PAUL COWLEY:  EXCEPTIONS THAT UNLEACHED THE EXCEPTIONAL

Pastor Peter didn’t arrive at the DSM Bible Institute as a Pastor. He was merely an Usher serving in a local slum church. He bounced from one church to another trying to “find” something. He wasn’t quite sure what “it” was, but he was sure something was missing. Everyone seemed to be so sure of what they were doing for the Lord. Peter was not. No matter how much he tried to get involved at the church, he seemed to be disqualified, delayed or discouraged by those in authority. He yearned to be more engaged, more knowledgeable, more effective in the Body of Christ. Ambitious for holy things. But all to no avail.

Normally, we would not accept an “Usher” into the Bible Schools. For no other reason than limited space and resources. With the little we have to work with, we seek to disciple those with the greatest spiritual influence in the slum communities. Consequently, we only accept Pastors and Ministry Leaders into the Bible Schools. No congregation members, no matter how insistent they may be. It’s always a gut-wrenching situation to explain this to those who are otherwise wonderful candidates, but not serving in Ministry Leadership.

We rest in this: the “multitudes” will be taught and discipled by our Graduates in their churches…not at the DSM Bible Schools.

We do, however, make some Exceptions. Peter was one of them. One of our Graduates pleaded for an Exception for Peter. “He is a serious man. He loves the Lord. He…” We’ve heard it a thousand times. We aren’t easily moved. The answer remained “No!”

But then God… clearly told us to make an “Exception” for Peter. And we did. Not fully understanding “Why?” But walking by faith according to His Counsels. Not all of which are written down in the Bible. It’s not that simple. We don’t follow the Book. We follow HIM! God is a God of infinite Order and Purpose. Yet even He makes “Exceptions” to His Laws and Ordinances…based upon “Priorities of Purpose.” Not all of His Laws are equal. In fact, none of them are. They are all established within the Perfect Hierarchy of His Perfect Purposes. Find a “Law” in the Bible and you will often find an Exception as well. Except for these Two:

“Teacher, which is the Great commandment in the Law?” Jesus said to him, “’You shall Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, with all your Soul, and with all your Mind.’ This is the First and great commandment. And the Second is like it: ‘You shall Love your Neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” MATTHEW 22:36

God’s Laws are not to be obeyed indiscriminately. But rather with the greatest of sober-mindedness, prayerful consideration and God-given Discernment. Afterall, we are not in a religious system. Christianity is not a Religion. It is  a Relationship. As such, every “Law” we apply must be done considered in the Light of God’s holy and preeminent concern for People. If, in “obeying” a Law or Standard, we violate the “two greatest” commandments, then we have violated all the Law! On this, the Pharisees and Scribes stumbled repeatedly. It continues today.

God sets our parameters. In the Ministry, and in our lives. His Laws provide boundaries. And we are not to casually make Exceptions to God’s written directives simply because we “feel it’s the right thing to do”.

Rather we are called to Pray! To continually cry out for the ever- available counsel of the Holy Spirit. Not simply at our bedside every morning and evening. But “without ceasing.” That might sound tiring and wearisome. Quite the opposite! It is restful, comforting, infinitely wise and efficient in God’s economy.

And so Peter’s holy discontent led to him being directed by a Graduate Pastor, who was then led to request an “Exception”…leading to our Prayerful consideration, and God’s clear counsel: “Accept this young man into the Bible School. It’s Me making this Exception . Not you.”

Peter enrolled in September, 2009 and did not complete the two-year program until November, 2014. Five years of intense Bible studying…not because of delays or disruptions, but because he just kept coming and coming and coming!  During those five years, he grew in every holy and righteous way. Bearing witness to one of God’s Foundational Principles and Promises…right before our eyes!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain comes down … So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” ISAIAH 55:8

According to God’s higher “thoughts and ways”, the “Usher” became a Deacon, and eventually an Assistant Pastor! The “Exception” was becoming quite “Exceptional” right before our eyes!

After graduation, Peter continued to come…as a Volunteer, helping with tutoring, and eventually Translating. In this regard, he really blossomed. He has continued translating at the Bible Schools for over seven years.

A few months ago, Peter came to me personally about opening a new church himself! “I’ve been teaching some people in my house for the past two years. A small home church. Now, a local businessman who had heard me preach, sought me out and asked me to consider opening a church in our slum. He has a piece of land he is willing to donate. We can build whatever we like. He’s offered to donate some material for the floor.”

What a journey we have witnessed! God knew the intended end of making an Exception to His own standard at the Bible School. If we do not Pray and continually seek His confirming Counsel, we risk missing the Highest Purposes of the very One we seek to serve.

Jesus touched the leper…against the Law. Jesus healed on the Sabbath…against the Law. Jesus gathered grain on the Sabbath…against the Law. Every one of these “Exceptions” were not, in fact, breaking God’s Law. But rather obeying even Greater Laws. How much we miss by two common missteps:
#1. Making Prayerless Exceptions under the guise of “Grace”.
#2: Legalistically applying God’s Law without considering the Purpose. Two extremes…that will crush any efforts to “make Disciples.

Peter and his church continue slowly building the structure and the people of the slum community. One piece of sheet metal…one tiny step…one single soul…one day at a time. So much of what Peter has done in the past 13 years is “out of the box.” Who would have thought he’d find a free Bible School in the squalid slums of Nairobi? “But then God…” Who would have imagined the Usher would become a Senior Pastor, and a church planter?

“But then God…” Who would have dreamed a stranger would donate land in an overcrowded slum? “But then God…”

All kinds of rules, laws and methods were “broken” before Peter’s eyes…and ours. And every single one was God ordained . Serving His Purposes according to His Priorities. Exceptions that unleashed the Exceptional!

FROM R.K.’S CORNER

Has God not chosen the poor in this world to be rich in in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”  James 2:5

             This scripture applies aptly to the Pastors of the Least in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya.  They have the least of earthly goods, but they have the riches of the Word of God imbedded deeply into their souls and hearts, and endeavor to apply Biblical principles in their own lives, thanks to the labor of love and mentoring by Paul and Marcia Cowley.

Twenty years ago, this young American-Brazilian couple heard God’s call to uproot from living the good life in South Florida, and moved to serve in Kiberia, the largest slum in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. The assignment? Establish a Bible Training Institute for the thousands of largely uneducated slum pastors living there. Little did they know that their plan to have a group of 20-25 students graduating per semester, has grown to 250 during the last 20 years. Students and graduates have seen the power of the Word of God transform thousands of people’s lives under their care.

Peter is one of these individuals.  He pursued  and reached his goal through faith, endurance and persistence: to establish & pastor a church in the slum!