Vol 2.3 April 2018

It was David's privilege to participate in the Nazarene Global Theology Conference in Florida at the end of March. Over 300 theologians, scholars, teachers, and denominational leaders gathered to discuss "Christology," the doctrine of Christ. The highlight for David was to see many old friends and to make new friends. He was part of a small discussion group with quite a few people from South America. This conference was important for the denomination because we must have a clear vision of Jesus or everything else we do will deteriorate into human effort. David has a lot to think about in the coming months in reflection of this conference. We may have an Asia-Pacific Region Theology Conference in 2019 or 2020. David is thinking about how to organize a theology conference on our Philippine/Micronesia field in the near future.

David has been asked to head up literature development on our field. This sounds interesting but takes a lot of work, thinking, and coordinating. Our vision is to produce literature that meets the needs of churches and districts. This will involve translating and printing some key theological resources like the Manual. There are talented writers and thinkers in the Philippines. We just need to find them and inspire them to create curriculum and Bible studies for discipleship. The funds given to literature are very useful in these projects.

The three of us, Rhonda, Shan, and David, were able to spend three weeks in Papua New Guinea at Melanesia Nazarene Bible College where David taught a course, "Greek for Ministry," with ten students. He really enjoyed getting into the Greek again. He used a 70-page book he has written on New Testament Greek grammar. The students worked very hard and learned a lot in the three weeks. David also met many afternoons with the faculty and administration at the Bible college to help them with curriculum development and to share with them how to develop syllabi and other elements of teaching. He had the privilege of preaching five times on the trip, two times as part of the revival services on campus. There is a Teachers Nazarene College also on campus. MNBC has 150 students and the Teachers college has over 300 students. Both schools are growing. The last revival service David preached, the chapel was packed and people were sitting outside. Rhonda enjoyed meeting many people on campus and developed some dear friendships with several of the women including Lecturer Jenny Kina (PNG national) whose son, Andrew Kina, is a third-year student at NNU, and Talisua Fakua, a missionary from Samoa.  Shan made two special friends with young ladies just a few years younger than her who are finishing high school and plan to become doctors. One is the daughter of missionaries from Samoa serving in PNG and the other young lady is the daughter of one of the district superintendents who lives on campus. On the way back to the Philippines, Air Nuigini was late in leaving Mt. Hagen, so we missed our plane to the Philippines. God turned this into a blessing. The next morning, David preached at a church in Port Moresby of a dear new friend, Pastor Alan, whom we have met several times this past year. The church has spent most of the week with revival services under a large tent. This is an eight-year-old church plant. God is doing awesome things in PNG.

David continues to devote considerable time to developing the Asia-Pacific Region Course of Study for ordination as an elder or deacon. He finished writing one course on Interpreting the Bible. He is working with writers of the other 23 courses to develop this curriculum. It will be used throughout the region, especially in the many district extension sites. He was able to get helpful and positive feedback from denominational leaders and committees while he was at the Global Theology Conference. He is learning a lot through all this, not only about curriculum writing but ministry.

Our schedule for our deputation tours in September through November are as follows. There are still a few slots available in our district tours. Please contact your district deputation secretary. We look forward to seeing everyone again! Here are the district tours:

Joel is just about finished with his second year at Northwest Nazarene University. He is looking forward to a  summer of travel. Please pray for him as he travels to Europe and Asia. He will be able to spend some time with us this summer and we are looking forward greatly to this. 

Shan: “It’s been a whirlwind through the Ackerman household orienting the Owens, a new missionary family, and going for three weeks to PNG.  I was in charge of orienting the Owens family our subdivision where we live.  I took them to the market by tricycle (motorcycle with a side cage) and brought them home in a pedicab (bicycle with a side cage).  I showed them my world of shopping and food. 
At first, I was unsure of going to PNG because I had no friends there and I did not know the culture.  I got to meet some really awesome people, friendships that will last a life time: Peni, Talisua, Pisa, Lero, Pastor Peter, and Ellen.  The PNG culture is a nice culture.  I like to wear the traditional Meri blouses (brought home 6) and beelums (bags/purse, brought home 6).  One of my favorite experiences was being in Kudjip where I got to experience an earthquake for the first time in my life, got to hold a cuscus possum named Ranger, and I got to go to Refit an exercise program run by Stephanie Miller. While at the Bible College I helped Lecturer Lero Kui in her Pidgin class.  I enjoyed learning Pidgin and grading papers.  My favorite Bible College experiences were the two sleep overs at Pisa’s, the sleep overs at our house, and the Samoan hot koko (cocoa) at Pisa’s home.  Tali now calls me her Koko Princess.”

If you need a quick devotional idea, David continues his daily blog at http://acky4.com/wp/blog/. He is currently working through Revelation. He will be teaching a summer course on Daniel and Revelation for Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary and is preparing spiritually for this time.