Pray for Madagascar: How God is at Work Amidst Suffering

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— Tim Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

As if last October’s coup was not bad enough for impoverished Madagascar, now this month brings more disaster through two devastating cyclones.  In recent weeks, our church also enjoyed a special visit from a Malagasy pastor bringing good news of all that the Lord is doing there in His Church and through their suffering.  God has raised up Faly, his church (where he is an elder) and his ministry in the capital city, Antananarivo, to build a healthy church, to train up faithful pastors, and to plant and strengthen churches and serve believers across that island in a myriad of ways.  

Through Faly and others, God has given our church in Johannesburg a twenty-year close friendship with beloved Malagasy believers, and a burden for the Lord’s work there.  I have been there many times, and I always come away deeply encouraged.  Here are some ways you too can rejoice and pray more intelligently for the cause of Christ’s kingdom on that beautiful-but-beleaguered island.

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DISSENTER: The Assurance of Thomas Goodwin (Ep. 36)

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Watch Thomas Goodwin video here

The Puritans were English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries that aimed to “purify” the Church of England by taking away Catholic practices, believing it had not been fully transformed after the Protestant Reformation. 

The Puritans accomplished remarkable feats. William Gouge, for example, who was known for reading fifteen chapters of the Bible daily, fathered thirteen children, wrote nearly twenty books, pastored the same church for forty-six years and took thirty-three years to preach through the book of Hebrews. 

Another giant among the Puritans was Thomas Goodwin. At age fourteen he was told his short stature would prevent him from becoming a leader of consequence. Instead, he became one of the giants of the Puritan movement, especially during its zenith from 1640-1660. These two decades produced the most quality books, gifted ministers, and biblical preachers that explain how believers may find assurance of salvation.  

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Christianity – Not a white religion

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— Charles Russell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Our Bible study is currently going through a book on evangelism. One of the young men asked me how to respond when, while sharing his faith, was confronted with the accusation that he had been spending too much time around white people. “Don’t you know… Christianity is a white religion”, his accuser asserted.

Like a punch to the gut, he was at a loss for words and overwhelmed with doubt. “Have I got it all wrong? Have I been lied to?” he thought to himself. “If this assertion is true, then the gospel that I am attempting to share is worthless”. This accusation is deeply emotive at its core. If the “white man” came to South Africa in 1652 with his “false gospel” and his subsequent display of heinous racism expressed through apartheid, then I have fallen prey to his indoctrination!

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SWEET DROPPER: The Sympathy of Richard Sibbes (Ep. 35)

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Sixteenth-century Puritan Richard Sibbes excelled as a friend, pastor, and preacher, but it was his book The Bruised Reed that remains his greatest legacy to the church. Just as a good father does not focus on the blemishes of his child, so a sympathetic man will give grace toward the weaknesses of his friend. 

Sibbes said: “A mother who has a sick and self-willed child will not therefore cast it away. And shall there be more mercy in the stream than in the spring?” Yes, and the spring is Christ, as we shall now see.

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Crippling Debt versus Godly Contentment

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— Richard Peskett

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Ayana (her name has been changed to protect her anonymity) was so grateful to her boss for her Christmas bonus that she knelt on the ground to thank her. Yet before the end of the month, all this extra money had been spent on “things” that she delighted to boast about on social media. One month later, and she was in debt again.

The debt that Ayana experiences is like a dark hole from which it is impossible to escape. Such personal debt enslaves a person; it brings sorrow, anxiety, and even despair. And it is all too common in Africa. 

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GOLDEN CHAIN: The Discernment of William Perkins (Ep. 34)

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Watch Perkins video here

As pastor, preacher, theologian, and author, William Perkins became one of the most influential Puritans, that spiritual fraternity of gifted preachers that first appeared at the end of the 16th century. Perkins lived for less than two decades after his conversion but used his remaining years in devotion to Christ.

His books on prayer, assurance of salvation, holy living, and the gospel outsold the most popular preachers of his day. His preaching and writing ministry shaped his society such that he is widely considered the father of Puritanism. 

