2017 Edition 3
PO BOX 74 NEWLANDS 7725 CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA
NEWS
FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP
ISSN-1018-151x
Reformation or Revolution
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8
Contrast
This year, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of the launch of the Protestant Reformation and the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. These two monumentally important historic milestones present the stark choice before us: Reformation or Revolution!
A Tale of Two Cities
In Charles Dickens’ classic novel, “The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15
Swaziland is a small country, with a surface area of 17,364 km2 and a population of about one million people. Religious Freedom
The present king of Swaziland, Mswati III, is apparently very positive towards Christianity, even hosting his own Easter
A Tale of Two Cities, he contrasts London with Paris, the fruit of the Great Evangelical Awakening of Whitefield and Wesley with the Renaissance Humanism that led to the French Revolution and The Reign of Terror. Dickens’ famous opening sentence summarises the drama of A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing
before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…” Christianity vs. Communism The contrast between Christianity and communism is dramatically presented throughout A Tale of Two Cities. The fruit of the Protestant Reformation and the Great Evangelical Awakening was wisdom, faith, light, hope and joy. The fruit of anti-God, radical secular humanism and the revolutionary fanaticism that triumphed in France in 1789, (Continued on page 2)
Conferences at which he preaches! Also, he recently passed a law stating that Christianity is the only religion that may be taught in schools. The Gospel is preached openly in schools, prisons and on national radio. Whilst these are positive moves, Swaziland is still steeped in Animism. Polygamy is common, with Mswati himself having 15 wives.
Missions History
Sometime in the mid 1830’s, King Sobhuza heard that many of the great chiefs of neighbouring territories had Christian missionaries residing and
(Continued on page 4)
Reformation or Revolution - continued from page 1 produced the worst of times and an age of foolishness, unbelief, darkness, despair and misery. “They promise them freedom, they themselves are slaves of depravity…” 2 Peter 2:19
The Iron Lady in Paris
It was most appropriate that in 1989, on the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain presented French president, Francois Mitterand, a leather-bound first edition of Charles Dickens’, immortal A Tale of Two Cities book. When reporters at the G7 Conference in Paris flocked to ask Margaret Thatcher’s impressions of The French Revolution, the Iron Lady replied: “It resulted in a lot of headless corpses and a tyrant.”
President to read A Tale of Two Cities, to learn why the French Revolution had been completely unnecessary.
Revolution Today
Indeed, today, with mobs targeting monuments for removal and destruction, the war against freedom of speech, with race politics openly advocating land invasions of whiteowned commercial farms, laughing at rampant tortures and murders of white pensioners and farmers and an international campaign to demonise white Anglo-Saxon races along with hysterical Christophobia seeking to eliminate all public expressions of Christianity, we are on the verge of a new revolution.
Following the Revolutionary Herd George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, now seems ominously prophetic. First published in 1949, Orwell’s 1984 envisaged a future with omnipresent government surveillance and public manipulation through party politics, the cult of worshipping the party leader, historic revisionism, intimidation and social engineering. All this no longer looks like a joke.
The Ministry of Truth used lies and propaganda to distort all information in news, entertainment, education and the arts. The Ministry of Plenty controlled rationing and ensured starvation. The Ministry of Peace ensured perpetual war. The Ministry of Love tortured, terrified and crushed all dissent and resistance.
Mobilising Hate in the Name of Love
The Ministry of Love would also orchestrate two minutes hate and hate week campaigns to distract and channel the anger and frustration of the masses towards a real, or imagined, enemy.
Memory Holes
The Ministry of Truth would also vaporise, or expunge, from the public record, opponents of the state which could not be debated with, or argued, against. These would become unpersons who would disappear down the memory hole.
Rewriting History
Every monument would need to be replaced, every street name changed. History itself would need to be rewritten in order to accord with the current policy of the ruling political party (As Karl Marx declared: “The first battlefield is the rewriting of History”).
Supressing Freedom of Expression
Resistance to Revolution
Prime Minister Thatcher had a sense of the momentous event, as this G7 Conference had been scheduled in Paris to coincide with the 200th anniversary of The French Revolution. The Iron Lady’s symbolic act of resistance was itself historic. Margaret Thatcher advised the French
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Subverting Freedom of Thought Orwell predicted the manipulation of language into newspeak, with thought crimes punished by thought police.
Today, the sinister suppression of free speech, manipulation of language and intimidation of the general population is becoming an all too real factor in everyday life. In the past, to suppress dissent the accusation of “heresy!” or “treason!” was sufficient. Today: “Hate Speech!” is the modern equivalent in silencing free speech. Merely accusing someone of: “racism!”, “homophobia!”, “Islamophobia!”, or “bigotry!” is sufficient to silence opposition and prevent free and open discussion.
A Most Relevant Warning At the end of the 19th Century,
General William Booth of the Salvation Army predicted: “The chief danger that confronts the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without Repentance, Salvation without Regeneration, politics without God and Heaven without hell.”
