to date, but this time we not only invited the pastors, but we also invited their wives and children as well. As the men attend the OT Survey in the mornings, their wives and children will have their own classes. During the middle part of the day everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the beach and in the evening their will be a few more OT sessions and a special message for all the couples geared toward building godly marriages. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 9.0px 'Arial Narrow'; color:#47403c;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXEvTNixppiqYS07C24hvSP3ZnFWP3ZdboMpr1YTwkkvHdpMcgBuvuruXGbtqYlIw3xMmm3Sqh6i0aqnMIj5ora9Qq_L3ogcTl4zhwqkgxNLYGfkC9XJOp070auC4Qj4hEoeO/s400/IMG_1553.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590220349054866034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 10.0px Baskerville; color:#47403c;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Five graduates from The Master’s Seminary in California and a team from are planning on making the sixteen hours of flights to partner with us to do the teaching for this module and then on May 23-27 The Church at South Mountain in Arizona will join us to help teach a Hermeneutics module and do some local ministry in Davao City.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 10.0px Baskerville; color:#47403c;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Join us in praying for God’s favor on the students, teachers and for the resources necessary for these modules. If you would like to sponsor a pastor(s) to be trained please email me at sean@ransomreport.com</span></span></span></p>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-68987819307152142512011-02-27T15:00:00.000-08:002011-02-28T18:50:14.305-08:00It's amazing how much you learn when you teach others.<div style="text-align: left;">I never cease to be amazed at how much I learn when I teach others. Last night I finished teaching a Theology Class at Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF). We basically spent two semester surveying major Theological topics in the Bible and it was a great learning experience for all of us. I had not focused on Theology like that since my seminary days and it really helped to remind me, clarify for me and give me an opportunity to dig a little deeper on several Theological issues. A few that stood out during our class discussions were on the topics of weather or not God paid for the sins of every single individual person and the end times. I think studying and teaching the doctrines of salvation moved me from a 4 point Calvinist to a 5 pointer. It was a very stretching topic for me and the class so we took extra time on it. John MacArthur preached a two part sermon on the topic that really helped me. You can down load <a href="http://www.gty.org/Shop/Audio+Lessons/90-277_The-Doctrine-of-Actual-Atonement-Part-1">part 1</a> and <a href="http://www.gty.org/Shop/Audio+Lessons/90-278_The-Doctrine-of-Actual-Atonement-Part-2">part 2</a> free through www.gty.org.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://3136D1C3-164C-4B42-91A2-283D95C813CC/image.tiff" /></span></div><div>We also had a good time working through Eschatology (the doctrine of the end times). This too help to remind me and clarify what Scripture teaches regarding things like the rapture, tribulation, the second coming of Jesus, the 1,000 year physical Kingdom of God on the earth, judgment and the eternal state. Since the class is a survey of Major doctrines, we did not go too deep on the subject, but I believe that it was enough to wet everyone's appetites for further study, taught them the major terms, definitions and end time theological systems, while at the same time, I reenforced solid and consistent principles of how to interpret the Bible. The students also saw how greatly ones METHOD (and consistency) of interpreting the bible effects our understanding of God's Word, especially in Revelation and other end times passages.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6_ckKlHYD7QjYU9pGoh28mEKvLepP6cdcwk8k7VCU0s5J8Bok-syb-uKm6PY-3ZtWU8_T52HhOUYRbV6vKK66RQu9Cza7N8dOYDDRB3kveQB8lXZ2FL9w1uigXv2B9ps6h2g/s320/jesus-miracle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578934847343345538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div>Last Friday I began teaching a New Testament Survey class at Church of the Triumphant Christ (CTC). In the course of teaching the Gospel of Matthew, we came to a section where Jesus did a lot of healing. This brought up the question of weather or not healing gifts are for today? I will have to write more on that later, but for now I will say that we had a good discussion concerning why Jesus healed anyone in the first place and the authority to heal at will verses God healing through the prayers of believers when it is according to His will.