Dr. Clyde Rivers Wins Humanitarian of the Year Award

Dr. Clyde Rivers at Thomas Brown Christian College

The prestigious Thomas Brown Christian College of Dallas Texas, presents Dr. Clyde Rivers with the Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Thomas Brown Christian College has followed the work of Dr. Clyde Rivers this year as he worked establishing the Golden Rule International Award, a highly ethical global award that honors people whose lives exemplify honoring others. The Golden Rule ethic is “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” The President of Thomas Brown Christian College, Dr. Omega Brown, was very please to congratulate Dr. Rivers on his fine work around the world. Sharing that the college was very proud to present him with this award.

International Christian Life Coaching Program

Prof. Clyde Rivers & Prof. Donella Pitzl

IMEA Founders, Professor Clyde Rivers and Professor Donella Pitzl are very happy to introduce you to our International Christian Life Skills Training Program.

We have had great success around the globe with our Christian Life Skills Program. It is designed to equip you to help people discover their true identity in Christ, their destiny and a path to get there. This program truly equips us to help solve problems as you draw truth out of the people you have a desire to help. You and your clients will grow and gain strength to overcome.

In a world full of problems we must become problem solvers. This education is designed to give our students tools to help others. If you are interested in engaging in this online program, contact us at imea.drrivers.worldwide@gmail.com. Press on to reach the goal...   Changing the world one person at a time!

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Here are a few testimonies of our students:

Prof. Donella, I thank God to have the opportunity of doing this course since I have been learning a lot and my point of view in life is changing.

I believe that this program is taking me to a new step of understanding the purpose of God in my life. I am gaining greater discovery and clarification of my dreams and goals, and uncovering limited and negative thinking that is holding me back. It will help me strategize and appropriate course of action in all areas of my life, establish more meaningful relationships and communicate more effectively with clarity to values and purpose. Currently I have a deeper meaning and focus to ministry and my expectation is to see women experience break-though in their thinking and fulfill their God-Given purpose in life, leadership, business and ministry.

I also believe that this coaching program is changing my perspective and I am beginning focusing on my strengths and abilities and also I am overcoming obstacles and starting drawing attention to overlooking wins and victories since the Holy Spirit who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world, 1 John 4:4.

 Justina –  International Coaching Student – Mozambique, Africa 

Thank you Prof. Donella.

I’m excited. Thank you for the great encouragement. I will continue working hard. Since I started my course the people I lead have experienced change in their lives. I want to say that I’m enjoying the work. I’m definitely better than when I started. My eyes have been opened and my reasoning improved. I have learned that Christian life coaching works as it has worked for my life.  After this course I intend to go on with farther studies to complement this noble branch of knowledge.

Daniel – International Coaching Student – Nairobi, Kenya

Prof. Donella, I thank you so much for this powerful foundational training. Personally, I gained a lot. I definitely expect further encouragement from you, Prof. Donella; in fact, you have taught me through experience (your emails to me), about the power of encouragement and how it relates to performance or productivity. This great tool I certainly intend to use. You also confirmed that everything is indeed “doable” provided we have passion enough and profound dependence on God, our heavenly Father. So I will always keep you abreast of every plan and action I may take towards birthing this vision. I also hope to have you speak on some of these workshops. But, as we communicate, I will keep sending you details.

Mateus - International Coaching Student - Mozambique 

What is the Kingdom of God?

Dr. Robert Brayton

Dr. Robert Brayton is a graduate of United Graduate College and Seminary International.

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The Kingdom of God is all that encompasses who God is. God is sovereign, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and the Ruler over all of His creation. A kingdom is a place where a king rules and reigns over the lives of his subjects. The Kingdom of God is the rule of an eternal sovereign God over all creatures and things (NKJV, Psalm 103.19).