Wide Gates to Hell
German Reformer Dr. Martin Luther warned, almost five centuries ago: “I am much afraid that schools will prove to be wide gates to hell, unless they diligently labour in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not constantly occupied with the Word of God must become corrupt.”
School Campuses are a Battleground
Education today most certainly is a battleground. Freedom of speech and freedom of conscience is under fire on school and university campuses which are meant to be free market places of ideas where “iron sharpens iron”.
Fight for Faith and Freedom Dr. Martin Luther declared: “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God, except precisely
Here I Stand! that point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, then I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battlefront besides, is mere flight and disgrace, if he flinches at that point.”
First Things First
Martin Luther’s earnest request for peace with God, intensive study of the Scriptures and The 95 Theses challenge over unbiblical practices of the Roman papacy led to primary questions on authority. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught: “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
Sola Scriptura! William Farel Monument
Freedom of Conscience
Martin Luther’s love for the Word of God and dedication to the truth led him to challenge the entire ecclesiastical and political structure of the Roman church and empire. “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by clear reasoning that I am in error – for popes and councils have often erred and contradicted themselves - I cannot recant, for I am subject to the Scriptures I have quoted; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. It is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against ones conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. So help me God. Amen.”
Foundations for Freedom
In this incredibly courageous stand against the assembled political and religious might of Europe, Professor Luther argued for Freedom of conscience, based upon the authority of Scripture alone. By translating the Bible, from the original Greek and Hebrew, into the common tongue and making it widely available to all, Martin Luther championed universal education and literacy, freedom of conscience and religious liberty. The Protestant doctrine of the priesthood of all believers became the foundation for modern representative governments. Instead of the prevailing “Rex Lex” (the king is the law) the Reformers championed “Lex Rex” (the Law is king!) No one is above God's Law. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Everyone is under God's Law.
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Roots of Western Civilisation
The social implications of this religious Reformation were enormous. The Doctrine of Sola Scriptura led to Constitutionalism. The priesthood of all believers led to the concept of representative forms of government based upon Law. Religious liberty and freedom of conscience led to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association and other out-workings of political and social freedom. Ideas have consequences.
Faith and Freedom
The Reformers’ teaching on the depravity of man, the Covenant and Church government have influenced positive political developments in liberty throughout the Western world and beyond, establishing checks and balances, the separation of powers and constitutional authority. All of us are beneficiaries of this tremendous movement for Faith and freedom. If you love liberty, you need to reexamine the history and principles of the Reformation and resist Revolution in all its forms. “…Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you.” 2 Chronicles 19:2
Dr. Peter Hammond
MISSION to Swaziland – Continued from page 1 working among them. Spurred by a dream, in 1838 he sent a delegation to Basutoland to seek a missionary who would come to live in his royal household and give his son Mswati an education.
King Sobhuza's Dream & His Requests to Wesleyan Missionaries
Sobhuza saw men carrying coins and a book (the Bible). In his dream, he was told to choose the Book - the "Umculu". Before his death in 1839, Sobhuza is recorded as having addressed his counsellors, "Seek a white man (teacher) for my son; he will preserve him and the nation." Several delegations were eventually sent, but it was not until after the death of Sobhuza, that the call was responded to by Wesleyan Missionaries,
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James Allison and Richard Giddy. The Missionaries arrived in Swaziland in June 1844. They were met and escorted to the royal residence. The welcome was warm. Allison's diary, records the speech made by the Queen Mother: "The teachers have at length arrived in the midst of us. Our enemies have long oppressed us. The teachers are our
only hope. Through them we may be preserved from destruction."
Rapid Growth
Allison developed the base at Mahamba, the site allocated him by the royal household. Mission stations were established in new areas and the teachers, who had accompanied Allison, began the task of establishing the new ministries. The work advanced rapidly.
Swazis Turn to Christ
Allison's congregation at Mahamba grew to between five and six hundred, including those from surrounding villages. Requests were received from chiefs across the country for teachers to be sent to them. The records of achievement over the two years of Wesleyan work in Swaziland showed
Swazivision
remarkable growth. Four chapels and six preaching stations were established, recording twenty-six accredited church members and a further forty-one ontrial members. Allison, together with ten catechists, was planting churches and ministering to the people. During the second year of ministry in Swaziland an estimated 12,000 attended church services.
A Closed Door for Christian Witness
Trouble Brewing
Driving through the town of Manzini, we noticed that there was a radio recording studio at a Christian Media Centre. They gave us the opportunity to record fourteen 5 minute devotionals, seven of which will be aired as prologues and the other seven as epilogues. These will hopefully be aired on one of the national radio channels. In the prologues, we worked through the Seven C’s of History and in the epilogues we worked through Reformation 500 and its Relevance for us today and the Five Solas of the Reformation.
