NOVEMBER, 2018 NEWSLETTER #24
Last month, the A2Z team returned to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe as they usually do. This trip, however, was different. Normally, the time spent in Bulawayo is only for leadership training. It usually comes on the heels of a doctrinal conference held in another city and often in another country. This time, both the doctrinal conference and the leadership training were held in Bulawayo.
The team for this trip consisted of Pastor and Sister Greg Riggen (Olathe, Kansas), Brother Kevin Timms (working under Pastor Brian Jones from Bryan, Texas), and Pastor and Sister Lynn Bohannon (LaMarque, Texas). Although it was Brother Timms’ first international trip, Brother and Sister Bohannon were already experienced at working overseas, specifically in Africa.
For this newsletter, we decided it might be good for you to get a report from those who participated in these conferences. Accordingly, we asked Pastor Bohannon and Brother Timms to each write a brief synopsis of their experience. We appreciate them being willing to do so.
Brother Timms
Pastor Bohannon
Greetings to all in the name of Jesus Christ! What a privilege it was to be able to travel with Elder Riggen and Pastor Bohannon to the country of Zimbabwe for the Doctrinal and Leadership seminars in Bulawayo. I must admit that I was a bit nervous and anxious about this trip, since it was my first time to travel to the continent of Africa. However, I knew that with the Lord’s help great things were going to be accomplished. What a great experience it was to be able to share this truth with the people of Bulawayo, and to be able to see revelation experienced among the crowd as the Word went forth. Watching the response of those individuals who saw truth of the Mighty God in Christ and their need to be baptized in the name of Jesus is something that I will never forget! What a blessed people we are to have the Truth, and what a freedom and liberty there is in knowing who Jesus is!
At the leadership seminar, it was a privilege and honor to be able to meet and teach the men that are spearheading this movement all across South Africa. What a great hunger and zeal these men have for the things of God! Throughout the leadership seminar, we were privileged to be able to hear several of the local ministers teach/preach during devotion, and what a tremendous blessing it was to see the fire and passion these men had for the message that we hold so near and dear to our hearts! I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity that was given to me to be able to be a small part in what God is doing in Southern Africa! God is doing great and wonderful things in the country of Zimbabwe and all across Southern Africa, and I am excited for the great revival that is happening there!
On November 5, my wife and I were privileged to be able to be a part of the A2Z Missions team to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. While this was not our first overseas mission involvement it certainly was one of the greatest. Of course, the enemy fought (as he always does) the doctrinal conference, delaying the arrival of the A2Z team and thus delaying the start of the conference. In spite of the delay (and having to condense the classes as a result), God moved mightily! As a result of this conference, 18 people were baptized in the lovely Name of Jesus! To God be the Glory!
The following week, we were involved in leadership training for pastors from many different countries in southern Africa. These men had already seen the truth of Jesus’ Name baptism. So many exhibited such a deep hunger for more truth as we endeavored to impart truth to them! What an honor to be a small part of sharing this great truth with those who are hungry for truth! God is moving mightily in southern Africa!
NOVEMBER, 2018 NEWSLETTER #24
You can support us through the I AM Foundation, or by making your check payable to:
A2Z Missions, Inc., 1901 E Sheridan St, Olathe, KS 66062
In our last newsletter, we expressed our desire to purchase some form of reliable transportation to be used while we are in Zimbabwe. We explained the difficulties we encounter trying to rent something, and asked you to consider helping us buy a car we could call our own. We want to share a little more about that request, and let you know the miraculous outcome.
Elder Gregg had done his homework on the subject, and explained to the Board that trying to buy something in Zimbabwe was cost prohibitive. The least expensive way for us to buy reliable transportation was to order it from Japan and have it shipped.
The great men on the Board not only approved the request, but made sizable contributions towards the purchase price. With their approval, we included a few paragraphs in our last newsletter expressing the need for the remaining balance.
Within a matter of a few days, men and churches all across our fellowship rallied. It didn’t take long at all to raise enough to order and pay for a 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser! We are overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and generosity of our supporters, and cannot thank you enough for the way you came through!
Unfortunately, there was not enough time to get it delivered for our November trip. However, one of our local pastors took receipt of it, and it is now in our possession. Because of your considerable kindness, the car awaits our return in February. Thank you SO MUCH!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
REGISTRATION COMPLETED
For more than two years now, A2Z has been working with the government of Zimbabwe to become a registered NGO (non-governmental organization). This registration is necessary for a number of reasons, not the least of which is providing the newly converted pastors (and their churches) an “umbrella” under which their churches can operate.
While the government of Zimbabwe does not require individual churches to register, they do require the churches to be affiliated with a registered organization. The overwhelming majority of the pastors who have embraced the Apostolic doctrine were operating under the largest Trinitarian Pentecostal organization in their country. As that organization has become aware of the fact that these men now reject the doctrine of the Trinity and, consequently, no longer baptize using the Trinitarian formula, their “parent” organization is putting them out.
A2Z has been working diligently to try to remedy this situation by getting the government to recognize us by granting us legal registration. With each attempt, however, the government would reject our application on some technicality. In September of this year, Elder Galen Gregg, Pastor Greg Riggen, and one of the local Zimbabwean pastors met with an attorney who felt confident he could help us in our plight. During our November trip, Pastor Riggen was thrilled to finally receive the official copy of our registration papers. This is a milestone for our missionary endeavor, and a source of peace for the pastors who have been converted as a result of our efforts.
A2Z’s Newly Acquired
2006 Toyota Land Cruiser