GROWING DISCIPLES
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” - Jesus
Dear Family and Friends,
The last week of September, the Fourth Lausanne Congress in Seoul, South Korea brought together 5200 global Christian leaders from 203 countries and territories to work together to more effectively carry out the Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20). It was the largest gathering of the worldwide Church’s leadership in history. Two years of research to determine the greatest barriers in implementing the Great Commission preceded this gathering. By far the biggest conundrum facing churches, seminaries and mission organizations was the “Need for Discipleship” (see research results graph).
Tyrannus and Lydia Halls does exactly what global Christian leaders determined is the greatest need of our time: make disciples.
I wish Julie and I could have taken you along this month to see the disciple-growing ministries that are happening in the European Tyrannus and Lydia Halls. Instead, enjoy a brief photo journey:
Cluj Tyrannus Hall (Romania)
Welcome to the CTH’s opening weekend teambuilding retreat!
CTH 2024-2025 (L-R): Julie (legs), Mari & Levente Horvath, Akos, Zalán, David, Agnes (staff), Csanad, Sabi, Lehel (Reformed pastor), Benjamin, Sasa (staff). Not pictured: Dani (sick)
Pray for a new CTH resident staff couple as Sasa and Agnes are leaving the end of the year.
Budapest Tyrannus Hall (Hungary)
This year the BTH had only one open spot for which 14 students applied!
Upper Row (L-R) Julie, Steve, Akos, Tamas, Zsolt, David, Gergely, Emanuel, Barnabas, Bendeguz
Lower row (L-R) Peter, Samuel, Pal, Zsombor, David, Mate, Mate
After workout snacks
Pray for “trust triads” to more fully develop.
Olomouc Lydia Hall (Czech Republic)
OLH construction for 10 Lydians to be completed for 2025-2026 academic year.
Pray for Mojmir’s strength as he completes this project.
Prague Tyrannus Hall (Czech Republic)
PTH 2024-2025 (L-R): Raymond (legs), Ruben, Hanuš, Michal, Honza, Jáchym, Milan, Tomáš Grulich. Not pictured: Marek (Erasmus Scholarship abroad)
As growing disciples themselves, PTH students actively participate in making other disciples. Pray for them.
Cambodia Lydia Hall Update
With rejoicing hearts for your generosity, we are now only $5000 to $15,000 from the needed $117,000. (The $10,000 difference reflects donor promises that have yet to come in.) If we can send the full amount by November 15th, the CLH girls and staff leader can move into their new facility by December 1st. Can’t wait to show you photos of them in their new place!
Literally minutes after completing this update, we received notice of a matching grant for anything that comes in between now and November 15th. It does look very promising!
And to close with, here is a photo of Kristjan Immanuel Owen Wright, born September 16th and held by his big brother Anders. Kristjan joins Euan (6), Anders (4 ½), Lachlan (almost 3) and Imogen (1½) in the Kate and Race Wright family. We now have 10 grandchildren 😊!
With you in “closing the Great Commission gap” regarding discipleship unto Jesus,
Steve and Julie
P.S. – For fun, I’ve added some personal photos of my time in Seoul, South Korea and of Julie and me back in our beloved home of Prague and Benátky nad Jizerou.
Seoul, South Korea
Dr. David Bennett, Fourth Lausanne Congress Director and longtime board member and Chairman of TLH whose lifelong mission involvements began when Dr. Charles Corwin took him to Japan and India back in the 1970's…just like Chuck did with me in the early 1990’s. Dave and I met bi-weekly for 2 hours for 2 years.
John Kant and his wife Agnes have been resident staff of the Ahmedabad Tyrannus Hall ever since its inception in 1993. Now a retired government worker (ever since being imprisoned for his faith), he has planted two churches (to reach Hindus and Muslims) and recently built a home for 16 orphans.
Dr. Aby Alexandar and his wife Mabel served 6 years as the resident staff of the Chennai Tyrannus Hall. He has been on the CTH Board since turning that role over to Deric Moses. Aby is also the Secretary for India's Tyrannus Halls Educational Trust. Earlier this year he became Executive Secretary of Christian Institute of Management.
Prague, Czech Republic
Typical side street in Old Town Prague
Charles Bridge over the Vltava River
Klementium Study Hall where 32 years ago I studied the Czech language after class
Benátky nad Jizerou, Czech Republic
Julie teaching English to 9th graders in Upper Benátky Grade School (where our children went)
Scenes from yesterday’s walk just a block behind our house