Sola 5 E-newsletter

Theme: The whole of life under the whole of Scripture
Date: Monday 24th to Friday 28 August 2009
Venue: University of Zambia (UNZA) Chapel, Lusaka
Preachers: Ronald Kalifungwa. Conrad Mbewe, Choolwe Mwetwa, Alfred Nyirenda

We expect brethren from Australia, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, USA, Zimbabwe, and from across Zambia. Come and be a part of the largest gathering of Reformed Christians on African soil!

Download a 2-page brochure... (380 kB PDF)

Further details

The Zambian Annual Reformed Conference comprises of two conferences that run simultaneously: the Reformed Family Conference and the Reformed School of Theology. The former is for everyone – young and old – while the latter is especially tailored towards church leaders and their wives. Those aspiring to become pastors are also encouraged to attend the latter. Whereas the teaching in the family conference uses a preaching format, that in the school of theology uses a lecturing format. In the evening, both streams come together for combined services. This is the daily climax and you will not want to miss it for anything!

Dear friends,

Thanks be to God for his tender mercies in the second quarter of 2009. We have seen the hand of God at work in many ways and we are grateful to you all for upholding us in prayer. Click 'Full Story' below to read the complete update; paragaph headings are
- A few Spot Lights on the Spiritual Environment in Zomba
- The Power of the Gospel
- Church Attendance
- Leadership Training
- Couples Ministry
- Church Plot

6 June 2009

Hi Everyone,

We have been planning another ministry trip to Harare to work with Joseph Soko, et al (10 pastors and pastors in training). After hitting some snags the trip is on for next week. Unfortunately, one of the snags is that the other lecturer, Patrick Paine, was unable to secure a passport in time due to "systems" problems at Home Affairs. This means I will be flying up myself Saturday 13 June and returning Friday 19 June. The Sunday School/Teaching of Children that Patrick was to do will be re-scheduled for another time. I will be speaking to the men and their wives in the evenings on what a biblically ordered family is and working with the men during the day on their preaching and ministry issues.

The venue we have been using, the YWCA, is increasing in price while decreasing in value. One objective of this trip is find alternative ways in which this training can be done cost effectively. It would also be wonderful to hold the Sola 5 Annual Conference in Harare one of these years so I'll be scouting some options for that. In addition, many of you donated financial assistance to Joseph Soko for his medical expenses following his recent stroke. R3000 was paid for a brain scan. R5000 was sent up via a travelling business man. I will be able to deliver the final R10 000 to him on this trip and get you first-hand information on his condition and progress.

In trips like this it is always a concern to be scratching where these men actually itch. Please pray for ministry effectiveness. Pray for their absorption and use of the material as well. Finally, please pray for my health to remain.

Only by Grace,

Jeffrey Gage
www.freegrace.co.za

Winter, Friends and Blessings!

Winter has started to become more noticeable here in Kavuzi, especially early in the mornings and in the evenings. During the day, the temperatures are still short-sleeve warm, unless the cool breeze convinces you of the need for warmer clothing...

Since our last newsletter, we have had a couple of opportunities to visit with new friends.

Leaving Windhoek – the Capital City of the Republic of Namibia – early in the morning as he normally does when he departs for mission journey. Roundabout 10h00 am he arrived in Swakopmund, after spending most of his time in Okahandja. Before entering Swakopmund, a sign written “Martin Luther Steam Engine” appeared...

(also see Laban's BLOGSPOT)

Note received from Steve Stauch, Goodwood Baptist Church:

Mr John (Johan) Leach of Way Makers will be conducting a further trip to Zimbabwe in June.
Please let him know (see Brochure by clicking 'Full Story' below) if any folk need to have goods taken to Zim so that he can get the necessary clearances done in time.

Best wishes to all

Yours by HIS GRACE
Steve Stauch

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Jeff Gage (pastor@freegrace.co.za), Free Grace Baptist Church, Boksburg SA has collaborated with Waymakers in the past to transport material needs to Zimbabwe. For a brochure of Waymakers Logistics' trip to Zimbabwe in mid June 2009, click on 'Full Story' below.

Since last we communicated by means of the Sola 5 Newsletter, the work of God has continued and we give Him all the praise and glory for His faithfulness to us. We are enjoying a wonderful sense of the Lord’s presence and there is a growing sense of unity among the Church Family.

Dear Friends

Since my report in March our family made a quick trip to South Africa so our two oldest children could take their college entrance exams (SAT) and the rest of us could make the usual round of doctor visits and annual purchases. The three weeks in SA were some of the most profitable our family has enjoyed. We are thankful for new friendships with choice saints and potential team members, but we did pay a price as we encountered more than the usual problems on the road both coming and going.

Note from Joachim Rieck (Eastside Baptist Church): I have put together this correspondence from Danie & Lise Brink (with their permission) which I have received over these past months for your encouragement and to the praise of our God who has delivered her and her family in such a wonderful way, after she was diagnosed in the womb with Holoprosencephaly – a very severe brain disorder – and destined by the doctors for abortion. Faith prevailed over unbelief, and Rachel has stunned the doctors with her development. Truly our God is able to deliver His people. See the last comment from a noted specialist below. (Psalm 139:13-18)

Mike Stolk wrote:
‘My wife Hilda and I became members of Antipas Church in Pretoria in 2001, membership we regard as a privilege and a treasure.
We had been involved with the building of two hospitals in the city of Pretoria, that of Faerie Glen and Wilgers. In both cases I acted on behalf of the clients during extension phases. At the latter hospital Hilda and I subsequently worked for 11 years, gaining significant experience regarding the maintenance of the hospital.
About six years ago Charles Woodrow (see article 'Report from Comunhão dos Crentes em Cristo, Nampula, Mozambique') visited our Church, which was when we heard of the hospital planned for Nampula. Last year we saw the Woodrows again and heard that the hospital still had not been built.