            The Kingdom of God is not visible because God is not visible. It is a spiritual Kingdom, not a visible one. Jesus Christ said, “The Kingdom of God is within you”(NKJV, Luke 17.21). The Kingdom of God embraces all created intelligence, both in Heaven and Earth that is willingly subject to the Lord and is in fellowship with Him. The Kingdom of God is, therefore, universal in that it includes created angels and man. It is eternal, as God is eternal, and it is spiritually found within all born again believers.

            The Kingdom of God is also the designation for the sphere of salvation entered into at the new birth (NKJV, John 3.5-7) and is synonymous with the Kingdom of Heaven. God’s Kingdom is filled with love because God is the essence of love, and He is loving. He is also a righteous judge, totally fair and just. These qualities are so great, and He loves us so much that Jesus died on the cross to take our place and pay the penalty for our sins. Now we are justified, sanctified and made righteous in His sight. We enter the Kingdom of God when we are born again, and we are then part of that Kingdom for eternity. It is a relationship “born of the spirit” (NKJV, John 3.5), and we have confident assurance that it is so because the Spirit bears witness with our spirits (NKJV, Romans 8.16). That is why Jesus gave us, in the Lord’s Prayer, a petition to God: “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (NKJV, Matthew 6.10). This prayer shows the priority Jesus gave to the Kingdom of God.

            When the will of God is as respected here on Earth as it is in Heaven and when the visible world totally reflects the invisible world, then we will witness the Kingdom of God fully come to the Earth. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (NKJV). So, when man imitates and acts like God would here on the earth – as Jesus did and then died to bring us back to our original place of dominion on Earth (see Genesis 1:26) – then the Kingdom of God will be here on the earth. Everything is subject to God’s power, instantly and without question.

            Right now in the visible world there is a resistance to God’s will. However, the resistance to God’s will is in the process of change because wherever there are those who honor Jesus Christ, the King, and wherever the Spirit of the King is, there is the Kingdom of God. For it says in Acts 2:17, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh” (NKJV). This is why God, in His great love for His children, is pouring out His Spirit over the earth, to bring about His Kingdom here on the earth. We will see more of His Kingdom on the earth than ever before.

PROPHETIC WORD SPOKEN OVER BURUNDI AFRICA

Prof. Clyde Rivers

Prof. Clyde Rivers, Honorary Ambassador at Large for Republic of Burundi hears the Word of the Lord for Burundi. 

The Spirit of the Lord says, “I will now fight the enemies that fight you. It is a new day in Burundi I have turned the page. You will no longer have famine - you will have riches. You will have prosperity from the kingdom of God because your country’s leadership seeks first My kingdom. Now all these things will be added to you. Burundi, you are a model nation of the wisdom of God and I will shine your light all over the world. I take no pride in status, says the Lord, but I look for those that have gratitude for what they have received. Though you are a small nation, says the Lord, your light will shine bright and the whole world will see the goodness that has come from a small nation that obeys Me. Isaiah 60 is your decree and it is your God that they will see, says the Lord.”

Leadership and Youth Development

Gebru Abraha - Ethiopia

Gebru Abraha is an alumni of United Graduate College and Seminary International. He is a UGCS Regional Representative in Ethiopia and is currently working on his Doctorate with United Graduate College and Seminar.

The fact that I have been under different leaders has made me fortunate enough to study many leadership styles. In the way along, I observed a few leaders that were exceptional, while others fell flat. The exceptional leaders were capable of leading their followers to their esteemed vision. Thus the title leadership alone is not sufficient in the essence of societal transformation. That is why it is said that leadership is more than having the title leader. There are several aspects that make up a good Christian leader. A good leader is first a servant, a good leader is one who loves his followers, and a good leader is capable as well as credible.

Good Leadership is important because it provides an inspirational figure to lead groups or people towards great accomplishments. Leadership can provide a foundation for ideas to show that anything is possible, to make the invisible visible. Leadership plays an important role in the development of youth. Since youth are the future of a society, societal success depends on what their future actions are going to be. Nelson Mandela the freedom fighter and the former President of South Africa once said ‘‘the youths of a country are the valued possessions of a nation. Without them there can be no future’’. Indeed the future development of a nation depends on how well the youth are cultivated. When the youth of a society or a nation have not been given due attention, the nation goes down, or the society perishes.

