2023 Winter Newsletter

Ignite

Winter 2023

If I do not read how can I teach?

Books enable us to listen, learn and lead.

SparkLit

Where the Gospel is preached, books are needed

Pray for those who persecute you

Thoun Poch seeks to serve rather than be served.

In the middle of the night I got up and went outside to go to the toilet. I saw my father under the mango tree weeping and crying out to God. As I watched him, I felt hot tears run down my cheeks. I was eight years old. Because my father was a Christian, our relatives and neighbours made his life unbearable. They stole our animals and violated the boundaries of our rice fields.

God is our refuge

We are a family of fighters. My grandfather and great grandfather were soldiers and martial arts fanatics. My father was big and strong and owned a gun but he chose not to repay evil with evil. He was gentle and brave. He loved and served God with his time, money, knowledge and music. He taught me to trust and obey the Lord Jesus. I wanted to be like him. I decided to follow Jesus.

At university I completed a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in public administration. To become a commune clerk I had to sit an exam. I came fourth in my cohort. In Battambang province there are 103 communes. In my commune there are seven villages. At first, because I was a Christian, I was ridiculed by my peers and disrespected by the villagers, but now people appreciate that I don’t get drunk or accept bribes. A nearby cafe is my second home. This is where I meet with people and listen to their stories.

Bless those who curse you

Each morning on the way to work, I watch the staff of the private hospital burn incense and pray for people to become sick or be injured in an accident. When I arrive at my office I weep and cry out to God. I pray for the safety, health and prosperity of my staff and community.

“My father taught me to read and obey the word of God. He also set a good example. He loved and served the Lord Jesus with his time, money, knowledge and music. He was gentle and brave. I want to be like him.”

God answers my prayers: last year my commune produced more rice than any other commune in Battambang province. Above all, I pray for peaceful and harmonious marriages so I don’t have to fill out divorce papers.

To pay my daughter’s university fees, every day I teach English for six hours: two hours before breakfast, two hours during siesta and two hours after work. I have 100 students.

Let us proclaim the goodness of our God

I read books to relax and feed my mind. If I do not read, how can I teach? I love to study history. The gospel was first proclaimed in our district 100 years ago. To celebrate God’s goodness, I wrote a history of our church. For ten years I conducted research, interviewed people and collected stories. My book was published as part of our centenary festivities. I am currently writing a history of Battambang province and a history of the church in Cambodia.

Please pray that God will give me wisdom, patience, humility and a love for the people I serve.

Thoun Poch is a commune clerk and secretary of the Chhkekoun Baptist Church. He attends Fount of Wisdom writers’ workshops.

$30k will enable Christian publisher Fount of Wisdom in Phnom Penh to publish 12 books written in Khmer by local Christians.

Great things have been entrusted to me

You can help John Jumbe Kayange train and encourage Bible teachers in rural Tanzania.

I was born in Mbeya, Tanzania, but went to school in Malawi. When I finished secondary school in 1996, I returned home to Tanzania. I crossed Lake Malawi by ferry. On the ferry a pastor preached the gospel: “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” After preaching he said, “If you want to receive Jesus Christ now, while we are still sailing, I will pray with you.” Five school friends and I said, “Yes!” and the pastor prayed with us. On that ship I met Jesus.

I received this message with great eagerness

I found work in Dar es Salaam. I had a great desire in my heart to know more about God. By night I worked as a guard. By day I read the Bible.

An Australian missionary, Jill Morshead, saw me reading the Bible. She asked me, “Are you a Christian?”

I said to her, “Yes, I am a Christian.”

“Which part of the Bible are you reading?”

I was reading 2 Timothy chapter 2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” I told her that I wanted to study theology and become a Bible teacher but I had no money to pay the fees.

Jill’s husband, John, asked me “If we are able to help you, would you like to go to theological college?”

“Yes!” I said, “Even now!”

I examined the Scriptures every day

For three years I studied at St Mark’s Theological College in Dar es Salaam. Money was not my only challenge. My mother was killed in a road accident. I suffered from chronic lymphoid leukaemia and expected to die. But God had other plans for me.

