From Your Local Church to the Foreign Field, God is Working: An Interview With Adam Burrell of HeartCry Missionary Society

 Grace and peace in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

We have spent some time in previous posts hearing about missions from brothers living in foreign lands. Today we address the same topic of world missions, but this time, from the perspective of Brother Adam Burrell, missions coordinator with HeartCry Missionary Society.

Brother Adam is a husband and father, serving the Lord at home and abroad. May you be encouraged by the things Brother Adam has shared below.

Virginia: How did you get involved in missions?

Brother Adam: Since becoming a Christian, I have always had a heart toward global missions.  I went on my very first international mission trip back in 2005 to India, and I was hooked.  I didn’t have a well-rounded understanding of biblical missions at the time, but I knew that the Lord had given me a desire to take the gospel to the nations and to see healthy churches in every corner of the world . . . and everywhere in between.  The Lord took me to the local church and seminary to help me to understand what biblical missions was supposed to look like all the while I continued to go on short-term trips through the churches that I attended.  Yet it wasn’t until 2018 that my conviction really took shape through the local church where I was serving, Pray’s Mill Baptist Church (Douglasville, Georgia).        

Virginia: How did you get involved with HeartCry Missionary Society and what does your position as a coordinator entail?

I have known of HeartCry for a long time and the ministry of Paul Washer.  However, it wasn’t until 2018 that I became more intimately involved in the ministry.  The church that I was serving in supported the work of HeartCry and another mission’s organization, International Church Planters. Through some providential circumstances I needed to step down from my pastoral position to take care of some family members who were in need.  It was then when I started working with International Church Planters in early 2022.  Yet, the Lord had more in store for a small mission’s organization. By the Spring of 2022, HeartCry was growing, and they desired to hire some more like-minded people to join their ministry.  We were indeed like-minded in practice and doctrine.  We were doing much of the same thing.  It seemed like a good fit. So, through many conversations, much prayer, and council, the missionaries from International Church Planters decided to bring its teaching institute alongside HeartCry and to become part of the missionary society officially. Thus, in June of 2022 we joined forces for the purpose of Kingdom advancement.  This is how the Lord’s hand orchestrated my place at HeartCry.        

Virginia: I have seen much emphasis on prayer from HeartCry. Prayer seems to be a too often neglected spiritual discipline in the Church today. What are some verses that have taught you the importance of prayer, and how have you seen the practice of fervent, continual, prayer, affect your life and ministry?

Brother Adam: The later part of James 5:16 comes to mind as well as Hebrews 10:19, immediately.  

James writes, “...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”  

Sometimes I think people who are in reformed circle, which I am part of, think too little of prayer because of their understanding of the sovereignty of God. Yet we read here that we are to be fervent in prayer. In context, this is talking about the prayer for healing of someone, but I believe it can be extended in principle.  The Lord is sovereign, yet he desires for us to communicate in our prayers to him.  The Lord uses the prayers of his saints to accomplish his sovereign will (Joshua 10:12-14, James 5:17-18).  As reformed- minded Christians we should have both a big God theology as well as a big prayer life, because only we have access to the throne room of grace (Hebrews 10:19). It is a privilege that we should never neglect. 

When I think of how the Lord has used prayer in my life, I could write down a long list of answered prayers.  However, one that comes to mind most recently is when I asked the Lord to make me a man of prayer.  I wanted to be known as a man of prayer.  Since coming to HeartCry the Lord as surrounded me with men of prayer, and by his good kindness, he is making me into one.  I find myself praying constantly.  In the middle of the day.  In the middle of the night. I just enjoy praying.  This is just one small example that comes to mind.         

Virginia: What are some important things the Lord has taught you through your involvement in world missions? 

Brother Adam: We are so much smaller than we realize.  We can get so caught up in the latest theological controversy or some nuanced theological position that we can forget what the Lord is doing on the global stage.  As a pastor, I always had global missions on my radar, but it was often just on the peripheral.  Now that it is my focus, it is amazing to see the Lord’s hand at work in every part of the world.  It is exciting, yet we cannot lose our focus when we celebrate these victories.  We must keep pressing on.  With close to 42% of the world’s population still considered unreached (1), there is much work still to be done.  Going on mission and giving to missions are both necessary.  We need qualified people to do these things.  We need qualified people who are willing to give their lives to shepherd the sheep both locally and internationally.  The gospel is the answer, and his people in a local church is who the Lord intends to use to reach these unreached peoples.   

Virginia: From all your time in missions, what event has most impacted your walk with the Lord and why?

Brother Adam: I believe the single event that most impacted my walk with the Lord when it comes to missions was my first trip that I ever took with International Church Planters (ICP going forward).  I was asked to go to Ecuador and help teach on the role of the pastor to a group of men in the mountains and the jungles.  I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with short-term mission trips prior to this trip.  However, after I went on this Ecuador trip, the Lord burdened my soul for the work of ICP.  by design, they would go on 4 trips a year for 3 years and teach these same pastors seminary level classes.  To see the love that these local men had for the teaching.  To see what good it was doing for them and their church was an absolute blessing.  The kind of short-term trips that ICP was doing . . . I loved being part of the work.  I came home from the trip and told my wife that if the Lord ever took me out of pastoral ministry, it would be to do something like this.  Just over three years later, He did just that.  It was massively impactful to me.      

Virginia: I know you are the coordinator, but as believers we learn from one another. What is something that you have learned from the brothers you serve?

 Brother Adam: People are the same no matter the context.  They want the best for their loved ones.  They enjoy laughing and community.  They enjoy being entertained.  Yet, they are all dead in their trespasses and sins and are in dire need of the gospel apart from Christ.  One of the things that I have been most encouraged about (and even challenged by) is the evangelistic zeal of those whom we serve.  It is encouraging to see and support men who take the Great Commission seriously.  It is just simply part of their everyday life.  I have been challenged to be more evangelistic by them.      

Virginia: What biblical principles or passages of Scripture has the Lord brought to mind at various times that have drawn you closer to Christ, challenged, or blessed you through your years of ministry?

Brother Adam: Principle 1: Life is not about me. 

The scriptures that come to mind are the last portions of Genesis and the life of Joseph.  We see him go from the privileged son to the pit.  From the pit to Potiphar's house.  From Potiphar’s house to prison.  Finally, from prison to the right hand of Pharaoh.  In all of his journeys we never see him complain.  We never hear of a transgression.  Yet, God’s sovereignly placed him in every situation.  Why?  Is it so we can learn some moral lesson?  No, we find the reason in Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”  Joseph’s life was not about him.  He was used to preserve his brother, Judah (who was no hero).  Yet, without Judah there is no Jesus.  Without Jesus there are no people of God.  There is no salvation.  Joseph’s trials were for a greater good.  It was never about him.   

Principle 2: God’s will is not hidden.

The vast majority of God’s will is very very plain. If it is a moral issue, it is already settled. Just open the Bible and read. It is there in black and white. When trying to discern God’s will in an amoral decision I often go back to Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When seeking the Lord’s will on a certain issue I no doubt seek wise counsel, spend time in prayer, spend time in the word, and do my research. However, at the end of the day, I do not seek confirmation through signs, feelings, or fleeces. I simply lay it out before the Lord, use the means that he gives me biblically to make that decision, and rest in his sovereign will that I am making the best Kingdom choice. If you are seeking first the Kingdom, then you will always be in His will.

