FIRST EASTERN PROVINCE ANNUAL REFORMED BAPTIST YOUTH CAMP (EPARBYC)

The first Eastern Province Annual Reformed Baptist Youth Conference (EPARBYC) was held at Covenant College in Petauke from the 14th to the 18th of August, 2014. The college is approximately 4 kilometers off Great East Road. We are glad that the Lord of the harvest could afford such a great opportunity to fulfill the great commission found in Matthew 28:18-20.

This camp was the first of its kind. It mainly consisted of young people who are at secondary school, ranging from 10 to 20 years of age. We also had three young girls within this age group that stayed with their babies in camp. There were about 100 young people and 8 adults in attendance coming from 9 churches.

The table below shows the representation of the churches that were in attendance:

No. CHURCH TOWN NUMBER OF YOUTHS
1 Katete Reformed Baptist Katete 11
2 Sinda Reformed Baptist Sinda 13
3 Nyimba Reformed Baptist Nyimba 12
4 Grace Reformed Baptist Petauke 13
5 Calimeri Baptist Chipata 2
6 Magazine Baptist Chipata 9
7 Chiparamba Reformed Baptist Chipata 11
8 Chipata Calvary Baptist Chipata 28
9 Chiyanjano Baptist Lusaka 1

The theme of the camp was The Grace and Fear of God. Pastors Albert Ngoma and Pastor Kenneth Siwale were the main speakers. Pastor Ngoma, preached on ‘The Grace of God’ during the morning sessions, while pastor Siwale, preached on ‘The Fear of God’ during the evening sessions. The camp speakers preached in English while Mtika Sangwani interpreted the message because not all the campers could understand English. By God’s enabling, these men faithfully labored to explain the scriptures on the grace and fear of God.

In the afternoons, there were seminars. The topics that were handled during these sessions included ‘Farming God’s Way’ by Jackson Kasolo, ‘Relationships with Parents’ by Pastor Lovemore Banda, and ‘Relationships between Boys’ and Girls’ by Mrs Nyirongo, Mtika Sangwani and Jackson Kasolo. These seminars were very interactive and all the speakers handled them very well. Other opportunities to expose the youths to God’s word were through morning devotions and midmorning bible studies which were conducted in groups.

The children did not only listen to God’s word but they also had other activities such as Rise and Shine which involved morning exercise, they competed in games and recited memory verses, to name a few things. On Sunday evening there was campfire where the campers got involved in a preaching competition and also gave various presentations in their different groups.

Many of them testified that they had a great time, lots of fun and most importantly learned about the Grace of God, which has appeared to all men and the need to fear God in all their activities. We had at least two notable conversions. One of the campers, on the last day, wished that the camp could go on for a month!

We are grateful to the Lusaka churches that contributed some money to help subsidize this camp. We intend to make this camp an annual event.

We would, therefore, like to give thanks to God for enabling us to hold this event successfully. We never thought it would be as successful as it was. Special thanks go to all the brethren who gave us financial, material and spiritual support. May the Lord bless and keep all of you.

Let’s continue to pray for God’s word to bear fruit in the lives of all the young people who attended the camp. Some of them claimed to have met the Lord right at the camp. Pray that these conversions will be genuine. Let us also pray for the preparations for the next August camp and for an increase in the number of campers.

Albert Ngoma.

THE 2nd COPPERBELT REFORMED BAPTIST MEN’S RALLY

The Fairview Reformed Baptist Church in Mufulira, held their second Copperbelt men’s’ rally on the 20th September 2014. This rally drew men from different corners of Zambia. There were men coming from Solwezi, Chililabombwe, Chingola, Chambishi, Kitwe, Luanshya and Ndola. The theme of the rally was “Spiritual Discipline for a Christian man at church, at Work, in his closet and at home.”

The occasion was graced by the presence of the main speakers Pastor Ndonji of Nkana West Reformed Baptist Church, Pastor Singogo of Ndola Baptist Church and Pastor Phiri of Berean Reformed Baptist Church.

This rally saw an increase in number from last year’s rally from 100 men to 105 men. The attendance also included pastors and men from other denominations outside the Reformed circles. The attendees were reminded of their Christian mandate in line with the theme of the event. The men were encouraged to take the role of a shepherd in the home with reference to John 3:16 which says, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believed in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” It was emphasized throughout the rally that Christian men must uphold Christian values and integrity both at home and at work.

