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Charl's Mission News
This year started off with a bang. Our Biblical Worldview Summit (BWS) began on 1 January at a tented camping area on a farm near Cape Town. Attendees flew in from around the world to take part in this challenging course.
The week of the Summit forms part of the 3 week Great Commission Course (GCC).
My children, Roberta (12), Jason (9), John-Marc (7) and Anya (3) joined me at the farm and took part in the children’s programme.
Many attendees were surprised to find that when we said, in our Summit brochures, that we would start our days with physical training before quiet times, we actually meant it. Gents and ladies had separate PT instruction. The men, ranging in age from 6-65 years old, ran to a dam and swam early in the morning, held relay races and competed in teams through an obstacle course which left many bruises, grazes and aching muscles – even the leaders took part and we proudly finished second – no there weren’t only 2 teams.
Our Frontline Fellowship director, Dr Peter Hammond, developed the BWS to help Christian young people defend their faith at educational institutions where we have nothing less than a war of worldviews taking place in South Africa. In fact, the Dutch government has clandestinely made an ‘investment’ in our nation of R160 million (US$ 21 million) over four years to teach our children evolution because they believe our children are being inadequately taught”.
The biggest complaint from attendees was that the weeklong course was too short.
Great Commission Course
The GCC takes further the BWS training and prepares Christians for cross-cultural missions – discipling the nations. If Christians don’t understand the worldviews and cultures of those they seek to reach with the Gospel, their outreaches can lead to frustration and strained relationships.
Physical challenges included night hikes up the mountain, PT every morning and on the last night, we hiked up the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain to the McClear Beacon (the highest point) and down Plattekloof Gorge - an 8-hour ordeal ending just before mid-night.
Some of my lectures included: ‘Egalitarianism and Respecting Elders’, ‘Money Matters’, ‘Are We Living In the Last Days?’, ‘Africa and the 10 Commandments’, ‘Self-defence’ and ‘Cultural Chaos’.
Spiritual disciplines were taught, practical workshops on safety and security and vehicle maintenance took place and academic tests were written.
Many outreaches formed part of the curriculum. Attendees led many to the Lord and prayed for and witnessed to people in the city streets late at night outside nightclubs and prostitute dens.
One young attendee prayed with a man who was HIV positive: “He asked me not to close my eyes when I pray for him because the other street people will know he is HIV positive if they saw me praying for him, and he’ll be rejected by the community.”
Some comments by attendees in the Response form included: “Well organised, inspiring, uplifting and fun”; “Very high standard”; “Very insightful presentations, excellent subjects”; “Absolutely necessary for entrenching Scripture – which is God’s Word - in the hearts and minds of Christians”; “Excellent planning, excellent presentations, I was strengthened in my faith and duty”.
We had preaching invitations for course members at many different churches in townships. One very special occasion was when the group visited a prison with our friends of the Andrew Murray Centre in Wellington. Many ‘awaiting trial’ prisoners were lead to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
An abortion clinic prayer vigil and outreach took place with one lone pro-deather showing up. The KwaSizabantu Mission work party of practical help to our friends and neighbours was a means at blessing those ministering to people struggling in our society.
Those who completed the course, wrote that they are prepared to do some work: “Teach the Biblical Worldview to families, churches and governments”; “Pray and Evangelise”; “1. Overcome denial. 2. Repent. 3. Accept responsibility. 4. Walk the true talk.”; “Thorough evangelisation of Africa”; “Christians must be awakened from slumber for more of this information to be carried to churches”; “Proclaim the Word of God directly to heads of government.”
Overall we only had to send two attendees home because of bad attitude, breaking rules and arrogance that precluded them from taking part in all activities.
More Outreaches
Gun Owners of South Africa is involved in a public ‘war of words’ with the Minister of Police due to the department not paying compensation to those who have and are handing in their firearms. One wonders what people are thinking when they hand over their guns to a bunch of ex-terrorists who are now government officials.
The 1st of February will mark the 13th commemoration of the legalisation of abortion on demand in South Africa. Since 1 February 1997 approximately 900 000 babies have been killed - by abortion - legally. On 31 January all churches are encouraged to observe a solemn and serious time of repentance and prayer for the national sin of abortion.
Our Funeral Procession through the streets of Cape Town to the Prayer Vigil at the gates of Parliament takes place on Monday 1 February.
We appreciate your prayers and support as we seek to apply the Lordship of Jesus Christ to all areas of life.
Yours in His service
Charl
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