Virginia: What is a highlight from one of your recent visits with our brethren internationally?

Brother Adam: I just got back from Scotland where I spent time celebrating 10 years of church planting with a group called 20Schemes.  9 years ago, I went on a vision trip to see their work.  I was praying about and considering moving my family over there to help in their church planting efforts.  We didn’t end up moving there but I have kept up with them and supported their ministries for the past decade.  Specifically, this time, I was there to visit with the 4 church planters HeartCry helps to support.  The highlight was seeing the transformed lives of so many people who have been brought to saving faith and discipled within the context of the local churches there in Scotland under the leadership of Mez McConnell.  The places that these men minister in are very hard places.  Yet, the gospel is enough.  They simply preach the gospel and live it out incarnationally.  They do not use gimmicks.  They simply have their Bibles, their sacrificial lives, and the Holy Spirit empowering their work.  It is truly remarkable.     

Virginia: As you correspond with many missionaries, what are common struggles they face, and how can we seek to minister to our brethren in those areas? 

Brother Adam: Their common struggles, honestly, are the struggles of us all.  The men want to be more faithful to their churches and the family.  They struggle with those to whom they are ministering who are indifferent to the gospel in their community.  They understand the spiritual darkness and depravity of heart in those they are sharing the gospel with, yet long to see them set free.  Some struggle with finances for different ministry projects.  Some struggle trying to find qualified elders within their church.  These are struggles that every minister faces, no matter the context so often.  Although every context is different, one thing that is constant with all of these men that we help to support is this;  in their struggles, they know who to go to.  They go to the Lord who is the giver of every good and perfect gift.       

Virginia: As the Body of Christ, how can we best serve, or minister to, our brothers and sisters on the mission field?

First, I would say to be in a faithful and biblical local church yourself.  The church is God’s plan for world missions.  Secondly, I would say to get involved in giving, going, and/or supporting indigenous churches.  Generally speaking, an indigenous biblical church can do more for a community than an outsider coming in.  So, adopt a church or missionary if you can.  Get to know them personally.  Pray for them and their family. Support them where you can. Talk about them around your dinner table.  Pray for them by name in your church prayer meeting.  Invest in them.    

Virginia: How can we be praying for you, and for the Church in the area where you serve?

Brother Adam: You can pray that I will stay faithful and diligent in serving these honorable men, their families, and their churches.  You can pray that I will do the same for my family and my local church.  

You can pray for more faithful men to come alongside the faithful ones already serving.  Jesus said it well when he said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;  therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37b- 38). 

Virginia: Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Brother Adam: When it comes to missions, I would encourage you not so much to think about some of the glamorous stories that we read about in biographies. While those stories do exist, the mission that the Lord calls his church to looks much more normal on the day in and day out basis.  Our missionaries are regular people who struggle with regular things yet persevere biblically and simply seek to live out the commands of God.  So, when you think about missions think less glamorous and more glorious.  By that I mean, when missions are done right, when they are done biblically, when they are done as unto the Lord, it is not often going to look glamorous in the eyes of men, but it will always be glorious in the eyes of the Lord.  When missions are done for God’s glory, it will always be successful.        

Thank you so much to Brother Adam for taking the time to do this interview with me. Please take some time to pray for him, his family, and the brothers he serves. 

To learn more about the work of HeartCry, visit heartcrymissionary.com 

To learn more about the work of 20Schemes in Scotland, visit 20schemes.com

Whether you go onto the mission field yourself, or support those who go, may your life be a living sacrifice to our Master and Lord. He is worthy!

In Christ,

Virginia 

Ministry in Namibia: An Interview with Uaundja Karamata

 Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I had the privilege of doing a written interview with Brother Uaundja, a brother serving in Namibia, supported by HeartCry Missionary Society. Please take the time to become acquainted with our brother and his work through this interview and then take some time to pray for Brother Uaundja, Sister Christabel, and the Church in Namibia. Please share about the Lord's work in Namibia in your conversations with our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we partner with the our brother and his wife by bringing them before the Throne of Grace. 

For a brief history of the Church in Namibia, I would point you to the Namibia page on HeartCry Missionary Society, here: Namibia

You can also read the testimonies of Brother Uaundja and Sister Christabel on the HeartCry website. 

Tell us a little about your family.

My name is Uaundja Karamata and I am married to Christabel. We have been married for almost two years now. We do not have children yet, but we are trusting the Lord. 

How did you start full-time ministry?

I started fulltime ministry in mid-2017, I was sent by my then home church to pastor a church plant which I did for about 6 months. After that time I went to Zambia to do internship. Before I went into ministry I was a fulltime student at Bible School for three years. 

As you serve full time in Namibia, what ministry are you involved in and what does that look like?

I am involved in church planting, in town called Otjiwarongo. The ministry involves mainly evangelism (door to door, street and one on one). It also involves other outreach activities like community events. For example, we had a couples’ seminar and Men’s breakfast. There is also an aspect of discipleship, every week we meet for a Bible Study/Mini-Service, where I preach the word of God regularly. We are currently going through a series on Mark’s Gospel. We also do one on one discipleship; at the moment my wife is busy discipling a young lady who has been a regularly attending our Bible Study. 

What is the biggest challenge facing the Church in Namibia?

The biggest challenge in Namibia is nominal Christianity. A lot of people are only Christian by name. Personally, I see it as the greatest opposition to the gospel here. 

What is the spiritual condition in Namibia?

Namibia according to statistics is 98% Christian. But it is not true in reality. Majority of the people who claim to be Christian belong to a liberal denomination. That thrives in legalism. The second largest group is hyper charismatic and they proclaim the prosperity gospel. By the grace of God there are a few churches that are still faithful to the gospel and are helping to advance the Kingdom of God here in Namibia.  

In what ways have you seen God working in Namibia?

I have seen it in several ways. The first time I saw God clearly at work was when I was a student at the University of Namibia. We saw a lot of students coming to faith and being discipled and equipped to do likewise. And it is these students in most cases who become pastors and faithful members in their local churches. The other way in which I saw God at work is how most pastors I was trained with leave seminary well equipped and committed to expository preaching. 

How have you seen God working in your life, and in the lives of your believing family members?

One way I have seen this is the way that he provides for me and my wife and how raises up people who are willing to support us through prayer and financially. This is something I have always witnessed growing up in my parent’s lives as well.  

In the great commission, we are commanded to make disciples of all nations. How does this look practically in your area of ministry?

It is mostly through one-on-one evangelism and preaching the word regularly. We recently started a Bible Study with the pupils at a nearby primary school with Scripture Union. We also had an opportunity to do devotions on Tuesday mornings with a famous breakfast restaurant in our town, but this was only temporary. 

What are the challenges and blessings you experience being in full-time ministry?

The challenges is that we don’t see much fruit at once, and this sometimes leads to discourage and question as to whether our efforts are worth it. We know they are but we are get discouraged. The other challenges are that the labourers are few, Most of the work is mostly done by me and my wife. But we are beginning to see the Lord addressing this. 

The blessings are many. Let me focus on one. I have adequate amount of time to spend in the word and in prayer. Also, to meet up with people one on one, to disciple people. Having a lot of time to do the work of the Lord is huge blessing. 

