JULY, 2016 NEWSLETTER #14
Pastor John Burgess
Pastor Ron Garrett
Pastor Gary Howard
Pastor Greg Riggen
13 MORE BAPTIZED IN ZIMBABWE!
On Monday, June 13, 2016, Pastor Greg Riggen (Olathe, Kansas), Pastor Joel Pace (Dallas, Texas), Pastor Daniel Stephens (Mountain View, Arkansas), Pastor Paul Ogle (Atchison,
Kansas), Elder Bill Fleming (Colorado Springs, Colorado), and Brother Jared Hilton (Olathe, Kansas) travelled to the city of Harare, Zimbabwe for our annual conference, the purpose of which was to strengthen the already-converted believers. As has been the case so many times before, there were a number of pastors present who had never heard this Apostolic message. Because of that, the team focused a good part of their lessons on doctrine. By the end of the week, thirteen pastors and wives had been baptized in Jesus’ name.
RECORD CROWD IN MALAWI; 100 BAPTIZED!
On Sunday the American team travelled from Harare, Zimbabwe to Lilongwe, Malawi to teach truth to a group of Trinitarian pastors. The conference began on Monday and there were over 800 pastors and wives present. This was the largest group we have had the privilege of teaching.
From the onset, the presence of God was evident in the meeting. We recognized the strength of the prayers of entire churches, families, and individuals whose travail had “availed much” during the course of the conference. The prayers of God's people were certainly not in vain!
On the first day, Pastor Stephens, Pastor Pace, and Pastor Ogle taught about the importance of following Truth over Tradition and the necessity of Repentance and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Pastor Riggen began teaching on the essentiality of water baptism, but circumstances caused him to have to cut the lesson short.
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On the second day, as Pastor Riggen further expounded on the subject of baptism (especially focusing on the use of Jesus’ name), you could see and hear individual reactions as many came to the knowledge of the truth. At one point, Pastor Riggen asked for a show of hands for everyone that understood the necessity of water baptism in Jesus’ name. As you can see in the picture below, hands were raised from every row in the room.
Although no one had come prepared to be baptized that day, several people saw the need and felt the urgency to be baptized that day. However, we had a problem. The city was experiencing a drought, and the meeting hall would not allow us to use water to fill the portable baptistries we had brought. Just as Pastor Riggen was telling the people that God would make a way, someone came with the news that a church within walking distance had agreed to allow us to use their baptistry — which was already full of water. Once everyone got there, 32 people were baptized in Jesus' name!
On the third and final day, Pastor Riggen taught on the Oneness of God. Again the power of God was tangible, and again it was obvious when revelation swept the room. At the conclusion of that day's sessions, the team again went to the church which had offered the baptistry. That day, an additional 68 people were baptized, bringing the total for this conference to exactly 100!
Among those converted in this meeting was a man from the city of Blantyre, Malawi, who is the head of that city's "Ministers Fraternal" organization. This group is somewhat akin to America's "Ministerial Alliance," but it wields a great deal more influence and authority over its member than our Ministerial Alliance does. This man, and a number of his committee members were baptized, and have asked A2Z to return to their city in September to teach this message to the 500 members of their group. Furthermore, they said they are going to encourage each member to bring several other ministers with them. Please be in prayer about this meeting, as it has the potential of exceeding the one we just completed. There is no question that revival is exploding in Africa!
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SPECIAL PROJECT — YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
A2Z Missions has been given the opportunity to purchase a bed-and-breakfast in Zimbabwe, which we intend to use as a Bible College for the hundreds of pastors that have been converted to the truth! We see this as an essential step to further develop and train these men. The property includes two houses, a "motel" with four bedrooms and three baths, a dining hall, and a large room which will become the chapel/classroom. Both houses and the motel will be fully furnished, allowing us to begin holding classes almost immediately. However, we desperately need your help at this time raising the funds to make this purchase. The total sales price is $185,000. We currently have only a small portion of this amount. We need to raise the remaining balance within about 30 days of the time you receive this newsletter. We are hoping that our supporters will share this vision and rise to the occasion. We ask you to prayerfully consider becoming a part of this necessary endeavor.
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The Conference Crowd in Malawi