Uncategorized

We have been in Vanuatu for over 10 years now, and discipleship has been the lifeline of our methodology. I have discipled one pastor throughout that time, helped develop other pastors, and am currently discipling two more men who, Lord willing, will become pastors next year. Discipleship takes work. It takes time. It does not happen in a classroom, and it certainly does not happen by accident.

So what does a disciple actually look like? I believe Scripture gives us two defining evidences:

•They are progressively conformed to the image of Christ, putting sin to death through faithful obedience.

•They make disciples who reproduce disciples.

All disciples are commanded to make disciples. If our “discipleship” successfully transfers curriculum but never produces disciples who themselves make disciples, we should be willing to ask the uncomfortable question: Have we fulfilled the Great Commission—or have we simply educated Christians about it? If the process never reproduces disciple-makers, perhaps we should stop calling the process discipleship.

https://youtube.com/shorts/poCEEyo5TCg?feature=shared

Your feet to the Tiale people and the country of Vanuatu, Seth, Nicole & Selah Stokes

Term 1 (of 2) is done! Year 2 (of 3)!

Nearly 600 lessons over three years. The students are now “coming down the mountain.” They’ve reached the halfway point, and it’s exciting to see their burden for the gospel taking shape.

One student, in his early 50s, wants to spend the rest of his life sharing the good news with his family and street preaching anywhere he’ll have the opportunity. Another hopes to return to his own island—his own language group—to witness to his family and community. One day, he may be the only gospel witness among his people.

Please pray for the continued discipleship of the pastors, the growth of the students, and the ongoing development of the lessons.

Thank you for following the journey!

https://youtube.com/shorts/ag-EdErg5pY?si=NHohL4Z0_ziG1u7a

Your feet to the Tiale people and the country of Vanuatu, Seth Nicole & Selah Stokes

There are many times when I catch a glimpse of what it must have been like for the Apostle Paul—teaching people who have never heard much about the Bible, and watching their excitement carry our meetings well past midnight (Acts 20:7, “…and continued his speech until midnight”). The Tiale ministry is one of excitement, and we are blessed to serve a people who are hungry for and growing in God’s Word.

Unlike Paul, however, being married and having a young child adds many layers to what missions looks like. Coupled with the reality that we are independent missionaries, isolated from other expatriates by several hours, there are many times we feel like the “only ones” in the country. When you find yourself on a rooftop painting a rusting roof after 10:00 p.m. because it is your only “free time” outside of ministry, the weight of isolation becomes very real. Yet we are deeply thankful for my mom, who has been willing and ready to help care for Nicole and Selah during my absence.

We hope this newsletter is an encouragement to you as you see what God is doing in and through the Tiale people.

Continue reading →

We are aware that not everyone has social media, that is why we try to post here as well in order for everyone to stay connected with the ministry.

Part 1

Hiking to a village about an hour away, to preach some new lessons, encourage the church, fellowship with the believers, and lift up the local pastor.

Do not forsake the privilege you have that God has given you to love on those that He has placed in your sphere of influence.

Part 2

Just got back!

Thank you for your prayers.

Earlier this week there was a funeral, so the reality of death and eternity was still fresh on everyone’s minds. It provided a natural opportunity to remind the believers of the urgency of the gospel. Today is the only day we are promised. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Christian, don’t delay.

Work, hobbies, entertainment, and countless lesser important things can wait. If you are not actively praying for lost souls and faithfully sharing the gospel with them, then you are NOT living in light of eternity.

Hell is real, and it is permanent. We can only warn people while they are still alive. Once a person is buried, the opportunity for salvation is gone. There are no second chances after death (2 Cor. 6:2).

Part 1 (before)

https://youtube.com/shorts/eIqX45rBK2U?si=jspcAbyO6bFZALMP

Part 2 (after)

https://youtube.com/shorts/gFX_qHJRpV0?si=2fMG81zYgXietbWO

Thank you for following our journey, your feet to the Tiale people and the country of Vanuatu,

Seth, Nicole & Selah Stokes

Exciting times Part 2.

