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.

 

 

 

Dear Friends and Family,
Surrounded by evergreen curtains, 100 feet tall, I desire light.  Yet, there is life; wet air, busy birds, slow slugs, yellow buttercups, cedar and pine fill the air. The cottonwood squalls have finished, warmth blows in drying out the cool Northwest.  Now the sun fills our days, and blackberries gather   sweet with promise.

In a few weeks we will be uprooting again, first to Redmond and then transitioning and preparing to return to Southern Africa.  At the MTI (Missionary Training International) debriefing we learned our children were settled and doing well, we learned how to better process and walk through moving in and out of cultures.  Like a plant that is dug up and brought to a new place, we leave some roots behind, and it takes time for the plant to grow, sprout new leaves or flower.  I pray for more wisdom from God and His strength to see and trust and enable my children to walk through these big changes.

I will miss this landscape of wet trees, but will welcome the wide and dry skies of Southern Africa.  God has blessed us with wonderful memories to put in our treasure box (as my Lauren loves to collect stones or shells and pretend gems), to take with us.  We have made new friends, renewed old friendships, family times, Grandparents, and received much encouragement from God’s precious church here.  Please continue to pray for us, we do not take your partnership for granted, but thank God for each of you.

With all our love in Christ, Laura

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST: After 12 years of teaching in a western-style educational institution in Africa, the Lord is leading us to help strengthen the African Church by teaching a Christ-centered ‘Kingdom Biblical Theology’ by using the stories of the Bible in the ‘Local Church’. St. Paul’s Evangelical Church has called us to start an International Church targeting African students from various African countries attending the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.

Dear friends from Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Beaverton, Oregon have organized a fundraiser to help us raise the money for our plane tickets. In addition, a generous supporter has offered to match the funds raised at this Saturday’s event. Please pray about this event and come join us if possible (see poster attached).

Rev Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

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

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

Our Mission: 12 years ago, we went to Malawi to teach Christian leaders in Africa for the good of the African Church. In 12 years at the African Bible College, we’ve taught over 600 graduates. Many of these are leaders in various fields and several are Pastors. However, the majority of teaching and preaching in the African context is done by untrained laypersons.

How do we empower the laypersons that are doing most of the teaching and preaching?

The best way to do this is to teach Biblical Theology using the Bible’s own stories. We can help strengthen the African Church by teaching a Christ-centered ‘Kingdom Biblical Theology’ to ‘oral learners’ using the stories of the Bible in the ‘Local Church’.

1)      We can empower Africans in A WAY that is true to the ‘Biblical Story’.

In Africa the gospel is usually removed from its ‘Biblical Story’; and this ‘reductionist gospel’ leaves people defined by their cultural stories. For Africans to be defined by the gospel, the gospel needs to be communicated in the context of the Bible story.  We can do this by teaching ‘Biblical Theology’ thru the stories of the Bible in the ‘Local Church’.

2)      We can empower Africans in A WAY that ‘oral learners’ can understand.   

Africans learn their identity, history and values through stories. They either cannot read or they prefer to learn by oral means. Even highly educated Africa often still prefer to learn through stories. Western educators typically use highly literate, analytical methods that depend on the printed page. We can teach ‘Biblical Theology’ thru stories in a way that ‘oral learners’ can understand.

3)      We can empower Africans in A WAY that is affordable. 

A degree from a western-style educational institution requires a four year commitment away from family, church and income. Tuition is raised at great cost to the family or it requires a western donor. We can teach ‘Biblical Theology’ using stories in the local church at no additional cost to those preaching and teaching in the African Church.

4)      We can empower Africans in A WAY that is reproducible.   

The western-style educational institutions in Africa are dependent on outside funding without which they cannot sustain themselves. For Africans to reproduce such an educational institution they will need western funding and technology. We can teach ‘Biblical Theology’ in a way that Africans can easily learn and reproduce themselves in their ‘Local Churches’.

