Archive for the 'Report' Category

Report on APC Conference in Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (13th-15th April 2010)

Published on April 17, 2010 in Report. 0 Comments

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 on Jan 2010 APCs

Published on March 27, 2010 in Report. 0 Comments

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.

Zambian Reformed Conferences

Published on August 22, 2009 in Announcements, Conrad Mbewe, Report and Upcoming Conferences. 0 Comments

The following is a post by Conrad Mbewe (a speaker at some of the African Pastors’ Conferences) who is pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Zambia.

“Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness” (Isaiah 51:11).

When I began to post recollections of past Reformed conferences in Zambia, I had hoped that I would do it in batches of five years. I managed the first ten years in two batches, but I failed to find the time to break the last nine years into two batches. So, here is their recollection in one serving!

Click here to continue reading the post.

Zambian Reformed Conference 2008

Report on APC, Barberton, South Africa

Published on May 15, 2009 in Barberton, Conrad Mbewe, Location, Report and Speaker/Author/Organiser. 0 Comments

This post is by Pastor Conrad Mbewe of Kabwata Baptist Church who was one of the speakers at the most recent APC.

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48).

Pastor Kabwe Kabwe (picture below) of Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Ndola, Zambia, and I were in Barberton, South Africa, last weekend preaching at the African Pastors Conference (formerly, the Evangelical Press Conference). We must have had slightly over 100 pastors and church leaders present, largely from the area around Barberton and from Swaziland. The theme of the conference was “Marks of a Healthy Church”. Pastor Kabwe handled the need to ensure regenerate membership, faithfulness to church discipline, a biblically qualified and working leadership, and a commitment to the work of missions. I handled the need to ensure biblically regulated worship, commitment to biblical preaching, and the need to ensure biblical dispute resolution. I also presented a biographical sketch on the life of William Carey, “the father of modern missions”.

Kabwe Kabwe

The chief organizer of this conference is Karl Peterson (seen below with his wife, Glynn), an American missionary living and ministering in Barberton. He is a very committed conference organizer and is also involved in organizing the annual FIEL Conference in Nampula, Mozambique, together with Dr Charles Woodrow. Erroll Hulse, who is part of the organizing team of all the African Pastors Conferences, also came down from the UK to lend his support to this conference. His indefatigable labours in ensuring that Publishers give a most generous discount on books that are sold at these conferences ensures that pastors and church leaders go back home with these books to help them in their ministry. Without this discount, most of the pastors who attend these conferences would only wistfully watch these priceless ministry tools on the book tables because many of them are too poor to purchase them at their real market value.

Karl And Glynn Peterson

These African Pastors Conferences are growing both in attendance and in number. About seven of them were held last January all over South Africa, where Pastors Choolwe Mwetwa and Raymond Zulu were the main preachers. Two more were held in Botswana and Zimbabwe last year, where Pastors Ronald Kalifungwa and Isaac Makashinyi were among the main preachers. There are plans to start another one in Swaziland soon. Enquiries have also been received from Tanzania. We need to pray for these conferences. The organizers would like to maximize on—though not limit themselves to—the use of Zambian pastors. So, we have a very heavy responsibility on our hands! Remember the words above: “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48). These conferences are a rare opportunity to introduce biblical Christianity to the many African pastors who are easy prey to false doctrines simply because of ignorance. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to participate in them and I gladly commend them to you for your prayer support.

Kabwe Kabwe Preaching

A Report on the APCs During January 2009

Published on February 10, 2009 in East London, January 2009, Koinonia Conference Centre, Location, Mseleni, Port Elizabeth and Report. 0 Comments

A report by Gary Morrison

Six African Pastors’ conferences were held in South Africa during January. My portfolio was to see that these conferences ran smoothly and that included organising the display of the books which are sold at subsidised prices thereby bringing very considerable advantage to the pastors. This latter responsibility was made a pleasure by diligent workers at each conference who know the book trade. Cornerstone Baptist Church, Bolton, generously and whole-heartedly supported me in these travels in sunny South Africa. My first pastorate was in Mandini, Kwazulu and with that background I have great sympathy for the needs of African pastors who live in an economic climate very different to ours.

The first conference was held at Mseleni near the border between Mozambique and South Africa, Pastor Choolwe Mwetwa (Central Baptist Church, Chingola, Zambia) spoke very challengingly on ‘The marks of faithful ministry’, and Pastor Raymond Zulu (High Wycombe Evangelical Church, UK) with the advantage of preaching in his mother tongue soared wonderfully on the theme, ‘The Word of God as our sure foundation’.

Our second conference at Koinonia Conference Centre was nearby the town of Hillcrest which in turn is not that far from the city Durban. The Speakers included Choolwe, Raymond, Dennis Hustedt (Utah, USA) and myself. The response was encouragingly very positive. Such is the increasing interest and edification that the pastors are calling for an extension to this work to reach the youth and from them so seek to build up a future body of able ministers of the Gospel. We will have our work cut out to wrestle with this challenge and act positively.

Our third stop was in the Eastern Cape in at the city of Port Elizabeth, where Dr Paul Stoltz (Bible Institute of the Eastern Cape) very capably organised the three day conference. Pastor Bob Dickie (Berean Baptist Church in Flint Michigan USA) also expounded the awe inspiring subject of Worship. We also had an outstanding Q & A session. Some interesting topics were discussed including the role of women in ministry. This cropped up at most of the conferences. It seems to be a recurring theme that may need to be addressed sensitively in the future.

