Warriors Set Free of Set Free Ministries focuses on counseling veterans dealing with emotional troubles because of combat-based trauma. They do this with a biblical-focus and understanding of spiritual warfare. They have a lot of experience dealing with issues like PTSD, guilt, depression, and more. But they want to also help first responders who deal with many of these same things.

(Logo courtesy Warriors Set Free)

That’s why, next month, Warriors Set Free is teaming up with Sheepdog Seminars to provide a seminar for first responders, veterans, their families, and anyone else interested in helping to bring healing to those whose job it is or has been to protect us.

Sheepdog Seminars is an organization primarily focused on church security training. A while back, Steve Prince of Warriors Set Free attended one of their security seminars. Leading the seminar was retired Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman, someone Prince had met previously during his military career.

Prince says, “I told them what we were doing to help veterans and they were excited—they made an announcement right there and then that they wanted to partner up with us.”

Sheepdog Seminars are for people who feel drawn to protect others. Prince explains, “The sheepdog mentality covers military, law enforcement, first responders, firefighters, veterans, people who carry concealed weapons.”

And while these seminars are very practical, Grossman has also touched upon the emotional and mental trials common to first responders through a couple of his books, and so he is well versed in some practical strategies to meet those challenges head-on.

Together, the groups are putting on the very first “Sheepdog Spirit Seminar” on April 28 in West Michigan to address topics like suicide prevention, depression, addiction, and more.

What to expect

Prince says, “We’re going to talk about the best tools—both practical that anybody can use as well as the spiritual aspect of using faith and using Scripture and forgiveness and confiding truth to dispel lies to help process those kinds of events.”

He gives an example of what kind of event might trouble someone long after it happens and what it means to combat these struggles biblically.

“One of the vets that we worked with, they were on a mission. And they were supposed to clear the road to the end of the road, and they could see the end of the road, but they didn’t walk to the end of the road. And my guy told his leadership, ‘Hey, we need to walk to the end of the road.’

“So they got back out of their vehicles, walked to the end of the road, and one of the guys hit an explosive and died. So, my guy blames himself over and over and over again.”

Many first responders, as well as veterans, deal with heavy burdens like this. They can be told over and over again that it’s not their fault, but giving up that guilt is not that easy. How can they be set free?

Prince says there are two principles to consider: “One is, even if you did something wrong– which this guy didn’t do anything wrong– you can be forgiven for everything. The other is God’s ultimate sovereignty of what was supposed to happen that day, happened that day. And God doesn’t have a ‘plan b.’ Even when trauma happens to us, God’s got a greater purpose for why those things happen.”

This hearkens to the biblical principle that God uses tragedy and trials for good. But the other side of what Set Free Ministries and Warriors Set Free does is to help their counselees recognize that there is someone intending to use these tragedies for evil.

“These guys carry the pain. And they think it’s their fault even though it’s not. And they’re being tormented by the enemy mentally and spiritually. And if they don’t know how to fight then they’re going to lose the fight.”

These are the type of spiritual topics Warriors Set Free will be talking about. Sheepdog Seminars’ Grossmen will be focusing on some more practical techniques.

Prince says, “He actually studied warfare, police shootings—what happens to your body. In ‘On Combat’ he’s got a chapter called ‘The Price of Combat.’ And he talks about the aftermath and how to practically evaluate and deal with what went down. And he talks in great depth about debriefing and having a meeting and sitting down and hearing everybody’s perspective about what happened. And you’re actually seeking truth.”

This technique is important, Prince says, because often after something bad happens, our recollection of an even is skewed or incorrect. By hearing several viewpoints, people are able to come to a better understanding of what really took place.

Goal of “Sheepdog Spirit Seminar”

Overall, Prince says, “It’s all about helping people and helping that specific population deal with the trauma of what they’ve been through. And with my military experience, I understand that really well.

“But from a law enforcement aspect—I mean, think in your own life about the times you’ve had interactions with police and they’re all bad days. They’re some of your worst days. And for those police officers, that’s every day. That’s every hour. That’s especially for out on the road. It’s bad event, after bad event, after bad event. And you can’t carry that without it affecting you spiritually.

“And so, locally, we want the West Michigan area to know that we’re available to help them deal with whatever they’re carrying.”

And in the future, Prince says they hope this will turn into another branch of ministry made more readily available around the nation.

(Photo courtesy of Thomas Hawk via Flickr)

“Lt. Colonel Grossmen’s main mission from his life has been … about preparing people before they go into the fight. And after the fight is just as important to be able to not become a casualty after the trauma,” Prince says.

And while this is targeted directly at the “sheepdog” persons, everyone is invited to attend this seminar.

“If you’re a family member or you’re a best friend, or you’re like ‘Hey, I don’t understand my uncle because he went through Vietnam and he won’t talk to me,’ you’ll learn something that day to be able to help to bridge the gap.”

Even if you’re not intending to go to this seminar, will you pray? Ask God to bring the right people to this seminar, and that the attendees will be blessed in a huge way. Pray for the Gospel to have an impact on those who attend who don’t know Jesus. For more information on Warriors Set Free and Set Free Ministries, click here.

