Rev J B Jardine
The work of the Zimbabwean Mission has been much in the thoughts of the home Church the last few months due to the worsening economic situation in Zimbabwe and the threat of significant food shortages later in the year, following a poor harvest.
The economic situation is particularly worrying as it makes it very difficult to obtain fuel to visit the outlying preaching stations of the Presbytery. However, we are encouraged by recent correspondence from Rev S Khumalo. In reporting on the difficulties faced, he said, “Nonetheless, we soldier on in the grace of the Lord”.
Mr Khumalo mentions that there are many challenges for the work of the Presbytery, yet “the preaching of the gospel is progressing well in all our congregations”. In the Lord’s providence, the gospel continues to be freely preached, without the threat of persecution.
Communion seasons. With over 40 established congregations and preaching stations, it is not possible to have communion seasons in every place. However, they are kept as in other parts of the Church, in the main congregations and the larger preaching stations. With the ministers of the Presbytery assisting one another on such occasions, it allows for times of brotherly fellowship otherwise impossible given their heavy workload. This year the Revs M Mloyi and N Sibanda were able to assist at the two communions in Ingwenya.
As in the Church in the United Kingdom, communion seasons continue to prove times of refreshing from the Lord. The baptism of one adult and three children at the time of the Bulawayo communion in June, was an encouraging token for good from the Lord to the Congregation there.
Theological Conference. A theological conference is held in Bulawayo every August. The Conference was well attended this year in spite of difficulties in travelling, due to the fuel shortage. As in previous years, the papers given were both spiritually instructive and beneficial. The papers this year were: “The Covenant of Works” by Rev S Khumalo, “Dangers of Arminianism” by Rev N Sibanda, “The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper”, by Rev M Mloyi, “Church Discipline” by Mr M Mpofu, “The Holy Bible – Inspired Word of God” by Mr W Nkomo. The Presbytery hope to hold a youth conference in December.
We ought to be thankful that the Lord has sustained three faithful ministers of the gospel in health and strength. We also have much to be thankful for in the faithfulness of numerous elders and professing men who, like Aaron and Hur, are able to assist their ministerial brethren in the furtherance of the gospel. May we all be given a burden to pray for others to be called to labour in this mission field. “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest” (Lk 10:2). “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15).