I have been asked to go to Nairobi, Kenya, from September 5-13. My good friend and close brother in the Lord, Gary Wilkerson has been used by God to open the door for me to make this journey. Gary and I have been friends for close to 30 years now. You all have friends, brothers or sisters in the Lord, whom you don't see often, but when you do, no time has passed between you and you are able to pick up where you left off. Gary and I traveled around the country together many years ago, when Gary was just a teenager, evangelizing in many major cities. Over those years of travel, we developed a life-long friendship of mutual respect and love.
My mission in Nairobi will be to minister to a group of around 200 men, pastors, elders, leaders in their communities, about counseling. The following is the foundation of my teaching:
The counselor is one of the more important elements in a counseling situation. Although technique is important and an understanding of human behavior is very helpful, the counselor must know Jesus Christ and be directed by the Holy Spirit. In reality no one should be better qualified to counsel than the true man or woman of God.
The fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22,23 are the qualities which allow us to counsel successfully. LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG SUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, MEEKNESS & TEMPERANCE.
To be effective counselors, we must first be the right kind of people ourselves. When God takes charge of our lives we draw on God's wisdom, which is the single most important ingredient in counseling. James 3:17 - 'But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy'.
The fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22,23 are the qualities which allow us to counsel successfully. LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG SUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, MEEKNESS & TEMPERANCE.
To be effective counselors, we must first be the right kind of people ourselves. When God takes charge of our lives we draw on God's wisdom, which is the single most important ingredient in counseling. James 3:17 - 'But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy'.
I would ask for your prayers for safe travels, for God's anointing to manifest in a powerful way, that lives are changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ as a result of the many days of teaching. Please pray that my health remains steady. Please pray for my son, Edward, as he will be going back to college while I am away, and for my wife Amy, as she holds down the fort in Rhode Island.
3 comments:
Great job Jimmy...keep the pics and posts coming...lol
Amy
I will surely keep you in my prayers!
This is a wonderful "happening" and there will be much good news to spread!
Amy has told me about your beautiful poetry. Thank you for your prayers!
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