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 in the ‘local church’ and we can do this without creating a western dependency. In order to do this, we feel led to take the following steps:

i)    St. Paul’s Evangelical Church has called us to start an International Church targeting Black African students from various African countries attending the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. We will use our ‘Biblical Storytelling’ to plant the church and Edwin Mwale, an ABC graduate, will serve as the church’s Pastoral intern.

ii)        Our funding is through the African Christian Training Institute. ACTI is a legally recognized non-profit organization that has been in Africa 25 years. As an ordained Presbyterian minister (PCA), I am accountable to the Northwest Presbytery of the PCA and will be serving ‘out of bounds’ under the authority of the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church in South Africa.  

iii)      When the timing is right, we hope to move to the ‘Pavilion Conference Center’ that is to be constructed in Malawi. We would live at the Center, and teach our ‘Biblical Theology’ to church leaders and church groups from the center and out in the local Church in Malawi.  

iv)    We plan to stay participate in a ‘Storyrunners’ 5 week ‘School of Storying’ in Malawi where a Malawian team would put 42 Bible stories into indigenous languages.   

v)      We plan to put these stories into a Layman’s Biblical Theology. The book will serve as an aid to a ‘Biblical Storytellers’ to them understand how these stories fit into the ‘Biblical Story’ and are ‘fulfilled in Christ’. We have a Malawian team, including a Malawian publisher, committed to this project. 

Reverend Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

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

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

   

 

With Rev. Krulish and family (WPC/Vancouver). 

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com

Our week at Missionary Training International (MTI) has helped us to better understand how transitioning from one culture and one ministry to another has impacted our family. After the conference I was helped at the airline counter by a friendly African. I asked him where he was from, but he wanted me to guess. So I listened to his accent and guessed Kenya. He said that nobody ever guesses that so he gave me a free extra piece of luggage. I thanked him, and then asked if I could tell him a story. He said sure and gladly listened as I told him the story of Jesus’ ascension into heaven from Acts 1. This is our ministry, asking Africans about their countries and cultures and sharing 'God’s Story' through the stories of the Bible.    

 

While we are still trying to get settled we also getting ready to make another transition. At the end of July we are going to have to pack up and move from where we’ve been staying in Woodinville. Thankfully some dear friends are letting us stay at their house for August and September. So we are gearing up to move from Woodinville to Redmond and then in September we’ll be headed to South Africa.

In addition to packing and moving we have to finish our dental and medical check-ups. Fortunately, we qualify for the sliding scale at a local health clinic. Recently, Laura wanted to have a red spot on her forehead checked out so we went to their dermatologist. I had a couple of spots also, so we prayed that the doctor might advise me as well.  The doctor immediately looked at my forehead and said that he needed to freeze the spots and he said the same for Laura. The physician assistant asked if I was a patient and I said no. But the doctor said, ‘do unto others’ and went ahead and took care of it. It turns out he had worked in Africa and he even went to church and lived next door to one my old roommates. Ironically while we were having these spots frozen the office manager was keeping an eye on our girls while they watched the movie ‘Frozen’ in the lobby. I’m really grateful to have this taken care of even if I now look like Mikhail Gorbachev (if you’re old enough to remember him).

For now we’re still seeking to build our team of ministry partners. This means we’re out speaking at churches, entertaining and strengthening relationships.  As we have sought to incorporate Bible storytelling into our preaching and teaching the response here in the states has been very positive. One thing is for sure, people like it better than the way I used to preach. One man said that being in Africa had really changed my preaching. A ruling elder at one church said that he wanted to learn 'Biblestorying'. We’ve done this in Sunday services, Sunday schools, in schools and in home groups. Our schedule of speaking engagements is getting full but we would love to present at your church or home group. At the end of June we’re planning a two week ‘Mountain States’ trip where we will be speaking at churches and visiting old friends. We depend on the Lord and our ministry partners so we ask that you regularly pray for us and for the ministry that the Lord has given us in Africa.

Zikomo Kwambiri (thanks very much),

Reverend Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms
Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com
Befriend us (Jay and or Laura Stoms) on FACEBOOK

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

 

 

"Third Culture Kids"

God has been calling us to some big changes, and we feel like we are in constant transition. The move from one culture to another and now from one ministry to another has been unsettling. Living in a foreign culture in a developing country for over a decade presents some unique challenges and stresses. It would be difficult for most people to relate to our frustrations, hassles, and losses. This is why we found our recent week of ‘Debriefing and Renewal’ at Mission Training International in Colorado so refreshing.  The counselors there were caring and helpful. But the best thing about the week was hearing other couples from various Missions with similar experiences. We met families coming from Ukraine, Mongolia, India, Latin America and various parts of Africa. While they were returning from different parts of the world our experiences were remarkably similar. Hearing others tell their stories and struggles helped us process some of what we’ve been facing. One family was forced to move and lost their home and possessions. One man was effectively using ‘Biblestorying’ in a local dialect but had to leave the mission field for family reasons. Another family had to return to the states because one of their children just couldn’t adapt to the culture. Several others had to leave their fields because of conflicts with mission administrators.  