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyiEQU-bPwy9TaOl9f1nEmK1OEBH2MrrYrdoOgZ4osd2t6rTGukWS7ckVYMmwDC3qPb-5iJa7msC9QuspNXPZtRnu_1uYg0U1VWWkvq9ltbE8neZmNXHXOuY01mTi2SXG0sw_/s200/38315.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578932355998259890" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px; " /></span></div><div>Tomorrow I leave for a 12 day trip to the U.S. for the Shepherd's Conference and the TMAI symposium. The symposium will meet at Calvary Bible Church in Burbank for two days. I will also take part in a mission conference there and share with a few of their Sunday School Classes about our ministry in the Philippines. As always I appreciate everyone's prayers and if your in California from March 2-16 I hope I can see you. Blessings.</div></div></div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-29563705048244081272011-01-30T02:59:00.000-08:002011-01-31T00:38:56.201-08:00Boracay Preaching Module<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXCjxTO5675DOxHgYFBmi-bq3V6gNgOsL2ORjh2Sl95e9H_6NfI_qdFDfNmZjwwzX81ctYMDGU6iboaQ7Aq7N7JWyOzeB-lJmLTdFudphcsQ1pDoLaO-fZvPq6ybJLXCVlHHO/s1600/IMG_1594.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;">This month we followed up last October's Biblical Interpretation module on the Philippine Island of Boracay with a second module. This time we taught and introduction to preaching. Thirty one men spent the week with guest professor Weymann Lee from Phoenix Arizona and myself for an intensive time studying and practicing preaching. Some of the pastors and leaders who joined us traveled some 5 hours by bus from the near by Island of Panay. We made the short hop from Manila to bring the training and materials to these dear brothers so that they don't have to relocate or stop their ministries. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsNy1HUNHQFNPm1FoFk7oDm46aVF0d3ufmILdpx83l0xQXyvvw8R8ILxwSmPEurJDMCMY6xaHWGMeEo3xzCPonkNPRNI7ICPrtGTzYMjzZiTBFLdibFFo7n_cy3iDb04m8-EO/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsNy1HUNHQFNPm1FoFk7oDm46aVF0d3ufmILdpx83l0xQXyvvw8R8ILxwSmPEurJDMCMY6xaHWGMeEo3xzCPonkNPRNI7ICPrtGTzYMjzZiTBFLdibFFo7n_cy3iDb04m8-EO/s400/IMG_1614.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567955405095020242" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bI6cVTr6hDLPw57uZzdqkom2qRpsDZH-qiYl9RyHHM7uF0Wt4KC_E8FDB1dfeVmlKsyHKm4-PLK-YiOhqp_5TbU-g87lXVWzBi6Op7Vzyng6AtwECcL200w0KBPumYBAndOa/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bI6cVTr6hDLPw57uZzdqkom2qRpsDZH-qiYl9RyHHM7uF0Wt4KC_E8FDB1dfeVmlKsyHKm4-PLK-YiOhqp_5TbU-g87lXVWzBi6Op7Vzyng6AtwECcL200w0KBPumYBAndOa/s400/IMG_1539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567959821428531234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzDZ8xTsy8uh8ozmBbF-7IXAirIiOwodlOERU96Op5gG_7JLh-GDcwkBXyvE2rjFXK7waT3k2_9b3ukPTKQUGQ9fcSXJ6-3HgnAihv-pcQA49bCs7t60EWPLYtXfzGu9Dwk-G/s200/IMG_1588.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567963803296471346" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoEJcAIpR6fW843uFz5dQaLxJOyKtCYMIRWhpevm8Wyy3vM-K8fjvsCIhB9i2PoHUERrxzEXxPUDzNoe-7SowXv4nsGhRGUgWkroIT8qv0PFvzAsmpioFAALdUQ6aAZz4g4Ck/s200/IMG_1512.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567961809250733202" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /><div>The module started with a assign-</div><div>ment to assess the men's understanding of some key passages and to see how they interpret them. This was followed by a review of how to interpret the Bible and then proceeded with three more days of instruction on preaching. The week culminated with the men being divided into three groups to practice what they learned by preaching a short sermon from an assigned text. This also allowed us to coach their strengths and weaknesses. I was pleased at their interaction, good questions, and the progress that they made in the interpreting and proclaiming the Scriptures.</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXCjxTO5675DOxHgYFBmi-bq3V6gNgOsL2ORjh2Sl95e9H_6NfI_qdFDfNmZjwwzX81ctYMDGU6iboaQ7Aq7N7JWyOzeB-lJmLTdFudphcsQ1pDoLaO-fZvPq6ybJLXCVlHHO/s200/IMG_1594.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568153326347582754" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbEFyoS8if8XkZJwN2RSZ7LPBtKOQ3QFFq9EwIsbZ2CdekWmkeVO31lGdmx8hEKmOev7owNOYBV_HMb7APb51P-Yxk0vHGRSdYhMJq1CiBIzna2-ZbIQSoVDy1EsQryzN9HN4/s200/IMG_1508.