After Jesus was Born.

Dear Friends and Family,
Here is the story of what happened after the 'Birth of Jesus' from Matthew 2.

1) Watch and Listen to the Story. Then 2) Read the Commentary (below). 

This story contrasts Herod, the king appointed by Rome, and Jesus, the king anointed by God. After Jesus’ birth, Magi came to Jerusalem in search of the ‘one who had been born king of the Jews’. It was Jesus, not Herod, who was ‘born king of the Jews’. Herod was a descendant of Esau (not Jacob) and he was no ‘shepherd to Israel’. News of ‘one born king of the Jews’ disturbed Herod for it meant that Herod had a genuine rival.

Herod knew the Christ would be ‘born king of the Jews’, but didn’t know where the Christ was to be born. The chief priests and the teachers of the law knew where the Christ was to be born, but they didn’t know he had already been born. The Magi knew that the ‘king of the Jews’ had been born, but they needed the scripture to know where he was born.

Herod called the Magi to find out when to the star had appeared and sent them to Bethlehem to find the child. Herod claimed to want to worship the Christ but he really wanted him dead. Herod had killed his wife and three sons whom he suspected of plotting his overthrow. He was so threatened by the Christ-child that he would kill all the boys two years old and under born in and around Bethlehem in order to eliminate his rival.  

The star led the Magi to the Christ-child who they bowed before in worship. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with costly gifts. Afterwards, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. So they avoided Herod to protect the child aligning themselves with the ‘one born king of the Jews’. Then God sent an angel to warn Joseph to escape to Egypt for Herod was seeking to kill the child.

Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee to Egypt and become refugees in exile. Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 which refers to Israel’s Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 4:22). Yet, Matthew applies this to Jesus; who re-enacts and completes Israel’s story. Then Matthew says the slaughter of Bethlehem’s children fulfills Jeremiah 31:15. Jeremiah 31 is about God renewing His covenant and restoring His people but it will not come without much weeping and sorrow.

Jesus is a threat to those seeking to build their own empires at the expense of others. Consequently, the shadow of death followed Jesus all his life. But Jesus didn’t come into this fallen world to live a life of ease. Through his suffering and his sin atoning death he would bring God's 'New Exodus' and accomplish God's salvation. The 'Magi' make it clear that Jesus is Israel's Messiah and the Lord of all the earth (Psalm 72:8,11; Isaiah 11:9-10).

Have a 'Great New Year (2015)',
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

 

 

Merry Christmas (2014)!

Dear Friends and Family,
Here is the story of the 'Birth of Jesus' from Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-7, and Matt. 1:18-25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Wee965-hI&list=UU1WIe-jToI7fechE7-auVrQ

1) Watch and Listen to the Story (link above). Then 2) Read the Commentary (below).  

God’s people were in their land but living under Roman rule. They were waiting for God’s King to come and restore God’s reign. God revealed His plan by sending an angel to the Virgin Mary who was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. The angel said the ‘Holy Spirit’ would enable Mary to conceive so that her child would be the ‘Son of God’. Mary’s child would reign on David’s throne and rule over God’s people forever. Mary’s response was, “I’m the Lord’s servant, ‘let it be to me as you say’.

Joseph planned to break the relationship until an angel told him in a dream that Mary’s pregnancy was from God’s Spirit. Mary would have a son and they were to name him Jesus for he would save God’s people from their sins. In His own timing and way God was working out His plan through the faithfulness of ordinary people like Mary and Joseph!

Merry Christmas from South Africa.

The Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, seemed to be in charge for he issued a decree and everyone returned to their hometowns.  God was working so that Joseph, a descendant of David, would go to the very place the Messiah was to be born, Bethlehem. There Mary gave birth to a son, who they named Jesus as the angel had said. All this was to fulfil the words of the Prophet Isaiah—a virgin will give birth to a son, and he will be called, “God with us”. God had sent His Son to forgive His people and restore His presence among His people.

God was working out His plan despite the evil intent of Rome and its powerful Emperor.  Augustus had turned Rome from a republic to empire and many thought of him as the ‘Lord and Saviour’ of the world.  He even declared his dead adoptive father, Julius Caesar, to be divine making Augustus the ‘son of divine Julius.’ While Augustus probably never heard of Jesus within a few centuries the Roman Emperor and the Empire would become Christian. Today the Roman Empire is long gone, but the Empire of King Jesus, despite opposition, continues its methodical worldwide expansion.  