MTI 'Debrief and Renewal' 4/27-5/2

Mission work is a paradoxical mix of the ‘good and the bad’, ‘victory and failure’, and ‘joy and sorrow’. Trying to make Christ known in a foreign culture is both rewarding and emotionally challenging. The week at MTI opened our eyes to some important issues and really helped our family. Our girls are ‘third culture kids’ because they don’t feel like they completely belong in either culture and this is true for Laura and I as well. Our girls easily related to the other ‘missionary kids’ there at the conference and the ‘MTI’ staff that worked with them were incredibly insightful.

MTI in Colorado.
 

Now that we are  starting to feel settled, we have to start getting ready to leave for Africa in September. At the same time we have to increase our support and we already have a full schedule of speaking engagements through August (See below). We also have to move at the end of July. Dear friends have graciously invited us to move into their place for August and September. After that we’ll have to get ready to move across the world, which means more preparation and packing. The two constants for us are change and Jesus who never changes.

During the week we meditated on God as the gardener and Jesus as the vine from John 15. God has been pruning us for his good purpose. We are branches that cannot bear fruit apart from the vine. Jesus is essential and we are fruit-bearing branches connected to the vine as a family. I cannot bear fruit alone, and my family is integral to the ministry. As a family we need to regroup so we can grow together in connection to the vine particularly as we transition to a new home and a new ministry.  

As we prepare to leave the states, leave African Bible College were we’ve for 12 years, join the Africa Christian Training Institute and plant a local church in South Africa please pray for us. Now perhaps more than ever we sense our utter dependency upon God. We humbly ask that you would pray for us as a family. To our faithful partners we thank you for your prayerful generous support of the ministry that God has given us in Africa.

Zikomo Kwambiri (thanks very much),
Reverend Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms.

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

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:
May 11^th          CrossSound Church, Bainbridge Is., WA         Sunday Sermon
May 18^th          Resurrection Presbyterian, Puyallup, WA.     Sunday Sermon.
May 25^th          Westminster Church, Vancouver, WA.           Sunday Sermon.
May 27^th          Bellevue Christian, Woodinville, WA.             School Chapel
June 8^th            Bellewood Presbyterian, Bellevue, WA.         Sunday Sermon.
June 10^th          Bellevue Christian, Woodinville, WA.             School Chapel
June 22^nd         Green Lake Presbyterian, Seattle, WA.          Sunday Sermon.
June 28-29^th     All Saints Church, Boise, WA.                         Missions Conference.
July 6^th             Covenant Presbyterian, Lander, WY.             Sunday Sermon.
July 13^th           Hillcrest Presbyterian, Seattle, WA.              Sunday Sermon.
July 20^th           Hillcrest Presbyterian, Seattle, WA.              Sunday Sermon.
July 27^th           Faith Presbyterian, Tacoma, WA.                   Sunday Evening.
August 24^th      Hillcrest Presbyterian, Seattle, WA.              Sunday Sermon.
August 31^st      Hillcrest Presbyterian, Seattle, WA.              Sunday Sermon.

Our new emphasis in Africa is to empower the laypersons who  are doing the majority of the preaching and teaching in the church.  If Africans are to be defined by the gospel then the gospel will have to be rediscovered in Africa in the context of the Bible Story. The best way to do this is to teach Biblical and Systematic Theology in the local church using the Bible’s own stories.

This is why we are now working with the Africa Christian Training Institute. We're leaving the African Bible College where we’ve been for 12 years. Our funding will now go through the Africa Christian Training Institute. ACTI is a recognized charitable organization founded by Dr. Henry Krabbendam, who taught at Covenant College for 35 years. I first met Dr. Krabbendam in the early 1990’s when he spoke at our Knox Seminary chapel. In recent years we have developed a working relationship with Dr. Krabbendam, and we now consider him a mentor and family friend.  ACTI has been committed to strengthening the Church in Sub-Saharan Africa for over 25 years. We are honored to work with them.  



