Stephen Cartwright

Africa Index
World Index

Africa Update

by Stephen Cartwright   SOC Director

SOC Trip to Africa
Countries Visited Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda & Congo

Every time we run schools in Africa, the question must be asked by students and the directors of the School of Christ "Where do we go from here."

Many of the Pastors that go through the School of Christ in Africa come out changed men, they are different, a lot of times the problems that have been produced in the Churches they are pastoring is because of ignorance concerning the things of God, it is not that they are deliberately deceiving or seeking to lead people astray, it is the simple fact they have been taught wrong and led wrong.

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his disciples saying that he would lead into all Truth (John 16:13) and also that he would bring all things to their remembrance (John 14:26), we are not mindless robots in this affair of Holy Spirit leadership. God uses the material we give him, if we give him our minds and are diligent in the study of His Word. Then it furnishes material which God can use to direct our lives and the lives of the people that are under us.

I visited the Graduations of the School of Christ in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda & Congo, in each place the resulting testimonies were the same, the pastors realized the need for holiness in their own lives and the congregations they minister to, a need for revival, a deeper commitment to prayer and Gods Word. To some people who are seeking outward manifestations this may not sound like much, but to those who are seasoned in God this is no empty confession but strong evidence that Gods is speaking to hearts and if he speaks to these pastors in these schools then they in turn will speak to the Church in each of these nations. There is an awakening of reality in the churches of Africa, after being abused by the prosperity message of the West with its focus on an earthly hope and not a heavenly one, hearts are turning toward the truth of Gods Word.

(I Timothy 6:11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Pray for Africa, pray for the School of Christ in Africa, that it will indeed be an African School of Christ, there must a be transfer of the burden, the responsibility must move from our hearts to their hearts, we don't know how much longer we have to labor in that great continent, but if we will leave the teaching of Gods Word embedded in their hearts, they will rise up under the Holy Spirits direction to take His Word out to the outlying villages, towns and cities.

What can I say further about the school of Christ in these nations, not a lot that would not be a reemphasis of what has been written before. Lives have been changed, hearts quickened in truth, discipline introduced into the areas of life untouched before, a marching forward to take the Gospel into all the world.

To God be all the glory, praise and honor.
Stephen Cartwright

Congo
Kenya
Tanzania
Uganda
Zimbabwe