Teaching Others

Evangelism in a Postmodern contex

2008-06-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

I have been invited to teach a clase in Septembre on Evangelizing Postmoderns. Be praying with we can communicate with the students and help their churches grow. This will be in the Nazarene Seminary of Mexico, in Monterrey.

Leaders Training Encounter 2008

2008-06-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

I have been invited to give a workshop on Christian Apologetics at the Leader Training Encounter for México and Central America. This is an important training event for the University Student Ministry in many countries.

If you don't think so, look at the Zietgueist the movie, which is a rather straight forword attack on Christianity. The movie is free on the Internet and can be down loaded. The movie applies many of the post-modern ideas and attacks Christianity with postmodern arguments.

Be praying for us as we try and respond to the anti-Christian, antí-religious mentality that is present in the university environment.

We are also looking for scholarships of $100 dollares to assist the leaders from universities to attend the encounter.

The encounter will be held from July 20-31 close to Queretaro, México

Prayer Requests for May 23 thru 24, 08

2008-05-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

Friday is an active day with a class in the morning, a dentist appointment, a funeral in the afternoon and preparing for Saturday and Sunday. This week end the University students in Monterrey are going to have a camp. The title is "My identity in Christ as I identify with His mission." Iwill give the Saturday morning conference on the Identity in Christ. In the afternoons, Saturday and Sunday, Jan and I will give a workshop. Jan's is on conducting group Bible studies and I will teach on the Unity of the Bible. We will not sleep there either Friday or Saturday evening. AND we will rush home after the Saturday workshop, because we had invited people to the house at 8pm, before we knew we were invited to participate in the camp. We invited people for the church to see the God's Big Picture presentation. We have no idea of how many people may come. Pray for all.

Trip to Tijuana

2008-05-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

In April I had to attend a Board Meeting for the University Student Ministry. I made arrangements to go a week early to give the workshop on God's Big Picture (Panorama Divino). We had a very enthuiastic response to the workshop. Many bought books and want to study.

Above the National Committee of the University Student Ministry. Members of the committee live in different parts of Mexico where students meet weekly to study God's Word.

God's Big Picture

2008-05-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

After National Camp we were able to give workshops on God's Big Picture (Plan Panoramico Divino) in Toluca and Orizaba. This workshop helps people see the unity and theme of the Bible. It also helps them see what the Distance Education program will teach. We have found the workshop excellent for stimulating interest in Distance Bible Education.

At the right is the group in Orizaba, Veracruz. After the workshop many asked for information on books and courses.

In Toluca we have been working for almost two years in Distance Education. A Small group of men are studing. They rarely have missed a class. We are very encouraged by their interes.

National Camp 08

2008-05-09T19:43:00.000-07:00

Almost immediately after the graduation we went to the National Camp of the University Student Ministry (Compa). Students came from Tijuana to Merida and listened to an exposition of Ephesians. Jan gave a workshop on the Gospels and I gave one on the theme of the Bible. National Camp was held at an old hacienda in Central Mexico.

On the way to camp we suffered a small accident trying to avoid the smash up that occurred right in front of us. We are thankful for God's protecting us.

Carlos Graduates

2008-05-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

On the 13th of March Carlos González Neri graduated from the Distance Education program of Moore Theological College. This ends a three year effort, making Carlos the first to graduate in Mexico. He attends a Faith, Hope and Love Center in San Nicolas, next to Monterrey. He is also a medical doctor who works full time and has a ministry in the University Hospital in Monterrey.

The Faith, Hope and Love Center was the first church we attended in México. It was founded by Danny Ost.

Tampico enero 08

2008-05-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

This is the official photograph of a week class in Tampico, Tamalipas. Can you see John in the back on the right?

Tampico is on the Gulf of Mexico.

John taught a class on Hermeneutics or Bible Study Method. Thirty-three pastors and church leaders attended. We lost 5, after the first night and gained 6 more the next evening. During the rest of the week attendance was constant.

The couple in the foreground are a pastor and his wife. They have been communicating about the homeworks in the last few months.

Jan is sitting on the right.

Saturday we went sightseeing with Angel and Patty, professors in the University of Tampalipus. We stayed in their home during the week.

We are standing next a circular pyramid. It is located on a hill in the middle of a neighborhood.

Later we ate all kinds of fish almost in the kitchen of a restaurant on the beach. We were their only customers. It was a VERY windy day so we found refuge in the kitchen.

Re-encounter with old students

2008-03-01T11:23:00.000-08:00

We have been having a class with students form Ciudad Victoria. These were my students when I taught at Berea Bible Institute 1978-83. All in the picture are active in ministry. Luis at the left in the red shirt is one of the most successful pastors I have seen in Mexico. He pastors a small rural church in a small villages. I don't think 50 people fit in the church. But in his first 17 years of pastoring he sent 10 to pastor other churchs.

On Monday, March 3 we will be going to Victoria to have the final class on the theme of the Bible with this group.