ACTI gives us the flexibility to teach and live at the ‘Christian Conference Center’ our friends from Ruth Shawl’s ministry are building in Malawi. We plan to stay connected to Malawi by helping to launch a ‘School of Storying’ that can be led entirely by local leadership.  This September we will work with St. Pauls’ Evangelical Anglican Church in South Africa to start an International Church designed to reach Black African students attending the University of Stellenbosch. We plan to grow this Church using our Biblical storytelling and with the help of Edwin Mwale, an ABC graduate.

Dr. K @ Maula Prison.

Your prayerful support of the ministry the Lord has given us in Africa is deeply appreciated. The ‘new direction’ the Lord is taking us in is an opportunity to strengthen our partnership in the gospel in Southern Africa. Together we can help strengthen the African Church by teaching the gospel through the Bible’s own stories.  
Zikomo Kwambiri (thanks very much),
Reverend Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms.

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

Confex Makhalira and I at StoryRunners in Orlando.
 

Over the past 12 years I’ve been privileged to teach Biblical and Systematic Theology in Malawi to over 600 students, now graduates, many who are leaders in various Christian groups. For example, four are Pastors at Presbyterian (CCAP) Churches in Lilongwe. The smallest of these churches has 1000 members and the largest has over 10,000 members.

The Nkhoma Synod of the CCAP has over 2 million members but only 150 ordained ministers. While I’ve taught a dozen of these Nkhoma Synod Pastors, that is only 1 per year. The vast majority of the preaching and teaching in the Nkhoma Synod, and many other African churches, is done by untrained laypersons. How do we empower the lay persons who doing the majority of the preaching and teaching?



Learning Biblically accurate, orally reproducible stories.



In Africa the gospel is usually propagated in ‘bits and pieces’ apart from the ‘Biblical Story’. The tendency has been to reduce the ‘gospel’ to a few propositions striped from its story. Most Africans learn their ‘identity, history and values’ through stories. When this ‘reductionist gospel’ is promoted among ‘oral learners’ the people remain more defined by their cultural stories than by the gospel of Jesus. If Africans are to have their identities, history and values defined by the gospel then the gospel in Africa will have to be rediscovered in the context of the Bible story. We believe the best way to do this is to teach Biblical Theology using the Bible’s own stories.



This is why we recently attended the ‘Storyrunners School of Storying’ in Orlando. I participated in this weeklong training with Confex Makalira, the 2005 ABC valedictorian.  As a student Confex preached at our Maula Prison Outreach for three years. He writes a weekly theological article in a Malawian newspaper and he has worked with us on a number of in-service trainings for Church Pastors. He is currently in seminary in the states and his emphasis is in Systematic Theology.  Confex realizes that most Africans are ‘oral learners’ and that ‘Bible doctrine’ is better comprehended in the African context through the Bible’s own stories.

The method of ‘Bible Storytelling’ we learned in Orlando has given us the tools to produce a set of 42 Bible stories in the indigenous languages of Malawi. These stories range from ‘Creation to New Creation’ and are designed to tell the overall Biblical Story that is fulfilled in Jesus. The training taught us a method of teaching stories that are Biblically accurate and orally reproducible. It has also given us a series of checks to help ensure these stories are true to the Bible. We plan to hold these same trainings in Malawi with Malawian Christians who can produce the same ‘story set’ in their own languages. http://www.storyrunners.org/.

In order to teach Biblical Theology in the ‘Local Church’ to both Pastors and laypersons the Lord is leading us in a new direction.  Some dear friends are currently building a Christian Conference Center in Malawi. In time we would move to staff housing they plan to build at the center. From there we would teach Pastors, Church leaders and Church groups Biblical and Systematic Theology through the Bible’s own stories. For now we will stay connected to the Malawian Church by helping launch a ‘School of Storying’ in Malawi that will eventually be lead entirely by indigenous leadership.

This fall we will go to South Africa where St. Paul’s Evangelical Anglican Church has called us to start an International Church. This International Church at St. Paul’s would seek to reach Black African students attending the University of Stellenbosch. We plan to do this with the help of Edwin Mwale, an ABC graduate, attending seminary in South Africa. We will use our Biblical storytelling to start this Church.



Dr. Krabbendam with our daughter Clara.