This seminar will be held in Byron Center, Michigan. Find the event details here.

That’s the philosophy behind the marriage seminars and classes China Partner held during their recent trip to China. Erik Burklin of China Partner said the team conducted a retreat for over 23 pastors and their spouses.

“As a marriage goes, so goes your ministry, and so it’s very important for us to pour into marriages in China, specifically for the church leaders,” Burklin said.

Burklin said many of these Christian leaders are overworked and there is consistently high demand for their time and energy, which can be taxing on any marriage. What’s more, China’s “honor-shame” culture means many couples don’t show affection in public and rarely show physical affection to one another.

Photo Courtesy China Partner

So when couples started giggling and the mood turned “electric,” the team knew they were making progress. One leader asked the couples to write down three things each person appreciated about his or her spouse.

“Couples looked at each other bashfully, they were giggling, they were blushing, one husband even dabbed his wife’s tears away as they were running down her cheeks,” Burklin said. “As we followed up with questions people were saying ‘I feel happy again’ or ‘I feel like we’re back at the beginning of our relationship.’”

Twenty-three couples walked into the classroom focusing on what they didn’t like about one another. Now, Burklin said they’re focused on mending their relationships, and China Partner is continuing to work with the couples even after the team has left the country.

“We will continue to encourage them, pray with them, and answer questions they might have so this ministry, just because the training is done, does not stop here,” Burklin said. Study materials have been shipped to the couples, counselors and pastors are checking in with them via social media and online communication, and China Partner has already been invited back to do follow-up work in 2018.

(Photo courtesy of China Partner)

But at the end of the day, Burklin said the victory didn’t belong to China Partner. “God can come into a couple’s hearts and change how they communicate with one another, how they communicate with their children, how they communicate with their neighbors,” Burklin said. “That is the Gospel.

“After they return from these kinds of gatherings … they’re going to be better for it, they’re going to be much better leaders, they’re going to be able to invest in their people wherever God has placed them as church leaders.”

Photo Courtesy China Partner

China Partner is continuing to equip pastors and believers in China in the coming year, pouring into them so they can pour into others. “It’s not just about sharing the good news of Jesus with the Chinese but it’s actually about equipping pastors who have been called by God to be Gospel declarers so they can become even more effective and efficient in their ministry so that many more people can come to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ,” Burklin said.

Right now China Partner is building a ministry strategy and plan for 2018. From a return trip to check up on the couples in March to youth ministry training at a seminary in China to more pastoral training in May and October, there are plenty of projects you can support with your time, money, and prayer.

“As we can be a part of that mission, we’re actually accomplishing together with Him what He is all about, and that is to make relationships whole again.”

The Guardian Seminar. (Photo courtesy of Orphan’s Heart)

Uganda (MNN) — Out of 1.7 million orphans in Uganda, only 1,300 live in orphanages, according to WorldBank.

Another 10,000 children live on the streets.

“Cost comparisons conducted in Uganda show the ratio of operating costs for an orphanage to be 14 times higher than those for community care,” UNICEF reports.

Orphan’s Heart sponsors children in Ugandan foster care families—also known as guardians. A team of 10 people traveled to Uganda with Orphan’s Heart on July 30. They just returned on Sunday, August 11. Two summer interns in Uganda with Orphan’s Heart also returned with the team.

Part of their outreach included a Guardian Seminar. Team members helped lead the session, encouraged guardians of Orphan’s Heart-sponsored children, and gave each guardian a Bible.

A foster guardian receives Bible from a team member. (Photo courtesy of Orphan’s Heart)

For some of the guardians, it was the first Bible they’ve ever received. Several kneeled as a sign of high gratitude for the gift of God’s Word.

Sponsorships are critical for Ugandan guardians to continue caring for their foster children. One sponsorship through Orphan’s Heart costs $30. Click here to sponsor a Ugandan child.

There is another missions trip opportunity on November 6 through Orphan’s Heart to Uganda. You can apply for that missions trip or donate towards needed supplies. They particularly need children and adult clothing and shoes, craft and game materials, and English Bible school materials.

Please pray for guardians of foster children in Uganda to persevere. Pray for these Bibles to encourage their faith and allow others to meet Jesus Christ.

"From Better to Betterment" — this was the theme for a seminar focusing on how to continue improving the English medium schools in Nepal, along with the personal lives of the teachers and staff. Eight schools and 51 people participated in the seminar hosted by Gospel for Asia.

English medium schools are Christian schools located in regions where there are no other schools for children to attend. Children in traditional Gospel for Asia Bridge of Hope centers attend classes at a local school, then come to the Bridge of Hope center for additional tutoring and other services. English medium schools are located in areas where no other schools exist, so the students receive their core academics and enrichment there.

The teachers and staff members who attended the seminar went in hopes of learning new skills to help them in the classroom, while also finding spiritual enrichment. Pastors prayed over the teachers.
Teachers went to nine different sessions covering various topics that included administrative principles, the ministry of the Church in Nepal, child psychology, effective ways of teaching and personal development.

