my testimony regarding joining the full-time training in London, FTTL

I feel over the past few months the Lord has given me a verse to consider and muse on. This verse is Matthew 6:33 where it says that we must seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and everything else will be added to us.

This verse has probably influenced me the most in regards to applying to the Full Time Training in London. Having graduated from Swansea University, Wales in the summer of 2008, I was still undecided whether to go to the FTTL or not.

Throughout the course of my studies, I felt it was not quite my time yet and that there are still many things I would still like to do before committing to the training. I also didn’t consider myself to be spiritually qualified (my concept was that only spiritual giants go to there and I would definitely not fit in there).

However, it has taken a few twists and turns in my life to realise that whatever my concepts might be, it is the will of the Lord that I give Him two years to be trained.

Having been brought up with a military background, I was very keen to continue the family tradition and join the Royal Air Force. As not all of my family members felt it would be profitable for me to go to a Bible School, they felt it would be good for me to pursue a career in the military. Having already served two years in the Air Force Reserve, I came very close to joining full-time, although, I did not have the peace in my spirit. I felt that by joining the Air Force, I would be separating myself from the Body. I would be seeking my own interests / my own kingdom and not the will of my Lord.

In Philippians 2:21 it says that all seek their own things and not the things of Christ Jesus. I have always believed that the Lord has called us for great things, to simply believe into the Lord and live a good life is not His heart’s desire.

I have appreciated through His word that the Lord desires all to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).

He wants the saints to be perfected unto the work of the ministry, unto the building up of the Body of Christ and that we all arrive at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:12-13).

The Lord wants to be expressed through man on the earth today; He wants His testimony on the whole inhabited earth and especially here in Europe today!

I believe to follow the Lamb, seek what God desires, to give up the world and it’s meaningless attractions, to be governed by a clear and controlling vision is what the Lord desires us to do. I feel I am at a cross roads in my life right now. The Lord has called me for His purpose, therefore I wish to respond to His calling!

I believe training is a very important part of the Christian life. We all need to be trained in order to function properly within the Body. I have been encouraged by many saints who have consecrated two years of their life to be trained.

Not only do I believe the training is there to become more knowledgeable in Bible truths, but it will also give the Lord the ground to shape our character and allow Him to dispense more of His unsearchable riches into us so we may become functioning members of His Body.

The Lord has given me a lot of peace in my spirit in regards to this matter. With the doors closed elsewhere, I feel the Lord has opened the way for me to go to the training.

I know the training will be tough, there will be discipline and exposure, but I feel I am going there with an open mind and goal to become useful for the Lord so He may gain His testimony here in Europe!

May all the glory be to God! [guest post – bro. Alec]

Note: Every Christian needs training. Without training, we will not experience and enjoy Christ’s riches in full. We also need training to function and serve the Lord profitably. The Full-Time Training in London provides a special opportunity to be trained to enjoy Christ, grow in His life, and serve Him to build up the church as His Body. Read more about the subjects taught in the FTTL, the life in the training, and the statement of faith. This training is for everyone who wants to learn more how to function as a normal believer, wants to have his character shaped to be fit for the Lord’s use, and also wants to be constituted with the Word of God in a deeper way.