Preaching, Teaching, and Reaching

"And [Christ], if [He] be lifted up . . . , will draw all men unto [Him]." John 12:32



We've just returned from 5 days in Guateng, whereTony had the opportunity to preach 4 times at the annual missions conference (21-25 May) of Grace Baptist Church in Roodepoort, which is a 2-hour flight north of Cape Town. It was a rich experience to get to know the pastors, Paul Craig and Gavin van Zutphen and members of this indigenous church which supports a number of its own men who have been sent out to do church planting in other South African towns.

Our time in the home of our hosts, Pastor Gavin and Leigh-Ann, was very enjoyable. After having 3 daughters, we got to learn how much fun 3 sons can also be!

On the 20th of May the fall term of Oostenberg Bybel Instituut began with 20 students from 4 indigenous works (Immanuel Baptiste Kerk, Victory Baptist Church, Faith Baptist Church, and Calvary Bible Baptist Church). Tony is teaching the first 8 weeks of the 12-week course on Methods of Biblical Interpretation. Missionary, Eric Graham, will complete the final weeks of teaching. The class meets at Immanuel Baptiste Kerk on Tuesday evenings.

The Saturday before Mothers' Day, I spoke at a Mother-Daughter Tea at Baptiste Bybel Kerk in Macassar for Pastor Cyril Adam's wife, Charlotte. I taught a lesson on the influence of one mother on her generation. We traced the family tree of Judah's wicked Queen Athaliah back to the notorious Queen Jezebel of Israel. Pray for the mothers who attended the tea to follow the Lord and be a positive influence on their generation.

We continue reaching out into the community of Eindhoven in Delft-Suid. In the first 14 days of May, we presented the gospel to over 50 adults and teens on the streets of Frazer and Ebro. The majority of these people are churched, but do not know how to have eternal life. They are religious, but lost. Most believe in a works-based salvation. We've seen much alcohol and drug abuse and immorality. One lady openly confessed that she "did a little sin." She shared that she has been living with a married man for a number of years and has had four other men. After sharing the Gospel and Christ's standard of righteousness, this "Samaritan woman" seemed greatly disturbed with guilt. Tony read Matthew 11:28-30 to her and shared how this is a promise Christ gave to all who are weighed down by their sins. He stressed the need for her to to trust Christ alone. A number of young people to whom we witnessed are using "tik" and have dropped out of school. Many steal from their parents in order to buy the drug. Pray for the Lord to give a harvest of souls, as we continue canvassing and presenting the gospel of Christ at every home.