mINISTRY rEPORTS 2010
Australian Ministry
February 2. Have just received the final Pdf format from the proof reader and layout people for the completion of the writing of the revised edition of “Obeying The Masters Orders To Make Disciples”
February 9. Have just finished filming the English edition of Obeying The Masters Orders to Make Disciples.
February 20. We have just finalized this week the first stage of the African printing of the revised edition of Let the world hear His voice “Obeying The Masters Orders To Make Disciples”. Have just completed ministry at Cooloola Keswick Convention and the final two days of filming the second DVD series with Shona interpretation. We flew in Rev Amos Muzondiwa into Australia to help me in this project it went very well both series one and two will be edited by the production company while I am away in South Africa. We will have an English and Shona editions in a 15 part series and we are in each series providing the sound track in audio and mp3 formats for those who don’t have access to DVD playing equipment. How hope is as finance comes available to lift our web page to a higher level so as we can have people access some or our training via the web.
South Africa 2010 Cape Town
February 25th to March 23rd February 25. I have arrived and moved into my accommodation at Fish Hoek after three flights and 25 hours of travelling. Commence ministry in the morning with disciple ship training with a number of denominational leaders and regional leaders and members of ministry group boards. During the next four weeks we will be working with 40 churches combining in four locations for evangelistic discipleship training and combined outreach meetings as well as a number of local Church preaching in between major meetings. Will seek to write regular reports on Webb page while I am away.
March 1st. Our first combined congregation discipleship day went above expectation the meeting hall was packed out. The openness of the people to learn and participate was very high. The comments at the end of the day was we wish we could have had more time to lean more. Then the pastors said we have many discipleship books on our shelves but nothing as helpful and as practical as this we want to use this as our Churches as our blue print in making disciple.
Yesterday the Sunday services and the combined Churches outreach went well with good responses to the word of God. In the outreach there was a high level of the conviction of the Holy Spirit as He took the word and applied it to individuals.
March 3rd We are now moving to another area until Sunday evening. We will be involved in outreaches and discipleship training each day.
March 4th Ministry in the area of Bonteheuwel/Vahala Park where a number of Churches are coming together from around the regions is going well. People are very open to grow with a good number of men and young people in the crowd. We are having days of evangelistic discipleship training then outreaches in between further training and ministry. Then at the end of the week we come together in larger outreaches and on Sunday afternoons a combined revival rally of surrounding Churches. We are doing this at each f the four regional areas each week. We are using more books than expected may have to get more transported from the printer.
The concept that everybody is an anointed empowered minister of Christ is taking off with great excitement with many suddenly finding they have a great purpose in life. There is also an excitement in Church leadership as they see the fruit of equipping all the saints for ministry. Yes we are slowly but surely killing the false doctrine of what has been called laity.
March 8th. We have just completed training and outreaches at Bonteheuwel/Vahala park areas with great responses and great excitement from many in the Churches who now see themselves as official ministers of Christ. Yesterday before the combined Churches Zone rally many stood up and gave testimony to how God spoke deeply into their hearts about being ministers who make evangelistic disciples .We may have to order more books from the printers as news is spreading and more training meeting are being added as more churches want to be trained.
A great story. I was out walking this morning when I heard a man call out Lester Kelly so I turned and went over to him. He then he told me he had been in one of our training meetings and showed me his student manual and bible which he was carrying with him. Then he said come and meets the man I today am starting to disciple a Muslim man who was turning fully to Christ. So the three of us went to a local fish and chip shop where this Muslim man bought us breakfast and we talked about Christ together. Then he says I am coming to your new area at Montague village for disciple training tonight and tomorrow. This week is a very full week of ministry keep praying for a deep work of God’s Holy Spirit in many lives.
Lester
Ministry Roports 2009 starting May 18
Plus "Latest News"
Bribie Island October 23-26.
This was a great time of challenge and teaching. With numbers testifying to the work of God in their lives
Rockhampton October 30- November 9th
The Rockhampton outreach consisted of sixteen meeting with various groups. Some clearly outreach events others were aimed at reviving Christians and a few training events to equip the saints for effective ministry in their community. Numbers of lives were changed through the work of the gospel. We are now talking about ongoing multiplication evangelistic discipleship training for 2010. So that the saints can effectively minister and be seen as ministers in our Churches.
Clontarf November 15-22
Clontarf outreach consisted of thirteen outreach meetings over a period of eight days. With a number responding at each of these meetings. A period of follow up is now occurring.
Zimbabwe Training and Outreach September 10th- October 13th
We Start this week with meetings at Buhera September 10-13, Harare September 14-20, Chitungwiza Sep 21-27, Harare September 28-October 4th, Mutare October 4th – 11th September 11th. This trip involves training meetings and outreaches at Buhera District September 9-13 Harare September 14-20 Chitungwiza September 21-27 Binga District September 28-October 4 Mutare
October 5-11 On my arrival in Harare I was warned that I was under government surveillance as we have had and were to have sizable meetings and with a lot of suspicion about political allegiances and particularly the visit of this foreigner. So I continue as always to very clearly speak about Jesus Christ and the making of evangelistic disciples and do not touch political issues as this is not my interest or role.
Meetings started at Buhera under a little tension as Pastors wondered what it would mean for them if everybody was being trained as a minister so after some discussion on the side and further training they became very excited about the training as they began to see the potential of this training to their churches and their own ministry.
After my first three training sessions I walked down town with a local pastor and I started talking to the local director of the government transport authority and had the privilege of leading him to Christ. As the scripture says we must always be ready to give a reason for our faith.
September 13th. Meetings at Buhera district went well with 500 hundred leaders travelling up to 250k’s to meetings and many people responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Also the mother of the prime minister who attended the meetings invited me to her house for a chat and took me to her husband’s grave and that of the prime minister’s wife who was killed earlier this year. Then I was asked to pray for her and her family before we parted.
We have just travelled back to Harare after two flat tyre's and trying to find help to fix tyre’s at night which is a big story itself. Start ministry in Harare tomorrow.
September16th. Meetings in Harare are going very well. They will continue for seven day’s before moving onto Chitungwizw. I was approached yesterday by a Pastor from the Harvest group of churches he is asking me to help train there people in evangelism and discipleship and this Friday morning is arranging a gathering of Pastors across the city to meet with me to talk about future ministry and training of their churches. Today I am also meeting with the Methodist Churches national leadership regarding forward planning for ministry in 2010.
September 18th. Meetings are growing in numbers coming each day. A very real excitement is growing in regards to equipping them to become evangelistic multiplying disciples. A number of Pastors are now catching the vision rather than feeling threatened by the freeing of their people to effectively minister. The national leaders are asking for a national conference next year called” Discipling Zimbabwe” which they want me to be the key speaker. Had a good meeting early this morning with a gathering of pastors from different denominations they are seeking to raise the matters of the kingdom over denominational allegiances. Out of that I will be speaking at a Baptist Church on Sunday evening where other denominations will be gathering. It will be an outreach service where I want to take the family where I am staying praying that it will be another step in Christ drawing them to himself.
I have been asked again to put my training on DVD’S as they want us to help them buy a generator a tent and lap top computer with a projector so as they can take the ministry to many places and Churches so that this ministry can multiply further in places I haven’t been or don’t have time to go. So I am praying for the resources and time to do this.
