ATEM Director, Lal, explaining why he so appreciated the course: "We're alive!"
Rejoice with us!
We give thanks for:
1. God's working through the teaching of The Spirit-Led Leader training course for the 16-21 students who came every day. (See representative testimonies at right.) The Executive Director of Association for Theological Education in Myanmar (ATEM) organized and hosted the event, and is pictured above. After the event, he wrote, "I MUST say 'thank you" to both of you and to God who binds us together [in this] wonderful ministry... I am still praying for the future of our ministry to "teach, inspire, and encourage" (Faith, Hope and Love Global Ministries' mission) pastors, faculty members, and other Christian leaders in Myanmar. I also just think about the [translation] of your book into Myanmar???? Anyhow I feel many many things and learn [so much] from you-from your lecture/books and even from your personal life....You may sense how I am with you in spirit and in prayer..." Lal 2. The ripple effect of the Spirit-Led Leader teaching that is already moving into other institutions and churches. For example, Tomas, Dean of Students and theology instructor at one of the seminaries in Yangon, immediately began sharing the methods and key concepts with his students and the youth from his church, with immediate results. 3. In one instance, when Tomas replicated the teaching on Romans 8 from the Spirit-Led Leader course, one of his students started crying. They were tears of repentance, because the Holy Spirit spoke to him so powerfully through the Bible study.  Professor Tomas 4. When advising another student, who was planning to drop out of seminary, Tomas was able to apply the methods he learned in the course to pray with the student. "Before I called him to see me, he came again to see me for his last and final decision. He told me, 'I am gonna decide today. Teacher, please help me decide right and courageously.' I recall my learning at the Spirit-led Leader Training, and I stopped replying any word... I asked him to pray along with me for God's direction for his life. I pray and he listens. Then, we began to talk.... and to cut the story short, I asked him 'What is in your heart now?' What do you think is the Holy Spirit impressing on you?' And suddenly, he said, 'Teacher, I will stay at the school and continue my pastoral studies'." 5. "In one of my classes, I have asked [my students], 'Do you know what God wants for you?" Most of the students said, 'No, we do not know.' I have taken some time to share with them your [Tim's] lessons on the General will of God and Specific will of God. When evening comes, one of the students told me in my home that he was awake when I asked that question. Before that, he was sleepy, finding it difficult to pay attention to my scheduled lesson." 
Sunset on Inya Lake
Pray with us!
1. IN GENERAL: Somewhere between 6 and 10% of this Buddhist nation of 48 million people is Christian. The church is growing, but is in in urgent need for more, well-educated professors and teachers of theology, pastoral practice, and leadership. Progress is being made, but the challenges are immense.
2. NEXT 6 WEEKS: For many opportunities for Tim and Jill to share the vision and ministry of Faith, Hope and Love Global while in Minnesota. We hope to raise awareness for the critical need for equipping pastors throughout the world and to build the support base for our ministry.
3. BEFORE YEAR-END: For strong giving to underwrite the costs of this ministry for this year, and to provide needed funds for travel to and ministry in South East Asia, January-February 2012.
4. Professor Tomas, Rev. Lal Tin Hre, and all the other participants in the Spirit-Led Leader course. Pray that their relationship with God will remain vital and that they will have wisdom and ability to apply the teaching in their various contexts for teaching and ministry.
5. Complete healing for Jill and an ability to resume her photography, labyrinth work, and speaking ministry when we return to Myanmar.
6. Life-change and deeper understanding of Scripture for Burmese theological students preparing for ministry when Tim resumes his teaching in the New Year.
7. Wisdom to know how to respond to the invitation to return to Myanmar annually to offer key courses at the seminary and through ATEM.
8. Myanmar Institute of Theology seeking $865,000 to finish building their new administration and classroom building.
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Help us spread the word about Faith, Hope and Love Global!
Workshop participant
Dean of Students, local Seminary
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Do you know someone who would be
interested in this newsletter?
Just click below to send it!
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Faith, Hope and Love Global Board of Directors Rev. Dr. Cheryl F. Dudley Mr. Thomas Erickson Rev. Jill K.H. Geoffrion, Ph.D. Rev. Timothy C. Geoffrion, Ph.D. Board of Advisors Mr. Jim Deanovic Mr. Ron Hoffman Mr. John March Mr. Mark Thompson We deeply appreciate your prayers and support. We cannot sustain, let alone expand, this important work without your ongoing help. Thank you! Gratefully, Tim and Jill Geoffrion 
 
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Greetings!
