2024 has been a very busy year for BMI ministry!

BMI has held over 70 conferences this year,  not only by Jonathan Burnham, but through our Regional Directors, Ministry Partners, and those who have received training from them. Our goals are to create “mentorship multiplication movements”  around the world, focusing on discipleship and Christ-centered theology.

We have continued in many of the areas we already serve in, but have added a few other areas as well.  We currently have ongoing ministry in over 32 countries and in recent years have begun training in some of the “Stan” countries of Central Asia (for example Uzbeckistan, Turkmenistan).  (For security, we cannot list which ones.) We also have ministry coming in India, and the Republic of Georgia.

Below you can see just a small sampling of what is happening around the world. On behalf of all of our Directors, Ministry Partners and friends,  thank you for your prayers and support!

Click on the picture below to see a 2 minute video of 2024 in pictures.

Africa:

A few significant projects were launched this year in the continent of Africa.

1. Jonathan Burnham was invited to train the leaders and some professors of Daystar University. Daystar’s

   

   Daystar Main Campus

   main campus is in Kenya, but they educate students in at least 30 countries in Africa. They state on their website that:  “Daystar University has over 40 years of proven impact in Africa. It offers 35 undergraduate degrees, 16 master’s programs and 3 Ph.D programs. With over 5,000 students from more than 30 countries, Daystar University is making a continent-wide impact.”   Jonathan’s training was so well received that Daystar would like him to continue to train the theology faculty. Their goal is that each  student, in whatever field they study, learns the BMI material covering mentorship and Encountering Christ (Jonathan’s book on Christocentric theology).  BMI Ministry Partner for Kenya, Rev. Kioko Mwangangi, and Dean Patrick Musembi have led the way for this partnership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. The second significant ministry opportunity occurred with the building of a functional church and

training center in Kenya. This building was built by Global Construction who partners with BMI in several areas.  Rev. Kioko Mwangangi is the leader of the church and training center. This pattern of church buildings was purposefully designed by BMI to accommodate a church sanctuary, seating at least 70 people, and also adding 2 classrooms for training, plus nice restroom facilities. Pastors and Christian leaders can come from all over Africa to attend training at this site.

Jonathan’s son, David Burnham, had the opportunity of seeing the site first hand, speaking to some small business workers, and planting a tree in honor of the new building! Rev. Mwangangi is a dedicated, smart and prominent pastor all over Kenya and east Africa.  He is excited to use the building for church and training leaders in Africa for Christ!

3. BMI Ministry Partner who oversees all of Africa is Dr. Lincoln Chirochewa.  Dr. Lincoln was trained as a

medical doctor, but he has chosen to put full-time ministry first. While he was in medical school in Ukraine, he dedicated his life to Christ and was mentored by Dr. Vitaly Sorokun. He and his wife, Melisa, are dedicated to helping the people on their continent spiritually and physically.  Lincoln is also working with Sustainable Medical Missions (SMM), which seeks to eradicated neglected tropical diseases through education and a simple medication.

Lincoln has been traveling to many parts of Africa meeting with our ministry partners and teaching the BMI materials on mentorship and Christ-centered theology.

CLICK HERE OR THE PICTURE BELOW TO SEE VIDEO of Lincoln with Jonathan and how Jonathan is Lincoln’s grandfather!

4. Our ministry partner for Tanzania is a young, dynamic leader. His name is Joshua Magwesela.  Joshua’s father is the Archbishop of the African Inland Mission for the country of Tanzania and oversees thousands of churches. It is wonderful that Joshua is committed to ministry and is using the BMI materials to train the people of Tanzania and beyond. Recently, Joshua was married to Gladys who shares his passion for the Lord!  Joshua’s father, the Archbishop Mussa Magwesela taught the BMI 7 Steps of Christian Living to employees, deacons and elders at the Headquarters of the School of Ministry for the African Inland Church Mwanza.