Mswati II, the newly installed young king, turned against Malambule (the regent), who fled before him to take refuge at Allison's mission station. Allison refused to take sides and attempted in vain to mediate. A force of about 1,200 of Mswati's warriors arrived at the Mission station during a Sunday morning service. A carnage took place leaving between fifty and sixty people dead. Mswati demanded the surrender of the wounded, all the women and children. It was believed by Mswati and his councillors that Allison had interfered in internal politics. Allison decided to flee the area and move to Zulu territory and, together with about 1,000 people, he arrived at one of the outstations.
The door to any missions was effectively closed with the withdrawal of Allison and his party. It was only after the accession of the new king, Mbandzeni, in 1875, that Missions were allowed to return to Swaziland.
Ministry in Swaziland – Radio Recordings
Teaching at Orphan Student Centres
There are roughly 100,000 orphans in Swaziland, with the vast majority of them having lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. Our only initial contact in Swaziland was the Director of the Swazi Orphan Teaching Foundation, which has five student centres across Swaziland to which children who cannot afford school fees, or who have dropped out of school for various reasons (e.g. pregnancy), can receive some educational input from volunteer teachers. We conducted two days of teaching at two centres. Topics included: The Seven C’s of History, The Gospel, The Greatest Man Whoever Lived and How to Study the Bible. Each student received a Gospel of John and Romans booklet and several other Gospel or Bible teaching leaflets produced by Frontline Fellowship. We donated English Bibles, books and audio-visual materials to each centre’s library.
We met a Dutch missionary at the KwaSizabantu Ministers Conference, who is the founder of Swazivision. In addition to their prison and AIDS orphans ministry, Swazivision convenes Leadership Conferences for pastors, managers in the tourism industry and other leaders in society. This missionary graciously allowed us to stay in his guesthouse during our time in Swaziland and arranged for Abrie to preach at a Sunday Service in Big Bend. We donated a box of Bibles and other Gospel literature to them for their work. Later he drove to Cape Town to load up his truck and trailer with Scriptures and Bible Study materials.
Pray for Swaziland
Pray that pastors would boldly preach against sexual immorality and call people to repentance and Faith in Christ. Pray that they would teach on Biblical purity and principles for strong marriages, so that the scourge of HIV/ AIDS in Swaziland could be eradicated. Pray that bondage to ancestral spirits would be broken. Pray that the Kingdom of God would come in the hearts and minds of the Swazi people in such a way that it would flow out from their hearts to transform the Kingdom of Swaziland, to the Glory of God. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in Heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 Abrie and Taryn Lourens Frontline Fellowship
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Lessons Learned in 35 Years in the Field
What Have You Learned?
After my first Mission to Mozambique, April 1982, my pastor, Rev. Doc Watson, challenged me: “Many Missionaries tell of what they have done. I would like to know what you have learned.”
that churches are being destroyed by communists, or Jihadists. It is another thing to document it with photographic evidence and eye-witness testimonies. If at all possible, with dates, names and places.
Ask Many Questions
What Hope Do You Offer?
That challenge has continued to inspire me to look deeper, to discover what is God saying, in and through the many obstacles, frustrations, conflicts and through every country I have had the privilege of ministering in. It has also led me to ask many questions. I have filled up many notebooks interviewing Missionaries, pastors, refugees, chaplains, Evangelists, teachers, survivors of atrocities, prisoners, soldiers, policemen, even several heads of state.
Always Ask Why
The words of my first high school history teacher, Mr Reese-Davies, who was also a Member of Parliament in Rhodesia, has also frequently echoed in my mind: “Always ask why? What is the context? Do not accept the official narrative. Beware the victors’ version. War-time propaganda all too easily morphs into peace-time textbooks.” Learn to think critically. Think outside the box. Dig deeper. You will not find the truth by accepting the standard narrative parroted in the news media and on Hollywood’s screens.
Next Time Take Pictures
Another good piece of advice was received after one of my early Missions to Mozambique. After a Missions Report Back at a church in the Transvaal, one of the people mentioned to me at the door: “What you have to say is hard to believe. Next time take pictures.” That was great advice. I had not taken a camera, or pictures, on my first Mission to Mozambique. I was so focused on the work to be done. But what he said made sense. Why should people believe what we are saying? How much more convincing to show them photographic proof. It is one thing to tell people
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On my first speaking tour to the United States, one man observed: “You exposed the problem and the threat of communism very well. But what hope do you offer?” That was a great challenge. Never again would I present any problem without concluding with the solution. With the “Now what?”, “What can I do?”, “What difference can I make?” Positive, practical and constructive suggestions and projects are needed to move people beyond information to inspiration and involvement. Not only educate, but enlist people to make a difference. We must motivate them and mobilise them to action.
What Can I Do?
