Nuggets on Leadership pt 1

Nuggets on Leadership pt 1
“God mould me and shape me to my full leadership potential” Bill Hybels

A very inspirational & challenging book

There are many books, DVD’s and videos on Leadership but the greatest leader for me is Jesus Christ. Mark 10:45 and Phillipians 2:5. He displayed such humility, with servant leadership and yet had so much authority. His ‘silence’ amidst the injustice done to him to the point of death is indescribable, and he still prays ‘father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.’ I think that’s absolute, pure LOVE, PERFECT in every sense.

Some Leaders lives I find so admirable with lessons that are applicable are:
1. William Wilberforce – One person can change their times but they can’t do it alone. His faith in Jesus sustained him in his battle to end transatlantic slavery but also the ongoing encouragement of his community.
2. Dr Martin Luther King Jr– “I have a dream…”encapsulates purpose, passion and inspiration.
3. Nelson Mandela – Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means being imprisoned or death.
4. Sir Winston Churchill – Never give in, never give in – never, never, never, never
5. Nehemiah – Rebuilding the Wall, even in the midst of internal and external opposition, became his purpose and passion.
6. Joyce Meyer –Practical Christianity at it’s best. Making something beautiful…..
7. Esther – Born for such a time as this…
8. Barak Obama – “I think I can…..” turning a new page in American History.

Other leaders who offer gems are:

1. The first person you lead is you: John Maxwell
2. The spirit of leadership is to be in the nature of servant leadership………. Self-giving love to serve others: John Hosier
3. Trust is the foundation of leadership….. character and leadership go hand in hand: John Maxwell
4. Leadership develops daily, not in a day: John Maxwell
5. People first, then do; Tricia Neill
6. True leadership is a product of inspiration. Not manipulation; Dr. Miles Munroe
7. What makes a true leader? It is an attitude of the heart; Dr. Miles Munroe

One of my all time favourites by Tricia Neill

How far have I come and how best am I applying these gems to my life? Interesting question in interesting times!
Stay tuned for Nuggets on Leadership Part 2 coming up soon.

By Molly Manhanga

KIDZ ALIVE

“KIDZ ALIVE”
It is our desire to reach as many children in the Kezi community as possible. We want to see the children living for and loving God.
Our core value as KIDZ ALIVE is Live and Love God and our focal scripture is Acts 17:28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being’. It’s amazing seeing the energy and vibrancy of children. Their zest for LIFE is a beautiful sight and their desire to learn, inspiring. But, more so, seeing and knowing God’s heart toward children is what motivates us. God loves children so much.

KIDZ ALIVE 10 - 12 year olds having fun
At Crossroads Community Church we have seen the Kidz work grow from 4 minimum to 133 maximum. It is so exciting working with the children and seeing them loving and playing with each other and loving God. The eagerness of the children is felt as some of them walk as far as 15km to be with us on a Sunday.

At present we have divided our children into 3 groups: the Tiny Tots 3 – 5 year olds, the Mini Zone 6 – 9 year olds and the Y- Zone 10 – 12 year olds. We have a few 13 and 14 year olds who enjoy being part of KIDZ ALIVE.

The Kidz facilitators are amazing. They are really passionate about the children and want to see them grow in Christ.

Some comments from 3 of them:
Pretty Moyo (10 – 12 year olds) They have such a desire for God.
Kingdom Moyo (6 – 9 year olds) They are easy to teach and such fun.
Honest Ndlovu (3 – 5 year olds) I enjoy this age group. They respond well to love and praise.



Psalm 127:3 says "Children are a heritage from the Lord......" and in Matthew 19:14, Jesus is speaking and he says,"Let the little children come to me,.........; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Molly enjoying the Ebenezer Dam

The children in Kezi coming ALIVE through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Written by Molly Manhanga

Crossroads Newsletter # 1

CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CHURCH
Kezi
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
“Mark 8:34”

Newsletter # 1

Dear family and friends

What a privilege to be able to write to you at the start of another year. 2009 has much in store for us as we press on in the ministry that God has called us to.

2008 was a very busy year with the beginnings of a church plant in August 2008 and Ebenezer Agricultural training Centre turning 1 year old.

We’ve seen the church birthed from a hand full of people to vibrant, exciting services where we are averaging 50 adults and 70 children. Our theme for 2009 is Let Us Arise and Build. We will endeavour to build strong families, relationships and community as well as putting up a physical building where we can meet.

Children’s ministry at Crossroads Community Church: 3 – 5 year olds

We broke ground on the 29 November 2008 with the first clearing of the church stand. We feel inspired that Nehemiah took 52 days to build the walls of Jerusalem. We look forward to taking 52 weeks to put up our building.