September 21st. We have been involved in future planning for 2010 I have been asked I would teach discipleship in the new church planting areas both of Pastors and the new congregations and also the training of individual Churches. This will mean at times tough living conditions in rural areas. There is always a need for prayer in this also being aware of possible health issues. Harare ministry came to a conclusion yesterday with Church Services at Harvest Christian Fellowship and Bible Baptist Church where an outreach was held. It was good to see people responding to the gospel and the Pastors sharing with them after they responded
Today I start six days of outreach and discipleship training with a number of Churches in Chitungwiza.
September 28th. Last week the ministry at Chitungwiza was interrupted by some time changes in the second day. So we have done some date changes and meeting swaps and the rest of the ministry there will now be from Today until October third.
I was then given an opportunity to minister to a group made up of Zimbabwean and South Africans in Chirundu a town on the Zimbabwe and Zambian border and also at a camp 140 K.M east of there in what is known as Mana Pools national Park region on the Zambezi river. It was a great time of helping people connect to the gospel and also helping some key business people come out and start living boldly for Jesus Christ. There was good times of personal sharing some of the men were lawyers and Engineers who work in high positions in South Africa.
Two of the families that were there are struggling as one has been kicked of their farm and another are in the process. You can be in great physical danger during this time and then the heart ache of losing everything you have often when you are in your fifties, you then face the prospect of having nothing so there was sharing and tears. Yet Christ is sufficient to all needs.
We also had an opportunity to do some Tiger fishing for me this was my first time and by God’s grace was blest with some large fish and the most caught by any person in our group. The next two weeks are going to be very busy with further training and outreaches.
Ministry at Chitungwiza went very well today with people very open to the Spirit of God and the changes he desires to bring to their lives. Between meetings I am re writing and updating discipleship book “Obeying the Masters Orders To Make Disciples” also have been asked to write an update book to “Shaking Satan’s Kingdom” “ The Revolution We Need” and some smaller training manuals to go with D.V.D’s.
September 30th. God is working very powerfully at meetings in Chitungwiza numbers growing every day. We are now receiving Phone calls from denominational leaders in South Africa. They are hearing about what is happening so in November they are flying one of our team to South Africa to share with their leaders what is happening in our evangelistic discipleship training and the effect on the Churches Also tonight talked with a representative of a number of Churches in Harare asking can I train their people in discipleship next year.
Need much prayer as the opportunities multiply and the devils attacks get greater. Must have God’s best plan to continue multiplying myself it is a little scary wondering where all this will lead to. I will share more with you when back in Australia. Please also pray for a strong financial base as we continue to follow God’s leading. Maybe out of communication range from Saturday for a week as we minister Mutarare on the border of Mozambique.
October 3rd. Meetings at Chitungwiza finished on a great note with many open commitments to the practice of evangelistic discipleship by the churches in attendance. Yet another meeting tomorrow morning with Church leadership as other Churches want to talk about getting involved in training there people for effective ministry to their communities.
October 4th. Ministry today at Miracle Gate Chapel was one where many said their eyes were opened to what the Church is meant to be doing the making of multiplying discipleship. I was to speak for an hour in the morning then they said please keep going so I spoke for two hours. I will be speaking there again next Sunday when I return from ministry in Mutare on Saturday evening. They approached me after the service to say next Sunday’s service will be re arranged and can I speak for three hours and next year do more training with them and other Churches who want to join in.
Prayer Issues
1. The printing of 3,000 more disciple training manuals and the finance to print these in South Africa.
2.2010 Four trips into Southern Africa One into South Africa and three into Zimbabwe and Zambia.
3. The updating content of “obeying the “Masters Orders to make disciples” before next printing.
4. The preparing for three congresses on discipleship in Zimbabwe and South Africa 2010.
5. The Issue of Zambia and South African Interest in training in discipleship for mission work and how to fit all this together.
6. The Continuation of financial support as so many doors are opening up for outreach and the training of Disciples so that the local work is ongoing and disciples are able to be regularly multiplied for the ongoing ministry of local Churches.
Praise Points:
So far this year we have in our Southern African Ministry we have had combined Church meetings with training for Evangelistic Multiplication Discipleship and outreaches in sixteen towns and cities this has covered a period of nineteen weeks having trained over five thousand people in discipleship with overall attendances at these training events of eight thousand.
With thirteen weeks of similar ministry booked so far for next year in a number of towns here in Southern Africa. Also we will have an emphasis in 2010 on training new Church planting and missionary Pastors and their Churches. We are also in the planning stages to start this training in South Africa with a number of inquires coming in. A meeting with Church leaders will be happening in November where Rev Josias Mudenda is being flown down to share with them in Johannesburg and also with a group of Zambian mission Churches. We also next February 2010 start training for the Nazarene denomination in South Africa.
Prayer: We are seeking to purchase a 500 seater tent from South Africa. And also seeking to buy a computer and projector to leave here in Africa. We have just obtained a generator as power is often a problem here. These will be used by leaders already trained in this ministry to use as they hold ongoing meetings while I am in Australia using a series of training D.V.D’s we are making. We are also looking to use interpreters as well on these D.V.D’s in a couple of the most used languages in Zimbabwe and countries of Southern Africa.
The two key issues that we are emphasizing and training for is:
1. Everybody is an ordained anointed gifted minister of Christ. And must be equipped as a minister and be recognized as one and then set free to minister there is no such a thing as ministers and laity. May God be merciful to us for the way we have led the Church.
2. We are seeking to move all Disciples of Christ from the grandstands where they have so often been called to sit and watch professionals minister to the playing field to minister as thousands of fellow ministers of Christ moving from house to house person to person.
October 10th . Meetings have gone very well in Mutare. Was speaking up to seven Hours some days with discipleship training each morning and afternoon and outreaches at night. Many responded publicly at the evening meetings. One of the humbling things is the many who have thanked me for loving Africa and in this case Zimbabwe as we give ourselves to them in ministry.
Much work and writing to do when I return to Australia on Tuesday as significant ministry and discussions are made regarding ministry in 2010. Ministering in Harare tomorrow. Thanks again for your prayer and financial support. Will send a prayer letter soon after my return looking forward to seeing family again after many weeks away.
Toowoomba Outreach August 26th-September 4th.
Toowoomba Outreach was over a period of nine days and consisted of a variety of different styles of meetings each day. The purpose for this was to create different environments to accommodate the varied groups and ages and background of people we were seeking to reach with the Gospel. And also create places where people would be happy to bring their non Christian friends and contacts. This was a first for Toowoomba Community Baptist.
There were good responses to the preaching of the gospel. At each meeting people were giving their lives to Christ others making re commitments and others asking to talk more to someone about what it means for them to become followers of Christ. All in all it was a great week. The last number of outreaches here in Australian Churches have been very fruitful. A good number of church leaders and attendee’s being re convinced about evangelism and the use evangelists. Some sat there with tears running down their cheeks at they witnessed people responding to the gospel.
Thanks Lester
Dalby outreach.August 16th-23rd
Dalby outreach was a great time of sowing and reaping. There were schools visited with band Iron and Clay and I shared the gospel. Also we had breakfasts and coffee outreach breakfasts before work and Lunch time outreaches in the R.S.L.
Also combined churches outreach evening in the local R.S.L with large numbers of men in attendance. Ladies outreach dinner youth outreach events and concert also J.C epidemic doing their motor cycle jumps at an outreach that finished with a family night concert with large numbers from the community in attendance there were also events in local churches. Praise God for the many contacts and pray for the follow up of those who responded to the call of Christ on their lives. This week was well led by Pieter Henning from Dalby Baptist Church.
