Report by Irving Steggles

The conference took place in the Eternal Community Baptist Church in Port Alfred. This is a township church where, judging by the notice-board, there is a faithful bible-teaching ministry. The building in the middle of the township was a pleasant brick-built structure on a sizeable plot with an outside township-style toilet. The weather was very hot (the outside thermometer on the car registered 50C!) but the building was pleasantly cooler. It was a vibrant area complete with chickens and animals and many children. The conference was organized by Pastor Mike Tzonini from Alice for whom this was the third APC he has attended in the Eastern Cape. He was helped by Pastor Boyce Saleni who is now pastoring a new church plant in George which is some 600km away.

The Eastern Cape is a poor area of South Africa and men struggle to find the money to travel and even pay for food at the conference – most could not afford the R25 for lunch. One man came from way out in the Transkei (3 hours by taxi to East London and then a lift with Mike for the remaining 120km) and is passionate about the doctrines of grace. Because of the constraints on travel there were only 15 pastors there, most of them local – there would have been many more if it had been arranged as an evening conference, because most pastors have secular jobs during the daytime.
The theme, Biblical Evangelism, was the same as in Zimbabwe, but in addition to Irving Steggles (South Africa) and Laban Mwshekele (Namibia) the other speaker was Errol Wagner from George who most helpfully spoke on doing the work of an evangelist and also the marks of true conversion. There was a challenging question and answer session and Errol preached incisively from the resurrection appearances in John 21.

It is planned to have a follow-up session with these pastors in October (Errol and Boyce will teach).
The long search for a Western Cape conference seems to be reaching its end. We hope to have a conference in George in November (locally organized by Errol and Boyce, who have many local contacts) and next year to do Eastern and Western Cape conferences back to back.

The venue in Port Alfred is a good one, just the sort of venue we need for APCs – running the conference in a township with the most modest of accommodation is true incarnational ministry. The only problem here would have been how to accommodate people from wider afield – that must investigated if we are to maximize the usefulness of the conferences.
The books were much appreciated and it was good to see some pastors buying commentaries – in spite of their poverty. Pray they will read them. Most pastors have no cars – Mike, the organizer, had just bought his first car after 21 years in the ministry.

Again we thank God for all the prayer and financial support He has given through His people. There is no doubt that this is strategic work and the need of the hour is to raise up faithful, well-informed, courageous pastors who are willing to take a lead. Many are crippled by denominational links and pressures from the majority. There are signs here in the Eastern Cape that God is raising up men who are prepared to be different and to be strong for the truth. We must labour while it is yet day, for night will come when no man can work.

Report by Raymond Zulu

In a short space I am limited to a few fleeting impressions of six truly wonderful conferences. The theme for them all was Preaching Christ from the Old Testament. The preachers were Ronald Kalifungwa – Christ in Genesis, Gary Morrison – Christ in Psalms, Isaac Makhashinyi – Christ in Exodus, Raymond Zulu – Christ in Kings and Sechaba Legoete – Christ in Leviticus. They were joined by Bob Dickie who spoke in Port Elizabeth from Isaiah on ministry marked by humility and brokenness.

Port Elizabeth

The ministry of all the speakers were well received and appreciated. Bob Dickie and Ronald Kalifungwa were the highlights. The spirit of the conference was very good. The local organizers clearly had invested time and effort. Special thanks and appreciation should be expressed to Dr Paul Stoltz, Siphiwo Kiti and BIEC staff for all their hard work.

Koinonia near Hillcrest Kwazulu

The ministry of all speakers was well received and a good enthusiastic spirit was evident amongst the people. Ronald Kalifungwa was especially helpful during the question and answer session. Our book-warehouse manager Gayle Staegeman in Midrand demonstrates unwavering commitment in helping and serving all the APCs. Sya serves with the same kind of commitment at Koinonia. Like Gayle she knows not only the books but the book trade. These sisters deserve praise and encouragement.

Mseleni far north in Kwazulu

Dr Victor Fredlund, a very busy surgeon a sterling work organizing this conference in Mseleni. Our prayer for him to have a helper has not yet been answered. The ministry of the word was well received and Isaac Makhashinyi excelled. There was a group that came from Empangeni who could not make it Koinonia. The urgent need for expository books in Zulu is stark when we see how few books these pastors have to help them.

Newcastle in Kwazulu

The Newcastle Baptist Church once again offered refreshments and manpower thus reducing costs to a minimum. The new pastor at Newcastle, like his predecessor, is very supportive together with his elders and deacons. The ladies of the church were tireless in making sure the conferees were well fed. Paul Jacob led the meetings .The Lord blessed the ministry of the word from Isaac Makhashinyi and Sechaba Legoete which was warmly received.

Welkom in the Free State

Ron and Joan Adams were responsible for organizing this conference. One pastor declared that he was determined to spread the news of the value of the APCs among the pastors’ fraternals in the townships around Welkom. Such zeal and support is the life-blood of these conferences. Joan Adams is the dynamic, compassionate manager of Morning Star for Aids orphans. We were inspired by the extent and quality of care for so many damaged little ones when we visited this wonderful work.

Pretoria – Ora et Labora

Here Isaac Makhashinyi, Gary Morrison and Sechaba Legoete were greatly used of God. Nick and Sheila Court and other ladies ensured that the conference ran smoothly. (see photo on the front inside cover). The meals for so many delegates were served amazingly promptly.

Gayle Staegeman reported at the conclusion of the six conferences that 174 sets of five free books had been given to pastors and the total number of books which were either given or sold came to 1,773. Most books were procured at Ora et Labora with Newcastle second and Port Elizabeth third.

Pastors Elias Masango and Musa Simelane pastors from the townships Soweto and Tembisa respectively, emphasized the importance of extending these conferences to include the pastors of the massive township populations round Pretoria and Johannesburg.

The conferences were a blessing and great encouragement to everyone present as far as we can tell. January 2010 was attended by God’s grace and goodness in a very pronounced way with no tensions or major difficulties. Delegates at all the venues evidenced growth and maturity.All those saints who have taken the APCs to heart and given their support either in prayer or in other ways have much to bless God for in that his word was so clearly proclaimed.