Serenje Camp Meeting (July 6, 2009)

Thomas Simubali (Director of Missions) just returned from attending the Serenje Area Camp Meeting (July 3-6). Zambians celebrate a four-day, weekend holiday the first weekend of July each year and, during this holiday weekend, many churches and organizations in Zambia use this as a time to assemble. Many of our churches use this time to gather for a "Camp Meeting" (a time to worship and hear Bible lessons from visiting preachers). Thomas was invited as the key speaker for the camp meeting in the Serenje area.

The Serenje region is the area in which we have conducted our past three Medical Missions. It is any area where there are very few churches and few medical clinics. Thus, not only have our Medical Missions helped people in some very remote areas without medical care, but it has also been an effective way to introduce ourselves to the people of this regioin. At first the people of this area were afraid of us as they had never heard of the Church of Christ nor Mapepe Bible College. Some called us "Satanists" (i.e., people who do evil). One village even burned down the chief's house because he agreed to allow us to come to his village. But, of course, it didn't take long before the people realized that we were there to do them good in the name of Jesus rather than do them evil. Doors were opened and churches have been planted. Several students have also come to attend Mapepe Bible College who were converts of these church-plantings.

The good news that Thomas brought back was the news that these new churches plantings are continuing to do well and are growing stronger and larger. There are now six new churches in just one area of the Serenje region and there were more than 300 people who came from these churches to attend this four-day Camp Meeting! Thomas reports that the weekend went VERY well and that these churches are now starting to develop leaders. Thomas also reports that several of our former students (graduates) from this area have now planted new churches further out. One student (Humphrey) has now planted 7 churches, two of which are just across the Congo border! Another student (Melvin) who was a convert from our Prison Ministry has now planted 2-3 new churches! Thomas returned very excited about the weekend! Please keep these new churches and our students in your prayers as they struggle to survive (both physically and spiritually) in a very remote area of Zambia. -- David