This Saturday we start a nine day outreach at Toowoomba Community Church with many outreach events planned. Then it’s back to Africa for five weeks of ministry in Zimbabwe.
Thanks Lester
Australia July 11- August 1st.
Pastors retreat: July 11-17. This went very well with great times of sharing and ministry input from the Pastors.
Hervey Bay July 18-19. Outreach training and ministry a Hervey Bay. These training sessions were very responsive as was the ministry on Sunday which ended with a bon fire and damper outreach service around a campfire on Sunday evening with a number responding to the word of God.
Men’s Outreach Camp Frazer Island July 25-August 1. This was a good time as each evening the men gathered together and I shared the word of God with them challenging them to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ as their Lord. We had many times during the week where we were able to share personally with a number of the men. And of course many fish were caught between meetings.
Clontarf Beach August 9-11. Ministry and outreach Training
May 18th Today 5:30 am Start flight to South Africa then onto Zimbabwe.
May 18th. I am in Johannesburg at the moment waiting for flight to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe to start meetings tomorrow in the Hwangi area. All discipleship training books have arrived in Zimbabwe from the printer in Pietermaritzburg South Africa all fully paid for by some great Christians in Ladysmith God is true to his promises. Also it is true that without faith it is impossible to please God.
May20th. Now into second day of training in Hwange we swapped the time in Hwangi to earlier in program then will travel for pastor’s conference in Binga area. At first the leading bishop of the provincial area was a little wary of the proposed training but after the first session his mind was changing and he has now requested we stay longer and do a complete in depth training of his people and return again in September which we can’t do as we are fully booked. A number of church denominations have now joined these meetings.
Some follow up news from last trip a son who saw how the training greatly affected his father who was very traditional in his approach to denominational structures and how his father has now come so alive he claims it was in this meeting he was truly born again. He as a thanks offering to God has now donated a four-wheel drive to use in the ministry here and another has donated a lap top computer for the evangelism office of the Methodist churches. As these testimonies keep coming in of changed lives some reluctant denominational leaders are changing there thinking as the see God at work and how He is providing for His ministry. As the word is spreading about our September and October trips a number of mission churches in Zambia a neighboring country are requesting us to come and train them in discipleship. We are now seeking what Gods priorities are for us next year. Also a request has come to partner with churches in Botswana yet another neighbouring country. I guess changed lives and Churches is always the best means of advertising.
May 22 Meetings finished with great enthusiasm at Hwange and I am now in three days of meetings in Victoria Falls Our first meeting had a amazing presence of God in it which has left people with a great expectancy for tomorrows meetings. Again I am greatly blessed by my good friends Andy and Wendy Connolly who are providing Lodge accommodation in Vic Falls and Hwange at no cost to the ministry. Keep praying for Gods anointing, protection and financial supply.
May 23rd. People were very responsive in meetings today, they are so excited at the possibilities they have before them as they are now seeing themselves as ministers of Christ. One pastor shared how last night he received phone calls from his people who attended training asking him why he had not trained them to be ministers as they have now understood they are also ministers not just the rev’s . All equal before God, for so many this multiplication discipleship is such a new concept to them. His response was, that was yesterday today is a new day from now on we are all ministers and we will start training and ministering that way.
Tomorrow it is services in Victoria Falls then drive back to Hwange for one day then we will drive to Binga to teach at a four day combined Churches Pastors conference then it will be off to Bulawayo for a week of ministry. I think I will be of line for a few days.
ay 24th. Sunday meetings went well crowd to large for building so met in open air. At the moment I am sitting in a tree house writing this report to be sent later as am a long way from internet connection. In front of me is an old water hole where they tell me wild animals will come to drink this evening. This tree house is with the complements of my friend Andy Connolly it is in Hwange Game Park I stay here tonight and tomorrow morning before driving to Binga for Pastors Conference for more training. Pastors in Victoria Falls and here in Hwange areas have been so taken with the evangelistic discipleship training that we have been asked to come back to this area in September on a far larger scale. I must admit it is tough ministering at times but sitting here writing on the veranda is a joy and a privilege.
May 26th. Discipleship training is receiving an overwhelming response from Pastors and Elders in the Binga area 18 Churches from many denominations involved in a three full day training event. Something interesting walked with some people down some dirt roads and tracks to a little shop. Many people we passed asked them who is this white man walking with you. Why isn’t he driving? You see it is so uncommon to see a white man walking my friends say people are surprised. I greatly enjoy walking with them it is a great time for asking questions and learning from them as you walk. But the people I walk with think it’s great they are even a little proud of it.
On way to Binga Josias took me through an out of the way rural area to meet his seventy six year old mother who still lives in an area of mud and straw huts to give them blankets and show me where he grew up as a boy herding goats. His grandfather was a preacher who traveled through the villages preaching Jesus and was later kicked out of his village for doing so.
May 28th. Today we finished the Pastors Conference and early tomorrow will travel 500km to Bulawayo to commence a week of training there. The Pastors here in the Binga region have thanked me for what they called a straight biblical preaching and training that called a spade a spade. They said often preaches come not willing to tackle the real issues but rather try to please everybody so they will be spoken well off by many. They said this approach has led to much harm in the Churches as real issues never get dealt with and Churches remain weak and limited in their effect in ministry to their communities, of course we know this is just not an African problem we also see much of this in our own and other countries. They said they will now use the training and the book to train their congregations to make disciples.
The issue came up again do we have D.V.D’s of training? this has come up many times. So at the end of this year or early next year we will start making a number of teaching and training D.V.D’s and maybe C.D’s as well so those who are being trained can have the training materials as well as visual helps as they seek to equip others.
June 2nd. Meetings in Bulawayo have started well we are doing meetings in the day for people who are not working and repeating the training at night for those who are working during the day. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully in the evening session today with many being challenged, convicted and ready to walk a new roadway it was exciting to see life transformation happening at the end of second day of ministry these meetings will continue up to and including Sunday. I think we are in for a great week.
Some local leaders are asking that we return and train in smaller surrounding areas which are often forgotten in ministry help so we will see what happens. Living conditions are also much more challenging in these areas as government departments also do little so things conditions continue to go downhill.
There is about 87% unemployment here in Zimbabwe. Since the use of U.S dollar and South African rand robbery and violence has escalated as people and houses and businesses are worth robbing. So people are welding extra bars on windows hoping for some safety. We hide our car at night so wheels and other parts won’t be taken we then pick it up in the mornings for travel purposes. The house where I am staying has been robbed recently. Some are now using guns and knives.
June 6th. Meetings here in Bulawayo continue to gain momentum as each day goes by. People are being daily impacted by the word of God. This is a regular occurrence in these ministry trips as people start seeing the truth in scripture and are then open for God by His Holy Spirit to bring about the necessary changes in their thinking then in their lives and the outworking being change in their actions. The Church here is impacted as are many around the world are by people and leaders who are happy to go through the motions of meetings and talk but with little real grass roots action in their communities. Sometimes leaders can get away with a lot if there is little accountability by the Church. The people in general are often afraid to challenge leaders or the status quoi.
Key leaders here are requesting that we train and minister in some neighbouring towns in southern Matabeleland next year.
