Our second Olievenhoutbosch Fellowship Sunday...
It is truly so exciting to be part of what God is doing in this incredible community. We are trusting God for churches to be planted here and that we will see God's Kingdom come to every home in Olievenhoutbosch.
The challenges in the community are enormous, but our God is greater. We are already seeing glimpse of God's restoration power working in families and we are trusting for loads more. That families will be healthy because of Christ being established in their lives.
As we are getting together in the park we are also attracting many of the kids who live close by. Lize Nell sat with the kids and this is now an awesome engage opportunity as each of the kids are representing a family...
Tanzania
According to the Joshua Project Tanzania's primary religion is Christianity with about 34% being Muslim. The rest of the population hold to ethnical tribal beliefs, but it can be expected that tribal and traditional beliefs still run through many of the Christians and Muslims.
Since last year Islamic extremists have been very active in Tanzania and on the Island of Zanzibar. Many churches have been burned and some completely destroyed as they seek to forcefully advance Islam in Tanzania.
There have also been numerous attacks on Christian leaders. Last year 25 December Islamic extremists shot reverend Ambrose Mkenda through his cheek and shoulder. He survived that attack. On February 17 this year another group shot and killed a Roman Catholic priest in Zanzibar.
Although Tanzania is primarily a Christian nation, many of the churches are not actively living the gospel, advancing the Kingdom of God. A large percentage of the Christians are still practising traditional religions and only a small number of the Christians are really rooted in Christ and established on Biblical foundations.
God has got a great plan for this nation and it is still to play a vital part in the advancing of the gospel on the eastern coast of Africa.
Here are some prayer points:
- There are 24 unreached people groups in Tanzania. Pray that God will open doors for the gospel to enter these communities. That God will reveal the men and woman of peace in those communities and that strong links will be given for the gospel to be spread and understood.
- Pray that the Spirit of God will awaken the spiritually dead churches in Tanzania. That a fresh move of the Spirit will enter the churches and that leaders will rise up with a passion to reach and disciple their nation.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict the people of the sin of traditional beliefs and practises. That He will reveal to them Jesus, the only true Lord and master of their lives.
- Pray for protection and provision for the Christian leaders who are advancing the Kingdom. That they will remain strong and continue in boldness the spread the gospel.
We are currently having our second Equip School in Centurion. Last year we had 30+ people attending, this year we have more than 60 people being practically equipped to Follow Jesus, Fish for men and Fellowship with other believers.
I am so expectant to see how the lives of the people attending will bear fruit that will honour God and advance His Kingdom in our city. Jesus didn't call the qualified, but He qualified those who were willing to follow Him. 60+ people are being qualified by Jesus as they follow Him and obey Him in every area of their lives.
The Equip School is a 10 week, one night a week course where we go deep into the practicalities of following Jesus and how that looks in our every day lives. It is so encouraging to hear fresh testimonies every week. People taking steps of faith and going out in boldness as they apply the Word of God to their lives.
We've seen people stepping out and sharing the gospel with people they do life with when many would have said "they are not ready yet". Jesus makes us fishers of men, we just follow Him...
