Compassion is rightfully aroused when we are faced with the hungry, sick, and naked. And right compassion leads to right action. But compassion is not limited to the sphere of the physical, emotional, or even psychological. We often find Jesus in his earthly ministry moved with compassion by something we seldom associate with the need […]
Continue ReadingMission
Pastoral Internships – Making the Most of the Opportunity
While typing my thesis, I suddenly sensed someone behind me. Turning around in my chair, I saw a large homeless man, blank-faced, dazed by drug use. He had entered the church building—and my office—silently. Engaging him in conversation, I called down the hall for the senior and associate pastors to join me and was soon […]
Continue ReadingRipple Effects
(Including Christianity’s Cross-Cultural Translatability) The Cambridge Dictionary defines a ripple effect as “a series of things that happen as the result of a particular action or event.” The Malawi Reformation Network’s primary work is to promote the growth and multiplication of solid Reformed churches in Malawi through the gospel ministry of godly and well-trained men. […]
Continue ReadingBuilding Denominational Trust as a Mission Organization
After recently reading the seventeenth chapter from the Gospel of John, the following verses have been on my mind as I pray for the work in Malawi. John 17:18-23, … As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they […]
Continue ReadingWhy Seminary Students Must Be Involved in a Local Church
Many Bible college and seminary towns have the same dilemma—how to get seminary students out of their peer group and into the life of the local church. Students flock to local churches, especially to those with vital preaching and evangelism ministries, yet can often be found clustered together in a circle talking about their studies […]
Continue Reading[VIDEO] Coming to the USA for Seminary and a Pastoral Internship
Hear from Confex Makhalira on what it was like leaving Malawi and coming to study in the USA at PRTS seminary and do a pastoral internship at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI. Confex shares… What was the hardest adjustment coming to the USA? What could a Malawian do to make the adjustment easier? […]
Continue ReadingProclaiming His Excellencies
A few days ago, one of my children found several toads in the backyard. Bursting with excitement he rushed up calling for me to come quickly to see them. In 1 Peter, the apostle Peter, full of enthusiasm and excitement for a much greater reality, calls us to see what God has made us through […]
Continue ReadingThe People God Uses in Ministry
Luke writes in the book of Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Why did Luke say the Bereans were nobler than those in Thessalonica? Because the Bereans had three noble characteristics. […]
Continue ReadingOur Three-Part Strategy
MRN is working to see the Reformed faith flourish again in Malawi, but how? What is our strategy? Specifically, we are praying for a faithful, reformed confessional church in every city and village in Malawi. Our developing strategy currently has three parts. Part one – Raising up and training men to plant churches and preach […]
Continue ReadingA Proven Paradigm
When I first heard about the Malawi Reformation Network (MRN) a few months ago, I was intrigued by its vision for promoting the growth and multiplication of solid Reformed churches in Malawi. During the past dozen years, I’d witnessed first-hand a similar ministry paradigm bear abundant fruit to the north in Uganda. The Church of […]
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