And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” — Gen 3:8–9

Genesis 3 is fundamental in disclosing aspects of God’s character, for who we truly are is often most explicitly revealed in our response to being abused, mistreated and maligned. God, in this text is being severely mistreated and maligned. His character is being impugned. His gracious intent is being misrepresented as a selfish and sinister deprival of a good thing. He is being portrayed as a liar and is being taken for one who is untrustworthy. Yet, in the midst of this vile mistreatment, that warrants the ultimate penalty, God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9). Adam and Eve, as sinners, respond naturally to the presence of the lord God and hide from him in fear, but instead of giving them what they deserve, the holy God, graciously, seeks out the lost and proves himself the first and archetypal missionary.

Note the directionality of this gracious reconciliatory gesture. The innocent pursues the insolent. The one who incurs the wrong absorbs the injury and seeks out the infidel. The victim of such outrageous abuse wants to be reconciled to the villain. In our rebellion, we run and hide from him preferring to go our own way (Is 53:6). We do not naturally seek him; instead, he comes after us.

Scripture is littered with this attribute of God (The lost Sheep, The lost Coin, The Prodigal Son — Lk 15:1–32) and as the Church approaches the commemoration of the birth of our lord, Jesus Christ, we see the ultimate expression of God’s redemptive and reconciliatory activity with mankind through the incarnation. Christ is the Word of God calling out to mankind, “Where are you?” and has come to reconcile to God, even the vilest offender who truly believes, through his blood (1Tim 1:15). Christmas, the celebration of the incarnation of the Son of God, commemorates the missionary activity of God, reaching down to a world in the darkness of rebellion against him in order that whosoever believes on Christ should not suffer the just consequences of their sin, but inherit everlasting life. Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s gracious pursuit of mankind in the garden of Eden. Only in Christ are we comforted with the words, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” (Lk 2:10–11). Christ is the end of a sinner’s legitimate fear before a holy God. He brings an end to the enmity between God and man. Therefore, let us join with the heavenly host praising God, saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Lk 2:14).

Moreover, if God is a Missionary and if we are being conformed into the image of his Son (Rom 8:29), who does nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing (Jn 5:19), then we would be missional too. We too, would be invested in seeking the lost (Lk 15:1–7) and seeing his resources, including ourselves (Rom12:1), directed to liberating the captive so we can rejoice with our Father in heaven that what once was lost, now is found. The work God calls us to participate in (Matt 28:18–20), is the work God has been doing since the beginning.

Obituaries

A third of the New Testament was written by its only non-Jewish contributor. Luke was with Paul at Philippi about AD 50 and later joined him when he travelled to Jerusalem. For eighteen months he was no more than two days journey from the places where Jesus ministered and the people who remembered the earliest days of the church. He was a doctor, trained in careful observation and note-taking. He probably started writing his Gospel when Paul was a prisoner in Caesarea and completed Acts before the end of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. He did not set out to write a history—rather to tell Jesus’ story and recount some of the events after his ascension, especially the achievements of Paul in bringing Christ to the non-Jewish world. Christianity could have survived without his Gospel; much of what Luke tells is also found in Mark and Matthew, and John. Nevertheless, we would be ignorant of many of Jesus’ teachings, including the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and the Prodigal Son, as well as his Christmas and resurrection stories. We would also miss out on Luke’s own individual “take” on the Jesus-story. In the last fifty years, appreciation has grown of Luke as a “theologian” in his own right. In our course, we saw how Luke develops a line on who Jesus is, what sort of a person he was, his mission of salvation, his gathering disciples, teachings on the Christian life, and announcement of the kingdom of God and teaching about the future. All this, in addition to his giving us information in Acts about the early history of Christianity that we know from nowhere else. 

There are many fascinating things to study in nature and in society and this can be both enjoyable and beneficial.  Yet there is nothing that can be greater than investigating the life of Jesus. In the first century a gentile medical doctor called Luke decided to carefully research the life of Jesus and today we have the result of his work as the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.