Merry Christmas (2014),
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Malawi ‘School of Storying’!

Dear Friends and Family,

In SA with Drs. Davidson & Phoebe Chifungo.

Christmas greetings from South Africa. While we were in the states a Malawian friend and I participated in a one week intensive ‘School of Storying’ in Orlando. Recently, our friends from ‘Storyrunners’ have asked us to make arrangements to hold a ‘School of Storying’ in Malawi.  We plan to reproduce the ‘Bible Storytelling’ method we learned.  The goal would be to empower a team of 18 Malawians to produce a set of 42 Biblically accurate and orally reproducible stories from the Bible in their own “heart language’.

The story set we hope to pass on to our Malawian friends tells the Biblical Story from ‘Creation to New Creation’ that is fulfilled in Jesus. The training includes a series of checks that are designed to ensure that when the stories are crafted in ‘Chichewa’ they are true to the Bible. The story set and the training can help Malawians communicate the gospel in the  context of the Biblical story in a way that ‘oral learners’ can understand.

‘Storyrunners’ (http://www.storyrunners.org/) has asked us to tentatively plan a five (5) week training in Malawi this coming June/July 2015. We have been struggling to acquire all the information we need to adequately plan this event. We need to know what options we have for venues, accommodations and food so that ‘Storyrunners’ can make plans to hold this training in 2015.

Please pray that we can get all the information and that plans come together in a timely way. We firmly believe that this training will help strengthen the Church in Malawi. We are excited about the potential of this training and about the opportunity to reconnect with our Malawian friends and churches. The long-term goal of the Malawian ‘School of Storying’ is to see the training being led entirely by indigenous leadership. Your ongoing prayers and partnership with us in the gospel is deeply appreciated.

Zikomo Kwambiri (thanks very much),
The STOMS' Family, Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren.

 

Merry Christmas, Krisi Masi Yabwino (Chichewa),

Geseende Kersfees (Afrikaans),  

Ndikunqwenelela iKrismesi emnandi (Xhosa) 

Prayer Requests:

1) For Laura as she home-schools our girls in a small space in our University flat.
2) Pray that we fit in well in our local church, Christ Church Stellenbosch. Also pray that our girls are able to make new friends here in South Africa.
3) That Christ Church would develop a vision for ministry to International students.
4) That other International students would join us as we seek to disciple others and as we learn and discuss the stories of the Bible.
5) That we can organize a 'School of Storying' in Malawi for June/July 2015.
6) Pray that we can pick up three new partnering churches.
7) For a vehicle and for longer term accommodations for our family  in Stellenbosch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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"Many Thanks"

Dear Friends,



Stellenbosch, South Africa.

After three weeks we are now settling in nicely in South Africa. A few years back a Pastor friend asked me where I would go if I could choose where to minister. I told him how much I liked Stellenbosch so he said, ‘we’ll have to pray about that’. Well, here we are and we can hardly believe it. We are so thankful that God has given us such a beautiful setting to tell His story.

Now I go to my office at Christ Church Stellenbosch while Laura home-schools our girls at our University housing. This Sunday I get to preach how the ‘story of Israel’ culminates in the ‘story of Jesus’ from Revelation 12 at Christ Church Stellenbosch. I hope to preach the ‘crucified and resurrected Christ as the ascended Lord of all’ in the context of the Biblical story. 

Two Sundays ago I went to an evening service geared to college students at a popular church in town. The service was more emotional than I’m used to but the real issue was how the Bible was handled. The scriptures were referred to throughout the sermon, but the verses were never explained in their context. It was all about how each verse spoke to the speaker without any connection the historical context or story. It seemed as if the Bible was merely a collection of isolated inspirational sayings so the message ended up being more about ‘me’ than about ‘Jesus’! 

One of the highlights of being here so far was a night out for us at a local pizza place. Our girls drew pictures of Malawi on the butcher paper table cloth while we talked with the Congolese, Zimbabwean, and Malawian employees. The face of my new Malawian friend, Paul, lit up with delight as I told him the story of God’s covenant with David and then we talked about Jesus.

This thanksgiving, though we are away from home, we have much to be grateful for. We are thankful for our ministry partners and partnering churches whose prayerful support makes our ministry possible. We are thankful for our new ‘home church’ in South Africa where we’ve been warmly welcomed. I am thankful to the Lord for my wife and daughters and we are grateful that Lauren’s arm is recovering nicely. Lastly, as we approach this Christmas season, we are especially thankful, ‘that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14)’.