The discipleship training is beginning to bring a change in this area as they see a fresh biblical vision of how the Church is meant to function and start becoming bolder as disciples. Often over time we get more committed to the church and its structures rather than to its mission in the world to make disciples of all nations. The joy is always to see what we wrongly call lay people rising to the challenge to function as fully fledged ministers of Christ not just followers of a few leaders. Our time together will conclude here in Bulawayo with a number of combined meetings here tomorrow.
Then early Monday morning we are off to Masvingo for a week of ministry in that province then it will be back to Harare for ministry there. Keep praying the battle gets tough at time as the enemy seeks to hinder and distract.
June 9th. Ministry Has started at Masvingo what one ministry group has done is hold meetings 65km out of town in a rural area where a hundred leaders have gathered in a rural area which is a very poor area. The people are sleeping on concrete floors at night for a week it is cold and windy and the ministry involves me speaking from early morning until 2:00pm then I leave then another one of the team speaks until 4:30 pm then some of the locals speak up until 10:00pm each day wow 13 hours a day but this is what they want. The people are very poor and have nothing but in a spiritual sense they have everything. They have a great love for Christ. Pastors are in survival mode as far as food is concerned but they soldier on with joy.
I have struggled somewhat in ministry here as where I am staying has no running water. Pipes were broken years ago as with most things in Zimbabwe over the last ten years they have never been fixed. The toilet is a hole in the ground 200 meters from house I walk through a number of tracks, last night I got lost in the dark getting there. The bathing facility is 50 meters from house it consists of a concrete block. And a little roof the water is in a bucket you take with you. It was freezing this morning not sure how to wash well this way.
Even in language with most using shona for normal chat although may speak English so sometimes you have no idea what is going to happen until just before you start. I will be doing this for next seven days. I feel the flu coming on which I can’t afford with the bed for most concrete floors and a couple of blankets hygiene very limited particularly at toilet facilities and cold and windy conditions. Sometimes you feel like leaving, but this morning as I was talking to God I looked up and saw these words in a picture on the wall ”No matter how difficult life is I shall continue to serve the lord” So what can you do but carry on. Food consists of whole boiled sweet potato with dry bread and a cup of tea. It is interesting as I have been doing my bible readings and praying that I will humbly walk with God that He has been leading me through deep waters. He answers our prayers but we struggle with what he does to bring that about.
June 10th. Meetings are starting to grow rapidly it is incredible that some are travelling up to 200km on old busses with bedding and food in sacks so they can stay the whole week. I have a lady called Priscilla interpreting for me as well as doing some training she is very excited at what God is doing many pastors and leaders still coming. This has caused a venue problem so we have sent for a large tent and a bigger generator from Harare to cope even for the people to sleep there is no room left they are cramped like sardines in a tin and now many under the sky. It looks like outdoor meetings now in spite of some regular misty rain.
June 11th. Well believe it or not tent now not big enough so now all meetings are in open air crowd growing every hour spoke at meeting this morning from 9:00am-1:00pm a little exhausted as it is hot in open sun. Some have now travelled from as far as the South African border to attend. God has to be in it as some Pastors are saying we have never seen people listen so long and still be attentive to preaching. Life is interesting here I have been given permission to use a stove in the front of an old house when power is on. But they have asked me to wear rubber soled shoes so I won’t get electrocuted as they are saying power is not connected properly. Well so far so good I boiled water on stove and am still alive on planet earth. I am praying for strength to keep strong for ministry up to this weekend then hopefully I will slow down a little.
June 14th. Leaders meetings in rural area in Masvinger district started with 35 leaders and grew to 500 daily attendees for seven days. 9:00 am to 10 pm daily. This certainly stretched the recourses Also after a week of sleeping on concrete floors and little water and often power having to come from a generator and the food always the same basic ground corn and some sweet potato and that long walk hole in the ground toilet I am very tired as meetings ended today. I have just driven 340 K’S to Harare looking forward to food change a real bed and an inside real toilet. Power and running water I feel like I am in heaven after nearly four weeks. Am taking medication for flew and other stuff picked up on the way. Meetings in Harare tomorrow.
June 17th. Three days ministry in South Africa before flying out to Australia on Friday evening.
Your fellow servant in the ministry.
Lester Kelly
September16th. Meetings in Harare are going very well. They will continue for seven days before moving onto Chitungwizw. I was approached yesterday by a Pastor from the Harvest group of churches he is asking me to help train there people in evangelism and discipleship and this Friday morning is arranging a gathering of Pastors across the city to meet with me to talk about future ministry and training of their churches. Today I am also meeting with the Methodist Churches national leadership regarding forward planning for ministry in 2010.
plus "latest news"
March 12th. Ministry started well in Harare with many responding to God's call on their lives. Great interest in discipleship training. Over the next four weeks we will be training in six towns with so many requests coming from other areas. As well as a number of outreaches at moment speaking for five hours each day of the week need much prayer. Also good interest in South Africa at moment and a plan to start translating into four other languages. Big issue is cost of printing seeking quotes in South Africa as some countries costs are much bigger. No wonder there were so many hassles in putting book together the enemy is not happy with its potential. Mega prayer please.
March 23rd. I have been in many places where no computer service is available. We have been involved in Discipleship training in Kwekwe, Redcliffe Kadoma and now in Gweru. I have been speaking up to six hours a day which is a strain as I have a chest and throat infection at the moment. Also at Kadoma there are still new cases of Cholera happening must be very careful. The training in these cities and towns is among many Churches coming together from areas around the towns. The response is very encouraging with Churches very excited about the training which I do over a four day period in each town. As well as speaking at outreaches.
Some of the district bishops and pastors are coming to see what is happening as they are hearing stories from Churches. Some of the comments from pastors and leaders are."This is a revelation to me I am now able to equip the saints for ministry" We are challenging the pastor led model and freeing the laity. One bishop said "This is coursing a revolution I can't believe what is happening" The national director for evangelism and discipleship for the Methodist Churches Bishop Josias Mudenda said "We are in the midst of a revolution as people are being taught how to make disciples". I have to admit I am taken back by what is happening. And can see the great benefit of printing and leaving training materials with the people so they can keep repeating the process and start multiplying disciples as the word of God calls us to do.
The great challenge to me now is to continue to raise finance to print these materials here in Africa. It is not a cheap venture but very worthwhile.
One district pastor at Kwekwe said "I have been born again to evangelism" The Area Bishop said "When you finish training in the larger towns and cities please come and minister in the rural areas we need this tainting so badly.
We have five more towns yet after Gweru before I fly to Cape Town South Africa for two weeks of outreaches. Please pray for my health I am not so aware of why I had so many battles putting this training together the enemy of souls is not happy please pray for my protection. I have just been asked to train in South Africa as well in discipleship and if we can have the materials put into other languages.
By for now as I go and have a rest before tomorrow’s meetings.
March 24th. My driver in our car was mugged last night on way home from meeting. I was not in the car at the time as I had gone home earlier. But for next three evenings I will be. I think now the Zim dollar has completely crashed and U.S dollars are being used you are now worth robbing which is making things more dangerous. All our fuel vouches that we had bought and fuel money was stolen so I am re arranging out finances. I believe Satan is very enraged at what is happening and is seeking to hinder us but we are going forward daily in Christ’s strength. Please pray for our safety and that this issue won't cloud our ministry. Tonight I have asked Josias to take a different way home after our meeting as having me with him gives them an even greater reason to mug us. Our car is being retrieved at the moment.
