March 2025
Rev J B Jardine
Budget and Development Plan 2025. The Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee (JFMC) met in December 2024 to consider the Budget and Development Plan that was drawn up by Mr Hugh Mackenzie, Mission Coordinator, in collaboration with the various Mission Boards in Zimbabwe. After discussion, the document was approved and passed on to the Mbuma Zending Committee in Holland, who provide the majority of the funding for the Mission.
Representatives of the JFMC met with the Mbuma Zending Committee in Leerdam, Holland, in January to discuss the funding for 2025. Ds A van Voorden, Chair of the Committee, opened the meeting with worship and gave a short and very suitable address on Acts 16. Application was made to the current work in Zimbabwe, drawing in particular from verse 10: “And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them”.
The meeting lasted four hours, and members of the Mbuma Zending Committee asked detailed questions, which the JFMC representatives were able to answer to their satisfaction. A brotherly spirit was evident, and both parties appreciated the close relationship that had developed between the two Committees over the last 60 years. The Mbuma Zending Committee agreed to provide funding for the work in Zimbabwe for 2025 and expressed their desire to support the work there as much as possible. “Behold, how good and
how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
John Tallach High School. The John Tallach School continues to provide sound religious instruction alongside a high standard of academic teaching. A total of 86 students sat the Bible Knowledge examinations, which are paid for by the Mission. Sitting this examination helps keep the witness among the students at John Tallach at a good standard. It is appreciated by students and parents alike.
The school once more took part in the National Schools competition for cleanliness and environmental awareness run by the Government’s Environmental Management Agency and came second for the second consecutive year. The school’s debating club qualified for regional competitions as they did in 2023 and travelled to Botswana to compete in 2024.
Food shortage update. The El Nino weather system has had a devastating effect over the last couple of seasons, culminating in the loss of many animals in rural areas over the last few months, through drought. Many of the remaining animals used for ploughing were too weak to do so. Lack of water was also becoming a problem for the people. However, there is hope at the moment for a good crop this year. The rainfall has been good, for which the people are thankful. The people continue to pray for the rains that will bring the seed to fruition. It is noted that the relief distributed by the Church has had a great alleviating effect for those who received it and is much appreciated.
Presbytery news. The principal work is the preaching of the gospel and this continues in the various congregations and preaching stations in the Presbytery, with the two ministers being assisted by the local elders and others. A new preaching station was opened in the Gwampa Valley, south of Mbuma. However, there are discouragements as well as encouragements. We have a small congregation at Donsa, an area where our witness is endangered by false teachers who claim to be able to heal the sick and to prophesy. These people draw away many from the right way, destroying souls through their actions, and there is a tangible sense of spiritual darkness where they are settled. It is only the Word of God and the Holy Spirit that can counter this movement.
Communion seasons continue to be times of blessing, with new members being added to the communion rolls. Large numbers of young people have been attending recent communions at Mbuma. Some who have recently been baptized have now come forward to sit at the Lord’s Table. Sadly, attendance at some preaching stations has diminished.
The Bulawayo congregation has been encouraged as a result of several former John Tallach High School pupils developing an interest in the Free Presbyterian Church since leaving school. They have continued to attend the
services in Bulawayo and attend communion seasons in other places. Some have recently been received into full membership in the Church, while others have been granted the privilege of baptism for themselves. Yet there remains a great need for gospel ministers to be raised up.
The witness of our Primary schools. Our five Primary schools provide an early witness to the truth, as well as providing religious instruction and a general education. They have an opportunity to counter false teachings and practices. There is also an opportunity to instruct the young correctly, and the Lord may bless that teaching in due course. It is possible to instruct the children, while the adults in the community have already been influenced by false teachings. The light of the Word of God is the only remedy for our generation.