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Traveling and ministering together for
two weeks had a great bonding affect
on the seminary students. |
This past summer, 10 seminary students wanted to spend their vacation by going on an evangelistic outreach program. In two weeks, their goal was to cover a vast territory and visit as many of their minority tribal villages as possible.
As is usually the case, their desires are great but their funds are not. Most of the students come from farming villages where the average income per family is only $100 per year. To be able to pay for seminary fees and living expenses places additional undo hardship on them.
East Gates got wind of their needs and shortly after, for an unbelievable $400, was able to sponsor the seminary students' outreach program. Arranging the travel arrangements was half the fun. It wasn't simply making flight or train reservations but it involved planning for horse drawn carts, crossing rivers, trekking through mountain paths and traveling by bus!
After all was said and done, the students came back rejoicing. They shared with us how they had visited many churches bringing teaching, encouragement and fellowship everywhere they went. They preached the Gospel to many non-believers and visited the tombs of missionaries who had first brought the Good News to the regions.
One of the great benefits of spending so many hours traveling together was they were able to spend a lot of time fellowshipping amongst themselves. The students said they bonded together more than ever. They came back inspired and with a renewed vision to finish their studies so they could return to their churches to help pastor their flocks.
In many of the minority tribal areas, the churches have no pastors and solely rely on teaching by elders who may or may not have training. When we travel to these areas, the constant request is for traveling evangelists and teachers to help them; that's why seminary graduates are so valuable if they're willing to take on the task.
East Gates believes that one of the best ways to spread the Gospel in China is by supporting and empowering local believers so they can minister to their own. It's amazing how much is reaped for so little sown.
~ East Gates Australian Staff ~
Going Out Unto All the Villages