The men also fellowshipped over a sumptuous meal prepared by the FRBC women. During the mealtime, men exchanged contacts and encouraged each other unto good works. The rally closed with a final question and answer session with the Pastors Saidi Chishimba, Joseph Phiri, Ndonji Kayombo and Hakanyanga, and Elder Arnold Kapambwe who formed the panel. The next rally is scheduled for 19th September 2015, the Lord granting.

News provided by Cosmas Simaunda (Chairman – Men’s Fellowship FRBC) and Victor Chisanga (Deacon – In charge of Men’s Fellowship FRBC).

THE 16TH COPPERBELT ANNUAL WOMEN’S RALLY

The Annual Copperbelt Women’s Rally, held on the 1st of November 2014, saw women from the Copperbelt province and beyond, gather for the day with attitudes of excitement and great expectations.

The main speaker, Mrs. Brenda Mwale, was handling the question “A quest for self-identity; what does it mean to be a fulfilled Christian woman with self?” Mrs. Mwale broke down the question by first giving a much needed definition of self-identity to help guide the presentation. In defining self-identity, it was pointed out that one cannot begin to understand self-identity without asking critical questions like: “Who am I? Why am I here? Or what is my purpose in life?”

She then outlined some of the challenges Christian women face in finding their personal identity, such as the focus on what the world considers as a fulfilled person, i.e. wealth, body image, material goods. She also focused on common weaknesses, or the focus on other people and their success, i.e. education, families, and life accomplishments. Some of the dangers and consequences of the lack of self–identity for a Christian woman that she identified were included: the risk of being engaged in idolatry; the tendency of self-dependency (leaning on one’s own-understanding) and trying to be who we are not and pointed out that it was wrong and unsustainable.

Mrs Ngoma discussed identity in the eyes of God and what it means to be a fulfilled Christian woman with self-acceptance. She identified the fact that for a true sinner saved by grace, such a person becomes a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17). Such a person must realize that they are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10, Jer. 1:5).

In her conclusion, she gave some practical examples of women in the bible such as Mary and Hannah, who by finding their life purpose in Christ where able to find their self-identity. At the end of the talk, the women were asked whether they had truly found their self-identity in Christ.

We thank God for the message shared and pray for its impact in the lives of Christian women here in Zambia.

THE 25TH ANNUAL REFORMED CONFERENCE IN ZAMBIA

(From A letter from Kabwata blog by Pastor Conrad Mbewe)

It was that time of year again when reformed Baptists from all over Africa and beyond gathered together for the 25th Annual Reformed Conference in August. The conference began with an atmosphere of excited anticipation as old friends were once again united and families gathered to hear the word of God preached.

The main speakers of this conference were Dr. Voddie Baucham and Pastor Ken Jones from the United States of America.

We take a glimpse into some of the topics handled on the second day of the conference.

The day began with a morning session handled by Dr. Voddie Baucham. He tackled the theme: “Running forward.” His task was to challenge us on the subject of missions. He expounded the context of the Great Commission, which Jesus declares to us: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18).  He had this authority first of all as God and then in the second place he earned it as man.

Using passage after passage across the New Testament all the way to the book of Revelation, Dr. Baucham showed us the victory that Christ has won for us. He also showed how Jesus fulfilled ALL the promises of the Old Testament as the promised and protected seed, and as the true Israel.

Dr. Baucham preaching during a power outage on the second night

Dr. Voddie Baucham showed the content of the Great Commission. Our first responsibility is “Go”. This is a global commission. The pattern of the apostles was that they went to the nations. This was a multi-ethnic and evangelistic commission. One of the demands of this is to translate the bible into the various languages of the earth. It also implies church planting and demands that individuals abandon their previous allegiances and commit themselves to the triune-God.

Pastor Ken Jones took the second session under the theme: “Remaining Faithful.” He preached on the doctrines of grace as well as doctrine of election. Pastor Jones took the meeting through various passages of scripture beginning with the Old Testament to the New Testament (e.g. Deut. 7:6-8, Rom. 9:6-21, Eph. 1:3-6, 2 Thess. 2:13-14).

From these passages he showed that God chose sinners in spite of their sin. The purpose for God’s choice is that those that He chooses would be holy and would love him. Whereas in our creation God puts us in Adam, in election God chooses us to be in Christ (the last Adam).

Pastor Jones made it clear that unconditional election is consistent with God’s attributes and character, and that it does not violate human free will. Unconditional election does not negate evangelism, but fulfils evangelism. Unconditional election lets grace to be grace. It shows that God’s favor is unprovoked favor. God freely chose to save sinners.

All in all the conference ran smoothly and we thank God for his guidance and protection throughout the event.