The founding pastor has a gift for evangelism and he has a desire to share the Gospel with ALL of Vanautu.

Once he has taught through the whole New Testament, the plan would be to hand over the main preaching to the next 2 young pastors in training who can then develop and grow the church. Then this pastor is “free” to go and share the Gospel to every place!

Please pray for the transition and development of these 2 new pastors.

Please pray for fervor as the founding pastor desires to reach the remaining language groups in Vanuatu with the glorious Gospel before he sees Jesus face to face.

Your feet to the Tiale people and the country of Vanuatu. Seth, Nicole & Selah Stokes.

https://youtu.be/oi3V4PYb-H0?feature=shared

July 4th! Happy Independence Day in the USA!

Exciting times Part 1.

We wanted to share some exciting news here in Tiale land.

In the not too distant future, in less than 2 years, the founding pastor here in Tiale land, will have taught through every epistle in the New Testament!

This is a monumental occasion to celebrate!

We are excited to see what God does in the upcoming transition after that time.

Please pray for the Tiale churches as they continue to grow!

Your feet to the Tiale people and the country of Vanuatu. Seth, Nicole & Selah Stokes.

https://youtu.be/3pz6szxtG50?feature=shared

God is faithful to His Word… He said HE WILL GROW His church…

And He is doing it in and through the Tiale people.

It is always confusing when someone says “I saved someone and led them to the Lord” etc. because God does the miraculous power of salvation, and we get to be the vehicle that He uses.

Many people go their whole Christian life without ever having been involved in true discipleship… there are even pastors in the USA who think the pulpit or a class substitutes discipleship…

The Tiale people now are onto the 3rd generation of disciples, this is truly a work of God.

Please pray for the work of discipleship here in Tiale land. Thank you.

Your feet to the Tiale people and the country of Vanuatu. Seth, Nicole & Selah Stokes

https://youtu.be/a1UKTO8AdVc?feature=shared

We feel blessed to see where the Tiale ministry is currently…. God is blessing.

This is the first update from out of the USA… please pray for transitions and the many things Seth has to do while shepherding the Tiale people.

This season has brought both growth and hardships…

Pray that the Tiale leaders become stronger through this season.

Pray for Seth as he will be teaching for the next 5 weeks consecutively… many of which are all new lessons, that is not counting the discipleship classes he has with the men, or the extra lessons he is developing for families with the church.

Tiale land is always a busy place to serve!

Your feet to the Tiale people and the country of Vanuatu. Seth, Nicole & Selah Stokes

https://youtu.be/DesA9EcbyDc?feature=shared

Heading back this week!!!

Time sure does fly!

If you did not see an update from us last week, that means YOU are NOT subscribed to our updates!

We try to post in various ways and on several platforms. But 100% of our updates comes through our website.

If you do not want to miss out on what God is doing in Tiale land, please follow the journey!!!

We always, I repeat, ALWAYS need prayer. We try to post prayer requests often… and we know God works through that medium according to His will. We need you all to do YOUR part.

“When a Christian begins to thrive in obedience, expect Satan to intensify his opposition.” -C.H.S.

Satan has been attacking the Tiale work in many serious ways lately. We could really use some extra support in prayer!

Please pray for one of the Tiale leaders… he’s been attacked multiple times… causing him to suffering unnecessarily…

Praise God he and his family are standing strong in this time… but that can only be sustained by God’s grace and YOUR prayers.

Thank you for your time and prayer for this request.

https://youtu.be/Fyo4sifv2X4?feature=shared

Your feet to the Tiale people and the country of Vanuatu. Seth, Nicole & Selah Stokes.

Our latest projects 👇

https://stokingthefires.com/stokes-needs-list-2026/

The Tiale projects 👇

https://stokingthefires.com/tiale-projects-2026/

Join our team 👇

Join Our Team

Latest update 👇

https://stokingthefires.com/our-blogs/