Regularly when people have asked: “What can we do?” I would respond with five “I’s”: Information, Intercession, Involvement, Implementation and Investment. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” We need to be informed. Jesus told us that we should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:12). We need to be involved. As Nehemiah mobilised the people of Jerusalem to build the walls and to defend the city, there is always something each one of us can do, practically and positively. There are strategies to implement and there are projects we can invest our time, talents and treasure in.
What Have You Done for Christ? At the first Evangelistic Rally I attended, on the night of my conversion, Sunday, 3 April 1977, the speaker, Rev. Rex Matthie, asked: “What have you done for Christ?” Christ’s Great Commission must be our supreme ambition. His last command must be our first concern. Know God and make Him known.
Priorities, Planning and Preparation The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. We need focus and energy. We need to aim for maximum impact. We need to work strategically. First do research. Who is doing what? Where?
Do Not Try to Reinvent the Wheel
There is no need to re-invent the wheel. If a good resource already exists, use it. From the first Mission, God guided me to network and to learn from those who had already been in the field and to use those resources already available. From the first days of Frontline Fellowship, World Missionary Press Gospel booklets became a vital part of every outreach. WMP produces 50-page Gospel booklets in over 300 languages. I have had the privilege of distributing over a million of their Gospel booklets in nearly 100 languages, across 36 countries.
Reaching & Teaching the Illiterate Gospel Recordings/Bible Media have provided us with many thousands of Gospel records, card talks, Gospel messengers, tapes, flip charts and audio Bibles in more than 100 languages. We have used these to reach the illiterate in market places, beer halls, prisons,
hospitals, military bases, refugee camps, on the streets and hut to hut. Similarly the Jesus film in over 100 languages, has enabled us to reach many tensof-thousands of people with the core Kerygma of the Gospel in their language. Evangelism Explosion, Way of the Master and Answers in Genesis have provided invaluable resources which we have integrated into our Great Commission Camps, Courses and Seminars.
Pray Without Ceasing
Francis Grim, the Founder of the first Mission that I had the privilege of serving, Hospital Christian Fellowship, taught me how to pray intensively, in hours of prayer every morning, days of prayer and nights of prayer at HCF headquarters in Kempton Park. He taught me to pray through Operation World, country by country, in strategic prayer focus.
Live by Faith
Francis Grim also taught me what it means to live by Faith. “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”, “God's servant is God's responsibility.”, “Where God guides, He provides.” Francis Grim also said that a Missionary’s Job Description is to: “Comfort the afflicted. Afflict the comfortable!”
Run a Rescue Shop within a Yard of Hell
Some other great quotes from Missionaries which inspired me and guided my ministry over the last four decades, have included: “Some like to live within the sound of church or chapel bell – I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of Hell!” C.T. Studd.
Make Your Life Count for Eternity “You only have one life, it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last.” C.T. Studd.
Redeem the Time
We need to redeem the time. Always carry a Bible, or New Testament, on you. Know the Word of God and the God of the Word. Always have a notebook and pen. The weakest ink is stronger than the strongest memory. Write it down! Make check lists. Regularly re-evaluate your life, goals and habits. Exercise control over your time so that you can focus on what is most important. Eliminate time wasters like TV and newspapers.
Be Bold and Brave for God
Seize opportunities. Be brave and bold for God. Do not remain seated when the time comes for you to stand up for God. Do not hesitate when the time comes to step out in faith. Do not remain silent when you need to speak up, expose evil and proclaim Biblical truth. True love is measured by sacrifice.
Six C’s
Some of the lessons learned and major themes of my life, over the last 40 years, include: Conversion to Christ, Call to Missions, Consecration, Conflict, Commitment and Consistency.
Dynamic Discipleship
You cannot expect maximum blessings from minimum commitment. We need conversion to Christ, commitment to Christ and consistent service for Christ. Do not settle for less than God's best. God gives the very best to those who leave the choice to Him.
Hitch-hiking
In the course of my Missionary training at HCF and in the early years of Frontline Fellowship, I hitch-hiked over 140,000 km, frequently with absolutely no money whatsoever. Sleeping in my sleeping bag on the side of the road, in parks, in the rain, in bus shelters, wendy houses, tree-houses, church foyers, used car parking lots, garages and even in police cells where local police were kind enough to let me use a bunk in a cell to sleep out of the rain at night.
In the Military
My military service taught me the importance of team work, discipline and stamina. Persevere, keep on keeping on. Never give up. Never give in. Adapt and innovate. Do not make excuses. Make a plan. Overcome all obstacles and win the victory by aggressive action. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Victory loves preparation, training and discipline.
Scripture Union
I learned much in my service in Scripture Union in school ministries, holiday missions to Somerset West and Plumstead and working in the Scripture Union Bookstore in Rondebosch. One of their slogans was: Bible before Breakfast!
