Country and ministry are not named for security reasons.
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Baptisms are the order of the day now. |
by Rae Burnett
One year ago, a Christian Aid-sponsored ministry in an Islamic West African country extended 50 invitations to attend its first annual Young Men’s Conference. In response, 140 Africans from all denominational backgrounds, including non-believers, arrived to study God’s Word and learn how the cross is the key to life in Christ.
According to the ministry leader, “We saw hunger and thirst for God in the hearts of these young men who were captivated by the power and the life of the Word. They turned to the Lord and were broken and began to hear, see, know, and experience new life in Christ.”
In addition to the teaching and discipleship, the young men met together every morning at 5:00 for a time of worship and prayer.
Those formerly entrenched in witchcraft, idol worship, and the occult bowed before the cross and were freed from their sins.
Present at the conference was a former cult leader led to Christ by the ministry leader several years ago. He in turn started a church of 16 new believers, which he brought to the conference along with a tribal leader who was also a witchdoctor. At the conference, the witchdoctor heard the truth of the gospel and repented. He returned to his tribe and, with the ministry leader, preached the gospel to a group of witchdoctors. They repented and burned their idols and amulets.
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The burning of idols and items of witchcraft. |
Seven cell group churches emerged from this tribal group, with four people attending Africa School of Missions to learn how to effectively reach their own people with the message of Christ. As a result of this conference, 150 people have been baptized and begun discipleship classes. Two large regional follow-up meetings have been held.
Much evangelism and many more cell group churches have grown out of the conference. These young men returned to their villages to share the truth they learned. New believers have been added each week, with ongoing discipleship. The entire nation has been effected with the gospel. Several pastors desire to attend the next conference after realizing the young men in their congregations know more about the life of Christ than they do.
This ministry will hold its next annual conference in September, with 200 young men already registered. Christian Aid enabled the ministry to build a conference center that seats 1,000 people, however, registration is restricted to 500 because of limited sleeping accommodations. They hope to build a dormitory for future conferences ($35,000). Support is needed for food and transportation for those attending this week-long event ($30 per attendee).
Thank you so much for your loving support of this highly effective ministry.
Contact rae@christianaid.org for more information.