Dear church family,
I am excited to introduce Evans Odhiambo to you. He will be joining us as a pastoral intern at Benoni Baptist Church. Evans comes to us with a humble love for the Lord, a desire to serve our church, and a commitment to pastoral ministry.
As a congregation we desire to train up men for ministry. A pastoral interns’ primary focus is theological study. While they pursue their academics we provide the environment for practical ministry experience. A pastoral intern serves at the direction of the elders. And for an initial term of one year, with the possibility of an extension.
We are collaborating with Christ Baptist Seminary, where Lance Long has been studying. It’s been such a joy to see Lance grow over the past years in his pastoral gifting as he has served among us. As Evans embarks on the same process we look forward to seeing how the Lord will grow him and use him.
Evans is a 27-year-old Kenyan, with a background in Agricultural Economics. He came to faith in Christ at 19 years old and has since devoted himself to gospel ministry. He has youth ministry experience. He served a year with I Serve Africa. He has church planting and evangelism experience. He has served as an intern at Bethesda Baptist Church. And he has experience in Christian education. He worked as a school administrator.
Evans arrived in Benoni this week and met with our elders who interviewed him. We’re confident that appointing him as a pastoral intern will be for his benefit. And ours. We are exploring the option of Evans staying at 35 Wordsworth Road. He is being supported by stipend through a kind donation from a church in the States. We will keep the church updated as plans develop.
This internship will transfer the DNA of our church to Evans. This happens in immersive hands-on ministry. Over time Evans will get experience preaching, shepherding, evangelising, elders meetings, staff meetings, membership classes, weddings, funerals, hospital visits, visitation, children’s ministry, Bible studies, counselling, and premarital preparation.
Please be praying for Evans as he transitions to life and ministry in South Africa. Encourage him as he serves among us. Welcome him into our church family with warmth and hospitality.
In Christ,
Mark