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568149587725361090" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /><div>I'm back in Manila now, teaching four classes a week (one in partnership with BTCP) and mentoring a small group of pastors in their preaching and other ministries. Our plan is to return to Boracay again in May to start Old Testament Survey, but this time we want to have a family module. We will invite the pastors to bring their wives and children. The pastors will be taught OT Survey from 8am-noon on a Monday through Friday, while the wives will have seminars on marriage and family issues. Then everyone will be off to enjoy the beach till the evening. After dinner the men will continue OT survey on Mon-Wed-Friday and on Tuesday and Thursday nights the whole group will worship together and enjoy teaching from the Word on marriage and family. During the morning teaching times, we plan to have VBS type learning for the children as well. We have several graduates from the Master's Seminary to join us for the teaching, but we are still praying for a church or churches to join us by volunteering to help teach, care for the kids, and sponsors some of these families so that they can receive the training. We appreciate your prayers for the plans, preparation and resources for this ministry. Email me sean@ransomreport.com if you are interested or have some leads. </div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span></div></div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-50333924799303036282010-12-27T00:05:00.000-08:002010-12-31T09:38:48.680-08:00The Next Chapter For Our Friends at the Bridge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil65ov_R5pPOO8-7LyineRQKxWYIGvQ4XjG_doONGr3uybCWXqJHNhPh5CCru-M4_bHc5DIazn0NyA1ljIaD4s7MTaaC6Efqo-0CZMJhKZs2f3-_BxYEa9ZbtxWKtaG5oONImB/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaJbG_oSH-Sd8JYMF9t56d3K9hQ7Wm9PQdAMRiGhy1yxWrYLSBnEz1ICu8BHWzGDbjX9XbpQXeFW3hg-J_tJPKYFHFgchF4wR4hPLYs_AIYmVr2F5maJ6xKMkyoHMceJ-DCsD/s1600/IMG_1413.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpGgNvcxYSSeFJdIWtl7JQbHzj0llnbv94PU4OHUM8wsxudj_maopiiaGFOixJn6hTCdaNNetFGS0PAFZC6pbsHt9FUSyCLUcnEFPxYg7jVIxV8Et2lROoLbHwJ1sqUc3V2NC/s1600/IMG_1447.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpGgNvcxYSSeFJdIWtl7JQbHzj0llnbv94PU4OHUM8wsxudj_maopiiaGFOixJn6hTCdaNNetFGS0PAFZC6pbsHt9FUSyCLUcnEFPxYg7jVIxV8Et2lROoLbHwJ1sqUc3V2NC/s320/IMG_1447.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556820145152945154" /></a>Heaps of trash are all that remain of Obet's home. All the homes under and around Manalo Bridge have finally been demolished. Everyone was prepared for this since they had been warned about it a while ago. About two years ago they received their first notice of demolition and were invited to a community meeting that took place in the floodway channel that they lived in. The government official directed our attention to the thousands of homes lining both sides of the river banks just a half mile south of us. After looking at me he said to them, all of your are blessed to have a pastor praying foryou because we are not able to provide housing for those people down the way, but we have it for you. Of course I had nothing to do with it, but God used that situation to remind those who were trusting Him that He was caring for them.<div><div><br /></div><div>Families who were able to put in 1,000 hours of labor to help build their homes and who could afford the approximately $30 a month mortgage over the next 10 years joined in a began to build their homes. A majority of the families there took part in this program and began to help build the new apartments that they would someday move into. This would be a great blessing for our friends who have been living in make shift shanties for over a decade with no running water, toilets, or electricity. Below is a row of make-shift homes on the side of the bridge. The picture above is what it looks like now.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBzgrH0Egytf51Auctu7e3hxLaYYtgQ7b2n9dZq-25_dsihTTNHoJKTDPadaNcV4DnI8RRCPUiAR_ZWkSxM4d_dIwfbljBcTA8wiNVOFcvxqhaeQAavF2wvIvjuoXI6PE7EbF/s320/Houses+in+crack+of+bridge+2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556831052009622610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>During the months of November and December they finally began to move in except for a few of the families who could not afford the monthly mortgage or did not meet the qualification to receive the housing. Of those families who did not move into the new housing, all but one of them moved in with other friends and family or relocated somewhere else.