What biblical principles or passages of Scripture has the Lord brought to mind at various times that have drawn you closer to Christ, challenged, or blessed you through your years of ministry?

Genesis 37-50 (The life of Joseph), Proverbs 5, Philippians 1:20-21, 3:7-11, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, 1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 8:18-25. 

How do you prioritize your time in full-time ministry so that you maintain a balance in washing your wife with the water of the Word, making disciples, and building up the saints?

Firstly, I am grateful that the Lord has given a wife who depends on him and not me. She loves the Lord, she spends personal time in the word and in prayer. But also as a family we are committed to Family devotions on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Through we study, read the Bible, and pray together. It is not anything fancy, we try to make it as simple as possible so we can be more consistent. 

How can people be praying for you?

Pray for me and my wife to grow more in our relation with the Lord. Pray for grace to continue the work and to be faithful to what he has called us. Thank the Lord for the ways in which he continues to provide for us as a family and continue to grow his church. Pray for the Lord to provide for us a couple that will be committed and to help carry the load of ministry. Pray for us as we are begging the process of formal membership early 2023. 

Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Treasure Christ and his word above all things. Philippians 1:20-21, 3:7-11.

Thank you to Brother Uaundja for taking the time to do this interview with me. Thank you, reader, for taking the time to read this interview. May it spur you on to prayer.

May the Lamb Who was slain receive the full reward of His suffering!

In Christ,

Virginia

Modesty

Hello everyone,

I know it has been a long time since I wrote an article on this blog and I don't know how many more I will post, but I wanted to address one topic on which there are a variety of opinions amongst christendom. I want to avoid the error that many fall into in imposing extra biblical requirements on others. I want to share some Scriptures with you for your consideration, and may we apply the teachings and principles to our lives and glorify God in all areas, even in what we wear. This post will mostly be focused on what women wear and I am writing as a woman, but I think there are things that should be considered by our brothers in Christ as well, but I am getting ahead of myself. 

Let us look to the Scriptures. I assume these first 2 passages will be familiar in a discussion on modesty. 

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror." 1 Peter 3:3-6

"in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Now, this one may not have been considered in a discussion on modesty, but I find it relevant. Allow me to explain further on. 
"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5

So what can we learn about modesty from these Scriptures? What can we glean from these verses?

We should be cultivating the beauty of the hidden person of the heart. We should have a gentle and quiet spirit. This inward attitude should be reflected in how we dress. We should adorn ourselves with good works. In the talk about how holy women adorned themselves, it speaks of being submissive to their own husbands. So one thing I would say to take into consideration in choosing your clothing is to consider your husband's standards. It is one way that married women can show submission, by submitting to their husband's standards of modesty. 

For daughters living in our fathers' houses, we must obey our parents (Ephesians 6). So if your father and mother have certain standards for modesty, obey them in submitting to their standards. For example, say a daughter believes it is permissible for a girl to wear modest jeans, but her father believes that women are to wear only skirts and dresses. In such a case, the daughter should obey the Lord by obeying her father as he is not causing her to sin. If she then marries, her husband is now her head and she should submit to his standards of modesty, but a married woman does not need to obey her parents as a child does, so she and her husband may hold different convictions than her parents and that is okay. As Christians we must all look to the Scriptures as our standard, but where Scripture does not give an exact list of whether to wear sleeveless shirts or only long sleeve turtlenecks, we should be in submission to the authorities God has given us in that season of our lives and obey the clear commands of the Scriptures even if we differ in areas not clearly defined.

We should adorn ourselves with propriety and moderation and our apparel should be modest. Now, there may be different interpretations of what this means, so I ask you to examine yourself. In light of your convictions from the Scriptures, are you able to describe your clothing as modest and say that you are adorning yourself with propriety and moderation? If not, I suggest you take the time to consider how to align your choice of apparel with the standard set forth in Scripture. This is not to set a standard upon you that the Scripture does not set upon you. I am asking you to examine your own choices and compare them to the biblical convictions you hold.

Now let us look to Titus 2. Why did I put that in here? Let us consider the qualities that this biblical woman should have. 

Reverent in behavior... discreet... chaste... good. 

Here is why I bring up these verses. By our clothing, do we exhibit being good, chaste, discreet, and reverent in our behavior? The older women are to teach the younger women the things we see listed in Titus 2, but look at why. "that the word of God may not be blasphemed." With such an important reason, that the Word of God may not be blasphemed, shouldn't we be striving for these things earnestly? Shouldn't these qualities be exhibited in every aspect of our lives, our speech, our thoughts, our apparel?

Now, here are some questions that I ask you to consider. I am not trying to put an extra biblical standard upon you, but I want you to consider these things. 

1) Does the way you dress glorify God?
2) Is your apparel modest?
3) Does your choice of apparel reflect the godly qualities you are to possess?

4) While we cannot take responsibility for another's sin, are we causing our brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble or putting temptation before them by the way we dress?

5) Are we applying a double standard? (For example, are we upset when a woman wears a shirt that is low cut, but find it acceptable for a man to take off his shirt?) Hopefully that will spark some conversation and we will think about the "why" of our beliefs instead of just blindly remaining in our tradition. 😄 Maybe you have a good reason for your standards, but I am trying to provoke people to think about what they do.

I am not saying that women must wear skirts and dresses, men can't wear shorts, etc. Here is what I am asking: Please consider that every aspect of our lives is to bring glory to God and thus we should compare our clothing to the standards set forth in Scripture and think through whether our apparel is glorifying to the Lord. 

I hope y'all have a great day. Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

~Virginia

The Growth of the True Church in the Midst of Mere Religion: An Interview with Brino Kumwenda

Greetings to the saints in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I was privileged to do a written interview with Brother Brino Kumwenda. Our brother is serving the Lord in Malawi and supported by HeartCry Missionary Society. Please take a few minutes to become acquainted with our brother and his ministry and learn how to pray for him, his family, and the saints at Christlike church.

You can read Brother Brino and Sister Patience's testimony of conversion here: https://heartcrymissionary.com/testimony/brino-kumwenda/

V. C: "Tell us a little about your family."

Brother Bruno: "I am married to Patience. We have two children, Uchizi (11) and Uwemi (5).  Both my wife and I come from polygamous families.  My father married two wives. As often the case, in such marriages there is the man's favorite and the least loved. My mum was loved less. My father never lived with us as he used to live miles away with his other wife and my other siblings.  He could just visit us once a year for no more than a month.  My three siblings and I was raised by our mother. My father passed away in 1998 while I was a teenager in high school. So I was raised by a single parent, my mom."

V. C: "How did you start full-time ministry?"

Brother Bruno: "The burden to start a full time ministry came while in my second year at African Bible College. It was a burden developed after observing how the masses in the country were being taught false doctrines and being led by unqualified elders.  But the actual planting of the church was to happen ten years later.  I quit the presbyterian church because I had come to the conclusion that I couldn't effectively serve in the denomination as I was now holding different doctrinal convictions and philosophy of ministry.  Firstly, the church was ordaining female "pastors" and allowing women to preach in the assembly of believers.  Secondly, even though the church was reformed on paper, it is pentecostal/charismatic in practice.  Thirdly, there was unbiblical membership.  Fourth, I wanted a church that I could pastor for a long period God willing. I believe strong churches are correlated with longevity of leadership. However, in my former denomination, a pastor doesn't stay for more than ten years in one congregation. Ten years rarely happens.  It is considered extreme.  Usually, the pastors are transferred after an average period of five years. Fifth, I had embraced the congregational type of government which is baptistic. So I went ahead to plant Christlike Church which is a reformed baptist church."