In developing countries, the majority of their population is youth. Nearly 40 percent of their population is between the ages 15-30. Young people in such societies are now growing under circumstances unfamiliar to previous generations. They experience powerful socio-ecological impact due to globalization. The world has now become closely connected. Though the youth have more freedom now, this comes with responsibilities. These responsibilities appear right in the early ages of the youth before they are able to carry on the responsibilities. Family relationship is being reduced to only a few members. Societies that were characterized by extended families are now breaking down into only two or three members in a family. Money is misguiding many people.

Leadership in such societies has double responsibility and must give proper attention to youth development. The leadership must design a system to support social, economic and environmental livelihoods of the youth. Not only appointed leaders but also community elders should shoulder the responsibility.

Since the needs of the youth are immense and urgent we must protect them from developing bad addictions. We should find ways to decrease destructive behavior in the youth’s life and increase their positive behavior. Youth should be taught about how to get good defense against certain behavior initiated diseases such as HIV or other diseases related to smoking, drinking, and unhealthy eating and drug addiction. We must transform the desires of the body to the desires of the soul. A big barrier for personality growth of the youth can be the overflow of emotions and rush of blood associated with their age. Despite this fact we must help them to learn how their emotions can be used positively and how they can make a difference in the society they live in. They should learn to conceive a purposeful life that not only fulfils their needs but also has impact on others and even those they may have to teach later in their life. In this regard the leadership and senior community members must show their Christian brotherhood to the youth, for the Lord says, “So we who are many are one body in Christ and individually member’s one of another.” Romans 12:5

Youth Development by its very nature requires personality and character building. The healthy individuals have better capability of grasping and adopting positive attitudes. Improved health habits and improved health risk management skills can therefore be obtained through physical development.

To help young people better adapt to their environment, enhancement of their intellectual ability is crucial. They should be helped in recognizing their own spiritual gifts and strengths and how they can benefit through them. As the Holy Bible says, “In everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and knowledge.” Corinthians 1:5

In developing their positive attitude, the youth should learn also about how to practice sympathy, humility and respect and how they can be beneficial to society as a whole. They must be helped to understand the importance of planning for the future and future life event, spirituality or a sense of a “larger” purpose in life, interconnectedness and interdependence and strong moral character.

To conclude, since our life in this world is limited we must live our limited life without regret and for this we have intellectual capacity and wisdom. We must be able to lead people in bad situations to a better one. Only if we follow God’s path we can live our life without regret.

Proverbs 9:10 says, ‘‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” hence a good Christian leader who fears God will have all his paths paved and will successfully develop the youth of his nation to be useful citizens. This is how a leader is ultimately evaluated.

By Gebru Abraha - Ethiopia

“Neither height nor depth nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:39 

A PARADIGM SHIFT FROM VIOLENCE TO NON-VIOLENCE, By Dr. Machira Apollos

Dr. Machira Apollos

About the author:  Dr. Machira Apollos has an earned doctorate from United Graduate College and Seminary, USA. He resides in Kenya, Africa and is active in peacekeeping training around the world. The following is excerpts from his article “A Paradigm Shift From Violence to Non-Violence.” 

     It is a fact that we live in a world with conflicts: war, torture, ethno-cultural rivalries and violence. Against those problems there is a slow but growing recognition of the value of non-violence to solve them. For the educator, more than a subject, nonviolence has to be an attitude within the whole teaching practice, involving the entire staff of the school, parents and the surrounding community in a common, shared endeavor.