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I went to the bridge this morning to take one last look I found one family who had no place to go. I discovered that Geovani, Christy and their 6 children (Joshua Sean was born there under the bridge on Dec. 11) were still there. They took pieces of wood from the torn down houses and built a new home under the bridge. They are hoping to rent a near by place some time soon. Their church has offered to pay their rent for several months while they get settled.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaJbG_oSH-Sd8JYMF9t56d3K9hQ7Wm9PQdAMRiGhy1yxWrYLSBnEz1ICu8BHWzGDbjX9XbpQXeFW3hg-J_tJPKYFHFgchF4wR4hPLYs_AIYmVr2F5maJ6xKMkyoHMceJ-DCsD/s320/IMG_1413.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556821772864204882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVq0RxJKV9SRpEpfAa4B7O3HsfrUPjS6nsRQLVhEghXaAi2AJwvFa7cXAYehnVh0BuER85tCIlT-IrmXwTlNbSfWDdRq_EKcIrm9rDx4TRojk_KkSZpCvjM8yAiqbuqwKhWth/s320/IMG_1414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556823093682608338" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIY9zEg-yu_dblIKtbCNUpuL888EswytE7chR37rr3WgIXHdHgdCfsT-jDMfILE9-3UguXwTOQRujtg8cvixvPMZObeI5TFb4RqehVntLm5OeHyTbXe9keXArI8Iu3X2auuFn/s320/IMG_1441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556824901298469202" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is what it looked like under the bridge when I first met my friends there.</div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qaL1nl88iVx-90RaBMEHR-RgCJL-dYTdh3VCQ-zn0GgNmCTlRn6ImE-i7wQikpT_jv8QOzP7G8Vmtd1bpzg09_4xj95irT4QiJj2Zy41_9KnAMUdARy6hlGrZiUkGIT8Sxp9/s400/Houses+under+the+bridge.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556832776375305538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is what I found today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3jN87NQNoImWNjoOr5VOOk4GL_WM2QtxaPGykTZoKtKH8MDefqpFqysMkYyu27WakuBhXgQyUO9l2CbEiMrneTab36rWJlrknY_vPQGlUTqZ8s9Uxj9YKiB8wgHyNe0Ln82k/s400/IMG_1430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556838731974803698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div>The good news is that most of the families live in permanent homes now. They are no longer living in a dangerous flood channel and they now have running water, electricity, in-door toilets and solid walls. Another benefit of this is that some of their living expenses will decrease. Like water, which they will no longer having to buy by the gallon and have to carrying home in jugs just about every day.</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mhdxfGKu-MDSDnNyw8KJGy_2NArF6VfNOEbBHszeSDWMJjSKR5MuV3V50kY42i21LdGfeNKuVuoj-0q0LOGkvoU6Z-hlNFiRIljmLMesCuH-DfV8G4MM5HM_l-tDzo2kE9G1/s400/IMG_1311.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556850823289028626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div>Here are some pictures of the Cruz's place. It has a family room, small kitchen and bathroom down stairs and one large bedroom upstairs. </div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcte-dkDUo6j96fcQggbweGAggF2dsR7WfZnhrePGVnx_w60_GBwp0KNrxMi8XDGhXNH9xd1I6ayD2hp59jxTJm_AKonjr99Q8Ton3fxBKzeku2lvE_Rb5KNFKFu3tG4fKem9u/s320/IMG_1322.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556857991532003330" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil65ov_R5pPOO8-7LyineRQKxWYIGvQ4XjG_doONGr3uybCWXqJHNhPh5CCru-M4_bHc5DIazn0NyA1ljIaD4s7MTaaC6Efqo-0CZMJhKZs2f3-_BxYEa9ZbtxWKtaG5oONImB/s1600/IMG_1357.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil65ov_R5pPOO8-7LyineRQKxWYIGvQ4XjG_doONGr3uybCWXqJHNhPh5CCru-M4_bHc5DIazn0NyA1ljIaD4s7MTaaC6Efqo-0CZMJhKZs2f3-_BxYEa9ZbtxWKtaG5oONImB/s320/IMG_1357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556863609942378978" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Pictured on the here on the right are several of the families who used to live at the bridge at the dedication of the Cruz's home. Praise the Lord for caring for these families. He has taken them from the bridge to a group of apartments that house thousands of people. I know that they will show Him their gratitude by opening their home to others to make Him known. Pray for their continued growth, protection, blessings.