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| The ' Vic Falls' seen from the Zambian side |
This annual conference of God centered Evangelicals in Southern Africa was held at the Livingstone Institute of Business and Engineering Studies . It was well organized in terms of everything. Zambian hospitality , as always was excellent . This conference was held under the auspices of the Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in Livingstone .
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| Hein Strauss & Christo Beetge chairing a session |
After the steering committee under the leadership of Christo Beetge ( Brackenhurst Baptist Church) and our ever efficient administrator , Hein Strauss ( Antipas Baptist Church – Pretoria) had met on Thursday afternoon , 1st September to ensure that everything was in place to commence with the conference , the conference began with an evening fellowship supper followed by the first address .
The theme for this year’s conference was , “ Living God’s Way in God’s World : Christians impacting culture” .
Six topics were assigned for the conference , all centering around the cultural mandate given to us in Genesis 1:28 . I shall make mention of the topics and the speakers only. (The messages may be downloaded, I believe, from the SOLA 5 Website in MP3 or DVD format )
1 . Bruce Button ( Sovereign Grace Theological Seminary) : The biblical basis for the cultural mandate
2. Jeff Gage (Free Grace Baptist Church – Boksburg) : The theological basis for the cultural mandate
3. Joachim Rieck ( Eastside Baptist Church ) : The historical outworking of the cultural mandate in western civilization
4. Conrad Mbewe ( Kabwata Baptist Church) : The place of Christian education in the fulfillment of the cultural mandate
5. Ronald Kalifungwa( Lusaka Baptist Church) : The place of a biblical work ethic in the fulfillment of the cultural mandate
6. Choolwe Mwetwa : ( Chingola Baptist Church) : The application of the cultural mandate in Africa . This message was preached in the context of a worship service held at Trinity Reformed Baptist Church .
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| Three of our speakers (l-r) Conrad Mbewe , Ronald Kalifungwa , Choolwe Mwetwa |
The messages were all thought provoking and challenging. The subject at hand is one that needs to be mulled over and discussed in our churches . The nature of this conference was intensely practical since it dealt with the application of the gospel which frees us to do good works ( Eph 2:10) in every sphere of our existence .
The preaching sessions were interspersed with mission reports and reports on new church planting initiatives ( e.g. Richard Raven in Bloemfontein) from all the regions . It is wonderful to see how missionary minded our movement is !
On Saturday afternoon there was an elective on youth ministry offered by Nick and Sheila Court of Stepwise Youth ministry .
On Friday afternoon , 2nd September we held our Annual Business Session . Since SOLA 5 is not a denomination , but an association of churches , this session was uncomplicated and quickly accomplished . A new steering committee was elected. Peter Sammons ( Germiston Baptist Church/ RSA) was elected as the chairman . The Steering Committee consist of Hein Strauss ( Administrator) , Ronald Kalifungwa (alt. Isaac Makashinyi) Conrad Mbewe ( alt. Grave Singogo) , Christo Beetge , Pieter Slabber ( Eastside / Namibia) , Jeff Gage , Roland Eskinazi; OB Macwele ( Swaziland) , Kobus van der Walt .
New churches were received into membership : Kafue Reformed Baptist Church (Zambia ); Midrand Chapel (RSA) and Birchleigh Baptist Church ( RSA) .
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| Pastor Kennedy Sunkutu and wife from Kafue Reformed Baptist Church |
An encouraging report was given by Dr Ken Turnbull on the development of the African Christian University in Zambia and Bruce Button of the Sovereign Grace Theological Seminary ( Zambia ) . SGTS will hopefully become the theological faculty of this new Christian University.
On Saturday afternoon, 3rd of September we had a bit of free time and visited the majestic Victoria falls . The ever efficient Col. Phiri had organized a Zambian Airforce bus for us and had negotiated a reduced entrance fare for us. Instead of paying U$ 20.00 we only had to pay U$ 10.00 .
This is now the 7th SOLA 5 Conference , since this Association of God Centered Evangelicals in Southern Africa was formed in 2004 .
Looking Ahead
Next year’s conference ( 2012) will be hosted by the Manzini Fellowship Church in Swaziland , before the conference hopes to return once more to Namibia in 2013 .
3 comments:
Thanks for the update, and sad that my wife and I missed it when it was too close to us. We keep praying that this forum continues to grow both quantitatively and qualitatively. we pray that we make it to Manzini next year, the Lord permitting.
If the photo of the Victoria Falls was taken during this visit, then it confirms why I was hesitant to go and see it. It looks like it would have been of greater interest for a geologist!
Please come again in April to June. You will see the Falls in its "full bloom"--i.e. if you will be able to see it at all.
All the same, it was a great conference. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the messages and the fellowship. We look forward to the next treat in Swaziland.
Conrad , I think that the Vic falls are more than just the amount of water that pours over the precipice. The geology and the entire surrounding is breathtaking .
As for the conference in Livingstone - I thought it was superb . It has left me with a lot of food for thought.
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