Whims Family Discipleship Update March 2025

After meeting for over two years our Tuesday night men's discipleship class will be finishing next week in New Westminster.

The exciting thing about discipleship is it doesn't end after completion of the training. It is now an opportunity for those discipled to become the disciplers. We discussed last week what's next for each of us in our growing-in-Christlikeness journeys. One student plans to start a new men's group, investing in a new group of men. We also talked about using investigative studies to encourage discussion with those who are unsaved around us.

We have also finished an on-line group in Africa and one of our students, Pastor Peter has started a new class on-line with a new group from Africa including students from Nigeria, Niger, South Africa and Liberia. It is encouraging to see the desire to invest in other Believers and see them grow in their faith. Pray for these new groups starting that students would commit to growing in their walks with God.

Sharing memory verses at our men's discipleship class

The start of a new Africa on-line discipleship class led by recent graduate Pastor Peter

Last week we had our Mexico & Cuba team meeting and got to hear about recent mission trips to Mexico, Cuba and Guatemala. I will be part of a team, with our Director from Mexico, travelling to Cuba in June, 2025 to attend 2 graduations. I would appreciate your prayers as we plan this trip to work with Pastor Ornel in Cuba.

Our March Canada, Mexico and Cuba team meeting

In August I will be heading to East Africa for teaching, training and attending graduations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. I want to share with you a bit about each location.

I have been going to Kenya for the last 15 years after one of our board members met with Reverend Timothy in Canada and shared with him the discipleship training we use and our goals to win, build and mobilize as a ministry. My first time there was in 2009 and we have been sending teams regularly ever since. We are working with a ministry called Manee (Compassion) Kenya and the ABC Churches in Kenya. I will be returning in August to visit discipleship groups and speak at a graduation on August 16. In Kenya we will also have the opportunity to meet with Pastors from the 5 countries we are currently working with in East Africa as we all meet in person at the August 16 graduation. Pray for safe travels for all the Pastors and for the continued passion to make disciples in these countries.

Equip to Serve Graduation in Kenya in 2024 

Discipleship classes in Kenya practicing the wheel diagram

From Kenya a small team from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will travel to meet with discipleship classes and attend a graduation on August 23rd in Tanzania. We will be visiting with Pastor Peter and his team for the first graduation in Tanzania. Pastor Peter will be one of the graduates in Kenya with around 100 other disciples. I met Pastor Peter during an on-line "Equip to Serve" training group which was completed last month after meeting together regularly the past two-years. Peter is passionate for discipleship and serving the church in Tanzania. Pray for Pastor Peter and his team and for our team from Canada, Kenya and Uganda who will be supporting his work.

Pastor Peter with one of his Equip to serve discipleship groups in Tanzania

Finally, I will travel with Gerald from Uganda to visit a group of pastors who Gerald has been training in Northern Uganda. This group of Pastors work among the many refugee camps at the South Sudan border. We were connected to this group by James, who is founder of Journey Home Refugee organization and is now working internationally with refugees. When James met Pastor Justin from Uganda at a refugee conference, he shared his desire to disciple those in the church from the refugee camps so he contacted us. I am praying James will be able to come and join us to visit these pastors and encourage them in their Kingdom work.

Discipleship training in Northern Uganda training Pastors at the South Sudan refugee camp with Gerald and Pastor Justin their trainers

I am asking God to provide $10,000 for the Kenya and Cuba trips. $5000 has already been raised for Kenya, Praise God!! I would appreciate your prayers for these trips and if God's direction on  partnering with me and Discipleship International on these upcoming trips. Donations can be made by e-transfer to office@discipleshipint.org (comment box put Project DI004) or via credit card at: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=Z7NBQFCHG7W3L

Until all are discipled,

Travis & Jennifer Whims