February 2005 South African Base for PIH/Iris Africa Churches Update

“Our third session of the school took place in September/October, with 8 first-time students joining the group. It was very encouraging to see the growth that had taken place in the lives of the pastors that returned for their second and third times. One had planted a youth church in his town, and another had started a Christian daycare.

“One of the highlights was taking a young, wheelchair-bound ex-criminal to church for the first time and then to the bible school graduation, and seeing the students reach out to him. He later said, 'If I had known that Christians loved like that, I would not have a bullet in my back now.' The Lord is so good. This young man is now a believer in Jesus!

“As 90% of the 500 Iris pastors require secular employment by necessity, we are seeking the Lord as we carry the burden of finding ways and means to train and minister to pastors in other provinces, who cannot get to the school.”