Prayer requests

2008-02-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

We will make a trip to Ciudad Victoria. We made a re-encounter with students we had 25 years ago in January. They have participated in the workshop: "God's Big Picture: a summary of the theme of the Bible" and are interested in continuning their education. One of these pastors, Luis Jaramillo, is one of the most successful pastors I know. His church is a small ranch church. There is just one street there. Church attendance runs about 30. You may ask, how that that be sucess. Well, when he was there 17 years he had sent our 10 pastors to take care of other congregations in rural Mexico. Sucess is not just in having a big church, but in spreading the gospel to other places as well.

In March we attend National Camp, where students come from all over Mexico to study God's word, receive training on how to reach other students, do Bible studies, become disciples of Jesus, and evangelize. Jan and I will be doing workshops at the camp. The workshops are: "God's Big Picture: a summary of the theme of the Bible" and "Why Four Gospels". Be praying that the students who attend will catch the vision of Jesus and go back to their universities to be missionaries for Christ. Pray that the will become interested in seriously studing God's word and become leaders in their churches.

Stubborn Conviction

2008-02-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

Kennington Kronicle, February 18, 2008

We are facing new challenges every day and are beginning to see positive results… This is very encouraging.

What am I talking specifically about?

Let me clarify. We are teaching missionaries. We have taught in many seminaries and Bible schools over the years. Ten years ago, when we were given the task of teaching the staff and students for Compa (University fellowship Ministry), we had difficulty reaching all the staff. We worked in the camps, but these were only twice a year. John could have traveled but there was no budget for that.

Four years ago an Australian missionary working with Compa in Mexico City showed us the Moore Theological College distance material. For a few years in the 1980`s, John taught a Bible introduction course using a book by Graeme Goldsworthy, Gospel and Kingdom, Patternoster. So we thought this might be an excellent way to get theological education all over Mexico. (During this time Internet had been come the way to communicate.)

We are just beginning to see people finish. Now we are sending more the 5 exams every month. WHY? Because Mexicans are relational people. They need a teacher to encourage and guide them. (Last month an educator showed us her doctorate thesis that proved this.) Many have said they don’t feel confident to study on their own.

So why have we continued, if we are working against the cultural tendency? There remains the GREAT VOID of excellent Bible education. Even when those who have not finished the courses, are amazed at how much they have learned.

So we have stubbornly used every means possible to promote and teach the courses.

1: With Internet, we use chat, emails and Skype, AND a blog***

2: During the Compa camps we promote the program and encourage those taking classes.

3: On the way to and from camps, weddings and conferences outside our home town we visit students.

4. In Monterrey, where we live, we teach and visit groups.

5. John has made a power point presentation of 5 sessions called God’s Big Picture, which works as an introduction to the courses. We show these on Saturday night’s in our home AND John is presenting them in the youth meeting’s where we attend.

We know that if a few students finish a course they can help others do the same.

So that is what is happening. In Queretaro where we visit once or twice a year, Joram took the course but he did not take the exam. But in the last 6 months he has been leading a group and last week 7 took the exam and two are ready to take it.

In Guadalajara where a group of 9 started two years ago, two are finally ready to take the exam AND one of the students who has not finished is helping her church start a group.

In Monterrey, a student who got a low grade on his test three years ago has a group of two others. The three of them took the exam last week.

The Compa staff person took the first course three years ago, she has three ready to take the exam.

A woman who is taking her 6^th course has five students at different stages.

AND there are many more signs that show our “God directed stubbornness” is paying off.

IF you believe that understanding God’s Word, makes a difference: Please Pray for the students and us.

John and Jan Kennington

***Since John broke his foot in July he has been writing a blog in Spanish: http://renuevalamente.blogspot.com We know the blog is being read in Paraguay, Brazil, Honduras, Florida, Texas and all over Mexico. Be praying that the blog helps people to better understand the Bible.

This newsletter and allot more with pictures can be found on http://2timtwotwo.blogspot.com

Our History: a brief summary

2008-02-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

In 1976-81 we came to Mexico. During the first years we taught at Calvary Ministerial Institute, El Carmen, Nuevo León.

In 1978 we moved into Monterrey, to aid in Student Ministries. Monterrey is one of the leading University centers in Mexico.

1978-83 we also began to teach at Berean Bible Institute in addition to our teaching in Calvary.

1979-91 Jan works in Sunday School at the Castle of the King Church.

1981-91 John began to teach at the John Wesley Seminary.

1983-86 John began to promote FLET a distance Bible school.

1986 John formed part of a local committee to support student ministry.

1987-98 John formed part of the national committee for student ministry.

1988-90 John taught in the King's Seminary.

1990-91 We attempted church planting in cooperation the the Covenant Church.

1991-1992 Doctoral studies in Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon

1993-94 Working with Armonia and the National Presbyterian Seminary in Mexico City.

1994- present we returned to Monterrey.

1995- John returns to Student ministries. Most of the students are now from pentecostal churchs.

1999- present Jan and John teach at the John Wesley Seminary.

2002- present, John returns to FLET seminary

2001 John graduates with a D. Missiology

2003 John starts to work with Moore Theological College's distance education in Spanish.

2007- present John and Jan begin teaching at the Nazarene Seminary in Monterrey