First meetings in Mokoba started well this afternoon with good numbers coming for discipleship training. Tonight is a crusade from 5:30 - 8:30pm
March 27th. Meetings at Gweru and Makoba are going very well with good numbers of Pastors/Leaders and church community being trained in discipleship. Last night we had a call from Church leaders from a neighbouring town asking why we didn't come to their town and then requesting if they were prepared to travel could they come and join us in the Makoba Gweru meetings. This came about by them hearing what God was now doing in Kadoma a town where we training earlier. They reported that people were putting in to practice out training and the Churches were coming alive. For us this is great news for this is the whole purpose for our training. Two hundred and fifty people publicly responded at Mokoba outreach last night. My companion Josias Mudenda the national director for evangelism and church planting with the Methodist Churches was so excited he couldn't stop grabbing my hand and praising the lord. I have been now asked to consider participating in national crusades in 2010 and be the key note speaker for a national conference on discipleship.
Also there are now calls to do the same in South Africa and to start training in Gaborone the capital of Botswana. Must pray and ask God for His priorities. Health slowly improving.
March 30th Meetings in Gweru and Mkoba districts finished well with large meetings and many calls for return visits for ongoing training and outreaches in 2010. Now in Harare overnight before next leg which is Chegutu area, Chinhoyi area, Karoi area, Kariba area then back to Harare for a series of meetings through Easter before flying down to Cape town on the fourteenth for a series of training and outreach meetings. Seeking quotes for next lot of printing for next trip in end of May as we will have used all first printing. Please pray for good quote and the finance for printing. Next few day's unsure of ability to update web maybe a week before you hear from me again.
April 10th 2009: I have been of line for nearly two weeks as there is no service available in towns where I have been and constant power cuts have made it impossible to contact even phone service has been a problem.
The Chegutu ministry started with great interest followed by comments from pastors and bishops that this is God’s time and it is just what we need you are showing us that we are all ministers this is new to many of our pastors as this is not how we have been trained from our western influences. Could you help train our Zambian mission church leaders? You are helping to set the laity free some of our older leaders are struggling with this some are saying this is not how our denominations function but it seems that we are not biblical in our approach so we must Change.
After three days of training the mood has changed to great excitement with people saying we are ministers and the leaders seeing great new possibilities in God using all people in evangelism and discipleship. One Pastor said I was once persecuted by leaders for thinking this way I thank God for a time like this I did not believe it would come. We are moving from monuments to a new movement of God. The movement is not initially leadership led other than Josias and me but as the lay people are being touched by God the leaders are catching the flame and are now becoming permission givers.
The leaders came to me and said this is causing a lay revolution. One pastor said I have to stop being the man and become an equipper of the saints. The training ended with people leaving the meetings saying we are all ministers and we will minister daily from house to house and we are praying that He will add daily to His Church.
Some problems, the news is spreading and other towns are asking for training I am looking at re scheduling the ministry in Kenya and add to the time in Zimbabwe in May –June as there is a wave opportunity moving that we must not miss.
Karoi ministry. Pastor says we can’t deny what God is doing we must listen to God. We experienced the same response as in Chegutu as we arrived we were informed of a cholera outbreak and that the towns water supply was not working. I initially became fearful and wanted to leave and was ready to cancel meetings. But God began to speak that He could be trusted to protect us so we decided to go ahead which proved God’s doing as the ministry training gripped people hearts in a powerful way. We had no water or power for two day’s so living was a little tough as it was in Chegutu where it was the same. But God reminded me that his first disciples had no running water or power and sometimes little food or shelter so what could I say. The revolution continued.
Some great news A call yester day from the hospital matron in Kwekwe she came two weeks ago to a meeting in a neighbouring town for training with two other people she was deeply moved and last week took my material and started a meeting in her house where she has started training seventeen other people to become evangelistic multiplying disciples. She has requested us to come to her town later this year with some of her business friends offering to provide us with good accommodation all food from one of their shops and a business lady called Dorcus will provide all the diesel we need as well as providing our fuel for our may June trip which involves much travel for a period of a month in the western part of the country.
Before we started this month of meetings one of the national leaders said we may have to cancel as we don’t have the resources I said Jesus say’s in Matthew 6:33 that if we seek his kingdom first and His righteousness He will supply so he said God spoke to him through that email And he decided to go ahead so we left Harare with half a tank of fuel no accommodation and for the last month we have traveled large distances for nearly a month now and God has totally provided through his people not wealthy people but willing people who want to be a part of what God is doing. Josias is saying that he has not lived this way before and it has totally changed his life all he can say each day is wow praise the lord. Driving back to Harare yester day he was singing and raising his hands to Jesus as we drove.
Chinhoyi ministry. This was interesting as the leaders had not planned properly so Josias said we will cancel these meetings as the leaders were willing to do. But the lay people heard what happened in other towns and threatened there leaders one Pastor said the people will bash me if you don’t come please come they said the people are willing to have meetings up to mid night. (This was yet another lay led groundswell.) I have prayed and dreamed of this for years in churches as often leaders can hinder God’s use of his body through thinking they are the ones God wants to use.
People came in good numbers and had others cook and bring food to the meeting so they wouldn’t have to go home in the last Saturday meeting they stayed for eleven hours listening and participating with great interest. Then I said it was now late at night and it was time to go home but they stayed for another hour praying and giving great testimonies of how God was dealing with them.
One older leader publically said we must change the way we minister so God can move in people’s lives the pastor was so excited at this he could not stop smiling.
Next morning a local church pastor came and said I couldn’t sleep last night as God was dealing with me I stayed up until 4: am reading the material I have a new vision for ministry he said. On the Sunday morning we gathered in good numbers at a combined service of Churches where I spoke on the subject “But God” At the appeal time my interpreter the principal of a local high school broke down at the end and said “yesterday God spoke to me today He slayed me”. Then he watched as 156 people respond to the gospel of Christ.
On April 7th I am back in Harare starting a series of daily meetings leading up to and into Easter I will be speaking in a number of places throughout the city. Thanks for your continued pray and please pray for the finances to print another two lots of books as we have used all our stock and we have many more towns to visit in our next two tours It will be cheaper if I print them all in one batch.
April 10th. Harare meetings started well in the areas of Marlborough and Radcliffe, Darwendale and Zengeza Manyame with good responses move to new area tonight. Have just been told by the national administrator of the Methodist Churches of Zimbabwe that he has had many calls to his office regarding our training and wants to travel with us on our next tour to learn personally and see what God is doing among the people.
On Tuesday April 14th I fly to Cape Town South Africa for a series of training and outreach meetings with a group of Nazarene Churches up to the 26th.
April16th. Ministry ended well in Zimbabwe with arrangements finalized for the next month of ministry and discipleship training commencing on May 14th covering another section of the country. I am now on my second day in Cape Town South Africa where I am ministering up to the twenty fourth with the Nazarene Churches. Today I have been ministering to a gathering of Pastors before a series of combined churches meetings starting tomorrow in a number of suburbs. This will include outreaches, Discipleship training and a school of evangelism and a series of training meetings.
April 18th. Last night saw many men respond to the call of God at a combined Churches men’s meeting and today has been an Evangelism training day for Churches in Hanover Park and Manningburg areas of Cape Town with a number of Churches calling for discipleship training with their Churches in the future.
April 21st.For the last three days have had meetings in the Hanover Park and Hidervelt areas with a number of Churches attending and seeing a good response to the word of God. Today I also had a meeting with a number of the leaders of the Nazarene denomination who are requesting that I train their Churches and leaders in discipleship and also speak at a number of combined Church outreaches and medical missions starting in early 2010. Before I leave Cape Town on Friday we will organize quotes for the printing of training materials. And the denomination leaders will work out the best strategies for this training in 2010.