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IShowSpeed in Africa: The Danger of Internet Idols

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— Joe Shoko

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The media is awash with posts of a young man named ‘IShowSpeed’. Presidential motorcades had to be unleashed to accommodate him on his African tour, where he vowed to visit over 20 African countries in a short space of time, with the aim and agenda to show the world that Africa is not as backward or archaic as they presume it to be. 

The allure produced by being in the presence of people of renown is not new to our day. The Queen of Sheba trekked from faraway lands to listen to the wisdom of Solomon in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the adoring crowds heaped praises upon King Herod after he gave a powerful speech. Two thousand years later, who is this man who has gripped the young and old and managed to make them ‘follow’ him whilst he does crazy stunts on his 3-5 hour live-streams? 

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SUCCESSOR: The Transparency of Theodore Beza

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The “Reformation Wall” is a monument in Switzerland that honors four great men of the Protestant Reformation. These theological giants were called “reformers” because they worked diligently to change and improve the corrupt church of their day.

The four men standing upright upon the wall—from left to right—are William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza and John Knox. With the exception of Calvin, Beza was considered the most celebrated theologian among the French Reformed, using the brilliant mind God had given him to spread the gospel throughout Europe.

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MARTYROLOGIST: The Rigor of John Foxe (Ep. 32)

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The term “rigor” comes from a Latin word meaning “stiffness”. Rigor mortis is the stiffening of a body’s muscles and joints a few hours after death. A man who shows rigor is thorough, exhaustive, and accurate. He is not flexible with the facts, soft with the truth, or fast and free with the details. 

This trait serves historians well, who mustn’t be careless with the truth but diligent, not easily bent to another’s opinions. John Foxe stands as church history’s greatest martyrologist, the name for a historian who studies the lives of those who were killed for their faith. Some Christians value Foxe’s Book of Martyrs above all other human books because it details so carefully the lives and deaths of some of Church history’s greatest Christians. 

Foxe was a man of courage and godliness, who showed meticulous attention to detail and, in doing so, provided the greatest record of Christian martyrs ever written. 

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Helping the Poor: Wealth Creation or Wealth Redistribution

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— Tim Cantrell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

What a stark contrast between the two G20s: November 2025’s G20 here in Johannesburg prioritised climate change and redistribution of wealth to reduce inequality, which has never worked.  All this is driven by the socialistic, flawed philosophy of globalism.  

2026’s G20 will focus on “economic prosperity by limiting regulatory burdens, unlocking affordable and secure energy supply chains, and pioneering new technologies and innovations” – prioritising wealth creation instead of redistribution.  Which approach will prove more helpful to the poor?  

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The Courage of John Knox (Ep. 31)

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On the Reformation Wall in Switzerland stands the Scottish Reformer John Knox, with the Genevan trio of William Farel, John Calvin, and Theodore Beza to his right.

Though little is known of his early days, Knox became Scotland’s greatest reformer—known for his bravery and fearlessness. As a fiery prophet of Calvinistic doctrine, the implacable Knox fought hard against the errors of his day and was unafraid to stand alone. He once said: “One man with God is always the majority.”

Not one to mince words, Knox once said that the celebration of the Catholic Mass was worse than drinking a cup of poison. Thus, John Calvin called him “God’s firebrand”, pointing to the indominable courage of this great Scottish reformer. 

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How Inerrancy Improves Preaching

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Churches break apart. Marriages shatter. Governments fracture. Friendships splinter. But the Scriptures cannot be broken (Jn. 10:35). This means they cannot fail. They cannot be incorrect. In every affirmation they make, the Scriptures are inerrant (without mistakes) and infallible (incapable of error).

This should not be difficult for Christians to accept, since God hates lying (Pr. 14:5; 19:22; Ps. 63:11; Ac. 5:3; 1 Jn. 2:21) and is himself incapable of lying or deceiving (Pr. 30:6-7; Num. 23:19; Ps. 89:35; Heb. 6:18).