What we have to say is hard to put into words. We want to tell you about both the depth of the suffering and the beautiful ways God is at work in the people of Myanmar. Through descriptions, pictures, and testimonies, we offer you a glimpse of the truth, but hope you will understand that so much more is going on than we can convey here. In the midst of sweeping poverty, lack of proper nutrition, inadequate education at all levels of society, and continued suffering for reasons I cannot elaborate on in print, God's love and concern for the people of Myanmar is real. We are seeing many signs of God's provision and blessing, and we are grateful to be part of what God is doing to build Christ's church throughout Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).  Tim teaching New Testament Theology Theological students, faculty members, pastors, and leaders tell us repeatedly how much they appreciate our teaching and counsel. They are hearing new ideas that that they believe are desperately needed in the Myanmar church today. They are finally getting their questions answered, and they are learning new methods for prayer that are breathing new life into their relationship with God. Over lunch, one of the brightest students in our Spiritual Vitality for Life and Leadership class told Tim, "This course is helping me so much. Growing up I learned a lot about the Christian life, but I have been confused about many things. This class is helping to clear up my confusion and finally put some pieces together for me. Thank you!"  Tim teaching ATEM intensive course When teaching The Spirit-Led Leader to faculty members from various seminaries and Bible colleges, many talked about how they now realize that God needs to be at the center of their life-of everything that they do. Several have plans to bring this teaching to their own seminaries, and two Deans of Students have already proposed that The Spirit-Led Leader become a required course at their schools. God is faithful, loving, and kind to his children, and is using Faith, Hope and Love Global ministries to change lives and build up the church in Myanmar. Thank you for caring about your brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering half way around the world, and for being part of this vital mission "to teach, inspire, and encourage ministers and leaders, equipping them to serve Christ more effectively." "What you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well." -2 Timothy 2:2, NRSV |
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Testimonies from Grateful Students
"As your former student, I am really proud of your sacrifice[d] life for Myanmar Christian leaders; and I also do appreciate your teaching ministry which is effective not only for the students but also for Myanmar's national Christian leaders."
- Ar Naing "I [will] never forget what I learned and experienced during the workshop. I will share about the importance of the Spirit-led leader before the students and faculty members. Thank you for sharing the precious lecture[s]." -Lu Ja "Your book "The Spirit-led Leader" as well as your training course is a crucial and urgent[ly] need[ed] for everyone of [us] Christian leaders today." - Thawng Khan Mang "Your trainings help so [much] in our ministry. We pray God to bless all visions and plans you have. When I travel through villages, people recognize the good training you lead. And they are grateful." -Blwanzo "I pray that may the Lord our God continue to bless you and use you more for the extension of His Kingdom. I am very much enriched and strengthened through Spirit-led Leadership Training for my personal spiritual life and leadership." - That Lian
A student comes up after class to say, "Thank you!"
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What Participants Said They Gained from the Spirit-Led Leader Workshop
* "How to set a vision for my life and ministry that gave me a clear spiritual direction"
* "The important and urgent need of the church to reconsider its position, and redirect [itself] toward the proper goal of training the spiritual leaders to make the church [really] for God"
* "After this workshop, I am excited to take time for being with God (contemplation)."
* "Former way of relating to God must be replaced by the life totally and fully empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit."
* "The word I most value is Trust in God... [The workshop has brought about] a big change in my relationship with God... I've decided to draw near with God, as God-centered and not self-centered."
* "I gained some effective ways needed to become [a] Spirit-led leader."
* "It totally drew me back to have a good relationship with the Holy Spirit."
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Get More Involved!
Young Professionals Gathering
Are you between 21 and 35?
Bring a friend and join us
November 28th
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
We minister in large part to young ministers and seminarians around the world. Learn how our ministry connects you with other faithful servants of Jesus Christ.
RSVP via our Facebook Event Page.
Follow us on Facebook
See pictures, hear our stories, experience what's happening through our global ministry almost instantly!
Please consider making a contribution this month. We still need to raise $18,500 for this winter's ministry in Myanmar and Cambodia.
Your tax-deductible donations to
Faith, Hope and Love Global Ministries
are both needed and greatly appreciated.
Host an Informational Meeting
Tim and Jill will be in Minneapolis through Dec. 22.
Invite them to speak to your group about what God is doing in Myanmar and elsewhere around the world! To schedule a time to meet with them, please email:
Tim - tim.geoffrion@fhlglobal.org, or
Andrew - andrew.lonsbury@fhlglobal.org
It's our deep desire that you would feel the tangible love of Christ by engaging with our ministry. Wherever you are and wherever we are -- we pray that we may be able to teach, inspire, and encourage one another to serve Christ more effectively.
Andrew Lonsbury
serves as the Assistant to the President
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An Update on Jill's Health
Jill was delighted to be able to resume travel with Faith, Hope and Love in order to minister alongside Tim in Myanmar. While she is still looking forward to a full restoration of her energy, she has learned a lot about pacing herself and prayerfully choosing when to say "Yes!" (and "No") to ministry opportunities.
Thank you for your continuing prayers for greater vitality and continued patience as Jill honors her body's wisdom. As energy permits, Jill would love to offer special lectures, build labyrinths and do labyrinth programming when she returns to Myanmar in January.
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More Photos from Myanmar
Bible translated into Myanmar
Tim with former student now instructor
Dr. Mary is delighted with receiving her own finger labyrinth 
Seminary student making a point in class
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For Your Reflection
Tim sitting with a Buddhist Monk in a pagoda
Take a moment to dwell on this photo of a Buddhist monk trying to explain his prayer book to Tim.
What comes to your mind?
What speaks to your heart?
What prayer comes to your lips?
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