April 28th. Now back in Australia preparing to speak at a series of meetings this coming weekend at the Chinchilla Keswick Convention Friday to Monday.
May 6th. I have now returned from speaking at the Chinchilla Keswick Convention where we had three days meeting around the word of God. This went well with people responding to the challenges to His word to them. It was also good to catch up with some friends from many years back.
The next challenge is starting our second Discipleship and outreach training tour of Zimbabwe. This will be an intense ministry time as it means speaking and training for a number of hours each day for nearly five weeks. May 19- 23 Pastors conference Binga district, The discipleship training and outreaches May 24-31Hwange and Victoria Falls district, June 1-7 Bulawayo district. June 7-14 Masvingo district, June15-19 Harare training. I will seek to give some web updates as I travel if web connections can be made some areas this may not be possible.
Your fellow servant in the Gospel
Lester
Let The World Hear His Voice 2008
Australia October7th -December 7th
Gympie. November 28th -December 1st.
There are meetings each day.
Rockhampton November 8th to 17th The meetings started well with responses at each of the meetings so far. There were 17 meetings through the week. So prayer was appreciated. These meetings went well with many responding to the challenge of the word of God. It involved training, outreaches at the Church complex and other community venues. A good number say they want to re asses their lives that more time can be given to outreach and discipleship.
Lester
Gympie ministry .went well with a number of home groups through the week following up more personal y the ministry content.
Singleton went very well with a number of outreach and personal evangelism training sessions which were very well attended. Good responses at the public outreach sessions with first time and many re commitments. It was great to hear young people s responses one said “now I get it as they responded to the gospel.
Clontarf Outreach. We are in the middle of outreach meetings there have been people responding at each meeting. It is also meant to be a training time seeking to give opportunities for people to learn to outreach to their friends in a clear and purposeful way. Coming up Rockhampton outreach and training Gympie outreach November8-December 1st.
South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda August 1st - October-4th.
Australian ministry: Good responses to the word of God in Gympie, Lawnton and Dalby meetings
South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda August 1-October 4th
Sunday August third. Having flown to Johannesburg then driven eight hours south to Durban ministry have commenced in an area called the Bluff in which we will have seven days of meetings.
Meetings started well today with a number of people responding to the word of God this was followed by the evening meeting where again greater numbers than normal came out to the meeting again with a number responding to the word of God.
Tuesday August 5th.Last night we had a youth outreach they were very responsive and had many questions. This morning we had a combined churches senior citizens outreach where a number gave their lives to Christ. It is sad just how many religious people there are in our churches that are not born again seeking to gain Christ through a works based faith. May God give us the boldness to confront this issue as so many are hell bound thinking they are heaven bound.
This was followed home visitation evangelism where we had some great opportunities to share the gospel and pray for people. The Pastors said this was very helpful training for them.
August 6th Good response at outreach meeting last night with a number responding to the gospel. Today we are training in relationship evangelism and commencing to help leaders do follow up with those who have been responding to the ministry of the word of God. As in Australia follow up and discipleship is very thin on the ground.
Fires Start to burn in Durban with people coming together to pray some testifying that they have had little sleep over the last few days as God has been speaking to them and they have been staying up late at night sharing and praying about what God has been saying to them through the meetings. Others have been sending many sms’s to one another sharing how God wants to revive and use them in fresh ways.
August 10th Now ministering at Estcourt two hundred kilometers inland from Durban meetings started very well with many responses to the word of God. I was approached by a leader of the Church in Ladysmith a town sixty Kilometers away wondering if I can fit in a meeting there before I leave later on this week for meetings west of Johannesburg. We will do our best if this is God’s plan.
August 11th Good response at meetings yesterday today we have been invited to share the gospel in some schools. They were very responsive and the head masters have asked the local pastors to continue ministry at their schools. Meetings have now been finalized for Lady Smith. Tomorrow will be more schools and training in evangelism for churches.
August 13th. Evangelism training meetings have gone very well in Estcourt and Lady Smith, The meeting in Lady Smith was arranged at the last minute but people phoned around the Churches and the result was a full building with many responding publically at the altar call. Also the thrilling thing about both these towns was people coming to me to share how they had been converted at the 2006 meetings and how their lives had dramatically changed since then. You sometimes don’t know the after effect this was very encouraging to me personally.
Today we drove to Johannesburg and early tomorrow will drive to the North West for a week of meetings.
August 14th Starting five day ministry in a new black township where there is no established Church much ministry house to house etc during day and preaching in a tent at night. Will need much prayer for protection, health and the best way to minister the gospel.
August 17th. Started preaching in a tent crusade in a new area in Church
planting outreach. Some responded to the gospel in tears and brokenness Here is no doubt the poor appreciate the gospel . Most interesting even t tonight at outreach as I was concluding my message and starting on the appeal to respond to Christ my interpreter turned to me and said I want to be the first very openly and publically then others said they also wanted to deal with sin and come to Christi was surprised at first but what a great evidence of the work of God’s Holy Spirit at work.
August 19th Numbers are responding to the gospel each day and evening it has been hard work with hours of visitation each day. Tonight was a great night as a number came which we visited in their homes in the shanty towns and some responded publically to the gospel. Back to the same tomorrow thanks for your prayers.
August 21st Very good response at meetings yesterday the biggest crowds of the week the house visiting is paying off. The meetings here finish tomorrow morning then I drive to Johannesburg for ten days of meetings under the banner of Heart Cry Africa. There are a number of churches of many denominations that are seeking revival in their churches and an awakening in their communities. In many of these Churches there is a high expectation of God working in these meetings. Let’s pray that there will be a significant move of God’s Holy Spirit.
August 24th. Ministry started in the "Heart Cry" revival meetings today. This morning I had meeting in the Krugersdorp area and tonight in Randfontein. The meetings saw many respond publicly to the word of God tomorrow I will be back in the Krugersdorp area. Pray as I have been asked to be the speaker for the combined churches revival rally in the West Rand and also at the Revival Prayer and Evangelism Conference before we start the outreaches in East London. Pray that these will become significant times in the life of the Churches in these areas. And I will have God’s word for the moment.
August 26th Meetings going well with growing numbers each night and many good and deep responses. During the day I have been ministering in Central Johannesburg at a down town mission. The city centre is crowded with needy people with the accommodation in terrible condition and up to twenty people living in a two bedroom flat and a hundred flats in one block they are open to the gospel. we also have day time rallies as well as door to door work. These meetings inspite of the conditions and the danger are full of the presence of the Lord in a very real way it’s good for your soul. Will continue with these meetings tomorrow.
August 28th The meetings at the down town mission in Johannesburg have gone very well with many coming to know Christ. The man running the mission is a seventy two year old retired business man who believes that there is no retirement in the work of the Lord his ministry is amazing so many of the poor and downtrodden have found Christ through his ministry. Our other meetings have been very productive tonight I speak at a large gathering of many churches praying for the power of Christ to be very evident.
August 29th Praise the Lord the combined rally in Randfontein went well with a large crowd and a large response to the word of God and some great testimonies from pastors on how God has been working in their churches through the week. I was asked by the down town mission called Gospel Outreach if I would spend some time ministering with them when I am in the country God worked powerfully in our time with them. This weekend I will be ministering at Nancefield and Mayfair areas before heading South again to Queenstown and East London for ministry until September 15th.