South East Asia (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines):

VIETNAM

Exciting things are happening all throughout this region.  Here are just some of them:

1. Our Regional Director, Dr. Joshua Nguyen, from Vietnam has been continuing his Marketplace Biblical Mentorship Program (MBMP).  A group of carefully chosen young professional Christians meet every week for 6 months and study the BMI 7 Steps of Christian Living mentorship material, Jonathan Burnham’s book, Encountering Christ, Biblical Themes Focused on Christ, and Leadership materials. Each term the students receive a Certificate of Completion at a very nice graduation ceremony. This is the 7th year of MBMP.

2. Joshua and his wife Linh also facilitate 20 small groups of Christian professionals all over Ho Chi Minh City. These are designed to equip Christians to share the Gospel in their workplace. The groups are appropriately called, City Light. Most City Light leaders have been trained through the MBMP 6-month course.

3. Additionally, Joshua oversees the entire regions of SE Asia and frequently trains and connects with many pastors and leaders in not only Vietnam, but also Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia.

LAOS, THAILAND, CAMBODIA, MYAMAR:

BMI has been training the top Christian leaders in Laos and Thailand who are in turn training local pastors and planting churches. We are part of an exciting movement called Mekong and Beyond whose goals are to plant hundreds of churches all along the Mekong River in several countries. Twice this year Jonathan Burnham has been training and strategizing with this group.

Each pastor of the church plants is trained and focused on growing a mentorship multiplication movement in their church and village. Additionally, they are self-sustaining in their income, so they do not need a salary from the church. They also are committed to personally mentoring another leader or leaders.

In September, Faith Burnham, had the opportunity to present our lessons called Technology and Your Family. This is a course on how to learn the dangers of the irresponsible and overuse of the internet for ourselves and our children. A very popular topic for our society today all over the world.

 

 

PHILIPPINES:

7 Steps conference was conducted this year in Manila for the wonderful Christian leaders in Philippines.

Additional conferences were held by Pastors Steve Mirpuri and BMI Ministry Partner Roy Bhojwani.

Nepal and Central Asia:

We continue to conduct ministry in Nepal, as we have for over 20 years through our Regional Director and his wife. In recent years, the government has become more threatening to Christians. Therefore, we are unable to publish updates. Please continue to pray for the pastors, leaders and people of Nepal!

Just last year, we had opportunities to bring the BMI materials and train leaders in some of the “Stan” countries. This has been exciting and a wonderful blessing. As with Nepal, it is too dangerous for us to publish details, places and updates. Thank you for your prayers for the safety of Jonathan and all the Christians in this area of the world!

Ukraine, Russia, Belarus:

Because of the terrible war in Ukraine, travel to these countries and between them is prohibited. Therefore, the leaders from these countries have to travel elsewhere to receive training with BMI.  One such country is Georgia where they met together with Jonathan.

Our Regional Director for Russia, Rev. Sergey Naboychenco has been working with many churches in various regions of Russia and Belarus. He is an aerospace engineer turned ministry leader; therefore, he adds a very unique and diverse background to his ministry. His wife, Diana, is also a leader in women’s ministry in Russia.  Sergey has many opportunities to travel throughout Russia and Belarus. A big challenge is that many of the pastors are aging (over 65 years old) with not much help in ministry. Sergey believes this creates a great need for mentorship training to bring up the younger generations of Christian leaders. He teaches much of the BMI curriculums: 7 Steps of Christian Living, Encountering Christ, Technology and Your Family, as well as the BTMP, Biblical Training and Mentoring Program for universities.

Ukraine Women:

Nadia Morokhovets is the BMI Eastern Europe Ministry Partner based in Ukraine.  Nadia is a leader among women, and she and her husband, Vitaly, have continued their ministry even amongst the bombing in Ukraine. Vitaly is the pastor of a church in Kharkiv, Ukraine which is only 45 minutes from the border with Russia. He also leaders the Kharkiv Bible College. Nadia conducts conferences in many parts of Ukraine, and also travels to some neighboring countries in Eastern Europe.

This year, Nadia was honored to be chosen as a member of the Women’s Council for the Baptist Churches of Europe. She joins a small group of women leaders from all over Europe. She has taught these women committee members the BMI 7 Steps of Christian Living to start mentorship movements in Europe. She also loves to share Sue Burnham’s book, Living with Your Emotions.

 

Central America:

Ministry is building in Central America!  More to come!