Our society today teaches us that in order to succeed, you must be outgoing and aggressive. After three years in vet school, one of the things we all grapple with, at this...
Acts 18:1-4
TO CHRISTIAN VETERINARIANS,
In
reference to the above text, the writer of the Book of Acts (Luke, the
physician), recognizes Aquila and
important role in laboring for the Kingdom of God. This Jewish couple
had just landed from Rome after king Claudius had commanded all Jews to
leave in AD 49.
They probably had
or after their deportation to Corinth (but before meeting Paul), for
they readily identified with him and were ready to support his mission
during his second missionary journey. They willingly opened their house
to host Apostle Paul, after he landed in city of Corinth. Paul preferred
to stay with this family, not only because they were both tentmakers
(Acts 18:3, but they also must have
4:9).
This was an encouragement to Paul after he was harshly
rejected from ministering in Athens (Acts 17:32). It is noteworthy that
Priscilla is listed before her husband, as traditionally
expected (Romans 16:3, 2 Timothy 4:19). She may have had a higher social
status or probably was more prominent in the tent/making business.
Aquila and Priscilla contributed significantly to
Gospel and enhanced the Kingdom of God in many ways. Firstly, they
expressed their gifting in hospitality by hosting Paul in their house
during his second missionary journey. They provided accommodation or
lodging
eighteen months (Acts 18:11). Secondly, they contributed to the
founding of the church at Corinth by facilitating for Paul to preach and
reason in the local synagogue, where many of the Corinthians
(Acts 18:4, 8).
Thirdly, they facilitated for Paul to work with
his own hands in tent/making, perhaps for the needs of his ministry
(Acts 18:3), but also setting an
3:10-12). Fourthly, they accompanied Paul to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19)
where they discipled Apollos, by taking time to explain to him more
accurately the scriptures (Acts 18:26). Apollos would
recognized as an equal with Apostles Paul and Peter in discipleship
ministries (1 Corinthians 3:4-8, 22).
Fifthly, Aquila and
Priscilla also hosted a house church at Ephesus for many years
returning to Rome (Romans 16:3-4, 1 Corinthians 16:19). Other early
church Christians who hosted house churches included Mary, the mother of
John Mark (Acts 12:12, Lydia (Acts 16:40
Apparently, Priscilla and Aquilla must have returned to Ephesus, as
Paul sends greetings to them through Timothy (2 Timothy 4:19), where he
was working as an ordained minister of the local church
2 Timothy 1:6). This couple sets an example on how professionals can be
engaged with serving God, while they continue to work in their
professional assignments. Professional occupations are important, not
only
purposes of enhancing the purposes of the Kingdom of God.
Thus, the
Christian Veterinarians have a privileged profession which allows them
to connect and engage with many livestock-related clients, especially
the
consider enlisting in vision and mission with the Christian
Veterinarians with a Mission Program (VMP). As demonstrated by Priscilla
and Aquilla, we can walk and work together as a family, for purposes of
fellowship, accountability and partnership for the course of the Gospel
(Philippians 1:5, 4:10-16).
Together, we can contribute to the
mandate of the Great Commission to the unreached communities, wherever
the Veterinary profession has opened opportunities, especially among the
pastoralist communities. Together with our involvement and support in
our local churches, some of the Mission Activities that VMP members
could engage in and
Organizing annual Preventive Health Care \Outreach Missions
(Vaccinations, Deworming) in preferred pastoralist areas of Narok,
Samburu, Isiolo, Kajiado,
2. Digging of Boreholes and Water pans for needy pastoral communities,
3.
Purchase
needs for partnering local churches among pastoralist communities,
4. Partnering with churches among pastoral communities to support needy children with clothes, food items and toiletries,
5. Support needy students from pastoral
list of activities to be engaged in, is dependent on the support that
Christian Veterinarians would contribute to VMP. Part of the Fellowship
activities that we include in Vet-Outreach Mission Timetable includes
i. Preaching of the Word,
ii. Prayer,
iii. Devotional Sharing.
Lastly,
VMP would like to encourage Christian Veterinarians across the country
to organize Small-Groups for Fellowship and Vet
Support.
We could establish VMP regional units in Western (Kakamega), Nyanza (Kisii or Kisumu), North Rift (Eldoret), Central Rift (Nakuru), South RiftThank you.
Dr. Mwangi J.N. (Executive Secretary-VMP...