September 1st Ministry at Nancefield and Eldorado Park and Mayfair went exceptionally well with good numbers in attendance and good numbers responding to the word of God. Today some meetings with people then pack ready to leave at 5:30 am in the morning for a ten hour drive to Queens town to speak at a conference on revival ,prayer and evangelism for four days then move onto East London for ten days of outreach meetings. Pray for safety in travel as motorists here pay little attention to road rules.
September 3rd Ministry has started well at the R.E.A.P conference Queens Town with God moving with great conviction in the meetings also at our many outreach events through the day with many responding. Have had great emails from places where we have ministered telling of Gods work and reporting on follow up. Another busy day tomorrow.
September 5th Have just finished meetings in Queens Town with a great conference and some very encouraging responses at outreaches. I am now in East London until tomorrow afternoon. Then I travel two hours west to Umtata for a week of outreach meetings before I return to East London.
September 9th Great day was to be three meetings it grew to five as the word got out at how God was at work great responses to the gospel now have four meetings tomorrow. We are now having great opportunities for the gospel. Each day is planned as you go as the Holy Spirit continually opens new doors you must be flexible and very open to God and ready to change quickly.
September 11th Change in plans again I have just arrived in East London. I now today am moving to King Williams’s town for meetings today two different towns tomorrow then Saturday more meetings in villages then another town on Sunday morning.
PM. What an amazing work of God Tonight was the first meeting in this new area people hung on to every word saying this is God’s word to us for today the pastor was so excited then one of the leaders said something is happening. The people spontaneously broke out in praise this was then followed by prayer. Then they said please add a third meeting each day for tomorrow and Saturday then they asked if they could come to the villages with us. This was followed by leaders saying we will book and pay for taxi’s to transport people. Wow this is in a poor area it seems God has a plan can’t wait. We are now having a combined meeting of a number of congregations on Sunday morning.
Then I drive back to East London to speak at a combined churches meeting on Sunday evening then on Monday fly to Johannesburg before flying to Kenya on Tuesday morning. Much prayer needed all this is new and some danger involved much spiritual warfare.
September 13th Meetings in a number of rural towns have gone well the same old story word gets around and you find yourself doing more meetings than first planned there is a number of people being delivered from ancestral spirits these are often worshiped and bring many into demonic bondage through fear of reprisal if they don’t obey them and sacrifice to them .When people do leave this life style many family members shun them as they believe they are not honouring the family these people do not believe in heaven or hell or judgment as you just live on in the spirit world and manipulate life on earth. The people are asking why can’t I stay a few more days in their area and are disappointed that I must move on and ask if I will return to their area again next year. My last meeting here is a combined churches meeting tomorrow morning. Then I must drive back to East London for a combined Churches meeting there tomorrow evening.
September 14th Final meetings in Prince Williams Town and East London end well with many responding to the word of God thanks so much for our prayers. Fly to Johannesburg tomorrow then Tanzania on Tuesday. Not sure of ability to contact may be of the air for a few days before going to Uganda.
September 25th Tanzania retreat went well a good time to relax a little. Our two leaders were Muslims I took opportunity to share Christ very open gave help and a bible in their language before leaving one of them Rashidi wants to continue to talk to me via email God is opening doors everywhere we go .I am now in Uganda at conference I trust it will be a very valuable time there is a very clear message in ministering to the child soldiers who are escaping the war in the north there are many horrific stories.
September 27th Conference going well in Kampala Uganda. It is heartening to see people lined up for an hour to get seats in the building and even larger lines of up to two hours to get into the over flow crowds in the car park to watch on this big screen the outside crowd averages about three thousand. On Sunday meetings move to stadium where thousands are expected. Traffic has to be controlled and it is truly great to see some of the biggest crowds and events in town being from Christian meetings. It is truly amazing what the church can be when the people whole heartedly give themselves to God.
I will write again soon
Lester
Zimbabwe
13-6-08. the Journey. The context of this journey was it was booked seven months before the events of elections and re elections and we had no idea that the two crusades would be in the two weeks prior to the run up presidential elections and during the elections itself with the final meetings the day after the elections.
I arrived after 26 hours with the issues of late flights and missing luggage. The first two day’s were wearing the same cloths those that I was wearing when I left
When I had my first meetings with the Church leaders they said they were excited and had been wondering if I would actually come as so many had canceled from coming fearing what was happening in the nation. And then shared that applications had to be made to the authorities for permission to hold public gatherings and most had been refused. They told me that the only meetings that have been given permission to meet have been our two eight day outreach events they saw this as an opportunity given by God for such a time as this.
15-6-08 The meetings have started well with good numbers coming and responding. Accommodation has been a little confusing with a number of moves which has been a little unsettling. But there are some great Christian people here who have been very helpful. Zimbabweans are a special group of gracious people.
God has given me a family that has been a great help to me and let me stay with them. He is a travel agent and has been of great assistance to me. He comes to all the meetings with me God is speaking to Him powerfully we are having some great talks together.
Meetings are continuing to go well it is getting cold at night but they are just rugging up and coming .Many new people came last night .The national director of evangelism for the Methodist Churches They are the second biggest church group in the nation has asked me to help him train Pastors in evangelism and has asked If I will come regularly and speak around the nation.
19-6-08. our meetings are continuing in these very challenging times here in
26-6-08 Many responded to Christ at meeting yesterday Tomorrow will keep low profile being Election Day then start again on Saturday. Have been asked to fit extra meeting in on Sunday. Some have been traveling from arrears where earlier meetings were held to hear more of God's word. Our house has been visited by authorities. We will continue to speak God's word in the city we believe God will keep us safe to the end.
Other Reports
Australia February 9 - March 16 - 08
Clontarf Baptist: February 8-10 Training went well with many finding help in their sharing the gospel amongst their mission field.
Bribie Island February 17. A good number respond to the word of God.
Western outreach Tara February 22-24 Good responses to Gods challenge on peoples lives. And an opportunity to visit people in neighboring towns. Follow up meetings sought for later this year.
Beautiful Feet training for evangelists and pastors doing the work of an evangelist
Beautiful feet Evangelism training of Evangelists. We have now had a number of organizational meetings and now have a gathering of ministry leaders from evangelistic ministries and churches willing to help equip and help to raise up evangelists. We are having good input from the younger generations. We are now finalizing our mentoring and coaching strategy.
Clontarf outreach March 2-9.This involved eight day's of various types of meetings. With the purpose of reaching many areas of their community .There were responses to the call of God on peoples lives at every meeting. These responses were a great encouragement to many who had been praying.
Gympie Baptist March 15-16 Very responsive to the word of God. Follow up meetings booked this year.
South Africa: April- 14th - 28th - 08
United States May 1-18 - 08.
Ministry in Sharpeville South Africa April 14-18- 08
Meetings Outreach these were in Schools and Prisons.
There was a very strong response to people giving their lives to Christ. With now a strong emphasis on follow up by World Hope Prison ministries Africa and the Churches of Sharpeville. We were also involved in a Pastors conference on bible teaching and Evangelism.
There was also time spent with Church planting pastors in looking at sites for new Churches in the Sharpeville and also Soweto areas of South Africa. Was working with some African American pastors, and South African Pastors a great group to work with.