Deepak Gurung, the leader of Bridge of Hope in Nepal, taught all the lessons. There were also practical sessions where the teachers learned crafts, sisg songs and played new games.

The first day of the three-day seminar began at 1 p.m. The attendees learned new English songs and enjoyed a film in the evening. The second day began with a devotional time and ended with a cultural dance competition to discover the hidden talents of the teachers.

Fasting and prayer for the various ministries of the Church was a large component of the third and final day of the seminar. All the regional, district and local pastors from the area participated in the day's events. And finally, the participants shared Communion together, followed by a time of commitment to spiritual renewal.

"Teachers dedicated their lives to Jesus with tears, and all the pastors prayed for us," reported one attendee.

Environmental concern is uncommon in Cambodia for the most part. One CRWRC worker admitted that Cambodia has become so dirty, "we often lose the ability to see the filth around us." Even churches there are littered with garbage and stale water. CRWRC is working to raise awareness in Cambodia, especially in Christian circles. If churches became a clean and safe place to be, they would stand out and be much more inviting to curious seekers.

Recently, a training course was facilitated with 32 participants led by three CRWRC teachers. The course covered definitions of environment, the negative effects chemicals, deforestation, human excrement and garbage can have on it, and the ways everyday citizens can improve it.

At first, many participants were not even certain they knew what "environment" meant. When it had been explained thoroughly to them, several questions were asked about how to respect the environment. Many good answers were offered regarding ways to clean up, such as planting trees, picking up garbage and staying clear of chemicals. When asked why they were not already doing these things, the participants said it was because they were uneducated on the issue.

By the end of the classes, the participants were prepared and excited to make some changes. They now recognize and agree that protecting the environment is an international responsibility, especially for Christians. Believers are told to be good stewards of God's gifts, including the earth. These 32 believers in Cambodia are now leading the way to bringing God glory by caring for His creation.

The knocks continued, and though it was late and Mutha had had a long day of work in the fields, she opened the door. To her surprise, it was a neighbor and the neighbor's daughter. The daughter was hysterical, and her mother asked Mutha for prayer.

Mutha had attended a seminar that Partners International held for her unreached people group, the Koya. Nervously and quickly she prayed for healing for the girl, using what she
learned at the Scriptures in Use seminar. In the days that followed, Mutha visited the family. The girl's health was restored, and Mutha was able to share the Good News with them.

It was encouraging for Partners to hear the fruit of their efforts, as seminars can easily come and go. Now, Mutha is known as the village prayer warrior, and she and her husband have led many people to Christ. 

However, McClain says it's not because churches don't want to be involved in missions. "Often they've been eager to be more significant. They've just been under educated, under challenged and under deployed by their own churches."

And that's why The Mission Society is coming alongside the local church to help them develop a mission strategy. "We call it the Global Outreach Weekend. The anchor for that weekend is a six hour Global Outreach seminar that lays out the Biblical foundations for
missions, looks at the scope and the nature of the unfinished task, and then looks at practical strategies for a church that really wants to be on mission with God."

While a weekend seminar is important, it sometimes only scratches the surface. So McClain says they've developed other tools, "from hands-on coaching over a year and half period of time with the church, to advanced workshops that may take a particular strategy — like how
to develop an Acts 1:8 based mission plan, what are some effective giving strategies, or how do you engage in kingdom partnerships, or what are best practices for the churches short term mission team."

The Mission Society is on track to do 30 seminars this year. McClain says, "We also occasionally do leadership events where pastors and mission leaders from a number of churches come together and go through the seminar."

It's a non-denominational organization that's simply interested in seeing the Great Commission completed.

According to McClain, their focus on the local church has helped them refocus their ministry. "It's kind of changed our understanding of who we are as a mission, not just here on the home front, but especially the role we play internationally–particularly when we're working
side-by-side with churches in other countries."

If you'd like to have The Mission Society help your missions strategy, click here.

Last week, Tippit was in India for the first of three discipleship training seminars scheduled for this summer through Eternal Concepts.  Fifty university-aged students in Madurai, India
took part in the seminar that is similar to the nine month version held in San Antonio, Texas.

Students spend 16 hours each day at the seminar. The days consist of worship, quiet time and discussions.  Topics such as prayer, humility, Christianity and culture around the
world are discussed.  Students are able to read, study and discuss the Gospels in depth.

During the second trip, to Romania in July,  Tippit will also hold over 20 lectures on
subjects such as prayer, worship, humility, and faith.  On top of the lectures, he plans to visit several orphanages and schools to distribute "fun" items for children that have
little to enjoy in life.  They will also be able to give several necessities.

Finally, he will be in the Philippines in October.  The format will be the same as the previous seminars but the 100 students who attend will also be introduced to video speakers.

Plans for summer 2008 seminars have already begun and may bring Tippit back to India and to Africa.  It takes thousands of hours to coordinate these trips and prepare the content with a team of people working on it.