Full day

Had a great day at Big Tree on Sunday. We had Todd Beaman come and preach for us from John 20 to about 40 adults and lots of children. He did a fantastic job of explaining the chapter and the application to our lives! 

After the service finished, we had a sports day at the field just next to us. The ladies played 'net ball' and the men played football (soccer). During the activities many people gathered to watch the games and see what was happening. After the matches finished, I was able to sit everyone down and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Many have now heard the Gospel and hopefully will come to church this Wednesday to begin learning the Scripture and beginning a true walk of faith with our Lord Jesus. Please pray for our little group and the influence this small church can have on the community, province, nation and even the world!  

Team Big Tree

Todd Preaching

Bible School

Spent 4 days teaching on the subject of 'missions' to a group of local pastors at our Chipata Bible school. Of course, the subject is quite broad and includes evangelism, discipleship, church planting, prayer, leadership training, etc. Four days certainly is not enough time to exhaust the subject but it was enjoyable to go through many of the highlights to this subject and hopefully give these church leaders a real thirst for God's command to "Go"! 

It was also quite refreshing to remind myself through the Scripture of the focus to reach the world with the true Gospel in order that all may worship the Father in Spirit and Truth. Recently, seems like I have seen so much false religion and erroneous beliefs about God it has just renewed my desire to reach people and properly teach from God's word. It is not that I think people are 'doing' it wrong or that I have the corner on worship but rather that God must be worshiped on His terms not our imagination or traditional ways.  

Big Tree Baptism

Our little bush church, started under a tree, had its first baptism service this past Sunday. I was giddy with excitement. We had our normal service at the church then the whole church walked to the water hole, singing the whole way, with a sense of excitement surrounding every step we took!

Upon arrival, my heart sank as I saw some of the filthiest water that could be imagined. Thoughts of water parasites and crocodiles quickly filled my mind. I began wondering if this was the right time and place for our first baptism... but, seconds later, one of the men was in the water helping to clear the surface scum away. Thankfully, under all that green muck, the water was nice and clean - our baptism service was on!!It was fun to be able to ask in the heart language (Chichewa) of each person when they became a Christian and what they were trusting in for their eternal life!

Here are just a few pics from the 12 that were baptized along with a short video:

Teaching Old Testament Survey

We have been teaching at Chinjala for many months now. We meet every Saturday and mostly it is 8-10 women with maybe 1 or 2 men. I have told them from the beginning that I would teach them as long as they are serious. 

We are currently teaching through an Old Testament Survey. We have covered the Creation, the Flood, and now moving into the beginning stages of the Patriarchs. So many great lessons in each section - for now it is just an overview but I would love to go back and thoroughly teach each section! I am thankful to be a part of this little church in which people do take the Scripture serious and want to grow. It is amazing the Biblical lessons they have never learned that we often take for granted and it is such a joy to see the "light" come on when they come to the realization of some new truth! Praise the LORD - cant imagine being a part of anything else than teaching and preaching God's Word.

Bad theology leads to bad decisions

Recently saw this article written about "Pastors" in Zambia that have told their members to stop taking ARV drugs. ARV drugs help people with HIV/AIDS to live a more normal life. The "Church" and its "leaders" are pushing a message that makes people believe it is an act of faith to stop taking medicine and just simply "believe".

Read the article for yourself - I find it appalling and so contrary to Scripture. This is what we deal with in Zambia. Yes, there are many people that believe - but there are some that believe everything that is spoken from any pulpit. 

http://thinkafricapress.com/zambia/prayer-help-or-hindrance-fight-against-aids-choma

Resurrection at Big Tree

Our new church plant hosted its first Resurrection conference from March 29th - March 31st. It was a wonderful time of teaching and preaching focused on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and the Sacrificial Lamb of God given to take away the sin of the world. Two others churches traveled to the Chinundu area to be a part of the conference. In all, I believe the total attendance was somewhere in the 80-90 range. 

I believe the Lord was glorified as messages were preached and all of our hearts were challenged. I know of many that want to be taught more and really feel the conference helped them grow in their spiritual understanding. Also, know of at least one that realized she truly is not a Christian and is need of the Saviour! Please continue to pray for this new work... our next step is to begin the process of leadership development! We praise the Lord for the work that He is doing and ask you continue to pray for God's direction and wisdom at "Big Tree" Baptist Church!

End of Conference group photo

first Resurrection message - full house!

waiting for next service to begin

1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Matthew 28:6-8  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.