In November this year a group of 36 MBTI students travelled from all over Mauritius to gather for 8 evenings over two weeks to intensively study the Gospel of Luke under the scholarship of Dr David Seccombe. David carefully guided the students through the gospel and demonstrated how God, in His sovereignty, used Luke to reveal the truth about the real King and His Kingdom. Every evening David highlighted an aspect of the life of Jesus, such as conversations Jesus had with individuals or the identity of Jesus as the Saviour. He showed how Luke guided his hearers to the conclusion that Jesus is God and that He is the Saviour, who died on the cross and rose from the dead, so that people could enter the Kingdom of God. The students were challenged to a deeper commitment to Jesus and to continue to study the Word of God carefully and use it effectively in their ministry in the different areas of Mauritius.

The church is the body of Christ and has the responsibility to continue the work of Jesus in this world. Every aspect of the life of Jesus that we see in the Gospel of Luke has great significance for the church today. The church must be like Jesus and do things as He would have done in order to fulfil its mission in the world.

During each evening, the students enjoyed fellowship over tea and were able to get to know people from many different churches. On the last evening after the lecture, a delicious biryani meal was enjoyed, and students shared testimonies about what the course meant to them. We are grateful that God has given us His Word and that we had this opportunity to study the Gospel of Luke together. 

Our appreciation to Jacque Laval Gaetan Bundun and Appavoo Moodelly Jeyapregassen, who have decided to retire after serving on the MBTI Board for many years. We are grateful to the Lord for your contribution to the MBTI ministry and the impact you are having on the ministry and the lives of many brothers and sisters. We would like to express our gratitude for all the years you have served as a member of the MBTI Board. Remember, your work in the Lord is not in vain, He will reward you.

Dear friends 

My name is Pauline Kut; I am married to Robert and have two daughters, Hannah and Rachel.

I want to share how God opens doors to enable me to do my Master’s in Divinity. I did my diploma in theology with MBTI 15 years ago and have wanted to further my studies in ministry since then. However, the opportunity never came, but God knows my heart’s desire. 

It was in the year 2018 that God gave me my heart’s desires. I shared my desire to study with the Principal of MBTI, Pastor Lohe. The evening before he left Mauritius, we met at a familiar friend’s place, and I was jokingly saying to him: ‘guess I will not be able to make it for my degree in ministry. ‘He laughed and said: ‘hey, I’ve got a friend who is here and probably can help.” That is when he introduced me to Nigel, who recommended me to SAIACS ( South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies). 

To make a long story short, I made my application; with my years of experience in full-time ministry, they allowed me to do the MA in leadership after a small online test. I was thrilled with this study as it was not only theoretical but practical and convenient to the ministry God has called me in.

After some time, Covid 19 came, and many of their courses went online, making it easier for me to upgrade my studies to a Master in Divinity. I graduated last year and planned to further my studies for a Dmin.

Thanks to Pastor Lohe for introducing me to Nigel, my family, and CEF board members for their support during my learning time. God is just amazing, and let us trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our understanding; in all our ways, let us acknowledge Him as said in Proverbs 3 v 5–6. 

Pauline Kut 

I decided to embark on this adventure of studying the Bible alongside my university course in 2020 to have some balance. But during the course, I learned much more than the contents of the Bible, and I was challenged, instructed and corrected. This theology Bible course was a journey of personal discovery and a deeper dive into the Scriptures. It gave me a refreshing insight into God’s great story and His plan for us. I learned the importance of context from the time the Bible books were written, and I understood how it applies to me today. I have acquired the interpretative skills that will allow me to better understand God’s Word. The study of the Bible and what it contains is not outdated. 

Learning theory is not enough, however. Just as the scriptures are the living Word of God, what we learn and read must become alive in us, and we must be changed and be different. I learned spiritual disciplines, which helped me understand that I needed to have a stronger, more personal relationship with God to be a disciple and an example to others. This course provided me with the necessary tools and equipped me not only to learn more about the Bible but also to share the gospel with my friends and others around me. Evangelism may not always happen in a formal setting, or formally, it can be as informal as having coffee with someone. 

