Monday, February 6, 2012

Harvest Blog

News from Harvest Baptist Church

Zambia Update

Posted by admin On February - 13 - 2010

Church Family,

Thursday was the last day of the class. I preached a message in the morning for the Pastors and students from 1 John 1:1-4. I told them how they are complete in Christ and need to be witnessing just as John did from his completed position. The Lord worked in their hearts and I believe they were impacted to live lives that declare the life of Christ and their relationship with Him.

After the class time we went out to “practice” the Come and See. I was pared up to help a local Pastor in his community. Kennedy and I were partners and he got to share the gospel with 5 teenage boys. It was fun to watch even though I understood very little that he said due to the fact that he was speaking to them in the local language. 3 of those boys made professions of faith and 2 of them said that they would like to learn more through the Inquires Bible Study. The best part of the whole experience was to watch Kennedy as he talked about how thrilling the experience of clearly sharing the gospel was and how excited he was about the prospective Bible Studies.


That evening we had the opportunity to go to Tory Barret’s house for dinner. The power went out but we had a great time of fellowships. We ate caterpillars and roasted marshmallows over the candles at the end of the meal.


Friday we went on game drive at the local game park with Phil Hunt and Steve Hafler. We were hoping to see Zebra’s and Giraffes but all we saw was a bunch of different kinds of antelope. It was fun to see the African animals.

I got to hold a 3 month old mongoose which was a neat experience. I was amazed at how God perfectly designed each of these animals for their surroundings.

Friday evening I spent family night with the Hunts. We played games and had pizza. It was a great time with the family. I was excited to meet each of these children. They are true Zambians. America to them is a neat trip but this is their home. My heart was convicted with the fact that I must involve my children in my ministry. They must see that I am real and that they are an integral part of what I do.

Saturday morning we drove up to Chingola to meet George Mutale. We found him in true Zambian style. We drove to the post office in Chingola and they told us where his compound (village) was located. We drove to the compound and asked a man where the address was. He lead us to the next turn and there we found a church with a sign that read Baptist Church. On the way we asked a boy on the road and he told us to go to the mountain (hill). We asked 2 men who the Pastor was and they did not know but sent us up the road to Brother Mutale’s address. We continued on until we saw another church that read Grace Baptist Church. I saw a man with his head out the window and we asked him who the pastor was. He told us George Mutale. He got in our van and gave us directions to Pastor Mutale’s house. This entire process took about 30min. Praise the Lord for Pastor Hunt who was there to guide me.

We had a wonderful time of fellowship with George Mutale in his home. His great concern is to see the lost evangelized and grow His church. His wife Tendai is a precious lady and his two children Destiny and Jane are so cute. His wife is a teacher (our support helped to pay for this) and they have started a Pre School at the Church on the grounds. They have about 40 children that attend. It is a great opportunity for Brother Mutale to meet unsaved families and see them added to the Church. The Lord has given me clear leading in how to proceed in helping our Brother. I will give you a thorough report on this time with him when I get home. Tomorrow morning I will speak in his Church. Pray that the Lord leads in my decision about what to preach tomorrow.


This evening we went to a Valentines Party for the Missionary Children. It was fun to see them play and have a good time together. We’ll the dinner bell is ringing at the Hunts house so I’d better head out. I’m sorry it has been so long between reports it got a bit busy.

Pastor Josh

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Highlights

Dear Church Family,

What a beautiful to sight to look out at the landscape transformed by the white snow. As I look out the window preparing for tomorrow I can’t stop thinking about the sacrifice that Jesus made for me to make my sin as white as snow. I pray that you will begin thinking these thoughts today and prepare your heart for tomorrow’s service. We have a very special service planned tomorrow. Our singing will be focused on the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. Maria Barta, one of our newest members, will be singing one of my favorite songs tomorrow, The Look (the lyrics for this song can be found at the bottom of this post). We will conclude the service with our Sacrifice Sunday Offering. In this offering you will be asked to place your financial, as well as time, sacrifice to Christ. It will be a wonderful time of focus on the work of our precious Savior.

I understand that the snow has made it difficult for many to get out; however, I believe that tomorrow’s service is extremely important for our church. We have a quick fellowship after the service tomorrow followed by a presentation of the plans for our new auditorium. If our church is going to move forward on this building project I believe it is vital for us all to be on the same page. We are planing the future of our church tomorrow. We spent the entire month of January building up to this service. I believe this is a critical time for our church body. We have the opportunity to gather together and focus on the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. I pray that you will be here tomorrow to worship together with the body of Christ.

In Christ,

Pastor Josh


The Look


I saw one hanging on a tree in agony and blood

Who fixed His loving eyes on me as near His cross I stood

And never till my dying breath will I forget that look

It seemed to charge me with His death though not a word He spoke


My conscience felt and owned the guilt and plunged me in despair

I saw my sins His blood had spilt and helped to nail Him there

But with a second look He said “I freely all forgive

this blood is for your ransom paid; I died that you might live”


Thus while His death my sin displays for all the world to view

Such is the mystery of grace; it seals my pardon too

With pleasing grief and mournful joy my spirit now is filled

That I should such a life destroy yet live by Him I killed


CHORUS

Forever etched upon my mind is the look of Him who died

The Lamb I crucified and now my life will sing the praise

Of pure atoning grace that looked on me and gladly

took my place



Original lyrics by John Newton. New and Alternate lyrics by Bob Kauflin. © 2001 PDI Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.

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