Thanks very much,
Jay, Laura, Clara (9), Katherine (7) and Lauren (5) Stoms

Other Prayer Requests:
1) That God would provide three (3) new churches to partner with us.  
2) For the overall health of our family as we transition in South Africa. 
3) For God's guidance to help Christ Church Stellenbosch minister to International students.

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK).
PLEASE SEND ANY GIFTS AND OR MONTHLY SUPPORT TO:
Africa Christian Training Institute (Stoms Family Ministry Fund)
P.O. Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621.

 

 

We're here in South Africa!

Bye 'USA'.





Our flights to South Africa went well. Our tickets allowed 3 pieces of luggage each so we needed two vehicles for us and for our luggage to get to the airport. Besides clothes and some household items we mostly brought a lot of materials for home-schooling. Amazingly, we checked all our bags at SeaTac airport and made it through the TSA security lines without any hassles. After two 10 hour flights, several movies (the first flight Clara never slept) and a 6 hour layover in London we arrived safely in South Africa. Our new church, which has changed its name from St. Pauls to Christ Church Stellenbosch, graciously sent two guys with two vehicles big enough to carry us and our luggage and provided dinners for the first week.    

Hello 'South Africa'.

Most things are familiar but new and different at the same time. We are in a developed country, but it’s Africa and not the United States. First, our parents and closest friends don’t live here. Also in the States the Postal system is generally reliable, electrical power is consistent and law enforcement is mostly dependable. The Post Office here has been on strike for a couple of months. The second day we were here our power went off because of load sharing due to a malfunctioning power plant. While Stellenbosch can feel like a European town with a modern university, we’ve been told to be careful walking around town because of increased crime.

 

So here we are in South Africa, and find ourselves remembering Malawi. Malawians are genuinely friendly and have no real animosity towards foreigners. While we’ve been very warmly received by our Christ Church family, we can already see that it’s going to take more intentional effort to connect with people outside the church. South Africa is called the ‘Rainbow Nation’ because of its racial diversity. The various people groups coexist yet they appear to be somewhat separate. All this is to say that we are stepping out on onto new ground. This means more transitions for our whole family so we are asking for your continued prayers as we make the necessary adjustments. Stellenbosch is still Africa and not America, but it’s not Malawi either.

Join Us in Africa through Prayer!

Friends and Family,
As we leave today for South Africa, I’ve been reflecting on two 

Thanks & goodbye to our stateside friends!  

practices of my Malawi brothers and sisters in the Lord. First my African friends have taught me something of the ‘power of a story’.  The Bible is 75% stories so I’ve been learning to internalize these stories in order to tell them to others. Over the past year we have developed a set of over 30 orally reproducible Biblical stories (see https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1WIe-jToI7fechE7-auVrQ). It’s been fun weaving these Biblical stories into the sermons I’ve preached here in the states (See http://www.redeemer-redmond.org/?wpfc_preacher=rev-jay-stoms). But now it’s time to use our stories to start story groups that can grow into a Church for African students attending the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.

We’re ready to tell the Biblical Story through the Bible’s own stories but we realize that our hopes and dreams are empty pursuits without the second lesson I’ve learned from my Malawian friends. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”

Early in the morning and into the night our students would walk the football pitch (‘soccer field’) and pray out loud. While I now enjoy walking and praying, the real lesson has to do with the ‘power of prayer’. Without prayer we minister in vain and our vision is mere presumption. James 4:2 “You do not have, because you do not ask God.”

Yet, through persistent prayer we can see the will of God being done on the earth more and more like it is in heaven. I want to encourage you to pray regularly for the ministry God has given us in Southern Africa. The more we pray the more we will see God actively working. Jesus taught his disciples to pray that the Father’s name be honoured and that His will be done on the earth as it is in heaven. Then Jesus motivated them by saying, “everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (Luke 11:10).” We invite you to join us in Africa through regular persistent prayer!

Zikomo kwambiri (thanks very much),
Jay, Laura, Clara (9), Katherine (7) and Lauren (5) Stoms

Other Prayer Requests:
1) That God would provide three (3) new churches to partner with us.  
2) To travel well and arrive in South Africa safely with all our luggage.
3) For the overall health of our family as we transition to South Africa.