     At first glance, violence may appear to be a superior technique for resolving conflicts or achieving desired ends because it has obvious and tangible strategies and weapons. Nonviolent techniques are often more difficult to visualize and there is no shortage of moral and practical dilemmas that skeptics are able to raise as impediments to taking nonviolence seriously.

     Yet many reasons can be offered for the employment of nonviolence: it is a 'weapon' available to all, it is least likely to alienate opponents and third parties, and it breaks the cycle of violence and counter-violence. It leaves open the possibility of conversion; . . . Further, it is more likely to produce a constructive rather than a destructive outcome, it is a method of conflict resolution that may aim to arrive at the truth of a given situation (rather than mere victory for one side) and it is the only method of struggle that is consistent with the teachings of the major religions.

     Nonviolence can also be the basis for a way of life: it is consistent with a belief in the underlying unity of humankind and it is the only method of action, interpersonal or political, that does not block that path to what has often been called 'self-realization'.

     Success through nonviolent action can be achieved in three main ways. Firstly, accommodation may result when the opponent has not experienced a change of heart but has conceded some or all points in order to gain peace or to cut losses. Secondly, nonviolent coercion may result when the opponent wants to continue the struggle but cannot do so because they have lost the sources of power and means of control. Thirdly, conversion may result when the opponent has changed inwardly to the degree that they want to make the changes desired by the nonviolent activist (or indeed the nonviolent activist has changed towards the views of the opponent).

     Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King is often presented as a heroic leader in the history of modern American liberalism.

M. L. KING’S PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE

1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.

• It is active nonviolent resistance to evil.
• It is assertive spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.
• It is always persuading the opponent of the justice of your cause.

2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.

• The end result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation.
• The purpose of nonviolence is the creation of the Beloved Community.

3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.

• Nonviolence holds that evildoers are also victims.

4. Nonviolence holds that voluntary suffering can educate and transform.

• Nonviolence willingly accepts the consequences of its acts.
• Nonviolence accepts suffering without retaliation.
• Nonviolence accepts violence if necessary, but will never inflict it.
• Unearned suffering is redemptive and has tremendous educational and transforming possibilities.
• Suffering can have the power to convert the enemy when reason fails.

5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.

•  Nonviolence resists violence of the spirit as well as of the body.
•  Nonviolent love gives willingly, knowing that the return might be hostility.
•  Nonviolent love is active, not passive.
•  Nonviolent love does not sink to the level of the hater.
•  Love for the enemy is how we demonstrate love for ourselves.
•  Love restores community and resists injustice.
•  Nonviolence recognizes the fact that all life is interrelated.

6. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.

• The nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.

M. L. KING’S STEPS OF NONVIOLENCE

Step 1: Gather Information

     Learn all you can about the problems you see in your community through the media, social and civic organizations, and by talking to the people involved.

Step 2: Educate Others

     Armed with your new knowledge, it is your duty to help those around you, such as your neighbors; relatives, friends and co-workers, better understand the problems facing society. Build a team of people devoted to finding solutions. Be sure to include those who will be directly affected by your work.

Step 3: Remain Committed

     Accept that you will face many obstacles and challenges as you and your team try to change society. Agree to encourage and inspire one another along the journey.

Step 4: Peacefully Negotiate

     Talk with both sides. Go to the people in your community who are in trouble and who are deeply hurt by society’s ills. Also go to those people who are contributing to the breakdown of a peaceful society. Use humor, intelligence and grace to lead to solutions that benefit the greater good.

Step 5: Take Action Peacefully

     This step is often used when negotiation fails to produce results, or when people need to draw broader attention to a problem. It can include tactics such as peaceful demonstrations, letter writing and petition campaign.

Step 6: Reconcile

     Keep all actions and negotiations peaceful and constructive. Agree to disagree with some people and with some groups as you work to improve society. Show all involved the benefits of changing, not what they will give up by changing.