Just as in the Word one sees perfection within the human and divine natures, so within God’s Word one sees flawlessness. Jesus believed in inerrancy, confirming its veracity by quoting the Old Testament and affirming that Scripture could never pass away (Mt. 5:18).

Inerrancy is not an ivory tower doctrine for eggheads, a belief secluded from any real-world relevance. This article of faith wears running shoes, or in this case, a suit and a tie. Here are four ways inerrancy improves preaching. Continue reading →

A Religion of Fear

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— Brino Kumwenda

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

There is pervasive fear among Africans, including professing Christians.  It is fear that is based on the African Traditional Religion and the misinterpretation of Scripture.  This is why modern-day prophets run the lucrative business of inflicting or solidifying fear in people and presenting themselves as men and women of God, who have the power to set the people free from their slavery of fear. 

The people run to them and are more than willing to “sow a seed” and buy their anointed objects like water and oil so that they can be set free. The business is thriving because traditional Africans have these fears and believe that mediums such as witchdoctors can set them free from them. 

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The Discipline of John Bradford (Ep. 30)

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Though heroes should be household names, many of the greatest giants in church history have been forgotten. One example is John Bradford, who is remembered primarily for his martyrdom, though his godly life of spiritual discipline should be equally revered. 

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The Politics of Blame

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— Lennox Kalifungwa

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

There is a sense in which complaint is the resignation and abdication of responsibility. This unqualified assertion will likely prompt the retort that affliction and pestilence are commonplace, and that people should be free to express their discomfort without fear of moral shaming.

Yet this expected retort ought to earn the response that trouble neither nullifies nor exempts a person from responsibility; in fact, it provides an opportunity for duty to be constructively exercised and applied.

To begin an article with such philosophical dialogue may not be ideal in some books, and yet it is necessary to confront the unfortunate spectacle that has been enshrined in the dogma of this modern world.

We live in a world that not only promotes, normalises, and celebrates irresponsibility but has effectively politicised and institutionalised it.

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The Faithfulness of Rowland Taylor (Ep. 29)

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One would think that the Catholic Church triumphed when it burned the Reformers at the stake. Instead, thousands of people who were once enemies of the gospel turned from their errors and became friends of the cross when they saw the bravery of devoted Christians in the flames.

Rowland Taylor, of the 16th century, lives on as one of the famous Marian martyrs—the name given to the Christians that Queen Mary killed during her bloody five-year reign. Taylor wrote no books, not a single sermon of his remains in print and no large headstone marks his grave.

In some ways, his life has been forgotten. And yet, Taylor’s testimony still stands as a monument of faithfulness today when we consider the endless commitment he showed to his calling, his wife, his children, and his Lord. 

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Why Don’t Nigerian Black Lives Matter?

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— Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

The organisation known as Black Lives Matter (BLM) is a violent, dangerous, Marxist movement. It is fiction, a sham, and a lie to believe that BLM really cares about black lives. Consider just two examples to support this claim: BLM’s outspoken support of abortion in the US and their deafening silence concerning the murder of black Christians around the world. 

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Should Every Man Bear His Own Burden?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: Everyone should help carry the problems of others, but on the final day of judgment, each believer must answer for himself.

Problem: Paul seems to contradict himself, telling believers to “bear one another’s burdens” in Galatians 6:2, then saying “each will have to bear his own load” (6:5).

Explanation: There is no discrepancy between v. 2 and v. 5 because Paul is urging the Galatians to “bear” different items, in different ways, at different times.

In vs. 2, the apostle commands believers to help their fellow brothers carry their “burdens” (Gr. baros) , which are oppressive weights and heavy loads. These difficulties may include battles with sin, physical ailments, family problems, mental challenges, financial hurdles, or demonic oppression. Is your sister depressed because of chemotherapy? Help her carry the load. Is your brother overwhelmed with lustful temptations? Put your broad shoulders to use. Continue reading →

The Submission of John Calvin (Ep. 28)

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John Calvin, the great French reformer, stands as the most significant leader in the second generation of the Protestant Reformation. Unlike Luther, Calvin dreaded quarrelling.

