A seed that bears much fruit
Chaplaincy is a strategic ministry for young people in their formative years. And for Joel Iwo, the opportunity to serve in this way motivated him to study theology. As he graduates this year with a Bachelor of Theology from CLTC, he plans to return to his role as Chaplain at Green River Secondary School, where students come from all over the West Sepik (Sandaun) Province.
Joel is originally from Dioru village, east of Green River Government Station and home to a long-standing CBC chapel. He first served as Chaplain at Green River High School from 2012–2015, during which time his first wife died.
He felt the need for further theological training, so he completed the Diploma of Theology at CLTC in 2017. In 2018, Joel returned to his home area for an internship year.
Joel is now married to Cathy, another graduate of CLTC who is from the Madang area.
His internship included leading a course on how to teach CRE in primary schools for about 15 youth leaders and taught a course titled “Christ is Enough.” He also taught in Sunday services at Green River Secondary School.
“From March to June I went to Anguganak to teach at ELBS (English Language Bible School),” he reported. “When I returned home I took teaching on 'The work of the Holy Spirit' in my home church. There was a week-long Christmas camp at which I was an invited speaker.”
After the first year of his Bachelor of Theology degree, Joel and his family remained at Banz through the Christmas break. They didn’t return home to Green River, because the cost of the airfare was prohibitive.
The GC3 Scholarship Fund
The GC3 Scholarship Fund nurtures national believers to pursue biblical studies, preferably in their home country. The capital fund currently sits at $101,000; only interest on this capital is distributed, so our impact is affected by the financial climate. These scholarships cover up to half of students’ costs, such as course fees, accommodation, books and travel.
These students live in places where local churches find it difficult to fund ministry training, particularly India, Asia and the Pacific Rim. In each case, a scholarship can make the difference between someone pursuing Bible training or deferring this calling.
The harvest is ripe, but the workers are few. Help us raise up national believers like Martin & Matilda Komau, training them to know God’s word and to disciple others.
MAKE A DONATION TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Read more about the GC3 Scholarship Fund by Ossie Fountain here.
Contact Sefton Marshall on 06 357 8388 if you would like to know more or have any questions about the Scholarship Fund.