Training Leaders in Lesotho

I (Glenn) have served on a non-denominational committee in Lesotho that has translated and printed a simple Sesotho Bible School curriculum.  Our goal has been to prepare material for and train Church leaders who do not have the opportunity to attend traditional campus-based Bible Schools.  All the books are translated, and almost all of them are printed now.  Over the last few years the committee has "shifted gears" from translation and printing to teaching this curriculum.

This past weekend we held a seminar for students.  During the course of the weekend, they write exams over the courses they are working on, listen to lectures, and participate in group activities.  We also plan devotional and fellowship times to encourage and help them grow spiritually.

The theme for this seminar was Legal Matters that Affect the Church.  The government of Lesotho graciously sent two speakers from the Law Office to address this topics.  One man spoke about how to register a church with the government of Lesotho including how to write a constitution.  The other speaker explained laws that affect marriage in Lesotho and shared the legal process for a pastor to become an "marriage officer" recognized by the government.

Practicing filling out a marriage certificate

I was asked to give a closing message on "The Gospel and the Law," Since not all of the students come from evangelical churches, we wanted to present the message of salvation in an understandable way for these people.  I focused my conclusion on Ezekiel and Jeremiah's prophecies about Jesus taking our our rebellious heart of stone and giving us a new, tender heart with His laws written on it.  I was encouraged as I spoke to see that the message was reaching the hearts of at least some of the people.