By following the online courses, I also had the opportunity to share views on various topics with other students from abroad. I was able to explore different Christian perspectives on topics such as creation, the trinity, etc. I also learned about the culture and how we are all unique and different while being part of the same family. 

Throughout the course, I was also able to read some texts like the Gospel of Mark and the Philippians in a more in-depth way. The course, in general, was a great encouragement for me personally. In Philippians, for example, Paul writes to the church while he is in prison and yet he tells them that he finds his strength in the Lord and that the church should also rejoice with him for the glory of God.

The most important thing I’ve learned is to always bring everything back to the Word. Understand what the Word is saying and ask God to guide you so that you can walk in his ways.

Ishina Tilloo

The 4^th of December this year was a special day for the MBTI family. After a long wait of three years, finally, all the students received their certificates, and we were also honoured to have Benjamin van Rensburg and Stephen Andrews for that occasion. The MBTI board thanks all the staff, Volunteers, Donors, students, and parents for making that day special. God bless you.

Chris Power, and Jamie Viands, are the AIM and AIU representatives,  and Pastor Vincent Kajuma of the Community Baptist Church had an excellent and encouraging meeting with Gabriel and Stephen at the MBTI house on the 29^th of November. They are excited to enhance our collaborations soon.

Mauritius is an exquisitely beautiful island with the most amazing sunsets and white sandy beaches. The island has a rich and diverse culture as people journeyed here from the four corners of the world. Today Mauritian culture and cuisine is a fusion of colour and taste that is unique and a delight to experience. It is a real blessing for MBTI to operate in this context to serve the churches on the island.

On Saturday 26 November all those who serve MBTI met to enjoy a delicious Indian meal together. Board members, lecturers, office staff and volunteers together with faithful donors enjoyed rich fellowship as we celebrated God’s goodness to us over the last few years, including the time during the pandemic. We were encouraged by a devotion by Dr David Seccombe on the uniqueness of salvation in Christ and the importance of the Gospel for the world we live in.

We realise that for MBTI to function we need a community of people working, serving, and praying together. We are very grateful for everyone who is part of this community both in Mauritius and abroad and we trust that God will continue to bless this ministry as we seek to serve Him. 

Are you passionate about books?
The MBTI library is the place for you.

Book for Sale

• All modules will last for 13 weeks.
• Courses are offered for Certificate in Biblical Ministry (8 Modules)
• Diploma in Biblical ministry (16 Modules, including 5 core modules, which are compulsory).
• Changes can be brought about according to the accessibility and availability of students within the regions.
• Admission fee of Rs 1,000
• Course Fees: Audit Rs 1,400, Credit Rs 3,000

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is always a great joy for me to address you in a few words. I cannot think of MBTI without the memory of its humble beginnings in 1998 and see the path it has been through to what it is today, in 2022.

The Lord guides and provides

For those of you who do not know how it started, let me give you a brief summary of MBTI’s journey.  It all started with a vision.  Oh no, not a dream but a vision.  The vision was to see christians equipped with a thorough and sound systematic understanding of biblical truths  and church doctrines.   

At that time, however some were sceptical as to the aim of such a school in a pagan island.  The doubts, questions and challenges were innumerable: will Mauritian christians study the bible?  There are no career prospects out of such studies: one doesn’t earn a living through bible studies!  Where would the finance of running such an institution come from? How to   recruit and remunerate competent lecturers? It then looked as an enormous challenge.  Nevertheless, those who had the vision had also the task of praying. Despite the weakness of our faith, prayers were offered to the Master.  We believed, prayed and trusted Our Lord to guide and provide.  We are pleased today to say that we have been blessed with people and with money and much more.  I shall enumerate a list not in terms of priority but only so we remember.

Volunteers

First of all, we are indebted to a number of important people: benevolent christians who brought their expertise, advice, and time as input in this project. We thank them very deeply, wherever they may be today. We couldn’t do without their dedication and helping hands. The newcomers at the institute might not know your names but they will be remembered.