Hospital Christian Fellowship
My first full-time Missionary training was received under the mentorship of Francis Grim in Hospital Christian Fellowship in Kempton Park and travelling around the country. He reminded us: “More people pass through the hospitals of the world than through churches.” Reach, disciple and train doctors, nurses and other medical staff to Evangelise and counsel patients Biblically. Francis Grim declared: “A missionary must be BA and RFA: Born Again and Ready For Anything! A Missionary must be ready to preach, pray, or die, at a moment’s notice!’”
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Muslim Evangelism
I had the privilege of learning Muslim Evangelism from Gerhard Nehls, the Founder of Life Challenge Africa and the author of many great books, such as Christians Answer Muslims, Christians Ask Muslims and The Great Commission and Muslims. It was educational going door-to-door with Gerhard Nehls throughout the Malay Quarter and learning how to debate with and interact with Muslims, evangelistically.
Baptist Theological College
At Baptist Theological College, I was mentored by the dynamic Dr. Fritz Haus, who was our inspiring Old Testament Professor. He introduced me to Imprecatory prayers, the Doctrines of the Reformation and the Christology of the Old Testament. This dramatically deepened my devotional and prayer life and widened my vision to work for Reformation today.
Conflict and Criticism
Our Lord Jesus Christ said that “in this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” Our Lord also warned us that He did not come to bring peace, but a sword. At home, at church, in the army, in the streets and later in the battlefields and Mission fields, I learned that conflict is part of our call to Missions and part of our consecration process. If you are not being criticised, you are not doing your job. Anything that moves creates friction. As Dr. James Kennedy told me: “The only way you can avoid being criticised is to say nothing, do nothing and be nothing!”
Dealing with Discouragements
My missionary call has taken me across 4 continents, over 140 missions behind enemy lines, smuggling Bibles to persecuted Christians and serving the suffering in Communist and Muslim lands. Often frustrations, sickness, opposition and bureaucratic obstructionism could tempt one to discouragement and despondency. Whether under aerial bombardment, artillery fire, in areas where landmines were prevalent and ambushes an ever-present danger, I found studying, meditating upon and praying the Psalms of immense inspiration, encouragement and vital to keep my faith and focus on the Author and finisher of our Faith.
Coping with Cruelty & Carnage
When in prison and suffering abuse at the hands of malicious individuals and walking through the killing fields of Mozambique and Rwanda, I kept my sanity by focusing on documenting the atrocities and determining to publish the plight of the persecuted, ensuring that they had not suffered or died in vain. That has been a vital element of how I have coped with cruelty and colossal carnage. To determine to do something positive to help the suffering and to be a voice for the voiceless.
Seeking to Redeem Tragedy
Writing Frontline News reports, In the Killing Fields of Mozambique, Holocaust in Rwanda and Faith Under Fire in Sudan books were absolutely essential for me to cope. Doing something positive, ensuring that the testimonies of triumph amidst tribulation and Christian courage and perseverance amidst unspeakable viciousness, helps redeem the situation by mobilising prayer and pressure, on behalf of persecuted Christians.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Soldiers, firemen, paramedics, emergency workers and missionaries who are exposed to mind-numbing shocking scenes, struggle to cope with what we have seen and experienced. While there have been times when I have been physically ill from the horrors I have witnessed and overwhelmed by some of the tragic testimonies I have recorded, it has seldom led to prolonged depression or nightmares. I believe that this is largely because, on every occasion, I have focused on doing what could be done to help alleviate their suffering and
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to document and publish eye-witness reports and mobilise prayer and pressure on behalf of the persecuted. Our Love In Action, Boxes with Love, direct relief aid assistance to prisoners, pastors, pensioners and other people severely afflicted in war-torn, Communist and Muslim restricted access areas, have also helped move me from excessive introspection and unproductive depression by focusing on what can be done to improve the situation and try prevent such horrors from happening again.
Publicity Provides Protection for the Persecuted
This has included helping churches with practical security precautions and contingency plan options and bringing back video footage and interviews that could be integrated into films such as Sudan: The Hidden Holocaust and Terrorism and Persecution, which alerted Christians worldwide to the colossal conflict in Sudan, which some at the time referred to as “Africa’s forgotten war.”
Serving the Suffering
Christians in the Nuba Mountains in South Sudan rejoiced and exclaimed with much joy when they saw their stories, their articles and their testimonies in our Frontline News and Faith Under Fire in Sudan book: “You have given us a voice!”, “We were a hidden people fighting a forgotten war. You have become our ambassador.” “You have given us back our history.” “You have given us hope for the future.”
Speaking Up for the Persecuted
At the time it seemed so inadequate. What difference could these photographs, slides, news reports, testimonies, chapters and publications, public meetings and radio programmes, videos and documentaries really do to alleviate their suffering? Yet, culminatively, we can see tremendous answers to our humble and inadequate prayers.