The fourth conference (click here for sermons and photos) was near the beautiful city of Pretoria. This time the speakers included Pastor Irving Steggles (Birchleigh Baptist Church, Kempton Park). He spoke on revival and delivered the conference sermon (‘Motivation in the Ministry’). The conference was a tremendous success under the very capable leadership and organisational skills of Irving who was assisted by church members from Birchleigh Baptist and also from Constantia Park Baptist Church in Pretoria where Martin Holdt is senior pastor. The Book table ministry was also a great blessing here. The three days and two nights, including six meals cost each person the equivalent astounding sum of 70 Rand (£5.00). This is a admirable demonstration on just how far money given by churches in both the USA and the UK can go towards financing more APC’s in future years.

The fifth conference was in the large Free State town of Welkom. This once rich gold-mining town is now not far from poverty. Even the local fire engines have been repossessed by the manufacturers. The local CESA (Church of England in South Africa which is a reformed denomination) minister, George van der Westhuizen, acted as host to the conference at his church building. There was tremendous response to the preachers Choolwe and Raymond. On a personal note heartbreak and challenge came to me the next day when the three of us visited Morning Star, a crèche for 85 local HIV positive children. What an inspiring work is done by the ladies there, especially Joan Adams who is responsible for running it.

Finally the last of the conferences took place at Newcastle. This was a first time event and was capably organised by pastor Paul Jacobs. Here we saw demonstrated what can be done when a whole church supports a conference like this. This practical backing came from the Newcastle Baptist Church. Apart from the books hardly any subsidy is needed when this takes place. Some were disappointed inasmuch that they did not have enough time to secure enough money to purchase more of the discounted books that were available. In Newcastle they all wanted us to stay on for a second day. Lord willing next year we will.

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe APC Report (December 2008)

Published on December 18, 2008 in Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), December 2008 and Report. 0 Comments

Zimbabwe’s second African Pastors’ Conference was held from the 9th to 11th of December 2008 in Bulawayo. The Theological College of Zimbabwe kindly hosted the event, which came at a crucial time in the ministries and lives of approximately 45 pastors who attended. Such a number was most encouraging, considering the present circumstances in the country.

Dr Victor Nakah, president of the College, spoke very relevantly on Ephesians 5, Pastor Isaac Makashinyi (Emmasdale Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia) on “Preaching Christ from the Old Testament,” and Pastor Irving Steggles (Birchleigh Baptist Church, South Africa) on “What is a Christian?”, “What is the Church?” and “What is Revival?” Pray that the teaching the pastors received will result in lasting fruit, and that revival may come to Zimbabwe’s desperate people. This is certainly a chief desire in the pastors’ hearts. It was moving and humbling to speak personally to many of the men and to note their absolute dependency upon God for daily bread, and their confidence in His faithfulness to supply their every need – spiritual and physical. Although they face life and death issues every day, the pastors never showed a spirit of complaint or ingratitude before the Lord. Together with them, we expect great things of God, that out of the extremity of the situation He will show His glory!

During the Conference, books were sold at considerably reduced prices, thanks to the churches and publishers who made this possible. Free CDs of the Conference messages and Q&A sessions were given to each pastor. Douglas Marikanaa (administrator of the Christian Leadership Resource Centre in Zimbabwe) and John Stambolie were largely responsible for the organization of the Conference. We are grateful to God for their great help.

Audio Messages

Direct links to the good quality mp3′s are available here:

To access the high quality files, please visit the sermon archive.

East London Conference (April 2008) Report

Published on April 14, 2008 in Angus McKee, April 2008, Duncan Village (South Africa), East London, Irving Steggles, Report and Ronald Kalifungwa. 1 Comment

The Conference was organised by Pastors Boyce Seleni and Angus McKee. This was the first APC Conference in East London – indeed one of the pastors, who had been in ministry for over 30 years, gratefully commented that this was the first local conference in all his time as Pastor which was aimed at meeting his needs.

The theme was “The local church – its nature and its leadership”. Angus McKee, Pastor of Beacon Hill Baptist Church in East London, opened with an exposition of Acts 6: 1-7 on “Keeping the focus on the Church”. Irving Steggles, Pastor of Birchleigh Baptist Church, Kempton Park, spoke twice on “The nature of the local church” and Ronald Kalifungwa, Pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church, Zambia, spoke three times on “Leadership in the local church”.

Some of the 25 or so Pastors who attended came from considerable distances, a few travelling in daily and others staying the night. Many were pastoring in lonely rural situations and valued the fellowship and help in teaching – they were particularly keen to apply the truths taught in their situations. The vibrant question sessions after the main talks and in the formal Q and A session showed the real problems being faced on the ground. It was particularly moving to hear of those pastors who were not allowed to lead in their churches because of powerful figures who wanted to retain control. We all longed for biblical churches and to be able to support each other in fellowship to attain this.

We thank God for the provision of a good meeting place in the church in Duncan Village, where we were well fed. The Conference was provided free of charge to delegates, thanks to generous sponsorship for the catering by Sola 5. The free books for the Pastors could not be available at the Conference but are being sent on. We thank God for the sponsoring publishing houses and churches overseas.

Click here to listen to audio messages from our previous conference(s)