</div></div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22554289.post-23504783150282783862010-10-19T16:53:00.000-07:002010-10-20T20:23:21.945-07:00Bringing Training To Minister's Where They Live<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZvCXy3QDpyBgll2sfm3VrGz0kOlAs-evqX604F9coI4DhVdRgci-giH9md8VRaQcFLG8PE5wlTTENcQpzYPVFHkHZYKDCfVQnIagOZ6O2c-OXsUCyMphcuSHycclxSOg2G7i/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;">In early September, we were joined by Geoff, Elizabeth and Hezekiah Kirkland. Geoff is a graduate of The Master's Seminary and he and his wife are praying about the Lord's Direction for future ministry. They heard about the opportunities with our training ministry, The Expositor's Academy (TEA) , so they came out to see what the Lord is doing and how they might fit in should He lead them to join us in training ministers in the Philippines.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QOeHmTYbeRwREg6diHvFO3AXS3wFtB7M-sOBTC9Fu3e60LA2-wFzwaFaMx0TGQNbSa5l-8smzXhZ5HJ6BcQxzgQdxNfwF2ZXr99C5cJykYpwtN70C6jIEfCLkaDOtszrvnI7/s320/IMG_0287.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529942012446896866" /><div style="text-align: center;">Geoff, Elizabeth and Hezekiak Kirkland</div><div><br /></div><div>TEA Board member Mike Asperin arranged for Geoff to teach a one week module in the city of Tanay on Hermeneutics (how to interpret the Bible). It was easy to see that the Kirkland's immediately clicked with the people and culture and Geoff did a great job of teaching.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaCsefhcKtb0502_VzP929wtQW1LHmQ2vNrioCTwZm3lr3AdPhKmtcg4Mw6z4M6a7JrbNLrIGPj1hTgVl9cftwYiqnaQGvUDQ9PV5HlcCgMTT9GuaZ_WFNLnuL7lIwoq-V1Gg/s320/IMG_0357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529949856423736146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Geoff Kirkland</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tanay is a town of about 80,000 people and is situated about 1 hour west of Manila on the edge of Laguna De Bay. I was told that there are very few Christian Churches in this predominately Catholic town and that the training was greatly needed and appreciated. We were hosted by The Church of the Living Savior and it's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">pastor, Medel Mendez cared for The Kirkland's during their stay in the city.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHg5U3Tm5HS06rLfgkcnAfU_EiJzkvjlMHQnfEXMMDShGalBAGq5lBMLZ8WWazXxCmW8-mGpKAlgOVX0XkxNjfCEtY4cafR4Y9446fL-Hlexv7OWS4kpPMntZupXg6B_SJ6vB/s320/IMG_0438.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529945642283632978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Kirklands with the Tanay Class</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div>Shortly after the Kirkland's returned to the States we were joined by Pastor Jonathan Rourke from Grace Community Church on Oct. 9-18. Jonathan had just wrapped up some ministry in Hong Kong and came here to the Philippines to help minister to some of our ministry partners and to join us in teaching in our training ministry.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW-MeXsMOLcP7KcEhm7zCF2QaiGPAcjaTBm2jSxcPooqLQeO8sS_71lSDwysGUIPE4t76mgRisL5_vBYlfkbLrU7Ru6RiDPj0RjFjxN5VwRTxCOhNfCKGuM88KO9VcCraj0fT/s320/IMG_0462.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529953440300217762" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vxT_pVbwTd0RJs9yYNaWaZEjr1XUprOWa2omIp5qQYtEXB4ep5OxWh9YG_nXaxK4E4Xt_zGE5yljA1LMC5oyb-Knkrx6sFZaO4r6-AfGjt-4NCY7Qkyvi-7RN8RHqZPShmZy/s320/IMG_0447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529958266386997362" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Rourke at</div><div style="text-align: center;">Greenhills Christian Fellowship in Ortigas Center</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQWJ9DcK9jzeFHQaPFj-XnLngosmx0hw5gBrimEj2xcr88sJ9A4A1ToPHJsaazavr1K5XKUoaXVHrCng5l8lKND7eZC9FiFPT6kdzZbkrXWHa0DDa6bhuDqfyyqUSMoiHZv7P/s320/IMG_0574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529968563502766290" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:15.8333px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX9kzvrf4e9ARcnI5qH_b2A94oeEoMmmH7dbXm1hXKdhGKYpL0cj63c__Z_0mjGo6fe0p97DQr7F0mgRBYMbSyFvLFHkKAHlqSA4lND8ablHKpFhtknFD7UQrFpfzgmBgw3Ik/s320/IMG_0584.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529962799354382962" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Rourke at Christ's Commission Fellowship in Alabang</div><div><br /></div><div>Between the two churches, Jonathan preached 5 times to about 5,000 people. At GCF, he preached on 1 Tim. 1:12-17 (<a href="http://gcf.org.ph/sermons/index/405">Click hear to listen</a>) and at CCF He preached on Gal. 3:1-14 (<a href="http://www.ccf-alabang.org/">Click hear to listen</a>). I had a good time with Jonathan as we met with some of the pastors from both churches to hear about what God has done through them, what He is currently doing through them, and where they are heading.