Discover the Power of Prayer
Pray the Psalms. Pray the Imprecatory Psalms of Justice. Pray for the Persecuted Church. Pray against evil. Just some of the many great answers to prayer I have witnessed, include: the coming down of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain and the opening up of Eastern Europe and Russia to the Gospel in 1989. The collapse of communist regimes in Ethiopia and Zambia in 1991. The
opening up of China to the Gospel. The opening up of communist Mozambique, which was once “the least evangelised country in the Southern hemisphere” (when we began our ministry into Mozambique, there were less than 4% Protestants and Evangelicals in the whole country. Barely one Bible for every thousand people in Mozambique. Today, approximately 34% of the people in Mozambique would call themselves Bible-believing, born-again or Evangelical Christians). The Secession and Independence of South Sudan, in 2011, was another major answer to fervent prayer and concerted action.
The Privilege of Parenthood
Balancing the demands of leading a Mission into Restricted Access Areas with the incredible responsibility to raise God-fearing sons and daughters was a daily challenge. Even before my firstborn, Andrea, arrived to transform my life, I had determined to give quality time to my children. All too often one sees those in ministry who neglect their family and raise prodigals who resent missions. No matter how busy I was, no matter how great the demands and deadlines, I would do everything to
make it home for supper and reading time with my children. If necessary, I would return to the mission, or bring piles of work home to deal with, after they were asleep. Many of my books were written when everyone else was asleep. In fact a major part of missions is learning to remain productive on far less sleep than the average person.
they grew up enjoying it. One important principle was that I never allowed telephone calls to interfere with family supper time, Bible study and reading time. Even if the president had phoned, I was not available. I did not allow anything to intrude on Devotions and reading time with my children.
The Adventure of Parental Discipleship
General Ben Partin (USAF) told me that he would never hire anyone on his staff who had not made serious mistakes. “Anyone who cannot point out what he has failed at and where he has done wrong, is either lying, covering up his mistakes and refusing to learn from them, blaming others, or he lacks the moral courage to strive and to try and to risk failure.”
Saturdays were days of adventure when I took my children up mountains, into forests, through museums, ensuring that they loved nature, loved reading, loved seeking knowledge, loved history and loved serving the Lord. During some outreaches, other parents have asked me how I managed to get all my children, even through teenage years and into adulthood, to enjoy participating in camps, courses, outreaches and evangelism! I had not actually thought about it until asked. It is very gratifying when, 26 years on, Lenora reminded me that none of our children have ever missed any of our camps, courses, or outreaches (unless they were on another continent at the time). When I asked Andrea, she replied that as I had always involved them in mission outreaches so
Learning from Our Mistakes
Life-Changing Commitments
The most important commitments that I made include: To Christ and to the Great Commission in 1977, to marriage in 1989 and to parenthood from 1991 onwards. In 2005, my Mission to Europe led to the launching of the Reformation Society and Livingstone Fellowship.
In His Steps
Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to deny ourselves, forsake the world, take up our cross and follow Him. The whole life of a Christian involves selfdenial, self-sacrifice, self-discipline, unselfish service to Christ and His creatures. A willingness to suffer, to endure hardship and abuse and to do so graciously and joyfully, as unto the Lord is essential. Whatever we do, we should do wholeheartedly, as unto our Lord and not to men. It is a tremendous privilege to be a servant and soldier of Christ. Live in the light of eternity. Dr. Peter Hammond
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Reformation Report from Zambia
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” Acts 3:19
Reformation Celebration
How fitting for our Reformation Mission to begin in Zambia with a Reformation Conference, calling people back to proclaim the Word, confront sin, preach the Gospel, seek Holy Spirit boldness, work for doctrinal Reform and Biblical practices, encourage each other in the Word and spend extended time in prayer.
Discernment or Disorder
After each lecture at the Reformation conference there were many lively discussions especially around discernment issues. It seems that more and more pastors and teachers are interested in taking discernment seriously. They are especially passionate about people returning to the Word. Sadly, however, many do not know the Word and many do not know how to preach Biblical sermons. One conversation I had with a student and a professor of a nearby Bible college showed that they did not even know
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some of the basics concerning Biblical roles of gender and Church government. Many people were excited at the fact that we were willing to tackle some tough discernment issues such as that of false doctrines, dangerous practices and the Biblical doctrine of healing. It seems that there are many people who are misusing the Bible to attract people to their churches. The result is chaos, immorality and shame on the body of Christ. More people need to speak out about these issues. “For as it is written, ‘The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you’” Romans 2:24
Preaching in the Rain
After our Lusaka conference, I went to a rural area. I had three different meetings with different groups of people. One group of people gathered together to hear me talk about leadership. We were all gathered together under a tent which we had donated to them some years back. Sadly, years of weather damage had caused the tent to be less-
than waterproof. When the rain came down, the tent started to leak all over. Eventually, we were all huddled together in a small section of the tent where the water did not reach us. This turned out to be a good thing because the rain was so loud that I could not project my voice enough for all to hear. The tight huddle of people made it easier for me to speak to everyone.