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK).
PLEASE SEND ANY GIFTS AND OR MONTHLY SUPPORT TO:
Africa Christian Training Institute (Stoms Family Ministry Fund)
P.O. Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621.

Dear Friends,

American girls!

Fifteen months ago we were asked by friends to pray about joining them at the Christian Conference Center they’re building in Malawi. Shortly after that our friends at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in South Africa invited us to help them start an International Church for African students attending the University of Stellenbosch. After twelve years at the Bible College in Malawi we knew the Lord was leading us in a new direction. Now we have our Visas and we’re scheduled to leave for South Africa on October 30^th. The Lord has graciously guided and provided for us all along the way. Recently, I received this encouraging email after preaching at a supporting church.

“We have two sons (6 and 4). About a week after you preached at our church, our youngest son was recounting details of a Bible story that we hadn't taught him. He told us "the man in the Hawaiian shirt told that story." We were both encouraged and excited that your story from God’s Word had captured his attention. We are excited to support you in this new effort.”

 



Not long after this I told a Biblical story and facilitated a discussion at a home group. Afterwards I discussed steps to learning stories, and talked about leading people into Biblical truth by asking questions. Here is an excerpt from an email a friend sent me a couple days later.  

 

“I spent about 20 minutes practicing/learning a story using 1 Kings 18:19-39. I then asked my family to sit on the couch and listen while I told the story. My two kids (4 & 6) were able to pay attention to most of the story. We then had my daughter (6) repeat the story, and not to worry about mistakes. My wife and I were amazed at how much she remembered and how well she told it. We also discussed what our kids learned from the story and our daughter was able to tell us several things that showed she understood much in the story. It was a really neat experience. Thanks for sharing this with me; I can't wait to share it with others.”

These and a number of other positive experiences have reinforced the vision the Lord has given us to teach the Biblical Story through the Bible’s own stories in Southern Africa. Please continue to pray for us as we say our goodbyes and prepare to leave for Africa at the end of the month.

Zikomo kwambiri (thanks very much),

Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Other Prayer Requests:
1) Three (3) new churches and two (2) new families or individuals who can give $1 a day.
2) For the emotional and spiritual health of our family as we go through more transitions.
3) To connect with friends and family as we say our ‘goodbyes’ before we leave.

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK).

PLEASE SEND ANY GIFTS AND OR MONTHLY SUPPORT TO:

Africa Christian Training Institute (Stoms Family Ministry Fund)
P.O. Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621.

A friend told me that it took someone he knew 15 months to get a criminal background check from an African country to get a Canadian Visa. While our circumstances differ fortunately so did our timing. We received our criminal background check from Malawi via email the very day we asked people to pray for us.

Visas in hand thanks to your prayers!

It took us two weeks to get our medical records, blood tests, birth certificates, background checks and send them to the South African Embassy but we received our visas in just over a week. Their Embassy normally takes two weeks to issue a visa assuming they receive all the proper documents and forms. We even received a call from the South African Embassy telling us of some changes we needed to make in our applications which we corrected and sent back overnight. Normally it is difficult to get through to a person from their Embassy, but when I called the Embassy I reached the very person that was working on our Visas. Moreover, he told me they had already issued our Visas.

We had already changed our flights and housing arrangements so that we are now scheduled to leave for South Africa on October 30th. We are so grateful for your continued prayers. Now we are moving to another family’s home and Laura will need to start home schooling while we’re still in the states. This whole episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer and of our dependence upon God.

Zikomo kwambiri (thanks very much),

Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Other Prayer Requests:

1) Four (4) new churches and eight (8) new families or individuals who can give $1 a day.

2) For the emotional and spiritual health of our family as we go through more transitions.

3) To connect with friends and family as we begin to say our ‘goodbyes’ before we leave.

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK).

PLEASE SEND ANY GIFTS AND OR MONTHLY SUPPORT TO:

Africa Christian Training Institute (Stoms Family Ministry Fund)
P.O. Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621.

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Saying 'goodbye' to a friend.

Thanks to your prayers we were able to send in the required documents to the South African Embassy in Los Angeles to obtain our visas. We sent out our applications, passports, medical records, birth certificates and background checks from both the States and Malawi this past Saturday.

