the issue 

Many say the time has passed when churches from the West have anything other than money to give to God’s mission in other parts of the world. I disagree. Although we can learn much from other churches elsewhere, there is still a rich vein of ministry we should share. I refer in particular to biblical exposition: understanding and communicating clearly, faithfully and relevantly the truths of the Bible. In many parts of the world, biblical exposition cannot be taken for granted, even in evangelical churches, and yet the Bible is key to growth. 

the vision 

Quite simply we wish to see indigenous movements of biblical exposition established in churches around the world so that they are built up in the revealed truths of the Bible and more effective in evangelism to a needy world. 

the practice 

A School of Biblical Training is a 4-5 day seminar incorporating plenary teaching, model expositions, individual and group work with Bible texts, and reporting back of group outlines. Ideally this happens regularly to build relationship and reinforce the principles. 

not alone 

As with most things, Crosslinks is not alone in this. Langham Partnerships International under our President, Chris Wright, has established Langham Preaching. The Proclamation Trust has a venture called Project Timothy. Friends International has the Philip Project for Africans doing UK post-graduate studies, and Cuba Para Cristo has a similar vision. What Crosslinks brings is a large network of practising expositors and relationships with churches around the world. 

so far 

For Crosslinks, working with Langham, Myanmar has been the pioneer area. But other ventures are springing up in Uganda, India, Thailand, Serbia, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and South Africa, with involvement of Crosslinks partners or using Crosslinks connections. There is certainly a demand and Crosslinks is seeking to help meet it. 

the challenges 

Our Vision Statement states that we wish to develop these Schools of Biblical Training, so some needs are: 

• Responding to and choosing strategically significant venues. 

• Mobilising, orienting and deploying Bible expositors from Britain, Ireland and elsewhere, ideally on a regular basis. 

• Finding key local co-ordinators. 

• Setting up effective preaching groups on the ground to spread the ministry. 

The Langham Partnership angle 

“From Langham’s point of view,” writes Chris Wright, “we are delighted to be co-operating with Crosslinks in this way, in Myanmar, Bolivia, Tanzania and hopefully elsewhere. Our goals coincide exactly with Crosslinks – to see national movements for biblical preaching flourishing under local leadership and initiative. 

Langham has developed preaching programmes in some 30 countries now, with many more requests than we can respond to with current resources. So our partnership with Crosslinks and other like-minded agencies is a mutual strength. It has been a joyful experience to work alongside Andy Lines in Myanmar, and to introduce him to the programme in Bolivia. And it is clear from the rapturous welcome we receive each time that there is a great desire among ordinary pastors and lay preachers to learn the basic elements of biblical preaching and then to feed their flock with the Word of God.” 

  Crosslinks magazine July 2006 index