Though he was reluctant to speak about his personal life and avoided public attention, his long tenure as pastor in Geneva teaches us how a supposed “chance” event can change history and how humble submission to wise counsellors can lead believers aright.  

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Gender-Based Violence: A National Disaster?

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— David de Bruyn

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In the run-up to the G20 conference, various lobbyists in South Africa were calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare Gender-Based Violence a “national disaster”. Eventually, this was conceded, and the Department of Social Development posted the announcement on its website

What is meant by this declaration? What difference will it make? And what does it say about the beliefs of a large number of South Africans?

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Does the Blood of Animal Sacrifices Take Away Sin?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament only symbolized the need for Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice, to take away sin.

Problem: Dozens of passages in Leviticus say that animal sacrifices made “atonement” and forgave sin (e.g. Lv. 4:31, 35), while Hebrews 10 says it is “impossible” for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (v. 4).

Explanation: In the Old Testament, a holy God established the sacrificial system to show that He would forgive sinners that had repented in their hearts (Num. 15:27-28). The various blood sacrifices never contained the power to remove or forgive sins but rather pictured the purging of sin as the animals were burnt upon the altar. The death of an animal showed the seriousness of sin. Continue reading →

The Correspondence of Heinrich Bullinger (Ep. 27)

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The first generation of the great Protestant Reformers laid a sturdy foundation upon the Five Solas and helped the Church pull away from the theological abuses of the Roman Catholics. When men like Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli died in the first half of the 16th century, they were followed by the second-generation of Reformers who carried on their work.

With the exception of John Calvin, Heinrich Bullinger may have been the most instrumental of the succeeding generation which sought to exalt Jesus Christ through the faithful preaching of His Word. 

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The Admiration of Philip Melanchthon (Ep. 26)

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The 16th century in church history saw a three-pronged revolt against the heresies of the Roman Catholic Church. In one corner stood the Reformed Reformation, led by John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox. Conrad Grebel, Felix Mantz, Balthasar Hubmaier and the Anabaptists were another branch that rebelled against the papacy.

The final group that rose up against the pope were the Lutherans, led by Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. The powerful personality of Luther overshadowed his friend, but Melanchthon was a giant of the faith in his own right, modeling not only careful theological acumen but the warmth of godly admiration and friendship. 

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The New Archbishop & the African Church – Some Warnings  

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— Lukonde Mwila

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Since Anglicanism is now more African than English, what happens in Canterbury has ripple effects from Cairo to the Cape.  The gravitational “centre of Anglicanism has shifted to the Global South, particularly sub-Saharan Africa”, with over 63 million baptised Anglicans in Africa compared to some 23 million in all of Europe!

Church history contains Anglican heroes of our faith – like J.C. Ryle, J.I. Packer, C.S. Lewis, and William Wilberforce.  However, it is a Church today marked with a growing stain of compromise since its foundation.  Anglicanism was essentially born out of Queen Elizabeth’s desperate attempt to unite a nation that was fragmented by Protestantism and Catholicism. 

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The Risk of John Hooper (Ep.25)

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The most foolish mistake the Catholic Church made during the reign of Bloody Queen Mary was executing John Hooper, one of the boldest champions of the Reformation. Though he was burned at the stake in 1555 after enduring nearly an hour of fire that would not enflame, it was said that Hooper died as quietly as a child in his bed. 

Yet his death was not forgotten, and his cause could not be quieted. By torturing a man for his faith, the church in Rome reached millions with the message of the gospel, where Hooper’s sermons could not. 

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The Focus of William Tyndale (Ep. 24)

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In 1535, William Tyndale, the man that gave us our English Bible, awaited in jail his execution. At root, it was Tyndale’s love for the Scriptures that imprisoned him behind those steely bars. Isolation in a blacked-out dungeon can drive even the strongest of men insane. Yet Tyndale remained perfectly polite and congenial until the very end.  