V. C: "As you serve full time in Malawi, what ministry are you involved in and what does that look like?"

Brother Brino: "My core ministry is the pastoral ministry. I believe the Great Commission is most effective when God's churches are strong.  Aside from that, I am involved in broadcasting. I serve through Radio ABC which is owned by African Bible Colleges.  I also serve on the board of Logos Ministries which is a lay training institution with reformed convictions.  All these ministries are key in Malawi and the northern region in particular.  The country is faced with deep rooted biblical illiteracy and false gospels. The need for sound churches and media and theological training institutions is deep."

V. C: "What is the biggest challenge facing the Church in Malawi?"

Brother Brino: "As I have pointed out earlier, there is deep rooted biblical illiteracy.  People are ignorant of the Word.  As a result, they are not able to distinguish between the true Gospel/sound doctrine and the false gospels/doctrines.  This is because there are unhealthy churches and very few sound theological institutions. Moreover, not many Christians have financial capacity to attain theological training.  As a result, we have pastors that are not trained in faithfully dividing the word and shepherding God's people.  This has been one of the major causes of the alarming spread of the prosperity gospel in the country. There is little or no discernment."

V. C: "What is the spiritual condition in Malawi?"

Brother Brino: "I would say this is related to the issue of the major challenges facing the Church.  There is a proliferation of many beliefs masquerading as christian. Because there are few churches preaching the Word of God, people are responding to false gospels. For instance, it is said that Malawi is 80% Christian. Yet this is not reflected in people's lives. Among others, most of the public servants caught in big corruption scandals in the country are professing Christians including deacons and elders.  I believe a great number of professing Christians are holding onto a different Jesus who does not demand holiness and accountability from his followers.  This is because there is a low view of Scripture, of God, of preaching and of the Church."

V. C: "In what ways have you seen God working in Malawi?"

Brother Brino: "In spite of the challenges, I can see God raising an army of faithful laborers who are committed to preaching and practicing the Word of God.  In recent times, there has been a growing number of sound churches that are being formed to preach the Word of God and shepherd God's people faithfully.  I have also seen Him bring to the country theological institutions like Central African Preaching Academy (CAPA) that train pastors in pastoral ministry with an emphasis on expository preaching.  CAPA is an initiative of the Grace Community Church which is pastored by John Macarthur.  It is part of the TMAI.  Interestingly, CAPA has had a major impact on pentecostal and charismatic pastors.  I have interacted with such pastors and most of them have changed their views concerning the Word of God.  Most of them hold on to most of the doctrines of grace and no longer believe in female leadership. They have also embraced expository preaching in the churches they pastor."

V. C: "How have you seen God working in your life, and in the lives of your believing family members?"

Brother Bruno: "The most visible one has been in my wife's life.  My wife also came from a background of biblical illiteracy.  She grew up in a dysfunctional home where the Word was not central to the family and she came from CCAP where preaching of the Word is not central to the life of the Church.  When I met her she was saved but she was generally ignorant of the Word which led her to embracing some false doctrines and practices.  For instance, she was once caught up in a ministry of a prosperity preacher.  But since we got married she has changed a great deal. She is able to identify false teachers. Also, she is growing in her love for the Lord, the Church and our family.  She is one of the most faithful members in the church. She herself is mentoring women."

V. C: "In the great commission, we are commanded to make disciples of all nations. How does this look practically in your area of ministry?"

Brother Brino: "Firstly, we are equipping the church in sound doctrine and living.  We are training them to be faithful witnesses of the Gospel.  We are grounding them to have a culture of evangelism rather than to just wait for the church to organize evangelistic programs.  Secondly, we have evangelistic programs as a church targeting the residents of Mzuzu City. Our vision is to plant sound churches in the city, in the region, in the country and beyond. Personally, I preach to the community and youths especially at Mzuzu University which is the only public university in the city."

V. C: "What are the challenges and blessings you experience being in full-time ministry?"

Brother Brino: "The benefits include personal growth. During my pastoral ministry I have experienced growth in the Word of God as well as in maturity.  As I labor to feed others the Lord has used the same to feed me even more.  In general, I have grown in my love for the Lord.  I have believed in the doctrines of grace with greater intensity every time I have read and meditated on the Scriptures.

I have also cultivated Christ-honoring partnerships. I have found close friends with like-minded men of God who are shepherding God's people faithfully. These men include brothers Mala Chindongo who pastors Antioch (Reformed) baptist church, Newton Chilingulo who leads Reformed Bible Church, Kondwani Nyanda who leads Grace Bible Church and Confex Makhalira who pastors Christ presbyterian Church.  

In terms of challenges, I have faced opposition from false teachers. False doctrines spread fast because to the majority of people it is more contagious than the truth.  It is painful to see someone you have been trying to mentor to join movements that are unhealthy and even cultic. 

Another challenge is that most of the people in the country do not have a high view of the church. Most of them have grown in a culture where church is not central to their lives. This has been a challenge at Christlike Church, being a young church, even though we have been seeing a steady growth in some members in this area.  They are increasingly seeing the importance of the church."

V. C: "What biblical principles or passages of Scripture has the Lord brought to mind at various times that have drawn you closer to Christ, challenged, or blessed you through your years of ministry?"

Brother Brino: "The most prominent is 1 Corinthians 10:31 which encourages me to glorify God in everything that I do. Giving glory to God is man's chief end. This guides me as I prepare the sermons and outreach, lead the family, counsel, resolve conflicts and all others. It helps me among others to put excellent work in what I do and to be guided by love of God, love for God and love for others."

V. C: "How do you prioritize your time in full-time ministry so that you maintain a balance in washing your wife with the water of the Word, bringing up your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, making disciples, and building up the saints?"

Brother Brino: "My primary priority is the home. I am privileged to work from home. I have a lot of time to interact with my family which gives me an opportunity to help them to grow in the fear and love of the Lord.  We also have family worship which helps us to be grounded in the Word."

V. C: "How can people be praying for you?"

Brother Brino: "Pray that I continue to grow in my love for the Lord and other people. Pray that I continue to faithfully shepherd the family and the church that the Lord entrusted me to shepherd.  Pray that I proclaim God's Word with clarity of speech, boldness and with love. Pray that the church, Christlike Church, should find like-minded partners to help in advancing the gospel in the northern region of Malawi. The Church needs both human and financial resources to advance the Gospel. We would love to have missionaries who can volunteer to minister through the church among others." 

V. C: "Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ?"

"I encourage the brothers and sisters to not be weary in doing good because in due season the Lord will reward us. The great news is that we already have the greatest reward: He himself. I encourage God's people to boldly stand for, practice and proclaim the truth in these perilous times."

Thank you to Brother Brino for taking time to do this interview. May you be encouraged by our brother's words, praise God for His work in Malawi, and be driven to your knees, interceding for the saints, bringing them before the Throne of Grace. We serve the Sovereign God, come before Him, praying that His Kingdom will continue to advance, for His glory!