Consequently, we are leaving the African Bible College to work through the Africa Christian Training Institute. ACTI is an officially recognized charitable organization that is committed to the church in Sub-Saharan Africa. ACTI was founded by Dr. Krabbendam, a highly respected Evangelist and Theologian who taught at Covenant College for 35 years (PCA). We have held a number of seminars and in-service trainings for Pastors in Malawi with Dr. Krabbendam over the years. The Africa Christian Training Institute has been training Christian leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa for over 25 years. It is an honor for us to work with them.

We ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to strengthen the African Church by teaching Biblical and Systematic Theology through the Bible’s own stories. This ministry is dependent upon the faithful prayers and generous financial support of individuals and churches like you.  

Zikomo Kwambiri (thanks very much),
Reverend Jay Stoms (CrossPoint Churches, PNW Presbytery, PCA)

PLEASE SEND MONTHLY SUPPORT TO (Currently 2/3 of our ministry budget):

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

When I told my students the 'Joseph Story' and of 'God's Providence' they gave me an ovation (Gen.45:5-8, 50:20). The only other ovation I ever received in class was for wearing a handmade African shirt in class, which they loved.

I was asked by the ABC Music director to teach a one week course on John’s gospel. He wanted music students to be able to take more of the courses required for music majors. I said I would if we could story through John wherever possible. There are discourses in John that really aren’t stories but we taught John through stories as much as we could. It would take me two hours before class to review a story such as Nicodemus in John 3 in order to tell it accurately. Yet the students could learn a story in roughly 30 minutes. This showed me that these African students were great at learning and telling Bible stories.

As a final assignment for the John class, we had the students present in either song or drama the seven signs in John (John 2:1-11, 4:46-54, 5:1-18, 6:1-14, 6:16-21, 9:1-41, 11:1-44). Amazingly they wrote five songs and two dramas in two days.  The music director commented that this could not happen in the states. The students performed the songs and dramas in the college chapel and the other students loved it. In fact, the Malawian assistant to the Music director said this was the best thing they had done.  These same students performed their songs from John to the inmates at Maula Prison. When the prisoners heard this they said, ‘We can do this”.  In other words they could learn the stories of the Bible and put those stories to song.

A majority of Africans, like 4 billion other people in the world, are ‘oral learners’. They learn their ‘identity, history and values’ through stories and songs. They either cannot read their own spoken language or they prefer to learn by ‘oral means’ such as storytelling.
 http://www.storiacreative.com/
 
If I preach a three point sermon from a Bible passage to the prisoners, they may applaud, but they simply do not retain much. But, if I tell the story of Joseph they can remember that story. They not only can remember the story, they can discuss the story and they can tell others that story.  

I tell you this to help you understand why I consider it so important that we attend the ‘School of Storying’ being held by ‘Storyrunners’ (March 23-28, 2014). God willing I’ll be attending this week long seminar with my Malawian friend, Confex Makalira. Confex was the 2005 valedictorian at ABC and he has preached at Maula Prison and at the ABC chapel numerous times. ‘StoryRunners’ is the Bible Storytelling ministry of Campus Crusade. ‘Bible Storytelling’ is a natural, contextual way of telling Bible stories that can lead to evangelism and discipleship. The ‘School of Storying’ is a weeklong introduction to what our team will do in Malawi. Our Malawian team aims to take a set of 42 Bible stories to the various people groups in Malawi. These stories—from ‘Creation to New Creation’—make up the ‘story set’ used in the ‘School of Storying’. Our Malawian team will be trained so they can train Malawian Christians through the ‘Bible Storytelling’ process in Malawi in their own languages. 

If we are going to help strengthen the Malawian Church then we are going to have to apply what I learned in my classes. We will need to teach Christ-centered Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology in the ‘Local Church’ to the laypersons that are doing the majority of the preaching. We have to teach Biblical Theology through the Bible’s own stories. Moreover, even difficult Bible doctrines, such as ‘God’s Sovereignty and His Providence’ are more effectively taught to ‘oral learners’ using the Bible’s own stories.
 

Your prayers on the following items will be greatly appreciated.  

1.       For the School of Storying’ being held in March that Confex Makalira and I will attend.
2.       That we would receive the funding necessary to attend the ‘School of Storying’.
3.       That we can attend the ‘Missionary Training Institute’ in Colorado at the end of April.
4.       That we will be able get Clara the help she needs to improve her reading ability.
5.       That opportunity to preach and speak at Churches and small groups will open up.
6.       That we would be build up our team of ministry partners and partnering churches.
7.       For God’s vision for our ministry as we go through this time of change and transition.