The Shame of Witchcraft
We had a seminar in a small rural village church. Leaders and church members walked from far distances, some from hours away, to attend the meeting in a small mud-brick building. We dealt with the Beatitudes, discovering how Christ changes the hearts of His people to live according to His Kingdom standards. We also discussed the importance of preaching the true Gospel. Many people are in a constant state of discouragement due to the ongoing sin around them. I encouraged them that the Gospel is the power of God unto
their side. They were encouraged by this.
It Rains upon the Just and the Unjust
salvation. A conversation I had with a group of pastors shed some more light on the discouragement people are facing. I asked these pastors what the most serious sins and problems are in their areas. They told me that sins range from adultery to drunkenness. But, perhaps a more pervasively subtle sin is that of witchcraft. It is pervasive because so many practice it. It is subtle because most people do it in secret. Adultery can only be hidden for so long before suspicions are raised, especially when a woman falls pregnant in the process. Drunkards will struggle to act sober when their drinking becomes a continuous habit. The sin of witchcraft however, is far easier to hide. One can visit a witchdoctor in the late hours of the night or early hours of the morning. An amulet can be placed in one’s pocket, cupboard, or under the bed without anyone else knowing it. Herbal “medicine” can be consumed in private. You can sin without anyone finding out and so long as the community of believers does not know, especially in cultures where honour and shame are very high ethics, someone can feel as though he or she has gotten away with it. So in this particular area of Zambia, these pastors were telling me that this is a serious problem. They shared that, providentially, God revealed that some people were practicing witchcraft through one local witchdoctor. I asked the pastors whether or not they had visited this medicine-man in order to share the Gospel with him. They informed me that they had not. I told them that they should. They do not have to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. They have Jesus Christ, the Conqueror of the devil on
We ran another conference where we dealt with salvation and the supremacy of Christ over all other created things. We also tackled some practical Christian living issues such as forgiveness and contentment. Later, in the night, we showed the Jesus film. There were over 200 people who showed up for the film. While it was playing, the rain started to pour very heavily. Often when I get up to preach after the film, people get up to leave. They come for the entertainment, but leave before the conviction. Because it was raining, the people had nowhere to go, so they had to stay for the preaching of the Word. I called them to repentance and there was a sense of sobriety and stillness among the people. I had an open time of prayer where the people could call out to the Lord right where they were. I could not understand what they were saying, but there seemed to be some emotional cries out to the Lord. Afterward the pastors in the area commented that the people were really convicted by the meeting we had. The rain made the journey back to our rural accommodation very difficult as streams became rivers and bridges were submerged under rushing water, but I could not complain as the rain was a blessing which caused the people to stay and listen to the Word just moments before.
Masquerading Musicians
At a conference with a new church, I shared the Gospel and the need for God to transform us into new creatures. All too often people are interested in filling churches, but the people inside the church buildings are not filled with God. After the meeting, two young men came up to me asking me to “boost” their music careers. I declined their request. The whole time I spoke to them, they did not want to look at me in the face. I asked my pastor-contact if there was some kind of cultural nuance that I was
missing and why it was that they refused to make eye-contact with me. Another pastor told me that those two individuals had been drinking that day and they probably felt ashamed. This reminded me that the music industry within the church is such a dangerous thing. Many people make careers out of church music because they have a guaranteed audience every Sunday. They always have an opportunity to perform. If these musicians are not held accountable and kept in check, we could easily have many people who are not even saved looking to create a music career on the back of the Church and corrupting our worship.
Pray for Zambia
While we are grateful that Christianity is widely accepted and many people are open to listening to Gospel messages, people generally do not understand the way of Salvation. Many churches are caught up in the prosperity movement. Corruption runs deep in political spheres despite Zambia calling itself a Christian nation. Pray that those who are calling themselves Christians will develop a Biblical worldview, practice Biblical discernment and seek to be Biblical leaders. “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love.” Micah 7:18
Rev. John Clifford
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Why Celebrate the Reformation? “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your mercy LORD and grant us Your Salvation� Psalm 85:6 To the Ends of the Earth
Twenty three years ago a Frontline Fellowship Mission team was approaching a remote village in Cuando Cubango province (what the Portuguese referred to as the ends of the earth) in Angola. The team heard the sound of enthusiastic singing. They immediately recognised the tune, even though they could not understand the words.
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
What they were hearing was: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott (A Mighty Fortress is our God), Dr. Martin Luther's great Battle Hymn of the Reformation, in Ovimbundu. This beloved Hymn, based on Psalm 46, is one of the favourite Hymns of the Persecuted Church and one of the most translated Hymns in history.
Celebrating the Reformation
A large banner was stretched across the road proclaiming 31 October 1517. It was Reformation Day! School children had posters and projects with hand drawings of Reformers, Dr. Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, William Tyndale and John Calvin.
