ECLEA

I am happy to say that I have completed the ECLEA book project I have been working on for some time—the book of Hebrews. Hebrews is a fascinating book. The overriding theme of Hebrews is the absolute superiority of Christ: he is “the radiance of His [God’s] glory and the exact representation of His nature” (Heb 1:3). He not only “made the world” (Heb 1:2) but “upholds all things by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3). It is he who has “made purification of sins [and has] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3). He is “the heir of all things” (Heb 1:1). As such, he is superior to the angels and to Moses. The sacrifice he made is incomparably superior to all the sacrifices made under the Mosaic Law. The New Covenant Christ instituted is incomparably superior to the Old Covenant of Moses, which has now been superseded. Christ is our true high priest. He is the fulfillment of the entire Old Covenant, which was pointing to him. In light of that, we are to appropriate the New Covenant and the salvation Christ provides into our lives by faith. We are exhorted to live out that faith, particularly in our love for and service to others, and persevere, especially since suffering and hardship are used by God to train us up and are marks that we are his children.

I have posted the book on the “ECLEA Courses & Resources” page of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net). It may be downloaded for free. I have not yet prepared video lectures to accompany the book, but they will follow in due course.

Additionally, this Friday I will be leaving for ETHIOPIA! My dear wife, Nancy, will be accompanying me. While in Ethiopia, David Njeru, Solomon Tessema, and I will be teaching 1 Timothy, The Church: Its Nature, Mission, and Purpose, and Biblical Marriage and Parenting. I have also been asked to speak on apologetics to a group of Bible School students.

In short, the work of ECLEA never stops! We are making great strides in bringing the Word of God to many, many people and churches throughout East Africa and beyond. We appreciate your prayers and tax-deductible financial support, both of which are instrumental in leading to the success of this ministry. Thank you very much, and God bless you.

Jonathan

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Dear Friends and Supporters,

I have just returned from a very worthwhile trip to Kenya. I spent the entire week in Nairobi. I began by meeting with approximately 20 of ECLEA's leaders, teachers, and regional coordinators. I am happy to say that the group included 7 "second generation" teachers. We did part 1 of the Gospel of Mark. The three days were marked by extensive Q&A and discussions. The discussions centered around some of the most important issues facing the church, including personal and institutional accountability, the churches becoming engaged with their communities, dealing with "unlovable" people and those different from ourselves, and other matters of depth. I think we all grew in our understanding of the gospel and the church. One of the participants told Barnabas that, before he got involved with ECLEA, he felt like he had a blanket over his head, but now the blanket has been removed and he can see and understand the Bible so much better than he ever could before. The group also presented me with a new hoodie, shirt, and bush hat! They are very kind.

I am also happy to say that, one night, I met with Barnabas Mpekethi, ECLEA-Kenya's national coordinator, and three regional coordinators. These Kenyan leaders have come up with a plan and structure for taking ECLEA to countries outside the 5 (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi) where we have been working for the last 19 years. David Njeru will head ECLEA's work in Ethiopia and Malawi (both of which countries he has been to twice), Barnabas will head ECLEA's work in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Michael Taari will head ECLEA's work in South Sudan. (Jacob Boldig and Protais Nshogoza are in charge of ECLEA's work in Democratic Republic of the Congo.)

Saturday I spent at Michal Taari's church, going through the book of Biblical Theology, with approximately 20 students. Michael is in charge of a Nairobi Pentecostal Bible College center. ECLEA and NPBC have an agreement whereby ECLEA materials are used as part of NPBC's curriculum. NPBC is an accredited educational institution and provides certificates, diplomas, and degrees. This arrangement is important and serves to increase ECLEA's visibility and "legitimacy." (We have similar arrangements with other accredited educational institutions in the other countries of East Africa.) Sunday I preached at Christian Outreach Better Covenant Church before heading to the airport.

I will be home for just over a month, when I will be joining David Njeru in Ethiopia. It will be my first timee in Ethiopia.

I thank you for your prayers and financial support. You are making a big difference in a vital and strategic part of the world. Attached are some photos of the trip. Enjoy!

Best regards, Jonathan

Dear Friends,

I have just posted several reports of what has been happening on ECLEA's behalf throughout East Africa. See them on the Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of the Congo pages of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net). I thank God for the faithful men and women who are teaching the Word of God so diligently. As you will see, they are making a very big impact, that is affecting 1000s of lives and changing communities.

And thank you for your prayer and financial support. God is using you as his instruments to enable the deep foundations to be laid, which are necessary for healthy churches to emerge and, through them, the lives of many to be transformed.

Jonathan

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