I just finished up 4 weeks of ministry in North and West Africa. It was a huge privilege to be there! I was with an Egyptian based ministry. The first week at a missions mobilization conference in the Nile Delta with some 600 Egyptians who are interested in missions. The second week I trained leaders of the 15 church planting training schools who serve in locations that extend from the Middle East, across the 5 North African countries, and into Francophone West Africa. I trained them in our ESI way of studying the Bible to learn it, to live it and to teach it with Jesus in the center. It was encouraging seeing these church leaders so excited about studying Romans and discussing its message!! After that I visited two of the church planting training centers in Morocco and Senegal -- taking students through the same Bible study material. The Center in Senegal trains believers from one of the North African countries where it is against the law to be a Christian.

It was deeply encouraging for me to get to know these believers and hear their stories of how they came to faith in Christ, and how they are growing in Jesus despite strong resistance to the gospel all around them. One told me how they made a decision to always talk with taxi drivers, but always aware that doing so could mean a straight trip to the police station. The believers are courageous. Almost every person I met came out of a Muslim background. Some came to faith in Christ by meeting some missionary. Some were given a Bible and read it. A few told of dreams that led them to find a Bible and read it. One told me that he had a dream where Jesus came to him and said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega”. He said, “I had no idea what that meant, so I went to the internet, and discovered that these are the words of Jesus in Revelation. I went straight out to find a Bible, devoured it, and gave my life to Jesus”. One man had never heard the name of Jesus until he was 40 years old. The important thing is that people are finding and reading God’s Word, being convinced by the truth of Scripture, and being drawn to Jesus. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!

I am amazed how many Muslims today are coming to faith in Christ. I believe the real story in the world is not about Jihadist terrorism, but how Jesus is saving sinners (just like He saved me and you). I have started praying that the Lord will bring 1 billion Muslims to Jesus in the coming months – join me in that prayer! Satan loves to make us afraid of Muslims or even to hate them, but this can short-circuit us from reaching Muslims. Jesus promised that He WILL build His Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against His sovereign purposes!! He is doing that today!

It was a privilege being able to encourage believers in South Sudan and Chad in February, and now this time to train other church planters. Debbie and I have been asked to dedicate more time to this, along with our ministry of ESI (Equipping Servants) in Latin America. Please pray for wisdom as we seek the best way to do this. Doing this is a huge privilege, and as I have said in the past – when you pray – you are there with us!!

Debbie spent the last month in La Paz organizing a women’s conference for the women in our ILC church that will take place next weekend. Please pray for much fruit that remains from that time together. I look forward to being back with her in a few days!!!

Thank you for praying,

Kep