Dustin and Sherri Ellington (PCUSA) - May 2016 Update
Justo Mwale University
Lusaka, Zambia
Happy JMU graduates Sam Ruzivo and Charles Ngoma lining up for the ceremony
(Photo by Johanneke Kroesbergen)
Dear friends,
Once again it is graduation time and, as is now the norm at Justo Mwale University, our sparkling new graduates have already been serving as pastors since November or December. This year I (Sherri) took it upon myself to ask some of them what the biggest surprise has been in their first few months of pastoral work. In their answers I found insight to the challenges they face; I also found tidbits of challenge and inspiration for me as an American Christian. Read on, and let our recent graduates challenge you, as well...
Graduate #1:
One of this month's graduates is ministering in what was built as a middle-class neighborhood, in a nation that is now struggling economically. Her church is a manageable size, unlike churches of many of our graduates, and she feels quite able to know her parishioners and their families personally. She loves her church but has been challenged by how few people have jobs: only five out of about 90 adults are employed right now, due to a recent downturn in the economy. Those five individuals and their families feel a lot of responsibility to carry the church financially. And of them, two are nearing retirement age, which underscores the question of what lies ahead.
Sherri with new graduates Mary Limula and Shingi Masunda
Challenge for us:
How often do we in the American church thank God for the jobs within our congregation? Do we take it for granted that most people in our church are gainfully employed or at least have a fairly adequate pension and/or Social Security to rely on? What kind of involvement do we have in our own churches with those who are seeking work for one reason or another?
We also feel this story underscores why it's important for congregations in the U.S. to think about provision for training not only their own pastors but pastors in places like Africa, as well.
Graduate #2:
Another of this month's graduates shared with me that his biggest surprise happened in a recent meeting when one elder expressed, in front of all of the other leaders, that he was disappointed things haven't improved more with this new pastor’s arrival. Ouch. Fortunately, the other leaders have been extremely supportive, which shows me this is a relatively healthy church in which to get one’s “sea legs” as a new pastor. Other new pastors, though, may not be as fortunate.
Challenge for us:
Do we rally to support leaders in our communities when people express disappointment toward them? How do we personally get involved to encourage those who are trying hard to serve but who might be living under unfair/unrealistic expectations or even receiving unfair treatment? Have I encouraged my pastor lately?
Graduate #3:
This graduate has actually been in his new congregation for over a year now but has the added challenge of being in an area with two different main languages, neither of which he is fluent enough in yet to preach. This kind of church assignment is a common phenomenon in Zambia, a country with 72 languages. Our new graduate handles it so far by preaching in his own native language, which is somewhat related, as he continues trying to learn the other two languages alongside his other pastoral duties.
He is also very aware that over the past year in his position he hasn't yet visited some church members because several live rather far away and the roads are impassable in rainy season. Now that the mud and the streams are drying up, he hopes to pay more visits soon.
Challenge for us:
When we don’t measure up to all the challenges presented to us in ministry or in service, do we still give the best we have and take steps to overcome the difficulties more fully in the future?
Justo Mwale University's 2016 Bachelor of Theology graduates – all are now serving in congregations (Photo by Johanneke Kroesbergen)
These are just a glimpse of a few conversations I enjoyed over graduation weekend. Perhaps God will use one or more of these faithful people's stories to encourage you in your own church community on the other side of the world.
Thank you for all of your care that has supported us over the entire four years this graduating class (and the one before it, too!) studied at Justo Mwale. It is such a blessing to watch people grow and develop as student pastors and then be sent out to shepherd and build up Christ's church all over southern/central Africa. We appreciate the prayers, encouragement, and financial gifts that help us to serve here over the long haul. Please pray for God's continued and deepened touch to build up the church in Africa through our ministry alongside such persons as these.
Please also pray:
*for our upcoming time in the U.S. this July, August, and part of September...We love to get time with extended family and supporting congregations, but it is always hard to juggle visits to churches; time with parents, siblings, and other relatives; and the rest and re-tooling we need to return to Zambia renewed and refreshed.
*for our family in transition: On this visit Dustin will stay in the U.S. for seven weeks beyond Sherri and Christopher to settle Clayton in at (gulp!) college in September. Please pray for all of us at this transition time. Especially, please pray for Clayton to get off to a good start with studies, friends, fellowship, and Christian perspective at Stanford University.
*for the four new YAVs (Young Adult Volunteers) who are preparing to head to Zambia at the end of August for an intensive year of Christian service and cross-cultural living. More about this in our next letter, but please pray for them now as they prepare to take this huge step!
Once again, we appreciate your prayers, care, and financial support so very much.
Our family on Clayton's high school graduation day
Thank you.
Yours in Christ,
Dustin and Sherri Ellington
Dustin: ellingtondustin@gmail.com
Sherri: so.ellington@gmail.com
Amount needed in 2016
Read more about the Ellington's ministry by clicking HERE.
Amount needed in 2016
The Outreach Foundation seeks to raise at least $850 per month for the Ellington's support and $5,500 per student per year for scholarships in theology at Justo Mwale University. To make a donation, click the Donate Now link in the sidebar.
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