“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8
“Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’- Jeremiah 29:11
Ever since the Lord formed us in our mother’s womb, He had a plan for us (Jeremiah 1:5). Just like our mothers, He dreamed over the way our life would be. He thought of who we would become, where we might go, and all that we could do.
Out of the almost 8 billion people currently on the Earth, it’s amazing to think our great God has made a specific plan for each of us. Over the next few weeks, Equipping Leaders International (ELI) is honored to share one of these plans with you. The plan for Pastor Bentry Mhango.
Bentry was faithfully serving the Lord as a professor at a prestigious bible college. He was following his plan. But sometimes, God calls us to change directions by walking down a different road. That’s exactly what He did with Bentry.
God began priming his heart that a change in course was coming. So when God said it was time to go. Bentry listened. Shortly thereafter, he left the university setting to train remote village pastors. Now, he oversees ELI’s training networks across Malawi and some of our key faculty.
Because Pastor Bentry listened to God’s calling, he is continuing his impactful Kingdom work and making fishers of men. Here are a few of his recent notes from the field on the incredible work he’s doing with ELI.
JANUARY 2024
Pastor Bentry had his boots on the ground to start off the new year. This month he was able to lead 1st Timothy training for 5 different groups including some in Mangochi, a district dominated by Muslims. Through his teaching, he aided local church leaders with the resources needed to effectively combat Muslim beliefs with a mission that’s biblically centered.
He was also able to engage with pastors in a refugee camp. The camp houses people displaced from their homes in East African countries. Pastor Bentry was able to share the Gospel with these refugees as well provide comfort as many begin to heal from their experiences and deeply miss their loved ones who remain in their home countries.
Once leaders complete ELI training, they are tasked to go out and train others. So even though Pastor Bentry’s visit to the region has ended, church leaders are still able to be fishers of men by training, ministering, and equipping a faithful community.
FEBRUARY 2024
Cyclone Freddy wreaked havoc throughout the country of Malawi in 2023. The effects of the storm are still being felt. Currently, Malawi is experiencing a food shortage. A food staple called maize (a crop similar to North American corn) is scarce in some parts but too expensive to purchase in others. Thankfully, each ELI trainee received funds to buy at least one bag of maize to help them make it through this difficult month.
God’s grace is able to bring us through times of scarcity to times of abundance. While crops many be limited, ministry is not. ELI Malawi is now officially a registered ministry with the Malawi Government and has a local board of advisers. Hallelujah! God is providing a way physically and spiritually for His people in Malawi.
MARCH 2024
While Pastor Bentry is teaching and imparting spiritual needs, he often discovers physical needs as well. One of these needs is lack of water in rural areas. Fisi Village is one of them.
Culturally, it’s not necessary to endure thirst when passing a known village. But, that is not the case with Fisi. Instead of seeking water from the village, people have chosen to endure their thirst until they reach home.
It started when one of the villagers went missing for a week. Later, his body was found floating in the village’s only reliable well. Many believe that the man had been in the well the entire week he was missing. Since he was found, no one has trusted the water from the wall, including those who live in the village. The well has become neglected and people walk long distances to get water from neighboring villages.
Soul Covenant Presbyterian Church in Korea graciously gifted funds to drill and construct a borehole. This borehole will bring water to close to 100 households. So, the thirst of dry bones will be quenched spiritually and physically. Glory to God!
APRIL 2024
During one Pastor Bentry’s class meeting this month, he invited people to share their testimonies. Here’s what a few had to say about how ELI has impacted their life.
“The courses we have covered, such as 1st Timothy, Romans, and now the Lord’s Prayer, have greatly impacted my relationship with God and others, particularly in leadership development.” He continued to explain that the teachings from Romans have clarified the importance of faith over the law, hence he has shared the knowledge gained with his congregation. In concluding his testimony he further said,” The materials provided by Equipping Leaders International have made studying and teaching easier and my passion for teaching has grown.”
–Layson Makawa, Partners for Africa (PFA) Group
“God has sent ELI to the refugee camp in order to equip his servants for the Glory of Himself. ELI has taken us to another level of serving God through the spiritual teachings, without forgetting materials, support or assistance that we always get in unexpected times.”I can say that ELI has reminded us what most of church leaders always ignore, the word of our Lord Christ Jesus, for He said and I quote; “so go and make followers of all nations in the world…..Math 28:19.” ” stated James. He went on to express the excitement on the day the group was dispatched in pairs to train others in the skills that ELI had imparted to them. “Above all; we give Glory and big Thanks to the Almighty One and Most High God;through His Son Christ Jesus our Lord.”
–James Dieudonné Muyatshi, Pastor of Good Seeds Evangelical Church (GSEC)
MAY 2024
In April, Bentry had three training sessions, all of which were continuation of ELI programs to groups that are already in place.
In the first week of April, Bentry engaged the group of pastors who are planning to be church planters. He took them through the “Seven Days of Prayer with Jesus.” The primary focus of the course is an in depth look at the “Lord’s Prayer” and praying through it. It was exciting to notice how the pastors enjoyed the whole course. They mostly enjoyed the practical side of praying.
The Refugee Camp group was the second training group. The 14 pastors learned the first eight chapters of the book of Romans. The message of “Salvation by Faith” was cemented in their hearts. These pastors will start teaching their church leaders and members in this month of May. On the last day of the course they received certificates.
The Genres of the Bible Made Known Bible Interpretation Course was the third to be taught in April. This course was taught to 20 pastors in Lilongwe. Discovering how the different genres of the Bible are to be interpreted, brought great joy to the group.
Apart from trainings that took place, there was also a borehole project which Bentry facilitated in drilling and handover ceremonies in one of the villages around. This project was made possible through funds received from Seoul Covenant Presbyterian Church. Praise be to God! This is the third well sponsored by this church this year.
We are thankful Pastor Bentry listened to the Lord’s calling and fearlessly stepped onto a new path in his plan. Because of pastors like him, ELI is able to spread the Gospel around the world. We are grateful for his service and partnership. PLease join us in praying over Pastor Bentry and his work at ELI.