In Christ,

Virginia

Ministerie in Nederland: Een gesprek met Jacques Brunt

Gegroet, Broeders, in de naam van onze Heer Jezus Christus.

Onlangs had ik de gelegenheid om een schriftelijk interview te doen met broeder Jacques Brunt, die Christus dient in Nederland. Broeder Jacques wordt ondersteund door HeartCry Missionary Society. Neemt u alstublieft een paar minuten de tijd om te lezen over het werk van de Heer in het gebied van onze broeder Jacques, om geïnformeerd te worden over de geestelijke toestand in Nederland, en om specifieke manieren te leren waarop u kunt bidden voor onze broeder en zijn familie. 

De familie Brunt

Heel hartelijk bedankt, broeder Jacques, dat je de tijd hebt genomen om dit interview met mij te doen. Dit interview is vertaald met DeepL, om te vertalen tussen Engels en Nederlands. Voor degenen die geïnteresseerd zijn in de Engelse versie van dit bericht, die kan hier worden bekeken: http://katakalypto.blogspot.com/2022/01/ministry-in-netherlands-interview-with.html

V. C: "Vertel ons eens wat over je familie."

Broer Jacques: "In 2004 ben ik getrouwd met Annette. Het bijzondere is dat we op de lagere school bij elkaar in de klas zaten. Later kwamen we elkaar weer tegen en uiteindelijk zijn we getrouwd. Inmiddels hebben we vier zonen van de Heer gekregen; Levi (16), Boaz (13), Jesse (10) en Juda (4). Samen met onze kinderen willen we ons leven volledig beschikbaar stellen aan Hem, Die ons heeft liefgehad en Zich voor ons heeft overgegeven (Rom. 8:32). Vorig jaar in november is onze oudste zoon gedoopt."

V. C: "Hoe bent u begonnen in de fulltime bediening?"

Broeder Jacques: "Het was in de zomer van 2000 dat - na ongeveer vier jaar van overtuiging van zonde en zoeken naar vrede met God - de Here Jezus aan mij werd geopenbaard als mijn persoonlijke Redder en Zaligmaker. Iets wat ik als een onmogelijkheid had beschouwd, werd werkelijkheid: vrede met God door het geloof in de Heer Jezus Christus. Toen werkte Hij in mij een geestelijke honger, die alleen te stillen was en is met Zijn Zoon, Jezus Christus. Daarom strekte ik mij dagelijks uit om Hem dieper te leren kennen (Filippenzen 3:10). Tegelijkertijd doortrok een verlangen mijn ziel, zoals uitgedrukt in een oud lied: "Heer, neem mij, breek mij, vervul mij, zend mij.

Dit verlangen werd een roeping die de Heer tien jaar na mijn bekering vervulde. Dit begon met een spreekbeurt op een jeugdconferentie. Binnen korte tijd ontving ik verschillende uitnodigingen om te preken. Ik deed dit naast mijn baan als makelaar. Het aantal spreekbeurten nam zo toe dat Annette en ik besloten dat ik minder zou gaan werken. Het geestelijk werk groeide en groeide. De Heer vervulde mijn roeping, bevestigde die roeping, en zorgde voor de financiën. Dit alles gebeurde niet plotseling, maar geleidelijk. Stap voor stap. We baden voor de Heer om deuren te openen voor een voltijdse bediening terwijl het werk bleef groeien.

Tijdens deze periode trof de financiële crisis ons makelaarskantoor, waardoor drastische maatregelen nodig waren. Een van die maatregelen was dat ik mijn baan verloor (april 2013). Deze ontwikkeling - hoewel een beproeving - hebben wij ervaren als een ingrijpen van God om ons vrij te maken voor een fulltime geloofsbediening. De profetie over de Here Jezus uit Jesaja 42:1A sprak tot ons (juni 2013): "Zie, Mijn Knecht, Die Ik ondersteun...". We mochten deze tekst op onszelf toepassen en ontvingen beiden vrijmoedigheid om de stap naar het geloofspastoraat te maken. En zo kreeg Gods roeping concreet gestalte."

V. C: "Nu je fulltime in Nederland dient, bij welke bediening ben je betrokken en hoe ziet dat eruit?"

Broeder Jacques: "Het werk van onze bediening bestaat voornamelijk uit het onderwijzen van de Bijbel. Dat mag ik doen in onze gemeente in Alblasserdam waar ik ook actief ben als ouderling. Daarnaast reis ik door heel Nederland en België om bijbelonderwijs te geven. Ook ben ik betrokken bij HeartCry Nederland als bestuurslid. Van daaruit is mijn band met HeartCry Missionary ontstaan. Ook leid ik studie- en groepsreizen naar Zwitserland en Israël."

V. C: "Wat is de grootste uitdaging voor de Kerk in Nederland?"

Broeder Jacques: "De grootste uitdaging voor de kerk in Nederland is om trouw te blijven aan het Woord van God. De tijdgeest heeft de kerk beïnvloed. We staan voor de uitdaging om vast te houden aan Gods principes. Die staan in Nederland onder druk."

V. C: "Hoe is de geestelijke toestand in Nederland?" 

Broeder Jacques: "De geestelijke toestand kan omschreven worden als lauw. De kerk is gelijkvormig geworden aan de wereld en haar systeem van leven. We hebben de Heer nodig om ons land te bezoeken en ons volk voor Hem te verootmoedigen. Tegelijkertijd is er ook in Nederland een gelovig deel (overblijfsel) dat toegewijd leeft. Er zijn veel plaatsen waar het Woord van God in getrouwheid wordt gepredikt en mensen worden toegerust voor de dienst (Efeziërs 4:12)."

V. C: "Op welke manieren heb je God zien werken in Nederland?"

Broeder Jacques: "Op verschillende manieren. Zelf ben ik vanaf het begin betrokken geweest bij de HeartCry beweging. Rond het jaar 2002 beleefden we een opwekking. We hebben conferenties meegemaakt waar de aanwezigheid van de Heer heel duidelijk voelbaar was. Veel jonge mensen kwamen tot geloof en bekering. Velen van hen dienen nu in het Koninkrijk van God in Nederland en daarbuiten. Hele gezinnen wijdden zich aan de Heer. Inmiddels zijn hier twee Bijbelscholen uit voortgekomen, waar ik ook les geef."

V. C: "Hoe heb je God zien werken in jouw leven, en in het leven van je gelovige familieleden?"

Broeder Jacques: "In het antwoord op vraag 2 heb ik daar al iets over gezegd. Voor een uitgebreider getuigenis verwijs ik graag naar de volgende link."

 https://heartcrymissionary.com/testimony/jacques-brunt/

V. C: "In de grote opdracht wordt ons opgedragen om alle volken tot discipelen te maken. Hoe ziet dit er praktisch uit in uw werkgebied?"

Broeder Jacques: "We lezen in Mattheüs 28:19 'Gaat dan henen, onderwijst al de volken, hen dopende in de naam des Vaders en des Zoons en des Heiligen Geestes, hun lerende onderhouden al wat Ik u bevolen heb'. Twee woorden springen eruit en vormen de kern van onze bediening; onderwijzen en leren. Gebaseerd op de Bijbel, geloof ik dat Bijbelonderwijs ons denken vernieuwt. Zoals je denkt, zo leef je. Daarom is bijbelonderwijs een van de meest fundamentele aspecten van discipelschap of de grote opdracht."