“Books have been very helpful to me during my time as a student. But I know that they will be even more useful in the years to come as I work to teach and equip others.”

I wanted to teach the Bible. If you want to be a good teacher you must read many books. By reading books you can get more knowledge from people from different times and places. I like to learn about the history of the church, Roman Catholicism, Martin Luther and the Reformation.

After graduating with a diploma of theology, I went to Mlimba and started to teach in a local church. After teaching for three years I decided to start a Bible college. We called it Morshead Bible College because John and Jill Morshead made it possible for me to study in the first place.

This new Bible college is the answer to the prayers of many people. Mlimba is a remote place. The nearest Bible college is 300 kilometres away.

So far, our college has one classroom, an office, toilets, a hostel for women and a hostel for men. We keep chickens and ducks, and have land to cultivate maize and rice. We are small in number and still need furniture, computers, Bibles and books.

Please pray that we will faithfully equip evangelists, preachers and pastors to build up the body of Christ.

$30k will provide theological texts and essential Bible reference works to students, pastors and Bible college libraries in Africa.

John Jumbe Kayange is the principal of Morshead Bible College, Mlimba, Kilombero District, Morogoro Region.

How will they preach unless they are sent?

You can help students like Yusuf Kurniawan disciple believers of all ages.

Shalom! My name is Yusuf Kurniawan. I was born in a Christian family and grew up in a house church. At the age of 18, I was called to be a servant of God to a younger generation whose lives are far from God.

I have been active in various churches and youth ministries but during the pandemic I was forced to do everything from home. This is what the pandemic taught me:

Prayer is indispensable

During the pandemic, young people experienced new problems and needed prayer. Some were sick because of Covid, some lost their jobs and some faced difficult family dynamics. Many lost direction and became depressed. Prayer became urgent. As I prayed together with young people, I helped them realise that they were not alone. I taught them to be honest and open with God and express even their darkest thoughts and feelings. This enabled us to draw near to God in prayer. I continue to pray with young people. During the pandemic I prayed with them via Zoom but now I can visit them in their homes.

Training is crucial

Before the pandemic I was very busy ministering at church and teaching at school. During the pandemic I couldn’t do any of those things. Instead, I was able to meet regularly via Zoom with small groups of people who shared similar burdens. I prepared study modules to address their needs and concerns. These modules have since been used in various churches to train and disciple young people.

Reading books like Issues Facing Christians Today (John Stott), The Mission of God’s People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission (Christopher J Wright), and The Complete

“Young Christians grow and mature when they understand their role in God’s mission in the world. What Dietrich Bonhoeffer said is true: ‘Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.’”

Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ

(Bill Hull) helped me understand that discipleship needs to be holistic and transformative. We need to encourage each other to make Jesus Lord of every aspect of our life and allow the Holy Spirit to change us and use us to influence our surroundings. Our society and environment are under severe stress. I want to help young people understand their responsibility to care for their environment and community.

Get set, go!

This discipleship ministry helped me realise how young people form part of the priesthood of believers. In his mission, God involves people of all backgrounds and ages. When they appreciate this, young Christians grow and mature. Whatever they do, with a strong theology of creation and work they can understand how their own work is part of God’s mission and an opportunity to present a taste of God’s kingdom.

Please pray that I will continue to learn to feel for God’s people and lead them as a fellow servant of our Lord and Saviour.

$4k

Yusuf Kurniawan is studying for a master’s degree in theology at Bandung Theological Seminary.

will provide the Bandung Theological Seminary library with new titles for their digital collection.

Books are good teachers

You can help Bible college principal Alpha Lugoley prepare leaders to faithfully serve a growing church.

When I was a secondary student, I sang in the school choir. One afternoon in 1997, we were invited to perform at an open-air meeting. As I listened to the preacher, I felt a change within me. The call to repent rang inside me. I gave my life to Jesus from that day onward.

I wanted a deeper understanding of the word of God so I could serve him better. After finishing secondary school, I decided to study theology. While studying for a diploma of theology, I read the words of Jesus in Matthew 28: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

I wanted to share what I had gained so that others could know God. I became a deacon in 2003 and a priest in 2004. I continued to study and at St John’s University I earned my Bachelor of Theology in 2013 and my Master of Theology in 2017.

