Leadership Training

We are starting a new phase of teaching in our churches around the idea of leadership development. Although the concept of leadership can be fuzzy or sometimes without proper focus, we are hoping to concisely and biblically give our men an opportunity to learn the Scriptural concepts of leadership.  

As we began teaching the very most basic concepts of leadership I am again impressed at how diplomas and certifications just are not a part of Church leadership. Instead, the Bible focuses on such characteristics as humility, compassion, commitment,  meekness, holiness, and servitude to name just a few.  Such a difference from how the world and even many churches actually lead. 

Please pray that we would not only Biblically teach correctly but also model these concepts. As one teacher liked to remind us, "more is caught, than taught". If we want churches to truly represent and declare Jesus Christ we will need men that can lead, model, and disciple their members to live the life of Jesus Christ. 

First Ever Literacy Graduation

We just graduated 16 people (12 ladies and 4 gentlemen) from our first ever literacy course! The story starts back in 2012 when we began Big Tree Bible Baptist Church. Each week we were meeting on Wednesdays and would give everyone the opportunity to memorize Scripture in order to earn a Bible. We noticed a section of people that did not participate in this exercise. After some research, we found there was a significant group of people (both older and some young girls) that had never been to school, could not write their own name, and could not read a word in ChiChewa or English. 

Of course, I am always telling people to read the Bible and study the Scriptures but what to do about people that can not read for themselves. So, our little literacy school was birthed from the need of people wanting to read the Scripture! 

We found the perfect teacher (Mrs. Zulu) and she began teaching from Sunday to Wednesday each week. Of course there were struggles. Some students stayed and went the distance but some did not. Mrs. Zulu poured her heart into this endeavor which was evidenced by the fantastic accomplishment of 16 people graduating. 

Upon hearing about our efforts and little graduation, the chief (Royal Chief Mnukwa), wanted to be a part of our celebration! We set a date, invited everyone, and prepared for the day... truly, a profound highlight to see 16 people move from not being able to read or write even one word to now being able to write letters and begin understanding some simple Scripture. Praise the LORD! The Chief spoke during our graduation and gushed with excitement for what is happening because of our Church and small literacy school. Even a local government school administrator came and was surprised at how advanced we are! Again, praise the LORD!

Sunday school starting...

We started a Sunday School time before our regular church service this week. I was not sure how many would remember or even want to come. When we first arrived, there was only 6-7 that came... so, we started with just a handful. But, after another 15-20 minutes, we had a pretty full house and people seemed excited to be learning. I started our Sunday school time with teaching on the basics of "evangelism". We handed out a sheet of verses that can be useful while trying to talk to someone about the gospel. We also covered such things as: Sin, Faith/Repentance, Blood, Sacrifice, Jesus Christ only, Salvation. Think it went well.. we will know as people head out to reach their friends and neighbors! 

I was told we had roughly 80 adults in attendance this last Sunday with 6 visitors. Wow! We may need to think about expanding our church building to better facilitate teaching and preaching. Praising the Lord for our weekly opportunity to teach and preach God's word!

TV Interview

We went for a meeting in the bush to discuss with the community, local politicians, and the area chiefs what the way forward could be to provide a secondary school (grades 10-12) in the area. Currently there is little to no option available for those that want to go on after grade 9. Many just stop altogether or will try to go the 50+ km into Chipata to find a place to live, make a living, and finish schooling. 

During the meeting I was asked to preach - so I preached a short message from the Mark 8 in which I discussed give our soul to Jesus Christ alone. There is so much temptation to give our life for education, wealth, reputation, position, etc. but all these will fail in the end. I talked about how many people had been destroyed because they seek after the wrong things in this life.

After the meeting, I was approached by a local Television station to further elaborate my comments. The interviewer (Sarah) asked if I thought the government was not doing enough to help people overcome certain social issues. So - with the camera rolling I told Sarah that it is not the government that should be helping people face certain social issues but the church.

I went on to speak pointedly to the failures of the pulpit in many churches speaking more toward how God can better our physical life than what it means to follow Jesus, deny ourselves, and pick up our cross daily. Not sure if the interview ever made it on TV and if it does I am sure it will irritate many church leaders... yet, it is so clear that if we want to change a culture and the world for good, we must follow the "good book". Although there are some that try, there are many that speak more of the worldy wisdom than God's wisdom. Imagine a world in which we actually tried to follow God and listened to His instruction. 

Resurrection Conference - choir groups (video)

We recently finished a 3 day resurrection conference hosted by Big Tree Bible Baptist Church. Roughly 200 people attended as we preached messages from the Scripture about the Life of Christ, Death of Christ, Burial of Christ, and of course the Resurrection of Christ. There were many hearts touched by the preaching and I believe the Spirit of God has helped all of us draw nearer to the Son. 

This conference is a true highlight of the year and we hope to use the spiritual excitement from this time to help our people grow and reach out to others with the gospel of Jesus Christ!

We put together a short video (12 mins) of different pics and choir groups singing and dancing during the conference. Although you may not be able to understand all the words... you can still sense the joy of the Lord in all of it!