The God Who Reveals

It was back in December that I met Kingsley, who along with Charles (my last post), attends the West Africa Theological Seminary in Nigeria. I loved meeting and interacting with these young leaders in the church. When they speak of their heart for God, and their vision for the church, their faces glow with passion. Their warm smiles light up when they share about their families (their wife and children could not attend the conference). You can tell they love to learn and desire to keep on growing as leaders. Their servant hearts display a desire to become more like Jesus. I was both inspired and energized by these men! 

Kingsley is from Cameroon, (also a West African country), but has planted a church in Nigeria under the Liberian District while he attends seminary. He received the honor of ordination during our time at the District Conference of The Wesleyan Church of Liberia. A very special moment in his call to ministry, and one that we were happy to be a part of! 

Charles (L) and Kingsley (R)

 

Kingsley's Ordination

One afternoon while on a break from meetings, I had a fascinating conversation with Kingsley. I asked him how his people respond when they hear the news of Jesus for the first time. 

He explained how his ancestors believed in a god­. They knew there had to be a creator of the rivers and the mountains, someone greater than themselves. But whoever this god was; he was unapproachable. 

If someone lived a long life and was a good person all their life, they would be recognized at their death as someone who could connect with God–an intermediary for god and man. A messenger of sorts. Kingsley explained that such a person was buried close to the village, out of the honor and respect given to a good, long life. The people didn't see their ancestor as god, but as one who could intercede for them and as one who could identify with their human needs. 

Kingsley went on to say how the story of Jesus begins to form a link. People begin to see that what they have been longing for has been provided through Jesus. His human existence without sin, his death, and his resurrection opened up the way for man to approach God. Jesus became the intermediary between God and man. He is the One who intercedes on our behalf. He is not dead, but living.  And, as One who was fully human and fully divine, he understands our needs. Kingsley described how the God who desires to make himself known, did so, so that we can approach Him as a God of love, and One who desires relationship with man, which he made possible through Jesus.  

When Kingsley was telling me this, my mind immediately thought of the following verses from Romans, chapter one. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and the sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

And this one from Romans 10 - And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

The God who reveals Himself . . .  an approachable God.