 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
It has been almost 14 years since I last taught on the island of St. Martin. Back in 2009 I was privileged to be part of CMA’s first reconnaissance trip to host a “Come and See” seminar on Expository Bible Teaching. The purpose of that trip was to evaluate whether or not the churches of the island would be receptive to CMA’s bible training program. We discovered that the hunger was great, and the opportunity for access to bible training was lacking.
Fast forward 14 years, and after many life experiences and changes, CMA’s director once again invited me to come back to the island and teach their 2nd course for their 3rd student enrollment for pastors and church leaders. After that initial 2009 seminar, CMA hosted the 10 course training program with a wonderful group of hardworking students. Between the time I was able to return for this class, CMA had started and graduated one other group of students, so now it was time for a 3rd installment.
Ever since that first 2009 seminar, CMA hasn’t had any full time missionaries on staff living on St. Martin. Because they lack that consistent relational presence it makes student follow-up, recruitment, and engagement more difficult. Thus, having been many years since the previous graduation, this 3rd group of students is in many ways a reintroduction of what CMA has to offer the churches.
My own personal experience in returning to the island was very enriching. First of all, this time I didn’t come alone – Emily came with me. There is no comparison in the experience of serving on the island that can rival being there with your wife. All of the stories, sights and sounds didn’t need any retelling from me this time, because she got to experience it all for herself.
I recalled the elementary classroom where I taught that first group of students. This time our classroom was significantly upgraded as I got to teach in the air-conditioned teacher’s lounge in the largest Christian school on the island! The students were almost exactly what I remembered: joyful, passionate about our Lord, engaged in the subject material, and quite committed to the course despite having extremely busy schedules themselves.
The island was as beautiful as I remembered, but I forgot how busy it was. Tiny streets, a steady stream of cars, shops upon shops, and a never-ending scramble to utilize tourism into an elite economy that fuels the sprawl up the steep mountainsides. It took a day or so for the driving pattern to lock in again, but I got it back like riding a bike.
The ministry on St Martin is full of potential. After our week serving there it is abundantly clear – CMA is appointed by God as a servant to the churches and believers of that island. If there was a missionary looking for an appointment of underdeveloped networking with the creative possibility of engaging over 100 churches, St. Martin is an ideal candidate that would deliver great challenge, opportunity, and rich rewards in equipping the saints. Emily and I are extremely grateful to have been given the chance to be part of that story for this 3rd group of pastors and church leaders.