Christ Takes Center Stage at Zim Champs
30 March 2011
The Champs Conference held in Harare from 1-3 March was the least agricultural and most Christ-centered we’ve ever had. It was amazing to see how our Lord can show up and change the heart and minds of His people if they are willing to humble themselves and submit to Him.
We had a truly international flavour to our Rebuilding Nations Conference! Over 250 delegates attended, with groups from South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, DR Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, U.K., Germany, Ukraine, India, Mexico, Australia, America, Holland and the local Zimbabweans. Many races, tribes and tongues all came together to learn what God has for us in His world of farming. It is always comforting to know that we are part of a much larger family with our Creator at its head.
Brian Oldreive, to whom God has revealed his plan for the rebuilding of the nations, opened the conference by sharing his story of Foundations for Farming. He then went on to outline the blueprint for the ‘rebuild’, Isaiah 58. As always we were all captivated by Brian’s story and how powerfully the Lord has used this humble Zimbabwean farmer to achieve mighty things.
Brian was followed by Scott Marques’ riveting interpretation of Nehemiah. He explained how God gave Nehemiah the plan to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and how through his obedience to God he achieved what seemed at the time to be an insurmountable task. Scott used this illustration to show us how the Lord can help us all to rebuild our nations and Africa. He explained how a mighty God can use His special people to overcome big problems using three fundamental foundations. By:
- Whole heartedly turning towards God through prayer and repentance in humility and depending on Jesus Christ alone.
- Whole heartedly engaging with God’s people in unity and making a plan for the poor.
- Whole heartedly applying God’s truth to life, demonstrated and made into a practical example.
After lunch we had the tour of the plots and the soil run off demonstrations’ which were neatly fitted around a brief refreshing shower of rain in the afternoon. Then after supper Boet and Willie put us in the picture as to how Foundations for Farming SA was being birthed and developing. Koos Haman and Piet Uys also shared their experiences with us during this time. It was wonderful to see how the large and diverse group of South Africans came together for the common purpose of bringing glory to God by singing a song like a practiced choir.
On Wednesday Scott continued with his Nehemiah message, expanding and instructing us in detail on how we can rebuild our nations using God’s plan through obedience to Him. He explained that the purpose of our lives is not comfort, but to glorify God. We were encouraged to work because God works and that we must use our gifts and talents for the glory of God. Amen!
During the time of testimony, Lyn Knight shared on Foundations for Family, followed by Henry, Simon and Bernard who all gave their stories of how they are using Foundations for Farming in their communities.
Stan Tembo then gave a very insightful message and encouraged us to examine ourselves and how we live our lives. He implored us to focus on Jesus and approach the Father on the basis of what He has done for us, not what we do for Him.
Johann van der Ham’s story telling ability shone as he shared his ‘Malawi story’. He explained how the Lord had given him a vision of Africa before he went to Malawi for the first time in 1989 and then related how he and his family had moved there in 1999, had eventually become involved in Farming God’s Way and how they are now training into the nation that captured their hearts. His movie, Times of Change, has now been translated into Shona, much to the joy of us local Zimbabweans. We were treated to its preview in the evening which everyone enjoyed.
Boet then told Makesure and Martha’s testimony. These heroes of the faith through perseverance and many trials became the Mashonaland West ‘small scale farmer of the year’ and went on to patiently lead by example in their community and have last year trained 800 farmers (who initially rejected them). Their story is one of how God’s love for his people wins in the end through dedication and obedience of his servants who are willing to go the extra mile.
Floyd from Kansas (USA) who works for the US Government in the area of grain storage emphasized how important it is for us to store our grain properly to avoid wastage.
Sam Poe highlighted ‘Chronological Bible Storying’ and how invaluable a tool it is in evangelizing the African people who have a predominantly oral culture. He explained that Jesus told stories and how the bible has been divided into 500 different stories and that specific stories are chosen to match a group of people according to their culture.
Then Darryl and Hazel showed us the microbial treasures in our soils and briefly explained how to make thermal compost.
There were many more inspiring testimonies from people in various spheres sharing how God is using them to further the kingdom in amazing ways.
Lou Huck’s prophetic songs and music were a moving accompaniment to our spiritually fulfilling prayer sessions led by Wessie van der Westhuizen. The praise and worship team were awesome!
Brian concluded the conference by explaining the different models being used as part of ‘the blueprint’ and encouraged us all to focus and unify on God’s plan.