Lord's Supper at Big Tree

We have been teaching on the Lord's Supper as spoken of in the Scripture. Over the last few weeks we have gone through 1 Corinthians as well as the Gospel accounts of when Jesus breaks bread with His disciples. We spoke of the purpose of the ordinance and why it is so important for the church to remember the death and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Yesterday, we decided to go forward with having the Lord's Supper celebration! It turned out to be a tremendous time and I truly believe a very reflective time in which we all re-focused on the immense love of God shown in the death and suffering of His Son. I know the service deeply impacted and renewed in me a greater desire to again fix my heart on following Jesus. 

There was roughly 80 people in attendance and maybe 60-70% participated. Although I dont know the hearts of the people that did not participate, it always surprises me when people choose to pass it by. Although there is a warning not to partake "unworthily" I am pretty sure Paul was encouraging us to a place of reconciliation, repentance, and right living and not simply a place of refusal.

Please be praying for us as we truly desire to see all of these people walking in the Spirit and allowing God's Word to influence and direct their lives. 

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.