V. C: "Wat zijn de uitdagingen en zegeningen die je ervaart in een fulltime bediening?"

Broeder Jacques: "De zegen is dat ik dagelijks bezig mag zijn met het geestelijk investeren in mensen. Die investering heeft waarde tot in de eeuwigheid. Dat is een enorme zegen. We hebben een boodschap van Hoop in een donkere tijd. De beste boodschap; Jezus Christus, en Hem gekruisigd (1 Korintiërs 2:2). Daarnaast is het, te midden van een jong gezin en het vele werk van onze bediening, een uitdaging om onze persoonlijke relatie met de Heer op de eerste plaats te houden. We kunnen met van alles en nog wat bezig zijn, maar we zijn in de eerste plaats geroepen tot de gemeenschap met onze Zoon Jezus Christus, onze Heer (1 Korintiërs 1:9)."

V. C: "Welke bijbelse principes of passages uit de Schrift heeft de Heer je op verschillende momenten voor de geest gehaald die je dichter bij Christus hebben gebracht, je hebben uitgedaagd of je hebben gezegend tijdens je jaren als dienaar?

Broeder Jacques: "Dat is een goede vraag. Twee bijbelverzen hebben door de jaren heen sterk tot mijn hart gesproken.

Als het gaat om Gods verlangen voor mijn leven en het proces dat zich in mij voltrekt: Romeinen 8:29 "Want degenen die Hij tevoren gekend heeft, heeft Hij ook tevoren verordineerd om gelijkvormig te worden aan het beeld van zijn Zoon.

Soms, als ik het moeilijk heb en satan mij wil ontmoedigen, sprak God vaak tot mij uit Hebreeën 2:8b-9a 'Nu zien wij nog niet, dat alle dingen Hem onderworpen zijn, maar wij zien Jezus gekroond met heerlijkheid en eer'.

De Here Jezus zit op de troon en heeft absoluut de touwtjes in handen, wat er ook gebeurt!"

V. C: "Hoe geef je prioriteit aan je tijd in de voltijdse bediening, zodat je een evenwicht bewaart in het wassen van je vrouw met het water van het Woord, het opvoeden van je kinderen in de vreze en vermaning van de Heer, het maken van discipelen en het opbouwen van de heiligen?"

Broeder Jacques: "Zoals u in de vorige antwoorden en ook hieronder kunt lezen, is het een groot gevaar / valkuil als er geen goede balans is tussen de genoemde onderwerpen. Ik ben strenger geworden als het gaat om het invullen van mijn agenda. Ik ben in de eerste plaats echtgenoot en vader, dus ik probeer heel bewust veel tijd met ons gezin door te brengen. Dat is niet alleen belangrijk, maar het brengt ook veel vreugde. Daarnaast ben ik erg dankbaar voor mijn vrouw die zich heel erg inzet voor ons gezin. Nadat we kinderen kregen, is ze gestopt met betaald werk. Ze is er fulltime voor ons gezin. Dat geeft veel rust. Ze heeft alle kinderen van jongs af aan veel uit de Bijbel verteld en hen Bijbelverzen geleerd. We praten ook veel met onze kinderen over het Evangelie en mijn vrouw en ik brengen hen dagelijks in gebed tot de Heer. Wat vooral belangrijk is, is dat wij als ouders het goede voorbeeld geven. Hiermee heb ik uw vraag beantwoord. Ik besef dat er nog veel meer over te zeggen is."

V. C: "Hoe kunnen mensen voor je bidden?" 

Broeder Jacques: "In het werk dat wij doen, staan wij in de frontlinies van de geestelijke strijd die in deze wereld gaande is. Daarom vinden we de bediening van gebed en voorbede van het grootste belang en willen we er prioriteit aan geven. We kunnen niet zonder de gebeden van broeders en zusters die achter ons staan. Daarom zouden wij het zeer op prijs stellen als u en de uwen onze bediening in uw gebeden zouden gedenken. Belangrijke punten zijn:

Familie (liefde, eenheid en bescherming)

Bijbelonderwijs (juiste nadruk in deze tijd)

Ouderling/oudste (wijsheid en moed om juiste beslissingen te nemen)

Prioriteiten (de juiste balans tussen relatie met de Heer, gezin en bediening)

Behoeften (dat de Heer in al onze behoeften zal voorzien)"

V. C: "Heeft u nog laatste gedachten die u met uw broeders en zusters in Christus zou willen delen?"

Broeder Jacques: "Tot slot wil ik de woorden van Jezus uit Johannes 16:33 doorgeven: 'Deze dingen heb Ik tot u gesproken, opdat gij in Mij vrede hebt. In de wereld zult gij verdrukking hebben, maar hebt goede moed: Ik heb de wereld overwonnen."

Hartelijk dank, broeder Jaques, dat je dit interview met mij wilde doen. 

Geliefde lezers, laat u bemoedigen door het werk van de Heer door Zijn volk, onder de natiën, en verplicht uzelf om voor de Troon van Genade te komen, biddend dat God Zijn Koninkrijk zal blijven uitbreiden over de hele wereld. Moge het Lam dat geslacht is de volle beloning van Zijn lijden ontvangen en moge de Naam van God groot zijn onder de volken. 

Neemt u alstublieft even de tijd om te bidden voor onze broeder Jacques en zijn familie. 

De genade van onze Heer Jezus Christus zij met Zijn heiligen.

In Christus,

Virginia

Ministry in the Netherlands: An Interview with Jacques Brunt

Greetings, Brethren, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Recently I had the opportunity to do a written interview with Brother Jacques Brunt, serving Christ in the Netherlands. Brother Jacques is supported by HeartCry Missionary Society. Please take a few minutes to read of the Lord's work in our brother Jacques' area of the world, to be informed about the spiritual state of the Netherlands, and to learn specific ways you can be praying for our brother and his family. 

The Brunt Family

Thank you so much, Brother Jacques for taking the time to do this interview with me. This interview has been translated with DeepL, to translate between English and Dutch. For those interested in the Dutch version of this post, that can be viewed here: https://katakalypto.blogspot.com/2022/01/ministerie-in-nederland-een-gesprek-met.html

V. C: "Tell us a little about your family."

Brother Jacques: "In 2004 I got married to Annette. What is special is that we were in each other's class in elementary school. Later we met again and eventually we got married. Meanwhile we have received four sons of the Lord; Levi (16), Boaz (13), Jesse (10) and Juda (4). Together with our children we want to make our lives completely available to Him, Who loved us and gave Himself up for us (Rom. 8:32). Last year in November our oldest son was baptized."

V. C: "How did you start in full-time ministry?"

Brother Jacques: "It was in the summer of 2000 that - after about four years of conviction of sin and seeking peace with God - the Lord Jesus was revealed to me as my personal Savior and Blessed One. Something I had perceived as an impossibility became a reality: peace with God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then He worked in me a spiritual hunger, which was and is only to be satisfied with His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, I reached out daily to learn Him more deeply (Philippians 3:10). At the same time, desire pervaded my soul, as expressed in an old song, "Lord, take me, break me, fill me, send me.

