Igniting the Flame: David Muriu's Journey with BTCP Training and Biblical Understanding
In the odyssey of faith and ministry, there are often turning points that shape our perspectives and propel us to greater heights. For David Muriu, a seasoned minister in the church for thirty-five years, his life and ministry took a significant turn when he embarked on eighteen months of BTCP training. As he looks back on his journey, he testifies to the remarkable metamorphosis that BTCP brought to his life, providing him with a fresh biblical understanding and reigniting his passion for ministering to others.
David’s personal testimony:
I was originally trained in building technology. I also ministered in the church for thirty five years without proper theological training. Now that I am sixty years old, I feel my eighteen months of BTCP training have transformed my ministry. I now have a fresh biblical understanding and a fire to minister to others.
I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior about forty years ago and thereafter became active in church ministry in a Pentecostal church. Later I got married in the church and I am blessed to be a father of three grown up daughters who have already finished their college education.
Today as I finish my theological training I want to state that BTCP has totally changed my mind-set towards theological bible training. When I started preaching and ministering over thirty years ago i found myself in a church environment where going to a bible school was regarded as a “religious” habit. My church then would refer to theology as spiritual killer. Seminaries would be equated with “spiritual cemeteries”, and therefore anyone going for biblical training would be regarded as lost.
For many years I thought that all I needed was the ‘Holy Spirit’ as my teacher. I would attend many revival meetings and seminars especially those dubbed “Holy Ghost School of Ministry”, where now with hindsight revelation we would often confuse excitement with anointing. I was confident that this is all that I needed in the ministry. With BTCP I have come to know that Pentecostal alone can make one a fanatic and also reading the word only makes one legalistic. A combination of the Word of God and Holy Spirit gives the ministry a true vibrant life.
After joining full time ministry fifteen years ago, I started noting that there are some things that those who have attended good bible schools had that enabled them do ministry with ease. By and by I started having a thirst for theological training. With my children in the climax of their academic education and the costs that are involved I found myself in dilemma on what to do. For a while I tried on-line theological and ministry training at Oral Roberts University, but it became too expensive for me. Therefore I had to suspend that training.
I thank God because of Bishop Dr. Armstrong Cheggeh who recommended and encouraged me to join BTCP for theological and ministry training. I enrolled in 2022 at Athi River center with the 2022-2023 class under teacher Rev. Kimuyu.
Fountain of life bible center has transformed my life. BTCP teachings are bible based, very exciting and the Holy Spirit is at the center of its theology. The students comes from a diverse background and yet highly motivated, exciting lovely people.
My immediate lesson when I joined BTCP was noting how biblically deep the course is. My ministry is now polished and tested with sound theology. I now have a deep understanding of 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) “All scripture is given by inspiration (breathed) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”.
I can now differentiate true theology which is conservative, evangelical and bible centered.
Some of the manuals that have really impacted on me are
Bible study methods and rules of interpretation. This will help me to understand the truths and definitions in the bible. How to observe, interpret and apply the word.
OT and NT bible survey. The Old Testament is the shadow of the New Testament. And the New Testament is the grand object of the Old Testament. This survey has enabled me to understand how both testaments relate to one another.
Bible doctrine survey. Has enabled me to understand who God and trinity are as described in the bible. How the men, women and people of God described him in Hebrew and Greek languages and why.
Church history survey. How the church moved on despite and through the challenges of doctrines, politics, cultures etc. that it encountered in the last 2000 years. With this I will be able to interact, understand and minister to people of all religions, denominations and cults that claim their origin to be Abraham or Jesus Christ.
I really want to thank the almighty God for this opportunity to polish my biblical understanding.. I sincerely want to thank our class teacher Rev Kimuyu and all the leadership of Fountain of Life Churches Intl for giving me this chance. Because of BTCP I can now authoritatively correct and guide someone with unbiblical teaching.
I now do understand why one can be a “powerful, mighty and influential” preacher but with very fundamental biblical errors. Because of this challenge many churches have ended up being “burnt out” and without a tangible doctrine identity and legacy.
2 Timothy 2:2 KJV “and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also”
I now deeply understand what it is and what it takes to commit legacy teachings to generations.
I can authoritatively give correction and guidance to my fellow church leaders and associate pastors. The BTCP manuals will be a major part of the library in my office which I will keep referring to in my discipleship of the believers. I am now planning to bring more of my leaders to BTCP center.
This bible training will make the equipping of the church easy. “Ephesians 4: 12-14 to equip Gods people for works of service….. Then we will be no longer infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people their deceitful scheming”
A Journey of Faith and Service:
David Muriu's life has been marked by a deep commitment to his faith and a sincere desire to serve in the church. As a dedicated member of a Pentecostal church for over three decades, he relied on the Holy Spirit as his teacher, attending countless revival meetings and seminars. While the zeal was admirable, David came to realize that Pentecostal fervor alone could lead to fanaticism, and an exclusive focus on reading the Word of God could result in legalism. His hunger for theological training started growing as he observed the advantages that those who attended reputable bible schools had in ministry.
The Encounter with BTCP:
Finding theological training that suited his needs and budget was a challenge for David, but his path eventually crossed with BTCP through the recommendation of Bishop Dr. Armstrong Cheggeh. Enrolling in 2022 at the Athi River center under the guidance of teacher Rev. Kimuyu, David found himself immersed in a Bible-based, exhilarating, and Spirit-filled theological education.
The power of the Word of God:
BTCP proved to be a turning point in David Muriu's life and ministry. The course content delved deep into biblical truths, and David discovered a newfound appreciation for the profound wisdom contained in 2 Timothy 3:16, which testifies to the divine inspiration of Scripture. The program taught him the significance of balancing the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in ministry, resulting in a vibrant and authentic approach to serving others.
Impactful BTCP Manuals:
David highlights several BTCP manuals that made a lasting impact on his journey:
1. Bible Study Methods and Rules of Interpretation: This manual equipped him with essential tools to understand, interpret, and apply the Word of God accurately.
2. OT and NT Bible Survey: David grasped the interconnection between the Old and New Testaments, recognizing how the Old Testament foreshadows the New Testament and vice versa.
3. Bible Doctrine Survey: Understanding God's nature and the biblical descriptions of Him in Hebrew and Greek languages enriched his theological foundation.
4. Church History Survey: This manual exposed him to the challenges and triumphs of the church over the last 2000 years, helping him to better minister to people from diverse religious backgrounds.
A Legacy of Teaching and Equipping:
Armed with this newfound biblical knowledge, David Muriu is now equipped to guide and correct others who may have fallen into unbiblical teachings. He plans to use the BTCP manuals extensively in his ministry, ensuring a firm and tangible doctrinal identity and legacy for his church. Quoting 2 Timothy 2:2, David understands the importance of committing legacy teachings to future generations, and he is eager to share the BTCP experience with his fellow church leaders and associates.
Conclusion:
David Muriu's testimony exemplifies the metamorphic power of BTCP training, regardless of one's age or prior theological background. This unique blend of Bible-based education, exhilarating teaching methods, and the presence of the Holy Spirit has reignited David's passion for ministry and deepened his understanding of God's Word. As he continues his journey, he embraces the responsibility of equipping the church and guiding future generations, ensuring that the teachings he imparts align with the unshakable foundation of biblical truth. The story of David Muriu stands as a testament to the life-changing benefits that BTCP training can bring to individuals and the wider church community.