In his early forties and bursting with talent, Tyndale had become the first man to translate the Bible into English from the original Greek and Hebrew. Now, while rotting prison, he took up his pen to write these words: “My overcoat is worn out, my shirts also. I ask to be allowed to have a lamp in the evening, for it is indeed wearisome sitting alone in the dark.” 

What drove Tyndale to such measures of fortitude was his unswerving focus to deliver the Bible in English. Nothing could sidetrack him from this goal. John Foxe said that Tyndale was “singularly addicted” to knowing the Bible, a trait for which we remember him to this day.

Might Your Phone be the Problem?

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— Richard Peskett

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

There is an old spiritual song called, Give me Jesus. Here is the first verse:


In the morning, when I rise,

In the morning, when I rise,

In the morning, when I rise,

Give me Jesus.

When most Christians wake up in the morning, their mantra is not, “Give me Jesus,” but rather, “Give me my mobile phone.”

Did you know that the average mobile ownership in Africa, according to a recent survey of 34 African countries, is 84%? Telcom operators are targeting Africa with affordable phones to increase their use. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that South Africans spend more time on their screens than any other nation in the world. How much time is this? The report states that the average South African spends 58.2% of their day in front of screens, “with 22.5% of their day dedicated to scrolling social media.” Can this really be true? A recent guest in our home averaged over 10 hours a day on their phone.

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South Africa’s Unemployment Crisis

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— Charles Russell

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

According to the recently released quarterly labour force survey, South African unemployment stands at a staggering 33%. Using the expanded definition (i.e., including those who have abandoned their search for employment due to discouragement), the rate is 43%. Nearly 1 in every 2 people looking for a job cannot find one (for the 33% and the 43%).

Not only is this the worst rate in Africa, where the average unemployment is around 9%, but it is also the highest in the world, equal to eSwatini at 34.4% at Dec-24). South Africa is in a crisis.

Before the Christian is tempted to panic, as many of us are, God is still in control – even in this unemployment pandemic.

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The Accommodation of Martin Bucer (Ep. 23)

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The tango is a popular form of ballroom dancing made famous in South America. Both partners must move in perfect unison for the dance to work. The phrase “it takes two to tango” means cooperation is required from both parties for an activity to work. 

In a similar way, Scripture exhorts Christians to labor and strive to accommodate one another. But along the way, we must avoid two mistakes. First, don’t seek peace at all costs. That is, don’t change your biblical convictions just to enjoy a ceasefire. Second, don’t view peace as a one-way street. There are others involved who must agree. Martin Bucer, the great Reformer from Germany, was not perfect in his partnerships with others. Yet, he labored so relentlessly for unity that he serves as an excellent example for the Church.  

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Missionary Minds: Van Zyls in Thailand

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Missionary Minds is a series of ten questions with missionaries around the world.

Nico Van Zyl, his wife Roxanne and their son Nicolas, are serving as missionaries in Thailand with Timothy Two Project International. They focus their evangelism, church planting, and leadership training among the Thai people.

Pray for the strenuous process of language learning, that they would persevere until they can speak fluently and teach in Thai and find joy in the process. Also pray for their spiritual growth, their Timothy Two projects in Thailand, India, and Myanmar and for their new church plant, Sovereign Grace Fellowship, constituted in August 2025 with ten members. 

1. Finish the sentence: Do not become a missionary if…

You think you are going to learn a new language and master it in a year or two. You are in it for the long haul. Think about learning a new language as getting a degree or an advanced degree. If we want to do missions effectively, we need to put in time to learn the heart language of the people. This is by far the most difficult thing to do for me and probably one of the most rewarding, I believe, in the end. 

We need to focus on investing time in the local language so we can make the gospel understandable and make sure the locals understand the gospel is not only for Westerners and that they don’t need to learn English to worship God effectively and truly.

That is also why Protestants believed and believe in translating the Bible into local languages. This has escalated since the Reformation and especially since William Carey went to India in 1792.

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