Community Development or Kingdom Development?

Community Development = Kingdom Advancement. I am so thankful for the training that we are getting this week from BGR (Baptist Global Response). We are all aware of the vast and varied needs in sub-Saharan Africa. Many times we are 'paralyzed' regarding what to do. Sure, if there is a disaster, we are good at responding and have done so in many places. Many lives have been spared, people blessed, and in many cases peopled introduced to the loving grace and mercy of Jesus. Where in general disaster relief is short term (weeks to a few months), Community Development may be months to years.

But the hard work comes in Community Development, or I like to call it Community Transformation. Some might ask "Why bother?" Consider this:

- The Love of Christ compels us.
- The Needs of the people move us.
- The Word of God commands us.
- The desire to make Jesus known in WORD and DEED inspires us.

I am excited as I think about how Sally and I and our minstry partners (some new) will be able to impact the Kingdom of God in Community Transformation as we do that through our work at Kigoma Baptist Hospital. It will take time, time to hear what Tanzanians see as important, time to determine what resources are available, time to implement, and then a time to celebrate.

Well, back to the classroom to learn more...

(photo of a skit teaching some of the principles of CD)

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