Central Baptist Church of Mazabuka - June 2008

CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH OF MAZABUKA

Bi-Weekly Prayer Report for the period 16th to 29th June 2008 No. 37

Evangelistic bible studies: We have now concluded the parable of the sower. Christopher was able to join us in the last study. We asked Mrs. Mbembela, Bernard and Christopher if they were using the lessons from the parable to examine their own professions. They looked a bit uneasy with respect to their personal spiritual status but they promised they would examine themselves in the light of the lessons drawn from the parable. They all have troubled backgrounds and they have in the past had serious moral issues. They will need grace to break away from the things that have bound them in the past. Do pray that the gospel will indeed be the power of God unto salvation in their individual cases.

Ladies Meeting Follow ups: My wife and I continued with the gospel discussion with Josephine. This time around she was joined by her housemate Diana, and Mrs. Omoi and Azael, being two Kenyans occupying the main house. We looked at the reasons why we need to be saved. We looked at sin as the major hindrance to coming to God. They all looked amazed when it dawned upon them that the word of God teaches that there was completely nothing they could do to contribute towards their own salvation. The natural question was how then can anyone be saved? We agreed to continue the discussion the following Monday to answer the question of how one can be saved. Mrs. Omoi’s husband who joined us towards the close of the discussion expressed interest in joining us when we meet next. Do pray that this door of gospel opportunity will remain open and that the next meeting will take place. Pray that the Lord will aid the spiritual understanding of these people. Pray for a spiritual harvest.

Women’s Ministry Committee Meeting: Had a monthly meeting with the women’s committee. Spent time exhorting them as leaders to be involved in personal evangelism. It is very easy for them to concentrate on organizing meetings and this can become an end in itself. God wants to raise up a people that is constantly sharing the gospel with the unconverted. To be effective, personal evangelism should be done consistently. They should always have someone they are following up on a monthly basis. Pray that the Lord will strengthen this women’s committee.

School leavers club: The third meeting took place on the 7th June and was attended by 29 school leavers. In the first part we showed a Christian film. Secondly, we looked at the subject of time management for school leavers. Most school leavers will normally squander away the time on their hands doing nothing or engaging in sinful vices. Showed them that there were a lot of things that they needed to apply themselves to if they wanted to grow into responsible adults. Encouraged them for example to work on developing various skills which they can fall back on in future. We also showed them the necessity of paying heed to their moral and spiritual lives side by side with their career development. If they neglect this aspect their career development would be compromised by for example a failure to maintain a job due to moral failure. The next meeting was set for 7th July. Continue to join us in praying for the establishment of this ministry..

Melody and Matipa Kalonga: This couple is new in town and they have come to church the past two Sundays. The wife Melody is Pentecostal and the husband, Matipa is Catholic. The husband does not want to go to a Pentecostal church and the wife does not want to attend a Catholic church so they have decided to attend the Baptist as a ‘neutral’ option. Matipa was originally introduced to Kabwata Baptist Church by his sister, Mrs. Simbisai Filakati, who recently passed away. Pray for this couple that they might find a spiritual home in our midst and that wisdom might be granted to us to know how best to minister to them. Melody is a teacher of music and she is looking for a job.

Report Compiled by:
Raphael Jadge Banda
Missionary Pastor
Central Baptist Church of Mazabuka.
30th June 2008.