Wholistic Development

Kariuki News – March 2002

“And Jesus developed in wisdom, Physically, Spiritually and Socially.”

A paraphrase of Luke 2:52

Dear Friends,

This is the key verse for development that God has kept zeroing in on, in our Community Development training. We realize that we have had the wrong idea as to what development is due to the influence of the modern world where technological advancement and material wealth are confused for development. In our contemporary world, Jesus would probably be considered poor and primitive … Yet the truth is He was the most developed person that ever lived.

We have been in Montana for two months where Jo has been on the Foundations of Community Development (FCD) school staff and Moses has been a student. Jo took the course in South Africa in 1999. Our work has been mainly in poor communities and part of our heart is to see total freedom from the consequences of sin. God’s word presents a holistic approach that doesn’t stop at the salvation of the soul but seeks to bring about the kingdom of God in fullness. “THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN…” is Gods heart and within His word He gives principles that when followed transform societies to the glory of God. This training will equip us for greater effectiveness in ministering the good news of the Kingdom.

Plato, the Greek philosopher, determined that ‘the spirit is superior to matter’ and therefore the spiritual is more important than the physical. The Bible however teaches that the world and its fullness belongs to God (Ps 24:1). Unfortunately the heathen Greek dichotomy found its way into the church, and that false doctrine has been taught to many generations… in effect Satan has hijacked areas that God intended the church to influence, such as arts, education, science, government and the media. Our mandate is to bring the church into the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13.) In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives us authority to disciple nations (“ethnos”); not just whole countries BUT ethnic groups that can be narrowed down to cultures. When you think of what areas influence cultures then all those areas have to be brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

In short, God is renewing our heart and giving us tools to transform the nations He calls us to. We are excited as we think about how we will apply this in Chad, as well as wherever else he takes us. Thank you for being part of enabling us to become more equipped to serve Him!

The FCD lecture phase, which is completed the end of March, is followed by a two month practical phase, putting into practice what we have learned. We will be traveling with a group of fellow students and staff to a small town in West Virginia, and working in partnership with a ministry there. It is one of the poorest areas in the US, and we are praying that God’s Word will be powerful and effective in changing lives. Please pray with us for this time:

· That as we bring God’s truths and heart to the people, they would be set free from sin, poverty and hopelessness.

· We would be able to be an encouragement to the long-term workers there.

· That we would learn principles and tools that we will use in the future.

· Provision of $1200 towards the outreach fees

Thank you for your partnership with us.

Love,

Moses & Jo Kariuki - 756 Bellevue Ave. Gap, PA 17527

Fields of Influence:

Science is Discovery of Gods Truth

Technology is Application of Gods Truth

Humanities is Interpretation of Gods Truth

Commerce is Implementation of Gods Truth

Education is Transmission of Gods Truth

Government is Administration of Gods Truth

Art is Celebration of Gods Truth