Battle Cries of the Reformation
The great battle cries of the Reformation were boldly displayed: Sola Christus! Sola Scriptura! Sola Gratia! Sola Fide! Soli Deo Gloria! Christ alone is the head of the Church. Scripture alone is our authority. Salvation is by the grace of God alone. Justification is received by Faith alone. Everything is to be done for the Glory of God alone.
The Greatest Gift
These Ovimbundu believers had suffered much. Their church buildings had been destroyed by the communists. They effectively had no Bibles. What was left of the few Bibles and Hymn books that they had possessed were now in tatters. When they received the Scriptures they declared: "This is the greatest gift anyone could ever ask for! The Word of God in my own language!"
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Resolution
We were inspired and rebuked by the steadfast devotion of these Ovimbundu believers. Here they were, at what had been described as the ends of the earth, and they were celebrating Reformation Day. Since then we have resolved to celebrate 31 October as the birthday of all Protestant, Evangelical, BibleBelieving churches.
First Things First
The Lord Jesus taught: "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
Peace with God
It was Dr. Martin Luther's earnest quest for peace with God, and his intensive study of the Scriptures, which led him to challenge the unethical fund raising tactics of the papacy and launch the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther's love for the Word of God and his dedication to truth, led him to challenge the entire ecclesiastical and political authority of the Roman Catholic church.
Repentance Not Indulgences
On 31 October 1517, Professor Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses onto the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. The 95 Theses begins with Repentance: "Since our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ says: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near, He wants the whole life of a believer to be a life of Repentance." Professor Luther maintained that no sacrament can take away our responsibility to respond to Christ's command to true repentance, evidenced by outward change, a transformation and renewal of our entire life. Luther emphasised that it is God alone who can forgive sins and indulgences are a fraud.
Captive to the Word
Summoned before the Emperor, Martin Luther declared: "Unless I am convinced by Scripture, or by clear reasoning, that I am in error - for popes and councils have often erred and contradicted themselves - I cannot recant, for I am subject to the Scriptures I have quoted; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. It is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against one's conscience. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. So help me God. Amen."
press, freedom of association and all the other out-workings of political and social freedom.
Transformational
Scripture Alone
In this courageous stand Martin Luther argued for freedom of conscience based upon the authority of Scripture. From these foundational principles flowed constitutional authority: The principle of Lex Rex (The Law is King!) No one is above God's Law. Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Everyone is under God's Law. Sola Scriptura eroded the foundations of political and ecclesiastical totalitarianism.
Foundations for Freedom
The Protestant emphasis on the priesthood of all believers and the supreme authority of Scripture led to the concept of representative government and constitutional authority as the supreme law of the land. By emphasising the Biblical doctrine of faith as a gift of God, Martin Luther undermined the Catholic Inquisition and provided the Theological foundations for religious liberty and freedom of conscience.
A Legacy of Liberty
The social implications of this Reformation were enormous. The doctrine of Sola Scriptura led to constitutionalism. The priesthood of all believers led to the concept of representative governments. Religious liberty and freedom of conscience led to freedom of speech, freedom of the
There is no doubt that the Reformation in Europe during the 16th century was one of the most important epochs in the history of the world. The Reformation gave us the Bible - now freely available in our own languages. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is life-changing, history-making and nation-transforming. The Reformers' teaching on the Depravity of Man, the Covenant and Church government, influenced many positive political and social developments and advanced liberty throughout the Western world and beyond, establishing checks and balances, the separation of powers and constitutional authority.
Rediscover Your Reformation Roots
All of us are beneficiaries of this tremendous movement for Faith and freedom. If you love liberty, you will need to re-examine the history and principles of the Reformation. Visit www. ReformationSA.org for inspirational character studies and articles on the doctrines and events which God used to transform whole nations and bring about the greatest spiritual Revivals ever.
"Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind‌" Romans 12:2
Upcoming Events
Resources for Reformation
Reformation 500 Celebration
If Revival is the prayer of your heart, and you live near Cape Town, then join us in Franschhoek, 31 October for the Reformation 500 Celebration service. We will also have a guided tour of the Huguenot Museum.
Our Mission has been producing books and audio-visual materials to empower churches dedicated to working for Reformation and praying for Revival.
Social Media for Spiritual Revival
If you want to transform your community and you are praying for Revival, then contact The Reformation Society for resources you can use to inspire your family, school and congregation with examples of excellence. Please also visit the Reformation 500 Facebook page and www.ReformationSA.org website. "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" Psalm 85:6 Dr. Peter Hammond
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Back to the Bible Mission in Mpumulanga We praise God for Professor Shai Mulder and his team of Back to the Bible Mission training over 100 students from all over Africa in a thoroughly Biblical training programme ministering to Body, mind and spirit, which prepares Pastors, Evangelists and Missionaries to win Africa for Christ. In September Dr. Peter Hammond presented a week of lectures on Africa Church History at the Mission.
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