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November 2009 Dear Friends,
Grace was defined as Gods ability to do in and thru us what we cannot do in and of ourselves. This understanding of grace was based on a book which students were assigned to write a report on. Many renewed their devotion to preaching the gospel in a time when the modern church is plagued with different kinds of gospels. Excellent grades gave evidence that students had great comprehension of messages that are not the gospel at all. In the Power of His Grace, Steve and Cindy Shoop
August 2009 Dear Friends, Personal evangelism was taught by Rev. Ronald Mwale a veteran soul winner who has vast experience and a wealth of knowledge in evangelism and discipleship. The purpose of this course was to equip the student to be effective in the ministry of salvation to the lost one on one.
Rejoicing in Him, Steve and Cindy Shoop
May 2009 Dear Friends,
The first stage is going through leadership tests which challenge leaders to demonstrate their potential and maturity through areas of response, obedience and personal growth. Tests are our friends and tell us the truth when others cannot or will not be as forthright. (James 1:2-4). Another stage is how emotional insecurity prevents effective leadership. Listening and believing lies will corrode a person’s leadership. Things like failing to confront situations, lack of moral backbone, being defensive, and lack of character to stand up when disliked will make a leader destroy his leadership. Delegating tasks and developing people stage is where leaders move from addition to multiplication in different areas of their lives. He also looked at the characteristics of a great team which produces greater works. Learning to work with other people is not something most people enjoy but working together produces great things that not one man can accomplish. Mentoring future leaders is the wisest investment a leader will ever make. Every leader must have the zeal to empower another person by sharing God given resources (II Timothy 2:2). Lastly, measure your growth as a leader to avoid stagnation, not only in your life but the people you are leading as well. Leadership development is not a one time event but a lifetime process of growing. In His Grace, Steve and Cindy Shoop
February 2009 Dear Friends, The first year students took a journey through the book of Romans to be reminded of why the word of God is known as the ‘Gospel of Peace’. Through these lessons, Steve talked about man‘s sinful nature that has always led him away from God (Rom 1:17-32). However, God in His goodness and unconditional love for us has provided a solution that leads Jesus Christ’s death and Resurrection brought us to a place where we can be children of God and fellowship with Him once again. Being redeemed from the curse of the Law and death, we have been made righteous and justified by our faith in God through Jesus Christ. We have peace and are free at last to live a new life in Him because we have been set free from sin. Jesus Christ, who died for us and has forgiven us, has given himself to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. No power on earth or in heaven or in hell can come between us (Rom 8:35-39). He has promised to never forsake us or leave us. His love is everlasting; there is nothing that can be done good or bad to change His love for us. With this understanding, we can now live transformed lives, have better relationships and live in love with one another as Christ loves us. In His Service, Steve and Cindy Shoop October 2008 Dear Friends, Greetings from the capital city of Zambia!
These days are full of change right now. Here in Zambia we are having the Presidential elections on the October 30th. We are holding regular prayer meetings to lift this countries needs to the Father. Trusting in Him, because, He is the author and finisher of our faith. 1 Timothy 2: 8 - "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." Currently, in the fourth term of classes here at Gospel Training Institute Pastor Fortune Mwiza is teaching “Effective Prayer” to the first year students. In addition to the student study guide they have been supplied with Dr. James Richards Prayer Organizer to guide them as they learn God’s design for answered prayer. It is time for us to renew our permits to stay in Zambia and the process has taken many days to prepare. This week, we dropped off our documents at the Immigration office and pay the fees. We are trusting that the process will be shorter than the last time. Please agree in prayer with us. In the Grip of His Grace, Steve and Cindy Shoop
August 2008
Biblical Economics was one of the subjects covered in the 3rd term of classes. Pastor Walker Schurz brought balance and practical application to the subject. A brief summery of the class would look like this. We all have four decisions to make with money and they would be; spending, saving, investing and giving. One of the quickest ways to change is face reality. Creating a budget will help decrease the emotions of financial decisions. Proverbs 26:14 - "Just as a door turns on its hinges, so a lazybones turns back over in bed." 
Pastor Walker created a budget of a newly-wed couple and took the students through the paces of seeing how a solid financial plan can work. Brother Pukuta Mwanza challenged the second year students in the course Church Administration. His vast experience in Christian leadership gives him a wealth of knowledge to share. He taught on different types of Church government and boards. One outstanding comment from the student body when his course was finished was, “we needed more time.”
God bless, Steve and Cindy Shoop
April 2008 Our first term at GTI has been very rewarding. We had the privilege of having Bishop Joshua Banda teaching the combined student body Family Values. Bishop Joshua's passion for strong marriages and family relationships based on Biblical truth combined with his wisdom and ministerial experience make him a suberb faciliator of this vital subject. Students were challenged to actively participate in class through dialog and interaction. Their required reading along with a written essay was amalgamated for their final grade. Additionally, Evangelist Christopher Alam was in Lusaka conducting a crusade in an area of the city called George. GTI was ho I am sure your heart would be filled with satisfaction to watch the students as some of them take their first steps in ministry. Together we are reaching the city of Lusaka, the nation of Zambia, and the Region of Sub-Saharan Africa "...perfecting the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Eph 4:11,12 Serving in Missions, Steve and Cindy Shoop
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The course on the book of Galatians is designed to bring out the significance of the message of Grace. Brother Philip Chimfwembe taught on the eternal reality that faith qualifies us to receive God’s blessings and not works. This fact helps us avoid the pitfalls of works and traditions of men which lead to legalism and bondage. The basic themes that were taught in this course were Abrahamic covenant, the blessing of Abraham, redemption from the curse of the law and the fruit of the Spirit.
The students learned one of the biggest hurdles in reaching the lost, lack of knowledge of Gods unconditional love for humanity. Students had a practical assignment of sharing Gods love to the lost one to one. An open discussion in the classroom of how they used the Four Spiritual Laws with individuals during witnessing brought much clarity to the students. The simplicity of the four spiritual laws built an enthusiasm among many students to share the gospel with their families and workmates.
us all to repentance and into His presence again.
Greetings from Lusaka!
nored to have Bro. Christopher share his heart in the class room. In hiring a bus, we were able to take the students to participate in the crusade. This was a powerful experience that enabled the students to implement the instruction that had been received in Cindy's subject "Christ the Healer" as well as see the gift of the Evangelist in action. 
