2017-1
LOOKING BACK
“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him.” Psalm 22:27
The Ambassador Institute was started in August 2007. Now, almost ten years later, it is encouraging and amazing to look back at what the Lord has done with this ministry. It started with the need to train pastors and leaders who would never be able to study in traditional school settings. The road blocks for these pastors were finances, distance, family, business, and learning methods. Ten years later, an oral training method has been made available to people in five countries and seven languages.
2007 – Recorded AFLTS classes taught in English 2008 – Introduction to the International Orality Network 2009 – The first Ugandan class of 20 was started 2010 – The first Indian class of 25 was started 2011 – The first Ugandan class graduated – Curriculum translated into Portuguese 2012 – The first Indian class graduated – Curriculum translated into Russian – Curriculum translated into Spanish – Oral Training was introduced to Ecuador 2013 – 70 students from 7 classes in Uganda graduated – Curriculum translated into Luganda for Uganda 2014 – 50 students graduated in India – Curriculum translated into Telugu for India – Aletheia Bible School started in Ecuador 2015 – 58 students from 8 classes in Uganda graduated – Romans curriculum was completed 2016 – 45 students from 7 classes in Uganda graduated – 24 students from 1 class in India graduated
2017-2
UGANDA There is a need to re-focus the leadership after all of the drama - Accountability for the that Nate and Rhoda Jore have had to deal with over their work classes, which includes permit. At the end of March and the first two weeks in April, the teachers, students, Pastor Kevin will be traveling to Uganda. class times, and exams - Typing and printing of Jane Eyotia, one of the board members, wrote the following in the Telugu curriculum an e-mail. “Special greetings in the name of the Lord. Thank you for being there for us. You know it is great to know that UGANDA you have somebody somewhere who cares and carrying the - Micah and Famke loving heart of God!” Berger as they learn Karamajong and build relationships in this new “We have been in a serious battle of the Work Permit. It region became a blessing in disguise because all teachers, students - Nate and Rhoda as they focus on ministry and the team joined hands to fast and pray at set days. I have never seen this type of unity before. When we meet, we do not - The Ministry Team as some classes finish and others only pray for the work permit, but we also pray for all our need to be revived directors, projects, classes, and personal needs, etc. Though - Pastor Kevin’s trip at the beginning of April prayers were being carried on in different places, the target was the same.” ECUADOR - The Pillman family as they return for furlough Pastor Kevin’s trip will include - The Cross Cultural Ministry class who will be board meetings, graduation, and traveling the first two weeks in April meeting with the Jore and Berger - Aletheia Bible School and their three students families. Micah and Famke have established their training base in GENERAL Karenga. Karenga is in the north- - The development of Book Four of the Ambassador eastern corner of Uganda next to Institute curriculum Free and Living Congregations Kidepo Game Reserve. Micah, Famke, and Naomi will be on furlough in the U.S. through the summer. Consider having them at your church to hear about their work and ministry. Micah’s email is [email protected] PRAYER REQUESTS ASIA - Brent and Emily Raan as they wait for the paper work to return. Asia Emphasize doctrinal understanding Stress accountability Promote quality teaching Expand locations
In my distress I called to the LORD; I called out to my God. Explore A New Field – such as a Caribbean country From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears. 2 Samuel 22:7 Ambassador Institute 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd. Ambassador Institute Plymouth, MN 55441 www.AmbassadorInstitute.org (763) 412-2029 [email protected] (763) 412-2029 [email protected] LOOKING FORWARD
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jer. 29:11
Looking back is helpful when planning the future. The way the Lord has led can give clarity to where He is leading. The World Missions Committee has established some goals for the Ambassador Institute this coming year. These can be a prayer list as you remember the challenges of this ministry before the Lord. Every goal that we have requires some action on our part, as well as a dependence on the Lord to make it possible. Without the Lord directing our steps, we accomplish nothing. Without obedience on our part, we are resisting or rebelling against His call.
