I’ve just returned from a ten-day visit to Egypt. I was invited by my friend, Yani Mafdy, to teach at the Tyrannus Missionary School outside of Cairo. The school’s mission is to equip and train Egyptian and Sudanese national evangelists and church planters to proclaim the gospel to unreached peoples across North Africa. The school has plans to start 10 such training centers across the Arab-speaking world.

Pastor Ian Lawson, Lead Pastor at the Evangelical Free Church of Lethbridge in Lethbridge, Alberta, joined me. While we were students at Trinity Seminary 30 years ago we dreamed of one day traveling and teaching together. What a joy to see our dream fulfilled! Ian taught on the Book of James and I taught a course on Spiritual Formation for Leadership.

Ian and I were privileged to teach 22 Sudanese nationals—11 from the northern region, 9 from South Sudan and 2 from the Darfur region. Each year several hundred apply for the opportunity to study at Tyrannus, but only 10-12 are accepted into the 18-month program. These young men are all between 22 and 24 years of age. They come from challenging situations and know they will return to conditions of poverty, war and persecution. Upon completion of the program they agree to return to their homeland Sudan to plant new churches.

In addition to these 22 Sudanese, we also had six Egyptians join the training. These men and women all clearly articulated a call to serve Christ’s mission somewhere in the Middle East. One gentleman named Michel is a medical doctor preparing to practice medicine while planting a church in Mauritania. Another Egyptian couple are pursuing ministry among Syrian refugees in Lebanon or Turkey.

Students in Egypt

Eman is the Program Director for Tyrannus Missionary School. Trained as an Architectural Engineer, she has devoted her life to vocational ministry. She has served with Cru, The Haggai Institute, and now oversees with the Tyrannus Program. Pastor Youhana is a Sudanese brother with theological training and is the liaison between South Sudan and the school. Behar, a businessman who has recused himself from daily operations, and his wife Maha, a prominent cardiologist, direct the Egyptian School. I was impressed to see the caliber of leaders in Egypt and their commitment to advance the gospel across North Africa and the Middle East.

Ian, Youhana, Eman and Lee

BACK TO AFRICA

I depart this Thursday, April 20th for Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Dr. Diet Schindler and I will be teaching and training at ReachAfrica’s Cemiler Center. The center offers quality short-term training for church leaders, church planters and mission mobilizers for the churches of Congo and beyond. I’m looking forward to partnering with my good friend Nubako Selenga and his wife Claudine who lead this important work. Diet and I will also be preaching in Congolese churches and visiting two Tabitha Centers, a ministry designed to rescue young women from sex trafficking and slavery.

Claudine and Nubako Selenga

Finally, Terry and I want to invite you to join us on Sunday, May 7th for our 8th Annual “Windows to the World” event at Meadowbrook Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. This event will be held from 6:00–7:30 PM and will feature many of the “Faces of BrookLink.” Feel free to bring a friend—we would love to see you!

Please accept my deepest thanks too for your faithful prayers and financial partnership in BrookLink. Your extravagant devotion to God along with your prayers and your gifts are bearing fruit across the world! Thank you for your service to these saints!

Every blessing,