Conclusion

     The use of violent methods of conflict resolution has become redundant over time, as they don’t address the core causes of conflict because they are only short-term interventions. This has led to a paradigm shift to non-violent methods, which are a good weapon to deal and solve conflicts world over. The many methods of non violent conflict resolutions has brought about peace and harmony the world over in places where they have been applied hence a challenge to shift to nonviolence mechanisms of conflict resolution.

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The complete article is on file in the office of Prof. Donella Pitzl, Director of International Ministers Education Association – imea.drrivers.worldwide@gmail.com.

Top Online Biblical Educator Receives Key Appointment in Burundi Africa

Prof. Donella Pitzl Addressing a Graduating Christian Education Class in Africa

Honorary Ambassador at large for the Republic of Burundi is moving into a new phase of development for Burundi. We are moving into Christian faith-based education. We are looking to bring a biblical worldview to the ministers and spiritual leaders of Burundi.

Dr. Rivers said, “It is not everyday that the Republic of Burundi has the chance to work with a top biblical professor such as Prof. Donella Pitzl. She is trained in international biblical education. She knows how to work online distance learning programs and has created programs worldwide. She has traveled extensively internationally and has over 40 years of ministry experience. It is a privilege to have this kind of experience working to help a nation.”

Professor Donella Pitzl Ph.D. is being appointed as an Advisor on Religious Issues for the Republic of Burundi.

Why Should We Use Transformative Teaching Methods? - Part 2 by Prof. Michal Pitzl

Pastors and laymen are considered teachers as Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20. We are to go into all nations and make disciples, teaching people to obey God.

As Christian educators we need to understand the purpose of our teachings. Without purpose it is difficult to make meaning of and stay focused on the path on which we are leading our people. In Ephesians 4:12-14 Paul tells us the purpose of teaching God’s word: “to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (NIV) God’s people must become confident in God, not man. They must have a solid understanding of the character and promises of God according to His word.

As teachers we need to look at the purpose of our teaching and the results of what traditional teaching methods have produced in our societies. Have traditional methods produced mature people who are active thinkers and problem solvers? Have our teachings served the children of God, causing them to grow in maturity, attaining to the fullness of Christ? What is the evidence in our communities, our countries and the world that these methods are effective in creating mature and confident Christians?

As pastors and teachers we are to produce mature believers, believers that can solve their own problems as well as help others.

Is the word of God being taught in a way that is beneficial to the majority of the world today? Is scripture being made relevant to the lives of the people? Are they able to practice the principles of the Kingdom of God outside of the church and without the help of pastors? Are Christians leading victorious and prosperous lives? Our goal should be to produce confident and victorious individuals based on the word of God. As leaders we do not need to be threatened by this, but have faith that as we do the will of God He will sustain us according to scripture. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” Matt. 6:33 (NIV).

Maybe after honestly considering the answers to these questions you will begin to consider becoming a pioneer for Transformative Education in ministry.

Transformative Education is not a new concept, as a matter of fact many American and international institutions implement the techniques of this kind of education. Through experience nationally and internationally I have found that people who experience this type of education become confident creators and problem solvers. They become empowered people of action and not of theory only. They become the true image of the children of God.

PEACEMAKERS – By Pastor Linda Robinson

Pastor Linda Robinson -
California, USA

Matthew 5:9 “Happy are those who strive for peace-they shall be called the sons of God.”

We as sons of God are called to be peacemakers (makers and maintainers of peace); and inspired to create, seek and pursue peace (Psalms 34:14). Our resources and strength comes from the One who is “The Prince of Peace” and the God of Peace” (Isaiah.9:6; Rom.15:33). God has called us to promote, produce and delight in breathing His love, mercy, forgiveness and wisdom into the lives of people. He uses us as vessels to take the Spirit of life and peace, causing reconciliation (mutual change, agreement and harmony) by forming and coming together as a whole, and making a difference in the lives of others.

