On The 14th June 2002 Pastor Ian Wilson and Mr Barry Adair from Grove Baptist Church in Belfast set off on a journey to Zimbabwe. We had been invited by Multi Ministries, headed up by Dr Harold Peasley, to be part of ‘Impact 2002.’ The work in Zimbabwe would consist of evangelism and leadership training.
Zimbabwe is a country with so much unspoiled natural beauty. Behind the lovely postcard scenes of Zimbabwe lies a country, which politically, economically and socially is on the verge of collapse. It is estimated that many people will literally starve if action is not taken, in fact it may be too late already! Although this is a country that has very little of this world materially, spiritually the Christians we had the pleasure of meeting have a love for the Lord, a desire for His word and a zeal for His work. I suppose scripture and church history always teaches us that times of persecution are associated with times of spiritual blessing.
We arrived at Victoria Falls on Saturday 15th June and immediately God’s hand was upon us. A Flight Attendant must have witnessed me leaving without my Bible and he followed us into the airport to return it.
On arrival it was straight to work for Barry. He had been asked to record many of the events associated with ‘Impact 2002.’ Firstly he recorded the handing over of a dozen bicycles to Pastors through the ‘Wheels for God’ scheme. Over the two-week period eighty bicycles would be presented to aid pastors in their evangelism.
Visit www.wheelsforgod.org.za for more information.
I preached at the ‘Flames of Victory’ conference for Pastors and church workers around three hundred attended with the word of God enthusiastically received. It was a great delight to see a man trust the Saviour after the first meeting.
The following morning we travelled to Botswana, a journey of about 2 hours to take the service at the Open Baptist Church in Kisane. A church with no Pastor, would as you can imagine really appreciate a “live” preacher and someone to share their testimony. We received much encouragement from the saints of God. It was here we found a man whose late wife had received much blessing from the Gospel singing of our own Willie Mc Crea. He must have fans all over the world!
After returning to Victoria Falls I journeyed to a place called Kwekwe, a large town in the centre of Zimbabwe. This was the first time the mission had come to Kwekwe so we were very much pioneering the work. I was part of a team of five, along with three Americans and Errol Wesson from Multi Ministries. Our time would be occupied training Pastors and church leaders and holding Gospel meetings.
I began lecturing in a suburb of Kwekwe called Redcliff. A Christian Leadership course was held at Torwood Salvation Army Corps. Building. I had to speak on church leadership, growth and evangelism. The Pastors are crying out for resources as they have so little by way of commentaries and helps. One could see the absolute delight as they soaked up the ministry. One of the Pastors told me how they were now down to two meals per day. Yet it was amazing to see their love for the saviour and hunger for His word. What a challenge to comfortable Christians in Ulster.
I also preached at a Christian leadership Institute and a Gospel crusade in the Kwekwe Christian Assembly where three souls were saved.
As I returned to Torwood Salvation Army, I was so thrilled to spend time with the Pastors knowing that they would use the ministry received in their own churches.
At a house meeting in Redcliff I was to speak on ‘Giving.’ It was the last subject I expected to have to handle in such a poverty stricken country. At the close of that meeting one by one they walked up to the front of the meeting and handed over an offering, it was humbling and moving, it reminded me of the Macedonian believers.
[2 Cor. 8:2-3]
At the close of the meeting I emphasised the need for sinners to give themselves over to Jesus Christ. It was thrilling to see two young girls and an older lady bow in tears and accept Christ as their Saviour.
Our time in Kwekwe finished on the Wednesday and we rejoiced in what the Lord had done through our small team in that area. We are certain that Multi Ministries will be able to build on the foundation that has been laid.
Barry meantime had been kept very busy with others members from the Impact 2002 team. Barry and an American Evangelist, Barry King, had travelled to Bulawayo in Central Zimbabwe. At Luveve Methodist Church they had an excellent time of praise and preaching. 14 came forward and made professions of faith.
The next day Barry had the privilege of testifying to the children at Malindela Primary School and in the evening it was back to Luveve Methodist Church with Barry King. In Bulawayo Barry testified at a local orphanage where a number came forward to accept Jesus as Saviour. In the market tracts were given and the Gospel was preached.
Barry then headed to Mozambique, to help local believers and a missionary from South Africa. Barry had the joy of distributing ‘Gospels of John’ in Portuguese from ‘Every Home Crusade’ Belfast. Please pray for the work of ‘Every Home Crusade’ the Gospels of John were received with so much enthusiasm.
Meanwhile I was heading off to Kariba. Kariba is a small town set on the edge of Lake Kariba. Lake Kariba is a man made lake, which is used to produce electricity for Zimbabwe and Zambia using hydroelectric power. It is a very beautiful area with many animals roaming wild and free. It was not unusual for monkeys and hippos to join us for tea!
Kariba was the setting for the second ‘Flames of Victory Conference.’ Around one hundred Pastors and their wives joined us. I had the privilege of ministering at the conference and again the cry of the Pastors was for resources and helps. The appreciation shown for the ministry received was very humbling and encouraging.
On the Lord’s Day 23rd June, after preaching at the conference in the morning, I was invited to teach a Sunday school class in the Kariba Baptist church as well as speaking at their morning service.
In the late afternoon I preached in the local Salvation Army open-air meeting. With over two hundred in attendance we had a blessed time indeed. We had the joy of seeing some thirty souls make a profession in Kariba over the few days we ministered there and yet perhaps the most effective work was carried out at the Christian leadership institutes where again we were able to lecture to local Pastors and church leaders. Eternity alone will reveal the impact the conference and training institutes had on the local Pastors and how they would benefit as they ministered from their own pulpits week by week.
Early that morning Barry travelled to the airport in Beira, Mozambique, to catch a flight to Harare the capital of Zimbabwe. From Harare he got the local bus up to Kariba in the north of Zimbabwe. This was an experience and we can thank the Lord for Translink! It was a miracle he arrived safely with his luggage intact.
Barry and some of the team then spent some time in Nyamhunga High School. The team was allowed to speak to the senior school (about 600) and Barry was asked to explain God’s plan of salvation. A good number came forward when asked if they wanted to accept Jesus as their Saviour. When they spoke to the junior school (about 500) a young boy, with tears in his eyes, told Barry he had just asked Jesus into his heart.
To end our mission we hired a houseboat to reach the fishing camps located on the various Islands on Lake Kariba. What a thrill we had as whole villages turned out to listen to open air Gospel preaching.
As a result of ‘Impact 2002’ over one thousand souls made a profession of faith in the Lord. We thank God for his blessing, which was showered upon all the teams working in Zimbabwe over the two-week period.
A big thanks to our wives and families, Grove Baptist Church and also the friends at Coagh Baptist Church. [Lament. 3:22-23]
Please pray for Zimbabwe. Pray that God’s people will know wisdom, guidance and blessing, especially during the difficult times they are facing.
Pastor Ian Wilson
(July 2002)