Students

Secondly, we have experienced a growing number of students over the years both in part-time and full-time sessions.  Who would have thought that many Christians do want to study the Bible and be armed to serve on the island?  Join with me and let us thank Our Lord.

Financial Supports

Thirdly, we have received financial support whenever in need and we wish to heartily thank all the faithful givers.  MBTI board members will never be able to tell you how much your generosity has been appreciated and welcomed.  May I digress here to say to all givers that you can rest assured that we do our utmost to manage the money entrusted to us to the best we can.  We have a team of a competent financial counsellors and professional accountants who keep an eye on every cent spent! Again we cannot measure the extent of our gratitude to you all.

Lecturers and staff

Fourthly, we have also recruited qualified lecturers and members of staff.  We have been immensely blessed to have good lecturers at MBTI since it’s start.  Whilst we sorely regret the departure of our dear friend and lecturer Benjamin Van Rensberg from our team, we are so pleased to have had him.  To all those who knew him, you will agree that we have been enriched  by his biblical insights and understanding of the bible.  To all those who have been in one way or another and in whatever role at MBTI, I wish you well. 

Count the blessings

You will understand from the above that we have received quite a handful!  Yes, countless blessings from all over and unexpectedly. None of these elements fell from the sky in a day like brimstones:  we have had to earnestly battle on our knees, seek, ask, wait and often tremble too.  Help has arrived.  I dare to say: we are treading on that beautiful path of faith and we marvel at what God has done.

It would be untruthful if I were to say that every day has been bright and beautiful. We have been through difficult times and delicate situations. Those were the times when even praying was difficult task but on His command and as a body, we confessed our helpless and utter despair and God heard us and helped us through.  

All of the above show us the greatness and faithfulness of our Lord despite our smallness.  

Join with me again to thank the Master.

Obituaries

We are very grateful and thankful to Roland and Corinne Ahyow who have made available the house MBTI has been using for so many years and we are grateful for such provision of the lord by putting on their hearts to support the ministry of MBTI. May the Lord bless you and continue to make you a channel of blessings

We are thankful to the Lord for these people, namely: Françoise IP, Jean Claude Leung, Alain Shui, Gaetan Bundhun, Marc Dalais, Stephen Andrews, Loule Moodelly, Benjamin Van Rensburg and Gabriel Kamudu to serve on the board of MBTI. Please pray for us as we seek the Lord’s wisdom for the MBTI ministry to reach as many people as possible.

Visit from Tshepang Basup

Regional Executive Officer, Africa Inland Mission Southern Africa

When we lived in Istanbul before a Turkish friend and I met for lunch every now and again for many years at a restaurant in the heart of the city. We have restarted this practice and had yet another good conversation over lunch a few days ago. Needless to say, with the Ukraine just across the Black Sea from here, we also spoke about the war. As it was with the wars in the Middle East and North Africa it seems so bizarre that somebody feels it is justifiable to attack neighbourhoods in another country and devastate the homes of people who have done them no wrong. Over the years I have discovered that my friend, who became a Christian almost 30 years ago, love to share the Gospel with people, but at the same time he is deeply offended by injustice and see it as part of his Christian responsibility to seek justice for others.  In a world where people often experience injustice in one or other form, being it as victims of war or underpaid migrant workers or people being sold into slavery it is important to understand how injustice offends God. The Book of Amos continues to guide us in God’s truth and help us to understand how important this matter is in the eyes of God.

At the heart of the message of Amos to Israel we find the following words in Amos 5:4–7.

‘This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel:  “Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.”  Seek the LORD and live, or he will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire; it will devour, and Bethel will have no one to quench it.’ There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.

Bethel, Gilgal and Beersheba played very important roles in the salvation history of Israel. 

Bethel was the place God met with Jacob and confirmed the covenant promises that he had made to Abraham and therefore it become known as a place of covenant confirmation. After the Israelites crossed the Jordan and entered the promised land Gilgal was the place where the provision of the manna ended and where they ate the first fruit of the promised land. It was here where they circumcised all the men who were born in the desert, and it became known as a place of covenant renewal.