Much to our surprise we were able to acquire the criminal background check from Malawi the very same day we asked people to pray for us. We were also able to get our TB tests, have additional blood work done and get the results back in just a couple of days. Moreover, we even received a phone call from the South African Embassy saying that they received our applications. This was encouraging because it is rare to get through to a live person when you call their Embassy.  

The processing time for the visas is 10 business days assuming all the requirements are satisfied.  The challenge now is getting approval on all the documents we submitted.   

Please pray that we can get all our visas without any delays or extra charges. It also turns out that we were able to change both our flights and housing arrangements at no additional costs. We are now planning to leave at the end of October. We also received a generous check from our dear friends from Covenant Church in Issaquah which more than offset the extra costs of getting the visas.

We would be grateful for your continued prayers.  At the end of the month we will transition to another generous family’s home and Laura will need to start home school rather than waiting to begin in South Africa.

Zikomo kwambiri (thanks very much),
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Other Prayer Requests:

1) Four (4) new partnering churches and ten (10) new families or individuals who can give $1 a day.
2) For the emotional and spiritual health of our family as we go through more transitions.
3) To connect with friends and family as we begin to say our ‘goodbyes’ before we leave.

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK).

PLEASE SEND ANY GIFTS AND OR MONTHLY SUPPORT TO:
Africa Christian Training Institute (Stoms Family Ministry Fund)
P.O. Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621.

Dear Friends and Family,


Deception Pass with the Laramy sisters.
 

We have a pressing need for prayer. We’re having trouble acquiring our visa or a temporary resident permit to stay in South Africa for 3-5 years. In the past this could be applied for in country but the law was changed in May of this year. Unfortunately, by not applying sooner I’ve created a lot of additional stress for our family. We would have to send out our Passports with our application and hope that we secure a visa at the last minute. Since extensive paperwork is required we have decided to delay our flights.  God willing, we would now plan to leave for Africa at the end of October. Please pray that we can get all the required items and that our visas will be processed in a timely manner so that we can travel soon.

In order to receive our visas we have to complete applications for each person in our family and send them with valid Passports and passport photos to the South African Embassy in Los Angeles. Some of the items we need are notarized birth certificates, medical reports, including TB tests, and proof of health care coverage. We also need Police background checks and clearance certificates from the United States and from Malawi. The background check from Malawi is proving to be one of the more difficult items to obtain. We also need to show we have roundtrip tickets or we have to provide a repatriation deposit of $1500 for one way tickets. The processing time for the visas is 10 business days assuming all the requirements are satisfied. However, the challenge is getting everything they require and according to their standards in order to gain approval.

With the Bohlings in West Seattle
 

If you can make this a matter of prayer we would be very grateful.

Zikomo kwambiri (thanks very much),
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Other Prayer Requests: 
1) We are still seeking four (4) new partnering churches and twelve (12) new families or individuals who can give just over $1 a day. 
2) For the emotional and spiritual health of our family as we go through more transitions.
3) To connect with friends and family as we begin to say our ‘goodbyes’ before we leave.
 

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK). 

PLEASE SEND ANY GIFTS AND OR MONTHLY SUPPORT TO:

Africa Christian Training Institute (Jay Stoms Ministry Fund).

The more ‘stories’, the more ‘orthodox’! 2 Tim. 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel...
We left the western-style educational institution because we want to empower the laypersons teaching and preaching in the African church. Formal degree programs require long commitments away from family, church and income and the tuition needed usually requires a western donor.  Now we are teaching a set of Biblically accurate and orally reproducible stories in the ‘local church’.
The gospel in Africa is usually communicated apart from the Biblical story of the redemption of creation. Often, the gospel is stripped from the ‘Biblical Story’ and is reduced to a tract to believe to escape this fallen world.  Many in Africa identify with Jesus, but this ‘reductionist gospel’ often leads to a blending of Christianity with African traditional religion. Jesus becomes like an ancestral spirit who can ward off evil and move the reluctant God to bless. Faith then becomes something like magic, so if you have strong faith then you can prosper.  

  
Africans typically learn their identity, history and values through stories. But, western missionaries usually teach using highly literate, analytical methods that depend on the printed page. Yet, even highly educated Africans often prefer to learn through 'oral means' such as storytelling. When the gospel is presented in ‘bits and pieces’ it often leaves people defined by their cultural stories. For Africans to be defined by the gospel, then the gospel will need to be communicated in the context of the Biblical story and in ways that 'oral learners' can understand. 

