Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB) speaks to us of one of the most fundamental purposes in Christianity,
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Trina and I seek to contribute in any way possible to the discipleship process of Church leaders in Africa. It is our passion and central to our missionary purpose.
We have recently had the privilege of spending time with a number of pastors in the Western Cape Provence of South Africa. Pictured above and right are Riaan and Helen Jacobs of Swellendam, South Africa. We met them close to ten years ago when they were young bible school students and still single! They are now prominent leaders in a growing congregation in their city and serving the Lord with a passion in many different ways. Words can’t describe how proud we are of them for laying down their lives for the sake of God’s Kingdom and we can’t wait to see what more the Lord has in store for them.
This trip took us from Swellendam to Paarl, Capetown and Worcester in the Western Cape area. We were very diligent on this trip to spend extra personal time with the Church leaders and their families, having many conversations in the homes that were really sermons away from any pulpit. What a joy it was to travel safely and effectively in our new vehicle that was so graciously supplied by the Lord through our Christian Brothers and Sisters in the USA!
The return to Durban was followed soon by a tent crusade in one of the Zulu township areas near our home. We are partnering with several local pastors to help their development and bring the message of Christ to the lost. The Zulu tribe is one of the most difficult groups of people we work with because of their connection with the Shembe cult and the practice of ancestral worship. However, when Christ is preached, the light always penetrates the darkness. Many people gave their lives to the Lord and scores of discouraged men and women were lifted up. The relationships with the pastors we are working with are strengthening and we are already talking about when the next outreach can be held.
We travel to Johanesburg this month to do a leadership seminar with many new relationships. Please pray for a safe trip and that we continue to do everything that the Lord desires!