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sandwiched between these two preaching engagements, Jonathan and I suffered for the Lord in Boracay. I almost hesitated to share this because the place is a popular vacation spot set on a beautiful beach known for it's powder white sand, glass like waters of various blues and greens, great food, and friendly people. Often, when thinking of missionary life, people picture poverty, heat, and rough conditions, not beautiful beaches, but hey, the Word needs to be preached there too and ministers need to be taught wherever they serve the Lord. This door was opened to us so we went through it and were doubly blessed. We were blessed to be in such a beautiful place, and were were blessed to serve such eager pastors. Most of the men lived in the area, but some traveled many hours for the training when they heard about it.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwreFBHDjokVw7dx-dN2rI76JCuTOKfILCCEE9SvfSrx8xQLRWwhz6FvoNCstnp32bYi4cJ9-jk5JJvRbdAhrUoWpiSdxsTPoWXvglgLQVqfunRnz9S3qPHgGIPEyHN8Ik6Rr/s400/IMG_0544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530319747219986386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 208px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Boracay Hermeneutics Class</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZvCXy3QDpyBgll2sfm3VrGz0kOlAs-evqX604F9coI4DhVdRgci-giH9md8VRaQcFLG8PE5wlTTENcQpzYPVFHkHZYKDCfVQnIagOZ6O2c-OXsUCyMphcuSHycclxSOg2G7i/s320/IMG_0518.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530328186263136610" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div>The only down side to this module was that it was torture looking at the beach each day and not being able to enjoy it because we had to teach. Jonathan and I kept saying how nice it would have been if our families were there. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, it was a great working environment. The men in Boracay appreciated the teaching so much that they asked us if we could come back in January to teach a module on preaching. As you can imagine, they didn't have to twist my arm and Lord willing, we will be there in January, maybe even with my family this time.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVEQJv8j5RV0KVvmBlB_sHezGAB5qKChTQatccafI7IMhcCauvDNRyopDoJho5RZM3btGBjha5hlKnSch2xF-dr5zw4zMz3xHpOtKfymwjRFSqdXM5kaezIc7GLEuNSgDwsQy/s320/IMG_0480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530324212277893074" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div>Please pray that these men would be able to go back through what we taught them, that they would understand it and that they would apply it to their study and proclamations of God's Word. It will take them time to become skilled in all the things that we taught them because they were exposed to so much in one week, but we pray that as they do, it will deeply impact their personal lives, the way they view the world, the way they lead and that it will greatly impacting their pulpits and the churches they pastor. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The last piece of news that I have to share is that we will be starting a new class in the city of Fairview just North of Manila on Oct. 23. Students from my class at Greenhills Christian Fellowship have been asking me for the past few years if we could start classes in Fairview where they minister. They have been enjoying the training that they have been receiving from our training ministry for over there years now and felt a burden for the pastors in their area to receive it as well. I felt bad that I have had to say no the last few years because of being understaffed, but I found some like minded men to help teach the classes with me by sharing the teaching load. This class will meet every Saturday night from 6-9pm starting with Hermeneutics.</div><div><br /></div><div>Please pray for our new class, that the ministers in it will be learn to better interpret, live and proclaim God's Word. Also pray for more men to join our staff at The Expositor's Academy in the Philippines to train godly men to faithfully preach God's Word. </div>Sean Ransomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14009548452837070703noreply@blogger.com0