This desire became a calling that the Lord fulfilled ten years after my conversion. This began with a speaking engagement at a youth conference. Within a short time I received several invitations to preach. I did this next to my job as a real estate agent. The number of speaking engagements increased so much that Annette and I decided that I would work less. The spiritual work grew and grew. The Lord fulfilled my calling, confirmed that calling, and provided finances. All did not happen suddenly, but gradually. Step by step. We prayed for the Lord to open doors for full-time ministry as the work continued to grow.

During this period, the financial crisis hit our real estate office, necessitating drastic measures. One of those measures was that I lost my job (April 2013). This development - although a trial - we have experienced as an intervention of God to set us free for a full-time faith ministry. The prophecy about the Lord Jesus from Isaiah 42:1A spoke to us (June 2013), "Behold, My Servant, Whom I support... We were allowed to apply this text to ourselves and both received boldness to make the step to faith ministry. And thus God's calling took concrete shape."

V. C: "As you serve full time in the Netherlands, what ministry are you involved in and what does that look like?"

Brother Jacques: "The work of our ministry consists mainly of teaching the Bible. I am allowed to do that in our church in Alblasserdam where I am also active as an elder. Besides that I travel throughout the Netherlands and Belgium to give Bible teaching. I am also involved in HeartCry Nederland as a board member. From there my connection with HeartCry Missionary came. I also lead study and group trips to Switzerland and Israel."

V. C: "What is the biggest challenge facing the Church in the Netherlands?"
Brother Jacques: "The greatest challenge for the church in the Netherlands is to remain faithful to the Word of God. The spirit of the times has influenced the church. We face the challenge to hold on to God's principles. These are under pressure in the Netherlands."

V. C: "What is the spiritual condition in the Netherlands?" 

Brother Jacques: "The spiritual condition can be described as lukewarm. The church has become conformed to the world and its system of life. We need the Lord to visit our country and humble our people before Him. At the same time, there is also in the Netherlands a faithful part (remnant) that lives devotedly. There are many places where the Word of God is preached in faithfulness and people are equipped for service (Ephesians 4:12)."

V. C: "In what ways have you seen God working in the Netherlands?"

Brother Jacques: "In different ways. I myself have been involved in the HeartCry movement from the beginning. Around the year 2002 we experienced a revival. We experienced conferences where the presence of the Lord was very clearly felt. Many young people came to faith and conversion. Many of them are now serving in the Kingdom of God in the Netherlands and abroad. Entire families devoted themselves to the Lord. Meanwhile, two Bible schools have arisen from this, where I also teach."

V. C: "How have you seen God working in your life, and the in the lives of your believing family members?"

Brother Jacques: "I have already said something about this in the answer to question 2. For a more comprehensive testimony, I would like to refer to the following link."

 https://heartcrymissionary.com/testimony/jacques-brunt/

V. C: "In the great commission, we are commanded to make disciples of all nations. How does this look practically in your area of ministry?"
Brother Jacques: "We read in Matthew 28:19 'Go therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.' Two words stand out and form the core of our ministry; teaching and learning. Based on the Bible, I believe that Bible teaching renews our thinking. As you think, so you live. Therefore, Bible teaching is one of the most fundamental aspects of discipleship or the great commission."

V. C: "What are the challenges and blessings you experience being in full-time ministry?"

Brother Jacques: "The blessing is that I get to be busy daily investing spiritually in people. This investment has value for all eternity. That is a tremendous blessing. We have a message of Hope in a dark time. The best message; Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). In addition, in the midst of a young family and the many labors of our ministry, it is a challenge to keep our personal relationship with the Lord number one. We can be busy with anything and everything, but we are called first and foremost to the fellowship of the Son Jesus Christ, our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9)."

V. C: "What biblical principles or passages of Scripture has the Lord brought to mind at various times that have drawn you closer to Christ, challenged, or blessed you through your years of ministry?
Brother Jacques: "That's a great question. Two Bible verses have spoken strongly to my heart over the years.

When it comes to God's desire for my life and the process that is taking place in me: Romans 8:29 "For those whom He has known beforehand, He has also predestined beforehand to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Sometimes when I am struggling and Satan wants to discourage me, God often spoke to me from Hebrews 2:8b-9a 'Now we do not yet see that all things are subject to Him, but we see Jesus crowned with glory and honor'.

The Lord Jesus is on the throne and is absolutely in control no matter what happens!"

V. C: "How do you prioritize your time in full-time ministry so that you maintain a balance in washing your wife with the water of the Word, bringing up your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, making disciples, and building up the saints?"

Brother Jacques: "As you can read in the previous answers and also below, it is a great danger / pitfall if there is not a good balance between the topics mentioned. I have become more strict when it comes to filling out my schedule. I am first and foremost a husband and father, so I try very consciously to spend a lot of time with our family. Not only is it important, but it also brings a lot of joy. In addition, I am very grateful for my wife who is very dedicated to our family. After we had children, she stopped paid work. She is there full time for our family. That gives a lot of peace. She has told all the children a lot from the Bible from an early age and taught Bible verses to them. We also talk a lot with our children about the Gospel and my wife and I bring them to the Lord in prayer daily. What is especially important is that as parents we set the right example. With that, I have answered your question. I realize there is much more to be said about it."

V. C: "How can people be praying for you?" 

Brother Jacques: "In the work we do, we are on the front lines of the spiritual battle that is going on in this world. Therefore we consider the ministry of prayer and intercession to be of utmost importance and we want to give it priority. We cannot do without the prayers of brothers and sisters who stand behind us. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate it if you and yours would remember our ministry in your prayers. Important points are:

Family (love, unity and protection)

Bible teaching (right emphasis in these times)

Elder/elder (wisdom and courage to make right decisions)

Priorities (the right balance between relationship with the Lord, family and ministry)

Needs (that the Lord will provide for all our needs)"

V. C: "Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ?"

Brother Jacques: "In closing, I would like to pass on the words of Jesus from John 16:33 'These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but have good courage: I have overcome the world.'"

Thank you so much, Brother Jaques, for doing this interview with me. 

Dear readers, please be encouraged by the Lord's work through His people, among the nations, and commit yourselves to come before the Throne of Grace, praying that God will continue to advance His Kingdom around the world. May the Lamb Who was slain receive the full reward of His suffering and may the Name of God be great among the nations. 

Please take some time to pray for our Brother Jacques and his family. 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with His saints.

In Christ,

Virginia

God's Work in Zimbabwe: An Interview with Brother Joe Shoko

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Recently I was given the opportunity to do a written interview with Brother Joe Shoko. Brother Joe is supported by HeartCry Missionary Society, serving at Berean Reformed Baptist Church in Harare, Zimbabwe. You can read his testimony of conversion here: Joe Shoko.

Please take a few minutes to read this interview to become better acquainted with our dear brother, his ministry, the Church in Zimbabwe, and learn how you can be praying for them more specifically. Please bring our brethren before the Throne of Grace.

Brother Joe (right) with Conrad Mbewe

V.C: Tell us a little about your family.

Brother Joe: My wife’s name is Tinotenda Alice Shoko, we got married on October 19th 2019 by the grace of God. On December the 1st 2021 we were blessed with a baby girl and we named her Neraya (God is Light), Matipa (He has given us) Shoko. We pray that God would be pleased to bless us with more. My siblings are Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1 brother and 3 sisters. I am the second born. My mom passed away on February the 1st 2002.

V.C: How did you start in full-time ministry?

