Dear Friends,
“Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) How God builds the community, while he builds the church.
Urgent Need
We are in acute need, weren’t able to meet our weekly costs last week, and are facing another week ahead. For those who are positioned to help. $90,000 would clear our debts and enable us to face the rest of this month. Thank you for your prayer and support over the years, that enables what the Lord is doing.
Six security officers on site 24/7, by requirement, due to the number of children and students. Boarding institutions have been raided and thousands kidnapped. Often, our security are Muslims, and instead of raising concerns about so many ethnic groups and people of differing religious backgrounds on site, they encourage us for giving hope to their nation.
* Muslim soldiers shed tears when they see God bringing peace to a region. * A Muslim soldier scolds a Muslim convert to Christ for displaying ingratitude. * A Muslim military commander asks CFM for a mission centre in his home region.
Kent with police, taken at Wurin Alheri, June 2020.
Our Relationship with Security Forces
We acknowledge their role in protecting society from real evil, as distinct from serving unconstitutional dictates of politicians. The latter is occurring globally today, corrupting the role of police. We acknowledge the high level of commitment and sacrifice of so many in the security forces in Nigeria. They have an extremely difficult, dangerous, and thankless task, away from family, sleeping rough for months year after year, often with almost no resources (money collected on the road is used to cover operational costs), often accused by the wider or international community. We don’t tell them how to do their work but draw close to them in friendship. Then they also get to see the church’s role in society. We can only teach by self-giving, taking the risks, being alongside. They see us following Christ’s call to heal the results of crime and social disruption through forgiveness and restoration, across ethnic and religious sectors. They see the church giving selflessly to educate youth and restore the weak, to overcome evil, to build a better nation. They see conciliation and reconciliation in solving family and community wrongdoing, rebuilding relationships. In Nigeria, this even works in professional sectors, such as medicine, as opposed to a non-Christlike litigation + insurance system that alienates people. They see the church as a valid partner in peace, making their work much easier. A Christ-based relationship with security forces cross-pollinates their work, mellows their approach, gives them other tools to work with, while they still do their job in securing the nation. Most of all, our involvement with the forces affirms them, shows we want to help, that we aren’t criticising, and lets them know they are valued and not alone. Involvement forms a team, so the overall result is more Christlike. If we separate from them in holier than thou-ness, others will influence them badly. When we join our arms, we strengthen our community for good, to stand together against evil. If we stand with them, we can help protect our nation from security overreach, the false idea that security is obtained by surveillance, restrictions, a loss of privacy, a loss of personal autonomy, a loss of freedom to transact, a loss of freedom of speech, a loss of freedom of movement and a loss of human rights. Mercy, government transparency and justice, not authoritarian repression, bring security to a nation. The church has a mandate from creation in Genesis 1-2 to protect the liberty of all people made in the image of God, from age-old pagan/ occultic totalitarianism. Security forces to protect people from evil are a valid part of nation building and those who commit to the task must be supported. (Romans 13:1-7, while Romans 12 shows the role of the church, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.") The contributory role of the church is beautifully expressed by Isaiah: “The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into ploughs and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) "They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain." (Isaiah 11:9) This is the ultimate state of the kingdom of God on earth, of which the church is already a witness and forerunner.
The Church Can Turn a Region of Murderous Atrocities...
into one of Hospitable Neighbourliness
A testimony from the DPO, on the fruit of the church in a region where thousands were murdered. Click the image to enlarge:
“Areas which were ‘no-go’ for Muslim in Christian neighbourhoods are now thoroughfares. In streets of Muslim districts where Christians were formerly afraid to move, now Muslim and Christian youth can be seen visiting each other’s home and sharing hospitality.” The church is “contributing to the education and economic development of the region.”
Soldier’s Testimony
Watch the video above: in 2021, a soldier tells of his time at Wurin Alheri as “heaven on earth” and desires to implement all he has learnt.
Mara’s House
Muslim security forces are proud to serve, as the church disciples women persecuted for their Christian faith. Watch the above video: Crossroads TV and VOM Canada partner to build the upper floor of Mara’s House.
Police teach students on community welfare. The church contributes the best and cheapest form of security: to build longer tables rather than higher walls.
Gabriel & Kent: CFM and Security Forces
Two of CFM's leaders have a background in Nigeria’s security. Paul Shettima’s father was an aeronautic engineer in the air force and Gabriel Aiso’s father was in the police, rising to deputy commissioner. A few weeks ago, Kent spoke to Gabriel about CFM’s relationship with the army and police. If you didn’t see it, view it below:
“When a nation is under attack from terrorism, you link arms with all sectors of society, to build a wall against extremism. A cohesive society can’t be brought down.” It’s gospel: “A house divided against itself will fall.” (Luke 11:17) Therefore, we overcome by caring for others.
A Nation Looking to the Lord
Praying in peace and unity for God’s mercy for a great nation. A man is caught abroad for money laundering and high scale drug smuggling and instead of prosecution, is “given a job” as president of his home nation. God has players domestically and internationally taking down this cabal piece by piece. Nigeria will be renewed.
The Church is God’s Answer
We acknowledge what the church can do in turbulent times, as God purposed, spoke of in Isaiah, and has demonstrated throughout history. May he use us all to lay foundations for peace and change towards lawful, merciful and justice-filled nations.
Kent and another pastor taught together on the anointing. “The ingredients of the anointing oil Moses was instructed to make for the priests represented the character the Holy Spirit is building into our lives.” (Exodus 30:23-24)
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We thank God for all he does, providing safety in the nation where, more than any other, Christians are killed for their faith. His loving kindness and protection flows, enabling the rescue of thousands in desperate need, re-establishing their lives in the strength of the gospel.
If God has empowered you financially to help we would appreciate your support. We can all pray! Thank you for your prayers.
Blessings, Kent, Ruth & the team
Giving In Australia A/C Name: Christian Faith Ministries Int., BSB: 032870, A/C# 207255 Donations to CFMI are not tax-deductible in Australia. However, you can give towards tax-deductible projects in CFM, where 100% of your gift goes towards your specified project, if you contact us for details before you give.
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Giving in the USA CFM is now a tax-exempt charity in the USA. Christian Faith Ministries USA, US Bank, Routing Number 122105155, Account Number 151708783072, Contact Bart Langland tmatf16@gmail.com
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We don’t have any admin fees. 100% of what is given to CFMI goes to our projects in Nigeria. Our admin costs are covered by volunteers. Kent & Ruth receive no wage from CFMI. No address is added to CFM's news email address list without a personal request. See www.cfaithministries.org.
Beautiful work Kent and Ruth. That letter from the police officer — what a stunning portrait of the work of Christian love and reconciliation. I'll be reading it out at Church on Sunday as an encouragement. Stubbornly Christlike love always bears its fruit in the end!!