We can teach a set of Biblically accurate and orally reproducible stories in the ‘local church’ in way that is true to the Biblical Story. Our set of Biblically accurate stories tells the story of creation, fall, covenant with Abraham, the Nation of Israel, the coming of Messiah, his death and resurrection, his ascension, Pentecost, the expansion of the church, and his coming again. By telling 'God's Story' using the Bible’s own stories the ‘gospel of the kingdom (Mt.4:23, 24:14)’ can be rediscovered in Africa. Moreover, as the gospel is communicated through stories then ‘oral learners’ can understand and effectively teach it themselves in their own ‘local churches’..

Reverend Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms
 

Here are two examples of sermons where we are preaching the Biblical Story through the stories of the Bible. http://media.cpcissaquah.org/sermons/?sermon_id=335, http://www.faithtacoma.org/content/2014-07-27-pm.aspx.

Will you pray for us as we seek to fulfil the vision the Lord has given us for ministry in Africa? We plan to return to Africa in September and we need to build our team of ministry partners who will regularly pray for us and partner with us financially as the Lord leads.

Other Prayer Requests:
1) We are seeking five (5) new partnering churches and twenty (20) new families or individuals who can give just over $1 a day. 
2) That we get the permits and paperwork that we need to stay in South Africa for a few years. 
3) For the emotional and spiritual health of our family as we go through more transitions.

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK). Please send gifts or monthly support to:
Africa Christian Training Institute (Stoms Family Ministry Fund)
P.O. Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621.

  

 

 

We've been asked why we are leaving the Bible College in Malawi where we’ve taught for the past 12 years. There are a variety of factors in our decision, but we continue to ask, ‘How can we help those laypersons that are doing the majority of teaching and preaching in the African Church?’ We have come to the conclusion that western-style educational institutions, while they have their role, are extremely limited in the African context.

First of all, western educators typically teach using highly literate, analytical methods that are dependent upon the printed page. While most Africans, even highly educated Africans, often prefer to learn by ‘oral means’ such as storytelling. We need a method that those who either cannot read their own spoken language or prefer to learn by ‘oral means’ can understand.

Secondly, a four year degree from a western-style educational institution requires a long commitment away from family, church and normal income. Moreover, the tuition an African student needs to get a four year degree is usually raised at great cost to the student's family or it requires a western donor. 

Thirdly, western-style educational institutions in Africa are almost always dependent on outside funding from western donors. When the western funding is reduced these institutions simply cannot sustain themselves. Moreover, if Africans want to reproduce such an educational institution they will first seek to attain western funding and western technology and then begin to build buildings.

However, we can empower the laypersons who are doing the majority of the teaching and preaching in a way that does not create a western dependency!  

We are not offering titles, degrees, or scholarships. We are merely teaching a Christ-centered ‘Kingdom Biblical Theology’ using a set of Biblically accurate and orally reproducible stories. Moreover, we can do this in the ‘local church’ at no additional cost to those who are doing the preaching and teaching. Furthermore, we can do this without creating a western dependency.

We plan to use our ‘Biblical Storytelling’ to launch story groups that can grow into an International Church that will reach students from various African countries attending the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. Edwin Mwale, an ABC graduate, will serve as my Pastoral intern.

Our funding is now through the African Christian Training Institute. ACTI , a legally recognized non-profit organization, has been in Africa 25 years. As an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, I am accountable to the Northwest Presbytery of the PCA and I'll be serving under the authority of the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church in South Africa. 

Will you pray for us as we seek to fulfil the vision the Lord has given us for ministry in Africa? We plan to return to Africa in September and we need to build our team of ministry partners. We are seeking those who will commit to regularly pray for us and partner with us financially as the Lord leads.

Other Prayer Requests:

1) That we can continue to build our team of ministry partners. We are seeking five (5) new partnering churches and twenty (20) new families or individuals who can give just over $1 a day. 

2) For help as we move from where we've been staying in Woodinville, WA. We're moving to Redmond, WA (Aug. 1st) where we'll stay with friends until we leave for Africa in September. 

3) That we will be granted the required permits and paperwork that we need to stay in South Africa for a few years. 

4) For the emotional and spiritual health of our family as we go through these additional transitions.

Reverend Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms 

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK).

PLEASE SEND ANY GIFTS AND OR MONTHLY SUPPORT TO:
Africa Christian Training Institute (Jay Stoms Ministry Fund).
P O Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621.