Brother Joe: I was saved in 2013 after initially visiting a church with the desire to strike a business deal with a former schoolmate who was part of the church, namely Bulawayo Baptist Church. After I got saved I served in the church for a year before my then pastor suggested that I go to seminary as he sensed that I had the gift of preaching. I did sense the call in that I could not stop preaching and serving in the church, at Sunday school and during our soup kitchens where we served and preached to the homeless and hungry with the Gospel and a meal, so I prayerfully applied. During my seminary, my convictions started to change as I came across John MacArthur, Paul Washer and Conrad Mbewe. These men preached the word, they really preached on sin and ‘scratched’ where it itched. In 2018 I was accepted on a year long pastoral internship program at Kabwata Baptist Church pastored by Conrad Mbewe, after a year, with much prayer and consultation Kabwata Baptist Church sent me as their missionary to plant a Reformed Baptist Church in Harare, Zimbabwe, and this is where we are to date.

V.C: As you serve full time in the Zimbabwe, what ministry are you involved in and what does that
look like?

Brother Joe: I do the work of an evangelist and pastor, I reach out to the lost with the Gospel whenever I can and wherever I go through forming friendships and using that to share the Good news of the Lord Jesus Christ. I also am very passionate about biblical ecclesiology and the formation of a church, thus with 2 and a half years into the church plant we already have 6 members at Berean Reformed Baptist Church including ourselves. My ministry entails follow ups on visitors who come to church, door to door evangelism, preparing sermons, administering the ordinances, and partnering with healthy local churches that have clear confessions. We as a church also work with an orphanage and preach there a few times a month, moreover we also have a Children's Bible Club that we do on Saturdays at our home.

V.C: What is the biggest challenge facing the Church in Zimbabwe?

Brother Joe: The Biggest challenge facing the Zimbabwean church is syncretism with African Traditional Religion and politics. There is a lot of talk about Christianity being a ‘whiteman’s’ religion, that it was brought by white people to persecute black people, oppress them and take their land. This is the biggest challenge that the church in Zimbabwe faces.

V.C: What is the spiritual condition in Zimbabwe?

Brother Joe: In addition to the ATR which I mentioned, the spiritual condition of Zimbabwe is such that the majority of the people have flocked to prosperity teaching churches where a lot of heresies are taught and peddled. Many people think and say that they are Christians but their lives tell a different story. Many Zimbabweans are in despair, despite many being religious a lot think that God has abandoned Zimbabwe because of the economic and political hardships that have plagued the country for a very long time.

V.C: In what ways have you seen God working in Zimbabwe?

Brother Joe: Until recently, there seems to be a young crop of people that desire to see a resurgence of reformation and reformed teaching. Many have been disgruntled by the prosperity teaching churches and the lack of biblical truth being taught. It is through this that we see God working in the lives of young Christians and God calling to Himself young people who have not grown in the church. There are young people who are part of a few healthy churches that we have become our friends and they are a huge encouragement to us. Many people in the rural areas are also seeking the truth of the Gospel and many are leaving unbiblical practices and entrusting themselves to sound teaching.

V.C: How have you seen God working in your life, and the in the lives of your believing family
members?

Brother Joe: Many of my extended family members are not believers, so I will just write about my wife and I. I have seen God working in the area of progressive sanctification, not that I am growing in righteousness no, for the righteousness I have is not my own but Christ’s. I have seen a desire to want to grow more, a renewed and growing hatred for sin, and yearning to commit more time to prayer. My wife has grown in ways I cannot fathom, she serves diligently and earnestly in our home, and is conscious of her own sin and inadequacies however she is continually laying all these at the foot of the cross. Our home has become a place that people are free to visit, either for fellowship, prayer and for counsel that we may offer. God has grown our dependence on Him for physical provision, life on the mission field has a lot of hardships, but we are constantly humbled by God’s provision for our needs.

V.C: In the great commission, we are commanded to make disciples of all nations. How does this look practically in your area of ministry?

Brother Joe: I am currently discipling two young men who are members of our church. We meet outside of church once every fortnight for prayer, sharing struggles, and reading a book together. I have realized that discipleship in the modern church is something that is professional and more about people being projects than the people themselves. Because our home is open, the brothers usually come to our home even after church and see how I practically live and lead my home. This is not easy at all as many people in Zimbabwe are too busy looking for money and earning a living, however so far, with the time we have together, we have seen fruit.

V.C: What are the challenges and blessings you experience being in full-time ministry?

Brother Joe: The challenges are that when working with sinners just like you, you are bound to be impatient with them and ‘step onto their toes’ and they too, step on yours. What really breaks my heart is when a young man or woman who has potential in serving the Lord gets swept away by the ways of the world. I have also realized that there is actually little rest that one can get in the Ministry, I mean taking into consideration that ministry is about people, how do you rest from people? The blessings are innumerable and immeasurable, in that we see the promises of God in scripture manifest in reality, for example the miracle of salvation, prayer being answered, victory over sin and joy in Christ Jesus.

V.C: What biblical principles or passages of Scripture has the Lord brought to mind at various times that have drawn you closer to Christ, challenged, or blessed you through your years of ministry?

Brother Joe: Whenever I am in spiritual hardship or any sort of turmoil, one of the most encouraging texts of Scripture is John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus didn’t promise that our problems will be miraculously erased, but He promises that he will be with us in this midst of tribulation. I have also found that being separate from the ways of the world is of immense importance in the Ministry, what does darkness have to do with light? There are so many areas that the minister should watch in his life, friends, associations, music, entertainment, desires, and even places to visit. This year we have been going through the psalms as a church and these have warmed our hearts and have blessed us as they have drawn us to God in our individual devotional life. We must abide in Christ continually.

V.C: How do you prioritize your time in full-time ministry so that you maintain a balance in washing your wife with the water of the Word, bringing up your daughter in the fear and admonition of the Lord, making disciples, and building up the saints?

Brother Joe: I have a schedule that I follow, my work essentially an ‘8-5’, however it is basically all day long, it’s work that you cannot ‘lay aside’. I make sure that during the day I do a lot of ministry and church administration work. This is when a lot of evangelism and oversight is done. In the evening I usually have family time where I usually catch up with my wife, spend time with her and lead family worship, or family devotions as we call them, that is where most of the washing my wife with the water of the word is done. I work from home so my wife has a lot of access to me, she can almost talk to me anytime, and so I am able to utilize that time as well. My daughter is a newborn so at the moment the schedule is jumbled up as she can and does demand my time anytime. My first ministry is my wife, then my daughter and then the church, that is what I see as the biblical pattern. It's very easy to say, but I always need Grace to practice it.

V.C: How can people be praying for you?

Brother Joe: Pray that I may glorify God by preaching Christ crucified. Pray that I may love my wife as Christ loved the Church. Pray that I may be a godly father. Pray that I may grow steadily in Christ and grow in my assurance of salvation. Pray that I may be a vessel through which God saves the lost through.

V.C: Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ?

God is faithful to His promises, trust Him, preach the word, obey the word, and you will see your living rooms changing, your neighbourhood changing, the church growing and societies transformed. Pray for revival.

I would like to thank Brother Joe for taking time to do this interview with me. I hope it is a blessing to many. Please be sure to take time to pray for our brethren in Zimbabwe. 

For God's glory alone!
~Virginia Cowperthwaite