Beersheba was in the south, within the borders of Judah, but people from the northern kingdom also made pilgrimages there. At Beersheba God spoke with Abraham, later with Isaac, and then with Jacob when he was on his way to Egypt with the brothers of Joseph.  So, Beersheba was a place associated with the idea of God being present with his people. 

These were all very significant places and yet Amos told the people not to seek Bethel, nor go to Gilgal, nor journey to Beersheba. Even though these places were closely associated with God’s dealing with his people in history they had become centres of false worship and injustice and stood under the judgement of God.   People still journeyed there on pilgrimages and religious activity thrived at these centres. Sacrifices were brought, music was made, songs were sung and generous tithes were paid. But God despised these actions and was offended because the people carried out only outward religious actions and not true worship of God Almighty. (Amos 5:21 — 23.) The people thought it was sufficient to enter the sacred space of Bethel and Gilgal and Beersheba and to participate in the liturgy and ritual of religion without really seeking God and encountering him. The result was that their hearts were untouched and even during the ritual of religion they plotted injustice. (Amos 8:5.) In the process the covenant law was broken and God’s holiness was offended and therefore He announced His judgement.

In the same verses Amos is also saying that God expected His people to seek Him so that they could live.  Life for Israel depended on their relationship with Him. A relationship would mean that they would know Him and love Him. Andersen and Freedman in their commentary on the book Amos point out that the Hebrew text allows for personification in Amos 5:16 so it could read: ‘Hate the evil One and love the good One.’ In Old Testament thought good was found only in the person of God and expressed in his holy law.  Without God there was no good. Reading Amos 5:4- 6 together with 5:14, 15 we can see what God desired instead of the false religion of  Bethel and Gilgal and Beersheba. He expected his people to hate what is evil and to love what is good. Seeking God means to love good and to love God.  He wanted His people to seek Him and to stand in a covenant relationship with Him. This relationship with God would result in obedience to His holy law. His law was an expression of His character and revealed what was good. The result of seeking God and standing in a loving relationship with Him would mean that justice and righteousness would flow out of the lives of His people. 

These words of Amos found their fullest expression more that 700 years later when the Son of God entered into a conversation with a woman who was a half descendent of the Israelites 

whom Amos had addressed. The conversation took place at Sychar (Schechem) not far from Bethel. This Samaritan woman wanted to talk about outward religious practice and asked Jesus on what mountain they should worship. Jesus wanted to talk about true religion and true worship and he answered that the time had come that the true worshippers would not worship on mount Gerizim or in Jerusalem, but would worship the Father in spirit and truth. Worship would flow from the inmost being of the worshipper and it would be in truth. The true worshippers would seek God in worship and stand in a relationship with Him. Out of such worship obedience would flow. And they would love God and their neighbours as they loved themselves and righteousness and justice would flow out of their lives. And the two commandments on which the law and prophets hung would be fulfilled.  The Israelites rejected the words of the prophet of God and received his judgement, but the woman accepted the living water and live the Son of God offered her and became a full member of the new Israel.   

For many years now in Mauritius worship is taking place in churches all over the island. Churches have musical instruments and well-rehearsed worship services led by able enthusiastic worship leaders. But all this will mean nothing, and our worship will be meaningless unless we truly seek the Lord. He longs for us to know Him and to stand in relationship with Him. Our worship should be an expression of our relationship with Him and as a result we must obey Him. That means that we will obey the great commandment to love God with all our heart and mind and soul and our neighbours as our selves. Then justice and righteousness will flow from our lives. 

It also means that I personally in my life and ministry must seek the Lord. I must seek to know Him and to love Him. I must seek good by obeying God and hate evil. If I fail to do this my ministry will also become a ritual and habit rather than an expression of a living relationship with God. A consequence of a living relationship with God will be a life that is marked by justice and righteousness along with the desire to share the Gospel. This would reflect itself in my relationships with other people being it my own family, the members of the church, my neighbours and refugees and migrants who often suffer injustice. Amos alerts us to God’s offense of injustice in personal actions, but also in the systems of the world and I must be sensitive to what offends God in the world and seek for His will to be done.