Curriculum Finish Book Four in the curriculum which will focus on Free and Living Congregations, including sections on worship, the church, and leadership. Translate Book Two of the Revised Spanish Print the Revised Telugu
Uganda Encourage the Ambassador Institute leaders Strengthen the classes and expand locations 2017-3 2017-4
ASIA SPANISH EXPANSION "Repent and be Israel Floress, a seminarian from Leon, baptized, every one of Mexico, translated Book One of the revised you, in the name of curriculum into Spanish during the fall. He will Jesus Christ for the translate the Book Two this spring. These forgiveness of your sins. translations allowed us the chance to explore And you will receive the training pastors in a closed Caribbean Island gift of the Holy Spirit.” at the end of January. Israel would like to Acts 2:38 have this oral training available for his Samuel and Sanjee congregation as well. Varao are twin 17 year- old boys from India who ECUADOR have felt God’s call to be messengers of His Word. They heard about and started attending an Ambassador Institute class that Pastor Kevin teaches the Cross-Cultural Ministry class alongside was being held near their home. When they heard the Word of of Pastor Mark Olson. The class has been traveling from the God through the stories in the AI curriculum, the Holy Spirit Association of Free Lutheran Bible School to Cuenca, Ecuador changed their lives. They started writing and singing worship for six years. They do ministry alongside of the Aletheia Bible songs about the Lord. They asked to be baptized and desired to School students as they share God’s Word with schools in serve the Lord with their lives. It will be more difficult for them Cuenca. The Ambassador Institute has a partnership with than for other men their age, because both of them had polio. Aletheia and has trained eight teams from their parent church, They are unable to move their hands or their feet and spend Paz De Dios, in the Oral Bible Study method. their days in wheelchairs. Their future plan for ministry is for one of them to sing and the other to proclaim God’s Word.
CLASSES
The Rajamundry class is the newest group to start meeting in India. Their class meets on a roof top at night. Emmanuel is the teacher. He travels 8 hours by train one way every month for training. This year Mark Olson, Justo Pillman and Ruth Gunderson will be There are presently 50 leading the trip. attending and they are YES, IN THE U.S. excited to be learning God’s Word in this new and challenging way. Church or Last November, the Baapatla class held a special event to District honor the diligence of their students over the year and half that Training they had been studying. They had taken four of the six exams events: There and were close to finishing the last two. have been five Ambassador Kieliand is a business man from the Baapatla class. He is a Institute father and a carpenter. In 2013, he received Jesus Christ as his training events personal Savior. Recently, he started to learn the Word of God held at through the Ambassador Institute classes. It was a method that churches and he could understand and pass on to others. He learned about districts in the loving his neighbor through the Good Samaritan text. He U.S.. understood it easily and he started to share it with others, including the Sunday School children. People have asked him Ambassador Institute Curriculum can be ordered how he, a simple man, that doesn’t know how to read and from the AI office at [email protected] ($15) or from write, has gained so much knowledge of God’s Word. They are Amazon by searching for “Share the Word”, ($15). amazed at how easily he shares The Word.
Online: The lessons can be downloaded from the AI EMMANUEL AND HARIKA website at www.ambassadorinstitute.org. Emmanuel has been an AI Bible Study or Devotions: This curriculum is teacher for four years. He has written for an oral presentation by a teacher, but it is applied to attend seminary at useful to meditate and memorize the scripture. The AFLTS and his wife, Harika, has subjects and questions are useful to draw out the applied to attend Bible School context and thought of the scripture. starting in September. By having a formal seminary degree International Travel: You are welcome to join they hope to be strong leaders Pastor Kevin on a trip to Uganda or India and see within the AFLC India and for firsthand the training in practice. the Ambassador Institute.
Financial Investment: We praise the Lord for the BRENT AND EMILY partnership of individuals and congregation making this ministry possible. Thank you! Brent, Emily, Amaleah, and Sarala have been waiting for paperwork so that they “Entrust to reliable men can return to ministry. Pray for them who will then be qualified to teach others.” regarding visa challenges. Recent 2 Timothy 2:2 changes have made it increasingly difficult for people to get visas. Ambassador Institute www.AmbassadorInstitute.org Ambassador Institute (763) 412-2029 [email protected] 3110 E. Medicine Lake Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55441 (763) 412-2029 [email protected]