Eternal Purpose Institute

This week, the first copies of 'The Eternal Purpose of God' books were received from the printers. From the back cover:

The Eternal Purpose of God — to author a covenant community, blessed to be a blessing to all the families of the earth, with one unchanging purpose: that people from every tribe, language, people and nation might become reconciled to God and his purposes — a sign and foretaste of creation's ultimate renewal... » read more »

David Zopoula

A Wonderful Man, Good Friend and Much-Loved Leader
Born 1 January 1958
Unexpectedly lost to eternity 8 March 2009

David was a star which shone and burned brightly in our universe. A much loved husband to Monique, father to their five children and to many nieces and nephews; a greatly valued leader and spiritual father to the Evangelical Pentecostal Assemblies and a good and faithful friend to many, many people, including myself.  » read more »

This week, we lost our friend David Zopoula from this world, in a tragic car accident, in the south of Burkina Faso.

David was a star which shone and burned brightly in the universe. When he laughed and joked, he lit up the room. When he spoke, his experience and integrity lent an authority that engaged and exhorted the best from within those who partnered with him. » read more »

The acceptance letter actually throws Sarah and John into a spin, having been hoped for earlier in the month, it arrives by snail-mail in time to leave only three days for a transatlantic snail-mail response to be received by Fuller!

Having gained a few days grace, the future is mulled over, the cost counted, options considered... and the decision made: John accepts his place on the Doctor of Missiology — Contextual Theology Cohort Program, with Fuller Theological Seminary. » read more »

After the disappointment surrounding the second mission academy, as John's condition gradually recovered, events also began to take on a new dimension, in a quite unanticipated direction.

This began with a conversation with a long-term missionary to West Africa, named Steve Parker, whom John had previously met in Ouga, and his experiences and reflections upon the short booklet he regularly publishes about breaking the curse of poverty. » read more »

Sadly, after the considerable joy and sense of achievement shared by all involved in the Leo Academy of Mission, plans for the second week went completely awry...

...when on the Sunday evening, along with other symptoms that could have suggested a case of amebic dysentery, John was running a temperature a mite below 40^o, a temperature beyond which things can get decidedly dodgy! » read more »

The Leo Academy of Mission was undertaken and completed during the first week of John and Andrew's visit.

About 25 young students attended, mainly from the Institut Biblique Emmaüs, situated in Leo, plus some missionary pastors. Translation was undertaken by the Bible Institute Director, Marc Nabier and EAP President, David Zopoula. » read more »

Accompanied by Andrew, John set out for Burkina Faso, to undertake two Mission Academies, back-to-back.

The first, in partnership with Pastor David Zopoula, President of AEP, in Leo, in the south of Burkina. The second, in partnership with Pastor Phillippe Ouadraogo of AEAD, in the northern part of Burkina.

After some thoughtful consideration, John's long-time friend and erstwhile business partner, Andrew Taplin decided to accompany John in visiting Burkina Faso.

As well as experiencing Africa for the first time, Andrew will also be putting together a 'photo essay' of the trip, attempting to catch some of the flavour of Burkina Faso, as well as significant elements and events.

Great to have you on board, Andrew!

An unexpected meeting at a friends house with a visiting Burkinabe pastor, in late autumn of 2007, brought John face-to-face with a man he had actually know for nearly twenty years: Phillippe Ouedraogo.

On hearing about John's mission academy, Phillippe invited John to consider visiting and conducting some seminars with his pastors. » read more »

The Eternal Purpose Institute was founded in July 2008, by John Clements, to facilitate missiological research and education.

Aims

1. To research a range of missiological topics, based upon a particular missiological model.
2. To provide educational resources to missional leaders within two-thirds-world nations;
3. To promote missiological insight, understanding and application towards real-world challenges faced by Christian communities;
4. To highlight links between missiology, theology, philosophy, ideology, worldview and culture;
5. To engage in public lectures and seminars about missiological topics;
6. To undergird the peripatetic provision of the Academy of Mission associated with the Institute.
7. To establish an e-learning centre, providing e-study courses in missiology and contextual theology;
8. To partner with missionary movements and biblical theological institutes, internationally, in pursuit of shared goals.

Shortly after its inception, the Institute received a Patron: Maj. (Rtd.) Robert Campbell-Lamerton.

Having served as a British Army officer, prison governor, teacher and management development consultant with The Work Foundation, Bob has a broad experience of life... » read more »