The African Pastors are asking for further training next year in evangelism and Church Planting. Have been asked to do ministry at similar time next year then do same in Kenya. He days have been long leaving at 5:30am each morning and getting back to our accommodation at 9:00pm
Ministry in Standerton South Africa. April 19-29- 08
Sunday April 20. Meetings start well at Standerton many responded to the word of God at each service. The talk in South Africa is the Mighty Man Conference on Angus Buccan’s farm they thought maybe 20,000 men would come 60,000 men came to hear a farmer speak on Jesus being lord of their lives. There are some great movements of God happening around the world. I will be speaking for eight days, day and night here in Standerton. Getting cold today forecast temperature 2-14 degrees Celsius
Monday 21. Very powerful leaders meeting a real sense of the spirit of God. Many felt the need to meet with God in a very real and personal way. Time of prayer followed.
Tuesday 22 Training in prayer. With those who want to become effective intercessors Very keen group of people.
April 23 Many teenagers meet at Standerton High meeting Pastor surprised at the number who respond to the gospel.
Each day we have training sessions for believers. We have sessions on Prayer, Discipleship, Evangelism, and Leadership these are proving very fruitful with attendees taking the content very seriously. You can see changes coming daily
Zulu outreach proves very effective with a large number of responses. There are some Zulu pastors in training so they can head up the establishment of new congregations these people are a joy to work with
This was followed up with discipleship training with the leaders of the ministry. For mentoring and walking with new believers.
April 24 School for troubled you phones and asks if it is possible to share Christ with their student body. They agree to let whole school body attend many respond to the gospel.
This is followed by a gathering mainly of men who following a weekend men’s camp wanted to give public testimony to the work of revival they are experiencing in their lives. This was then followed by training I gave on becoming an effective people contact in their community to those who are yet to hear of Christ.
God worked powerfully in this meeting. I personally believe that some areas of South Africa are on the brink of revival in this men revived men will play a crucial role. It is so true that when men humble themselves and pray and turn from there wicked ways God starts a fresh and mighty work. It will be hard for me to leave for Spain on Monday night my heart is here.
April 25 Starts at 6:00 am with a group of men God has been touching over the last week. We gathered for prayer and sharing, some were in tears as they prayed and shared of the changes that must occur in their lives for God to work through them. And many are re arranging their schedules so as they can be instruments of the Master rather than their own agendas. They are putting up a large tent from May 1-11th for people to come daily at any time day or night to pray for a move of God in the town and community. Many churches are going to join together for this
Zulu School High outreach School stops so total student body can hear the gospel. Many respond to the gospel. Teachers ask where I am speaking next they say they want to attend the meetings.
April 28 Large number attends meeting a growing hunger to the word of God people inviting friends. Many farmers got together and transported their workers to a meeting out in a farming district so as their workers can hear the gospel. The meeting went very well with many responding to the gospel. I have had a Zulu interpreter called Andrew working with me at the Zulu outreaches a great man who loves God.
Second meeting. Good crowd many with hearts open to give their lives to Christ many believers letting God rearrange and revive their lives. The Lord has done great work here Tomorrow spend some time with people then drive to Johannesburg to fly to Madrid then two days late to the United States for ministry until 18th of may . Will write soon
1-5-08
Hopefully a week of mission and outreach am looking forward to meetings at the Billy Graham centre before ministry in
8-5-08
Ministry going well in Spartanburg. First Baptist is a church of seven thousand people. They have an incredible leadership team. This week I have been involved in speaking at their mission conference which has been a five day event.
Many have been responding to the word preached. Sunday was a great day of ministry which included again speaking on the national encouraging word broad cast. It is interesting to meet people in the community who saw you on television and share how God spoke to them through the message.
There have been many meetings each day where world evangelization has become the main topic of speech. Last night I spoke at a large youth gathering called Cross Fire It went incredible. Well attended with many responses and a number calling in later by phone to Church leaders sharing how God was at work.
Yesterday spent good time at a meeting with Wil Graham the grandson of Billy at the Cove training Centre in
Then I move on to some more speaking engagements in
7 May - 08. Had a key meeting with Dr Bobby Welch from the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee to talk on the future of evangelism. He drove five hours to spend the afternoon together sharing. He is seeking a continued contact regarding this issue. Ministry contacts at the Billy Graham head quarters and training centre in Charlotte North Carolina went very well with them introducing me to many of their ministry leaders. Meetings with Roy Graham and Jack Munday. A great ongoing meeting with Michael Beresford Managing Director of Church ministries he is developing new training strategies for evangelism and the training of evangelists and equipping pastors to do the work of an evangelist. He has asked for an ongoing relationship so as we can work together on these issues together. They gave me some special presentations and took me for lunch before I left.
11 May 08. Meetings at Life Pointe Church Columbus Ohio have been going very well with a great response to the ministry. And great encouragement from church leadership. Tonight we change venue to another part of the city to continue the ministry.
We had Tornado sirens go of in the city after meetings with strong storms cells moving through that turn into tornados. It certainly puts people on edge. I hope it settles down over night before I have to fly to Texas tomorrow for meetings with Billie Hanks Jnr.
13 May 08. Texas.We have been meeting on the subject of effective discipleship. One of the key issues is that present methodology in discipleship is not effectively making growing witnessing reproducing disciples. If this doesn’t change we have no hope of reaching the ends of the earth with the gospel. The meetings have been very helpful. I will share more on my return. We I think will have to re align some priorities in our ministry.
Last night with many other households in this area of Texas we were huddled in bath rooms as a line of tornadoes moved through during some storms. A lot of damage occurred we lost power for many hours. Unlike cyclones they form very quickly and can be upon you in a short time. Our only contact was by a weather tracking channel on the mobile phone. For many this is a fearful time, particularly when it becomes still. It gets you praying, over a hundred people have been killed in them so far this season.
Back in Australia. May 08
May 25th The ministry weekend at Gympie went well I will be returning again in July for more ministry. June 6-9 I will be ministering in Longreach then on the following Friday I fly out to Zimbabwe.
(I will write again soon)
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What others have said !!! - I am so thankful you came to Zimbabwe. Last year you came to our city Of Geri and I told you you I wasn't good enough for God and walked away at the end of the meeting. This year I realized that by trusting my life to Jesus Christ He makes me more than good enough for God. I am so thankful. Bob
April16th. Ministry ended well in Zimbabwe with arrangements finalized for the next month of ministry and discipleship training commencing on May 14th covering another section of the country. I am now on my second day in Cape Town South Africa where I am ministering up to the twenty fourth with the Nazarene Churches. Today I have been ministering to a gathering of Pastors before a series of combined churches meetings starting tomorrow in a number of suburbs. This will include outreaches, Discipleship training and a school of evangelism and a series of training meetings.
April 18th. Last night saw many men respond to the call of God at a combined Churches men’s meeting and today has been an Evangelism training day for Churches in Hanover Park and Manningburg areas of Cape Town with a number of Churches calling for discipleship training with their Churches in the future.
April 21st.For the last three days have had meetings in the Hanover Park and Hidervelt areas with a number of Churches attending and seeing a good response to the word of God. Today I also had a meeting with a number of the leaders of the Nazarene denomination who are requesting that I train their Churches and leaders in discipleship and also speak at a number of combined Church outreaches and medical missions starting in early 2010. Before I leave Cape Town on Friday we will organize quotes for the printing of training materials. And the denomination leaders will work out the best strategies for this training in 2010.
April 28th. Now back in Australia preparing to speak at a series of meetings this coming weekend at the Chinchilla Keswick Convention Friday to Monday.