ICM Has Their 1st Graduating Class in Congo!!!!

Above are the members of the first graduating class of ICM in the Democratic Republic of Congo!!!!!! These 100+ men and women come from all over Congo. Many have traveled for days to attend this graduation ceremony. Most are Pastor's who desired to be trained more effectively in how to share their faith and live out God's purpose in their lives. They have gained valuable tools in how to better equip their parishioners to do the same......Deo Mwamba (the director of DRC ICM) estimated that these men and women represent over a million Congolese people who will experience life changing skills learned from ICM. Congo will be changed for the better!!!!!

This is Deo.....praying a prayer of consecration over the graduates.




This is the dedicated staff that have raised this group of graduates up. They have worked very hard and poured themselves into training these men and women. ICM is very proud to have these men and women on staff who are faithful, visionary, and qualified to train God's workmen to do their part in Kingdom building. By the way, check out that hot chick on the front row with the beautiful pink dress.....the one on the left....duh!!!!!! Wow, does she look good or what!!!! Grace and the ICM Women's Ministries team are very significant to the ICM program.






I was one of four men who got the privilege to hand out diplomas to the ICM grads.
Notice in this picture my left hand. It's a sign of respect here in Congo to shake a person's hand with the right and grab your forearm with the left hand. Many men who are really close friends might shake hands and touch foreheads 3 times...first on the right side, then the left then the right side again. I like that and hope to bring that custom back to California with me.




Below, I am preachin' at the graduation ceremony. I was very honored to have been a part of such an important event. As you can see I am in a suit and was melting inside. This is the first time I've pulled the suit out and I was drenched by the time we left for home. I spoke from II Timothy 2: 20-21.....challenging all to be empowered by God for a NOBLE purpose. I love that picture of being an instrument for noble purposes so that we can be made useful to the Master! I want to be that kind of person......