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2019 Mission Report (Pretoria, South Africa)

■   Key verse for 2020
Mark 11:22 - “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.

Looking back on our ministry in 2019, I praise the Lord and give thanks to Him because of what He has done for our ministry. As we held onto our key verse from Psalm 1:2, which says “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night”, we have, indeed, found delight in God’s word and we were sustained by the word of God. In 2019, as usual, we had to go through many challenges and difficulties in serving the God-given campus mission.

Firstly, we sent our members to various places

Since last year January chapter 1 and 2 were merged again. There were some challenges and worries but by the grace of God our ministry stood firm and became more stable in 2018. But from early January in 2019 we had to send Msn. Paul and SaraNeusa to Portugal again with their two children. It was for Msn. Sara to get her post-doctoral job in Portugal. We have been praying for them to return to Africa and pioneer Mozambique in God’s time after Msn. Sara obtains full professorship.

During February, shepherdess Maite who completed her degree, had to go back Gabon since her visa was about to expire. She had tried to find a job in South Africa, but due to the high unemployment rate for foreigners she was unable to secure any internship positions. In early March and late September we had to send our second generation members, Joshua Jr. and John, who played various roles in our ministry to Korea for their military services.

One of the biggest changes to our ministry was that we had to send Msn. Joseph’s family of 5 members to USA during July. Msn Joseph and Mary had served the mission in South Africa for more than 20 years. It was a huge loss for our ministry, as they had managed our Bible House, church accounting, arranging conference venues etc. Most of all, as a leader I felt a deep loss of co-workers. Once we had 5 missionary families in our ministry. Now only two families remained, and soon Msn. James will retire in 2020. Suddenly I felt more burdened and lonely. But I had to send them with prayers and blessings. We have been praying for Msn. Joseph’s family to settle well in USA.

Not only Msn. Joseph’s family, but Msn. Joanna and Matthew in Wits UBF with their children also went back to Korea this December. Last year, Msn. Stephen and Hannah had to go back to Korea due to their visa problem. Such surrounding circumstances also discouraged me as well. Some of our brothers also left our ministry after moving out of the brothers’ tent in the Bible House due to various reasons. It seems that the number of our members decreased to almost one third resulting in our fellowships having to be restructured.

Although our ministry seemed to have bled heavily, our God has kept us to moving forward to the Kingdom of God. God brought back Shep. Theo, and new members such as Ayanda, Juice and Mandisa joined our ministry. This year God established three shepherds: Thulasizwe, Refilwe and John. Praise God who keeps our ministry strong.

Secondly, the word of God has worked effectively among us. This year we have completed studying the book of Judges, which we started last year. We have also finished studying the book of Acts, which took almost the whole year. Through these books God has taught us many spiritual lessons and equipped us with the biblical principles. Shep. Billy received messenger training throughout the year and completed the shepherd 7 step studies, which he delivered the worship messages after studying. I pray that God may establish him as one of our Sunday worship messengers. In 2020 we are planning to study the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. I pray that God may teach us new things, and that we may firmly establish ourselves with the word of God.

Thirdly, we have been praying for establishing local leadership. From this year for leadership training Shep. Abia took responsibility over announcements and prayer topics during the worship services. He has also led two conferences, and helped some of our messengers in their preparation of messages for the conferences. He is also delivering Sunday worship messages twice a month. And our junior shepherd group have voluntarily and faithfully served through organising several fishing ministries, charity work, welcoming party, worship night and our worship team etc. I pray that in His right time God may establish a local leadership to lead our ministry. Next year Shep. James is about to retire, and may God also lead him with a right direction after his retirement.

Fourthly, God also blessed our CBF ministry. This year more or less 14 children have regularly attended the worship service. Now they have a separate room to have their own service and playtime. We thank Shepherdess Mpho and Rejoice for serving our CBF ministry. This year God has blessed us with two babies. They are Phenyo and Joanna. After delivery, God has blessed Shepherdess Midah and Sylvie to fully recover, particularly Shepherdess Sylvie as she was not properly anesthetized and went through extreme pains of operation. But God kept her safe and baby Joanna was born healthy. As to a house church, God has blessed shep Billy and Alicia to get engaged in November. They are currently planning to get married next year March.

We are praying for 50 worship service attendants and 50 1:1 Bible studies per week. I pray that God may enable us to raise the disciples of Jesus and have some new members for our ministry in 2020. Although our number of members were decreased, our ministry moved forward and younger members have stepped up and taken responsibility within the church. It was all by His grace and mercy, and the word of God led our ministry in 2019. I pray that in 2020 we may grow in faith and in love that our ministry create a harmony and unity in serving campus mission, particularly raising the disciples of Jesus. In 2020 our members learn practical faith in God that they may please God with their faith.

Prayer topics for the ministry

• 50 Teams 1:1 Bible Studies and 50 worship Attendants.
• God bless our studies of book of Ezra and Nehemiah.
• Raise 2 shepherds and 2 house churches be established.
• Members of CBF grow in His word and grace.

WITS UBF held a Bible Conference from March 22 to 24, 2019.
The total number of attendants was 61.

See more detailed news: http://www.ubf.org/world-mission-news/africa/2019-easter-bible-conference-report-wits-ubf-south-africa