ECLEA

08/26/2026

I have just posted on the Kenya and Burundi pages of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net) some very interesting reports of ECLEA graduations and all-African ECLEA training conferences -- along with photos -- which have recently taken place. Just click on the Kenya and Burundi names or flags at the top of the page and take a look. I think you will be very encouraged.

One of the things these reports are making clear is that ECLEA truly stands for "Equipping Church Leaders East Africa." And this is demonstrated by the fact that the vast majority of the equipping is done by the East African church leaders themselves! For all of you who support this vital ministry financially and in prayer, know that you are making a huge difference in what I consider to be the most spiritually significant region of Africa and, probably, of the world. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

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08/23/2026

Dear Friends,

I have just completed, and have posted on the "ECLEA Courses & Resources" page of the ECLEA website (https://www.eclea.net/courses.html) our next ECLEA teaching book--the book of Malachi.

Malachi was the last prophet of OT Israel. The book of Malachi is the last book of the OT. Malachi was a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah. The book was written after the temple and the city of Jerusalem had been rebuilt following the exile in Babylon, probably in the period 450-430 BC. Malachi is one of the so-called “Minor Prophets.” The name Malachi means “my messenger.” The book falls into two main parts: chapters 1 and 2 describe the sin and apostasy of Israel; chapters 3 and 4 point to the judgment that will come upon sinners and the blessing reserved for those who repent. Certain statements in the book point forward to the New Covenant era and the final judgment, and chapters 3 and 4 also contain prophecies fulfilled by John the Baptist and by Jesus. There are considerable similarities between the offenses rebuked by Malachi and those rebuked by Ezra and Nehemiah. These include dishonesty of the priesthood, marriage to idolaters, exploitation of the underprivileged, and failure to pay tithes. The prophecy as a whole describes abuses that Nehemiah sought to correct.

The book is fairly short (Malachi itself consists only of 4 chapters, with chapter 4 consisting of only six verses) but contains much interesting information and is highly relevant to us today.

I will be preparing and then posting in the near future the video lectures which will accompany the book.

Enjoy! Jonathan

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08/11/2026

I have just posted the revised version of the ECLEA book of Hebrews on the "ECLEA Courses & Resources" page of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net). I also have posted on the Kenya page of the website a recent update from Kenya regarding an ECLEA training course held last week on Biblical Marriage and Parenting and posted the Acholi translations of our books on Biblical Interpretation and Expository Preaching.

Enjoy!

08/03/2026

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Yesterday I returned from my week-and-a-half trip to Tanzania. I must say, it was not only a good and productive trip, but I was very heartened and encouraged by what the ECLEA-Tanzanians are doing. They are really stepping up and doing an excellent job of "owning" this ministry.

I began by preaching 4 times the Sunday after my arrival: three times in a large Lutheran church in Tanga and then once at the group New Life in Christ, also in Tanga.

On Monday, I began teaching the book of Hebrews to about 30 participants. This is the first time I have taught the book to a group of students, since I only completed it earlier this year. The book is a very important one, since its focus is on who Christ is, what he has done, and how we can appropriate the New Covenant into our lives.

It was also important in that, in connection with Hebrews 6:4-8, I had discussed the nature and elements of true, saving faith. I had laid out six elements of true, saving faith: election; regeneration; conversion; justification; adoption; and sanctification. But I noticed that I had failed to mention being sealed by the Holy Spirit. So, I will add that. Also, in connection with the book's discussion of Melchizedek in chapter 7, a question from one of the participants related to the fact that Melchizedek is called the "king of Salem." There are two main views as to the identity of Melchizedek: some hold that he was a "type" of Christ; others (including myself) hold that he was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Both the actual identity of Salem and one other aspect of Melchizedek, which I saw for the first time while teaching the book, in my view, corroborate my position that Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. I will flesh that out (hopefully, this week) and repost the revised version of Hebrews on the ECLEA website. In short, engagement with the very sharp Tanzanians helped to stretch me and give me greater understanding. Praise the Lord!

Then, along with Joram Ibrahim (ECLEA-TZ's national coordinator), Bishop Bartholomew Sheggah, Paul Mdimi (ECEA-TZ's secretary), and others, I spent two days with 16 of ECLEA-TZ's teachers going over such things as ECLEA's nature, history, and teaching methodologies so as to help the teachers be as effective as possible. This was time well spent.

