“….But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 3:13,14)

As my years of ministry increase, I find myself again and again taking comfort from Paul’s analogy of our task to that of an athlete competing in the (marathon) race. (1Tim.6:12; 2Tim.4:7,8).  One important difference is that for believers, victory comes not with winning but with finishing the race, (and certainly finishing well, not in disgrace – 1Cor.9:24-27). This month’s Rio Olympics gave us a memorable demonstration of that truth. During the women’s 5000m race, two runners took a bad tumble. From their faces you could see that they knew their medal hopes were over.  One runner, Abbey D’Agostino got up and encouraged the other, Nikki Hamblin, to get back up and finish the race. Later in the race Nikki would find herself urging the injured Abbey to do the same. The two finished way behind the rest but received a standing ovation from the crowd. Abbey, a follower of Christ, understood that God had a plan for her in all of this (see article). She would glorify God by finishing last and so demonstrate that there was something greater than a gold medal that drives God’s people to keep going. God has called us heavenward in Christ. How glorious is the news that sinners like us qualify by His grace to run the race of ministry for Christ. So let us not give up, but run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Heb.12:1).

August Highlights

Visit to Bhekithemba Community Church

With Rev. Elias (and Benzile) Majozi and Rev. Thulani (and Fezeka) Ngcizela

Opening of Children’s Center – Christ Church Sobantu

With Rev. Bernard Shelembe, minister of Christ Church Sobantu. 

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Post of the Month

The Rio Olympics and Calvin’s Mission

– by Tim Challies

Prayer

• Give thanks to God for relatively peaceful Municipal elections. Pray for Gods hand on our land as new political realities begin to take shape. Pray that His people will show wisdom and witness for Christ in their conduct and community involvement.
• Pray for our September Synod, that the lord would be at work urging usonward in the task He has called us to. May God empower us by His Spirit to press on with the work of the Gospel in SA and beyond.

• Pray for our REACH-SA gospel workers, ministers and their families, that God would sustain and refresh them regularly by His word. May God give our workers wisdom to labour effectively in their various fields of ministry. Pray for fruit to come from new plans for gospel works in the various regions of our country.