6/4—6/11

Pentecost Sunday morning marked the third and final day of the conference. Michael P. and Peter shared the preaching ministry with Dr. Michael moving in prophetic ministry afterward. During the open ministry time, 3 men were called forth to receive prophetic words. (Later referred to as the “triplets,” the 3 ministers that came forth had been sharing identical experiences in their lives—unknown to one another—including similar personal struggles and parallel congregational challenges. (The revealing words spoken to them were done so discretely and without a microphone.) Next, a call went forth for younger people to answer their own calls to ministry, to which 36 young adults responded. The morning service concluded with 2 more souls added to God’s Kingdom.

The afternoon was given to a Q and A session, with Harrison, Peter, Michael P., and Wendell comprising the panel. (We find that Q and A sessions are important because they allow everyone an opportunity to discuss some of the most important issues they may face and to shed light on passages of Scripture that often go unaddressed for years–if ever.)

The closing evening session witnessed the most beautiful event of the trip. The service began with Harrison preaching to a collection of about 150 individuals. During the service, the youth put on a skit to which Michael P. joined in, with the crowd joyfully expressing their pleasure with Michael’s performance. When all was done, another 10 prayed to become followers of Christ. But it was what followed that no one will ever forget.

With the meeting ready to close, Dr. Michael took the microphone. After requesting prayer for the upcoming Soweto crusade, Michael then declared, “We’re exhausted. We’ve given all we have. Now, we need your ministry to us.” After a moment of silence, a young lady in the middle of the assembly rose to her feet and began to sing the African hymn, We Need Your Power, followed by What a Friend We have in Jesus. The entire place sang in beautiful 4 part a Capella harmony with leaders and congregants surrounding the team; laying hands on all and offering beautiful heart-felt prayers. A pastor then read 2 Thess. 3:1-4 over the team Everyone in the place then lined up to shake the hands of the team’s members. Some wiped our feet with their clothing while others rolled on the floor—each act a demonstration of utter respect for those who’d came from so far away to share love and life in such a far-away place. Finally, everyone in great jubilation—including the mission team—broke into dance and celebration. What an awesome experience!

The next day (Monday), the team made its way back to Chingola—in the same over-crowded vehicle bopping down the same dusty, pothole-riddled, road. The only difference was the chicken–a new addition to the already crowded vehicle. But the additional rider wasn’t really a problem. In fact, its presence was very much appreciated the next day—at dinnertime.

Tuesday was a much-needed day of rest except for a meeting with 11 pastors. While the meeting was nothing out of the ordinary, a single event warrants mention simply to show the wonders of our God’s love. During the meeting, Dr. Michael mostly discussed the role of IPICM and the way it seeks to augment indigenous ministries. But there was 1 individual present that seemed to stand out to Michael; not because of anything he’d said or done. At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Michael approached and prayed for the man, sharing thoughts that could have only be prompted by the Spirit. As it turned out, the man had contacted Dr. Michael earlier in the year seeking a one-on-one meeting. Dr. Michael didn’t know the man, or that he was the one that emailed him seeking a meeting, and yet it seems the matters prayed over the man were matters that were ongoing in the minister’s life. In short, when the IPICM team returns in 2018, 2 services will be held in that pastor’s church.

Wednesday night marked the first of 3 nights of crusade meetings in the township of Soweto. Dr. Michael spoke to a gathering of about 260 persons, of which 82 prayed to receive Jesus Christ; another 24 received healing. Radio station KOKOLIKO, FM 94.9, the largest secular radio station in the “copper belt” region, broadcasted live the night’s meeting.

The next morning (Thursday), Dr. Michael led a pastor-leadership conference of 51 ministers in the very building that had been rented to house the new church that was launched in coordination with IPICM’s Soweto crusade.

That night, Michael P. brought the evangelistic message to a crowd of 450-500 in attendance. Approximately 225 received healing with 77 professing salvation. While the crusade was in progress, Dr. Michael delivered a live message from the KOKOLIKO radio station—a broadcast expected to reach a large swath of its northwestern Zambian listening audience.

On Friday morning, Harrison, Peter, and Michael P. visited the church plant where pastors and a number of new converts met to get acquainted. Everyone was enthused that a number of new believers actually showed to mingle with the team.

That evening, Wendell brought the third and final message to a crowd numbering 550-600 people. Around 60 individuals prayed to receive Christ and about 225 were healed. Like the night before, Dr. Michael returned to the radio station and brought a final 1 hour message to the listening audience.

On the next day (Saturday), the exhausted mission team made its way to the Ndola airport. Gratefully, the journey home was uneventful. As always, lives had been changed. (I refer specifically to the 2 first-timers—Michael P. and Wendell.) When not asleep or navigating some airport, everyone had much to ponder with regard to all our wonderful God had achieved.