With the rise of conflict and conflicting issues, struggles and sufferings with many people worldwide, it is obvious that people need help. We, as ministers and leaders, have a mandate from God to be that bridge of help. God’s plan and purpose is that we conform to the image and likeness of His Son (Rom. 8:28-29), grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Pet. 3:18). As we mature in the midst of our conflicts and sufferings, it causes us to be more like Him.

The church can affect the world and have a greater impact, local and worldwide, when we step into our position of authority (strong and mighty), utilize the gifts that Christ bestowed unto us, by preparing His Bride in perfecting and full equipping, to do the work of ministering toward building up His body (Eph. 4:8-13). In addition, building strong relationships with those we are trying to reach, illuminating God’s love and inciting a new and different vision of our thinking, for others and ourselves who are dealing with a false identity of being a Christian. With this in place, many will come to know the truth, be fruitful as we fill the earth using all its resources in the service of God and man.

Transformative Education, Part 1, by Professor Michal Pitzl

Professor Michal  P. Pitzl
Chancellor for Education Worldwide - United Graduate College and Seminary

What is Transformative Education?

A transformative education is one that is dramatically different in form from what we have experienced in the past. If we wish to make a difference through education then we must change the way we teach. Think about the traditional model of education. What would a dramatic change in form look like? If we really ask this question and search to find the answer we may come up with these ideas:

Ø    Students are in charge of their learning.

Ø    Instructors teach based on the needs of their students.

Ø    Students understand why they are learning.

Ø    The purpose of learning is bigger than a passing grade on an exam, and instruction reflects this idea.

Ø    Students learn independence in learning and problem solving.

Ø    Students can do what they are learning, outside of the classroom.

Ø    Students become confident in their educated opinions and abilities.

Ø    Instructors give clear and focused targets and clearly communicate the purpose of learning activities.

Ø    Instructors provide students with collaborative and independent work times to practice the skills being taught.

Ø    Instructors become facilitators and guides during practice times.

Ø    Instructors provide constructive feedback on assessments.

Please watch for part 2 of this training information. I sincerely hope that it encourages you as you seek to educate those God has called you to. Blessings!

Professor Michal Pitzl

LEADER OF IMEA PROF.DONNI PITZL

Our Identity - Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God

I recently wrote to one of my students the following comments. I felt them worthy of publishing as I believe this is common to all. 

In some versions of the message of repentance and redemption I have found that often one is led to believe our “works” (following the law, don’t do this or that, and so on) will get us into God’s good graces. When actually, it’s our understanding of our “identity” in Christ that enables us to “dwell” in God’s good graces. If we know who God created us to be, it enables us to dwell in Him, in confidence with direction (vision). Without vision the Word says man will perish and we see people perishing all around us everyday. Without sight our vision for life becomes all about us and what we want and can gain personally. It is when we have God-given vision of who we are in Christ than we can become true Ambassadors of God's kingdom.
 
As we have seen to be true, believing that we are "saved" has not always worked to give us vision and direction. Knowing that our salvation and redemption is not contingent upon our “works”, but rather it is a free gift to us, is what can truly help us. The hope is we will accept this gift and we will begin a relationship with our Creator, as was in the beginning, we will dwell with Him and He with us, God and man dwelling together. I believe we can best help people by leading them to the One that can dwell in us, thus having an influence upon our actions – God’s Spirit inside - being our disciple, leading us, in our choices and relationship with Him. In truth, we need to abide by the principles in His Word, to see good (God) in our life. This is one of God’s principle, that of reaping where we sow. I am thankful God has given us a path to walk, with guideposts that show us the right choices, in this journey on the earth. 

God has asked we help one another on this path so we can better mankind’s existence and help people. Jesus was our ultimate example in this, He went about doing good and rightly representing His Father. He said and did only the things He saw His Father doing. With Jesus as our example, as biblical counselors, pastors, church leaders, and lay people, we can help mankind have vision and gain direction from God to become true Ambassadors of His kingdom -  representing Him on the earth, His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  May God bless and empower you in this mission.