After that, several ECLEA-TZ teachers gave testimonies. Here is what Lazaro Chikula, who is heading ECLEA's outreach to Muslims, had to say: "I went with two others (from the TAG and Baptist churches) to 6 villages in a remote area. We had many challenges, but eventually 108 Muslims came to Christ. We then had a public baptism. Because of fear, 60 were not baptized at that time, but 48 were. We also planted one church in each of the six villages. The TAG and Baptist churches sent people to oversee the new churches. I did not have any means of transport. But, by God's grace and thanks to ECLEA, I was able to obtain a motorcycle. Now, I visit the new churches and converts. We also give them Bibles, as we obtain them, but there is a need for more Bibles. Some Muslims are angry at me and are saying, 'One pastor keeps coming and is changing our people.' But I expected this." This is a tremendous work Lazaro is doing. Please pray for his protection and continued effectiveness.

Finally, on Saturday we all participated in a graduation ceremony for 10 graduates of East African Theological Bible Institute. Our courses are included in their curriculum. That is very encouraging to me. East African governments are beginning to require that pastors be formally trained. To include our materials in the curricula of such theological schools means that ECLEA will continue to make an impact for generations, long after I am gone. Again, praise the Lord!

Here are some photos of this trip. I should now be home until early October, when I am planning on going to Uganda for my last trip of the year.

Thank you again for your prayer and financial support. I hope you can see how valuable they are and what a difference you are making in this spiritually vital region of the world.

God bless you,

Jonathan

07/20/2026

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Three days from now, this Thursday, I will be leaving for Tanzania. While there, I will be teaching the book of Hebrews, preaching, and doing some other things. I am scheduled to arrive back home the afternoon of August 2.

Since my return from Ethiopia, I have had a fairly productive time. I prepared and posted the 18 video lectures that go along with the book of Hebrews. I have also begun my next ECLEA writing project--the book of Malachi. Currently, I am about half way through the book and should be able to complete it after I return from Tanzania.

On a more personal note, my wife, son, and daughter-in-law have cajoled me into growing my hair out. I told my daughter-in-law that I would do so at least until her birthday at the end of November. On the other hand, virtually everyone who has commented says they like it this way, and now I am forced to admit that I agree with them. So, it looks like the hair will be staying even past November. Attached is a selfie to show you my "new look."

Since my trips to Africa are now shorter than they used to be, I will plan on sending you a report of the trip, with photos, after my return home.

Thank you for your ongoing financial and prayer support of ECLEA. We could not do what we do and have the impact we are having without you.

God bless you, Jonathan

06/29/2026

Dear Friends,

I am happy to announce that, thanks to the good work of Ivan Gumikiriza and his team, the ECLEA book The Church: Its Nature, Mission, and Purpose, is now in Acholi. I have posted it on the "ECLEA Courses & Resources" page of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net).

Enjoy! Jonathan

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06/26/2026

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Two months ago I completed, and posted on ECLEA's website (www.eclea.net), the ECLEA book on Hebrews. I have now completed and posted on the website a series of 18 video lectures concerning the book of Hebrews. Each one lasts from a short of about 16 minutes to a long of about 34 minutes. They may be watched/listened to and downloaded for free. Through some error of mine, these videos were not loaded onto ECLEA's regular YouTube channel but onto another ECLEA Videos channel here: https://www.youtube.com/-e8h/playlists

I also found that there were a number of typos in the print version of the book. I have corrected those and posted the corrected version on the website.

Enjoy! Jonathan

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06/15/2026

Dear Friends,

Thanks to the good work of Ivan Gumikiriza and his team, the ECLEA book on Biblical Interpretation is now in the major western Uganda language of Acholi. I have posted it on the "ECLEA Courses & Resources" page of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net). Enjoy!

Best regards, Jonathan

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06/11/2026

Dear Friends,

Thanks to the good work of Jean de dieu Nsengimana, the 3-part abridged version of the ECLEA book Christianity and Islam: The Essentials, is now in Kinyarwanda. I have posted it on the "ECLEA Courses & Resources" page of the ECLEA website. Enjoy!

Jonathan

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06/03/2026

Dear Friends,

Thanks to the good work of Ivan Gumikiriza and his team, the ECLEA book on Biblical Marriage and Parenting is now in the important western Uganda language of Acholi. I have posted it on the "ECLEA Courses & Resources" page of the ECLEA website (www.eclea.net), where it may be downloaded for free. Enjoy!

Best regards, Jonathan