Zimbabwe!

I was blessed to work in Zimbabwe last week. Ken Galyean, with Call to Africa led a team from the U.S. and Gaborone, Botswana with Open Baptist Church as part of Close Connections. Ken brought his trusted side-kick, my friend, Clyde Watts from Oklahoma. They arrived a week earlier to work in village area near Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a must see for anyone. Witnessing decisions made for Christ from was the best view for the team. We are reminded there is such a need to support the local pastors to disciple the new spiritual infants. When I met up with them they were not slowing down. They were a holding soccer (football) training camps in the local schools in Bulawayo.

In Zimbabwe as in Botswana, churches are allowed to go into schools to coach, pray, lead Bible studies and evangelize. It was interesting to listen to the school leaders worry about the other schools cheating to win. Tournaments in the past have been chaos because of it so there is no trust among the schools. Ken and Clyde assured them the games would be fair and in the spirit of good sportsman ship. I also met Ernie, a local hero from Bulawayo who played on the Zimbabwe International basketball team in his day, (he is 37 now) who is coaching young boys. He shared his vision to teach basic ball skills and plays with a focus to build their leadership through Christ. Ernie feels the players watch too much TV and play “street ball” with no regard to rules. He is praying for the opportunity to build sports based ministry in the schools of Bulawayo.

The team went to a local school to do an outreach. My job was to share the Gospel with them at the end of program. I was in my element I have to say. We had music, a puppet show and drama to share Jesus' message to them. I love watching the children as they marched in single file in their full uniforms with not a smile but blank face looking straight ahead. The teachers were the same, looking all serious and stern keeping t. I was not going to let that remain for long. Children kept coming and coming and coming to sit on a concrete slab in the hot sun to hear our message. There were nearly 750 children at this school. Within minutes we were cheering and shouting “Pepsi-Cola” and “Jesus Christ”, clapping and laughing. What can I say, caffeine and Jesus works for me in the morning. The rally team did their job and then I was able to share the Gospel. Like I said, I was in my element God helped me realize something that morning. The kids were paying attention and impacted by what they were seeing but even more, the teachers were moved and connected to what was happening. The stern looks faded away and laughter with big smiles replaced them. They felt relaxed and eager to hear what we were saying and sharing. When it was over and the children were heading back to their rooms in single file, I ran ahead and started shaking hands, high fiving, and fist pounding. As the passed I thanked them for their beautiful smiles and shared Jesus loves them. I cracked up when the teachers ran into the line to receive what I was sharing. I was able to thank them for their hard work and teaching these beautiful children. The joy on their faces to hear someone recognize their work and appreciated was outstanding. Teachers give great hugs when they are appreciated and I received some good ones. The rally team started doing it too and it was awesome to share the love of God in that school. The head master asked the church to come back again to encourage the children and teachers like they did today. Learning moment for me was as much as I love the children and reaching out to them, the greater impact was inspiring and encouraging the school leaders through Christ.

Ken had an amazing day on Saturday I have to share. He was invited to speak to some local pastors because the bishop to this group of pastors had a dream that frightened him. He dreamt he was leading his church flock to hell because of his teaching. I have to be upfront, by definition this group churches is a cult. They have a prophet over a church that tells them “divine inspiration from God” with no Bible. It is based on works. This bishop was afraid and wanted direction from someone concerning this dream. God used Ken in a mighty way. He spoke to over 40 prophets and pastors from the church about biblical truth and God's plan and grace. There was a mighty awakening to God’s Word and His Kingdom on that day. The bishop got it and began to weep. Out of 42 of them, only 2 had a Bible but all committed to preach the Word of God. OBC was able to provide an audio bible of the entire New Testament and 30 of Charles Stanley’s sermons from “In Touch Ministries”. Pray that local church leaders disciple and build these leaders for the Kingdom of God in truth from His Word.

I was also able to lead a one-day Children’s Leadership Training in Bulawayo as well. We had 41 leaders representing 9 churches in the area. It was a success in that they embraced the leadership principle to build and grow their children’s ministry with Passion, Attitude, Teamwork and Honor. The principle of reaching the mental, physical, spiritual and social aspects of children was new to them from a church perspective. They only focused on the mental and spiritual part of children. They understand it has to be balanced in all 4 areas and deliberate to reach the whole child for Christ. They cannot do it alone; they need the pastor’s support and the work of others to make it happen. Pray for these leaders as the recruit and develop leaders for their children.

The soccer tournament went will that day as well. No chaos, no cheating, just good sportsmanship. The gospel was shared and a desire for church leaders to help the schools use sports to minister to their students was overwhelming. I think Ernie maybe be busy in Bulawayo.

Next, we went to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, for a larger scale conference with pastors and children’s leaders. We had 89 pastors and 19 children’s leaders registered. The thirst for the Word of God and the courage of the local church in Zimbabwe is nothing like I have ever seen or experienced. I came here thinking we were going teach at a slow pace but they wanted a full marathon. Run hard, run strong and run long would summarize their desire to learn best. It was way beyond my expectation and understanding of the church here. Their drive and desire to be soaked in the Word and truth is incredible. I see Kingdom minded vision and direction here. When you are immersed in something big like this, I mean God big like what I saw there, you know He answers prayers and cares for His Church. I think of Kathy Tucker of Aiken, SC who shared with me before we came here as missionaries, how she has been praying for Zimbabwe for years because of the oppression from it's political leaders. I witnessed her answered prayers as well. The church here is thriving and hungry.

With this blog I cannot close with out sharing a concern most of the pastors expressed to us about the local Church. The success of the church here does not come without temptation. There is great concern over prosperity gospel and African Traditional Worship distracting churches and pastors with blessings and bribes to the ancestors. TV pastors from Africa and USA showing the churches to ask for blessings and healings with little to no gospel is overwhelming. Pastors escorting in fine cars and led by men in dark suites and dark sunglasses. It is very appealing to churches with little or nothing. The standard theme with the ATW church is “God’s divine word revealed through ancestral and spiritual deities.” Teaching you can have Jesus and your ancestor Gods. Prophets say they have God’s word for the church and they keep a strong hold on the flock. In either practice, there is no grace, no Holy Spirit and no Jesus the Savior, just God and church leader, giving blessings and wealth to those who demand it or pay for it. Truth is diluted and distorted; people and churches are led astray. You see why the earlier comments about Ken's time with those pastors was such a God thing. Pray God will send leaders, teachers and pastors to address this battle and help the churches.

Thank you for taking time read my blog. Please pray for the requests I mentioned. Pray for Hunter and Makenzie while they are away from us at university. Pray for Chandler, Parker, Joe and Josh as they adjust to the last term for the school year. Pray for Tonya as she keeps they wild bunch together. We love all of you for your prayers and support.

Scott Shipes