From reading books, I learn good ideas and arguments, and many hidden things. Books have shaped my understanding of theology. Books help me solve questions students ask, and they help me interact with people of different faiths.

I want to shape the character and attitude of my students so that they will trust God in difficult circumstances. I encourage my students to read because books enable them to think critically about theology and the world, and apply the word of God in our context and situation. Reading will help them polish their understanding so they can preach clearly what they believe and avoid heresy. Books are good teachers: they keep information and do not forget.

SparkLit has supplied my college’s library with a wide range of titles. SparkLit also provides graduating students with books. They will take these books with them into their ministry. By providing books you enable our graduates to fulfil God’s good purpose in their ministry and spread the gospel.

You can fan the flames of faith today. SparkLit partners rely on the prayers and gifts of passionate Christians like you.

1 You can provide theological texts and essential reference works to students and pastors where commitment is strong but support and resources are scarce.

$80 will provide a Bunda Bible College graduate with a personal theological and pastoral library.

$4,000 will provide the Bandung Theological Seminary library with new titles for their digital collection.

$30,000 will provide Bible references and theological texts to students, pastors and Bible college libraries in Africa.

2 You can nurture emerging publishers by providing funds, expertise and encouragement where life-changing Christian writing is needed most.

$7,000 will enable TREE Resources to publish a Japanese translation of Show Them Jesus.

$30,000 will enable Fount of Wisdom to publish twelve books written in Khmer by Cambodian Christians.

$80

3 You can equip publishing professionals by investing in the training and development of promising Christian writers, editors, designers and managers.

Giving is loving. To financially support the work of SparkLit and its partners in difficult places, grab your credit card and visit www.sparklit.org or use the form overleaf.

Revd Canon Alpha Lugoley is the principal of Bunda Bible College in the Anglican Diocese of Mara, Tanzania.

will provide a Bunda Bible College graduate with a personal theological and pastoral library.

Please use my gift of $ for project or √ where most needed.

Like gifts to your local church, donations to SparkLit are not tax deductible.

√ I enclose a cheque or money order made out to: SparkLit

√ I have transferred funds to: SparkLit, BSB 085-005, Account 51-670-1561

Please charge my credit card.

Card number

Without books nothing changes

John Jumbe Kayange arrived at St Mark’s Theological College with his entire worldly possessions in a single plastic bag and no money at all. He had given up his job; there was no turning back.

Cardholder’s name

Expiry date   /

Signature

Date / /

Please send me:

regular email bulletins

copies of the current newsletter

copies of the current prayer diary

Name

Address Postcode

Email

Telephone ( )

Mobile

PO Box 198, Forest Hill, Victoria 3131, Australia

Telephone 1300 13 7725 | admin@sparklit.org | www.sparklit.org

ARBN 119 800 645. The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Australia Incorporated. A member of Missions Interlink.

In 2011, John Jumbe Kayange graduated from St Mark’s Theological College, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with the best wishes of his sponsor, Lesley Hargreaves, and a personal theological library including the Africa Bible Commentary.

Three years later, John graduated with a diploma of theology. Thanks to SparkLit supporters he took with him a personal theological library including a copy of the Africa Bible Commentary.

John went to where he felt his vocation for teaching the Bible was most needed. He began teaching in a church in Mlimba in south-central Tanzania. The nearest Bible college was 300 kilometres away. When he was offered a block of land John decided to start a Bible college.

Not everyone who is given a book starts a Bible college or becomes a Bible college principal. However, without books, no one will start a Bible college or join its faculty or be qualified to teach. Without books, our teaching is limited to what we know. Without books our training is shallow. As Addis Ababa academic Anwar Mehammed Berhe says: “I know how difficult it is to teach without books. A teacher without a book is like a soldier without a gun. Without books, nothing changes.”

John desires only to fulfil his calling to proclaim the good news in Tanzania. He has asked us to stock his college library. On your behalf, I said “Yes!”

Praise God that we are able to share in John’s vital work of training and encouragement. What a privilege it is to provide books to those who cry out for them. Let’s not keep them waiting.

Michael Collie National Director michael.collie@sparklit.org