Update: Local Events and Africa Ministry

August, 2023

We give thanks for God’s blessing on our recent ministry events. Thank you for your prayers. We had about 43 attend the Finding Peace Seminar in Knoxville on September 29th. Northstar Church was very welcoming and we had attendees traveling from severally states  and Canada.  14 attended the Exchanged Life Counseling Workshop in Pigeon Forge September 31 – August 3. Each workshop has its own dynamics, but this one was extra special.

We had three 2 generation pairs: a father and son from Florida, a father and daughter from Wisconsin, and a mother and daughter from California. Four attendees traveled south from Canada. Two ladies attended who are in GFI’s new Life Coaching track.  It is a blessing to have Mark team teach these events, to have John Norman and Cathy Solomon working behind the scenes, and to have Pam Norman as registrar and hostess.

As I write this (August 6), tomorrow Mark and I catch flights to Cape Town, South Africa where we will assist our sister ministry there, Curare Christ Centered Counseling CurareCC.org . We look forward to the seminar August 12 and other opportunities. Joy magazine, that is based in South Africa, features an article that I provided on overcoming fear, and an advertisement for the seminar. You can get a digital copy for two dollars at Zinio.com.

On August 15 Mark flies back to the US and I will start my time in Cameroon, west Africa. I am grateful for the opportunity to be keynote speaker for the annual conference of Cameroon Baptist Association. I am to present 3 GFI workshops. I will be joined by John Singinie from Malawi, Africa who will give testimonies and present a workshop on Dynamic Churches’ discipleship strategy. DCIMalawi.com

We are grateful for those led to support and intercede for this busy and fruitful season. May the Lord encourage you in His faithfulness.

Yours in Christ,

John Woodward

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Jamila Jackson shared this testimony at the seminar on July 29th.

“During my practicum at Grace Fellowship International, founded by Dr. Charles Solomon, as a Luther Rice College and Seminary student, I immersed myself in the transformative principles of Exchange Life Counseling. Guided by Dr. Solomon’s expertise, I witnessed the powerful integration of biblical truths and Exchanged Life concepts to provide effective counseling and discipleship. The Practicum [GFI’s conference, Workshop, Online Lecture Series, and video counseling sessions] equipped me with a deep understanding of how identifying with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection can lead to victorious living.

I learned to apply Exchanged Life principles in counseling sessions, helping individuals grasp their new identity in Christ, embrace freedom from past burdens, and experience genuine transformation. The practical experience and knowledge gained during this Practicum have solidified my commitment to serving as an empathetic and grace-centered counselor, empowering individuals to live out their true identity in Christ and embrace the abundant life He offers.”