We are aspiring to reach the community through men and womens meetings, teen and young adult events, childrens outreaches, more cell groups being planted within the community and through an HIV/AIDS initiative.

Lots in store for this year as our heart is to impact and transform the Kezi community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your love, support, encouragement and prayers. We appreciate it very much.

Prayer requests:
Raising up dynamic leaders
Raising up energised teams
Courage and steadfastness in the face of opposition

With much love
Stephen and Molly

Getting involved in Church life

Getting involved in church life…..

What does it mean to be a part of the body of Christ? How can everyone become actively involved and participating in church life?

Stephen introduced many areas of church life to the congregation and encouraged active participation. Some of these areas included ushering, Cells, praise and worship, Kidz Alive (our vibrant children’s ministry), service leading, men and women’s ministry, Youth meetings, Faithful Stewards and so on.

The message was based around 11 Corinthinans 8: 1 – 7 and 11 Corinthians 9: 6 – 12. As a church, we will also embark on income generation as individuals and develop sustainable ministries. We would like to impact the community through Home Based Care, Education, Farming God’s Way and other initiatives that are relevant to this community.

It is so exciting to be a part of what God is doing. He certainly will build His church.

Mini Megavision 09

Prayer changes things

A team of 6 people led by Stephen and Molly Manhanga, went to Harare to join the other New Frontier churches in a time of Prayer and Fasting that was being held at River of Life, Eastlea.

It was excellent being with other “family” members from both the urban and rural churches. Although much time was spent in prayer, the breaks were a great time to connect with friend. Much laughter, sharing what God is dong in individual lives and communities, relationships being strengthened and soaking in God’s LOVE was a highlight.

God’s name is LOVE

By Molly Manhanga

Ministering to people

Graham Giles

What a pleasure having Graham Giles, his wife Sarah and a team from River of Life Christian church in Bulawayo come and visit Crossroads Community Church.

Graham shared an excellent word about God’s creative power and man’s relationship with God. He zeroed in on Abraham who was told to leave Ur of the Caldees to a land that God would show him. Abraham believed God and never questioned him. Graham then spent a little time on Gods promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a child and how this promise came to pass.

The real testing of Abrahams faith came when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, his only son whom he had waited so long for. We see yet again, Abrahams faith as he trusted, believed and obeyed God. As he was about to sacrifice Isaac, God honoured him and provided an alternate sacrifice that was caught in a little bush. Although a ram was provided for as an alternate substitute, God gave his ONLY son to die on the cross for us: all because he loved us so much.

Graham exhorted the church to believe in God.

Awsome stuff!

Graham sharing from the word of God

By Molly Manhanga

Turning a new page......

Stephen Manhanga

Turning a new page as Crossroads Community Church
Let us arise and build

Text: Nehemiah 2:17 – 20
As we enter a new year we say goodbye to the past and embrace the future. In Nehemiah, we find inspiration, vision, courage and determination. We want to rebuild the walls in our lives: walls of friendship, relationship, community, marriage, self worth and acceptance. We will arise and build not only emotionally, but also spiritually and physically.

It took 52 days to build the walls around Jerusalem. As Crossroads, we want to build a physical building. It may take 52 weeks but it will take effort and hard work. We will face opposition. We will encounter difficulties. Nehemiah faced opposition from outside: there was Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem and he faced opposition from within: people fought with each other. How do we overcome?
1. Through prayer and fasting
2. Developing a genuine love for one another
3. Being concerned for one another. In the book of Acts – we see a great example from the early church where no one lacked anything and they had all things in common.

Much jubilation at the Crossroads stand as we entered 2009

In 2009, let us ARISE and BUILD
Let’s read the word, have wholesome talk, speak the truth in love.
IRON sharpens IRON.

MISSION IN KEZI

From The Nations To The Nations
From The Kezi Community To The Surrounding Communities.
It is TIME for CHANGE!
As a church - Crossroads Community Church, we have mission on our heart. It is our desire to see people that are passionate for God being sent into the surrounding communities and planting vibrant, Bible-based churches.

Part of the congregation come from Ebenezer Agricultural Training Centre. These young people come from communities surrounding Crossroads Community Church and Ebenezer Agricultural Training Centre. What an opportunity we have to share Christ and equip people who feel God calling them back to their community. The potential of planting new churches in the surrounding communities is very exciting as we envision explosive, radical community transformation as people are saved and added to the local churches.
As John Hosier says in “Christ’s Radical Church” (p. 199 – 200) that “again and again it has been found that church planting is the most effective way to break into a new area……..The family of God is really and visibly present, it begins to extend God’s rule into the community; the fruit of the evangelism is contained.”
The church needs to have a vision for mission. “The New Churches are churches on a mission that together with other parts of the body of the Kingdom to all nations, plant churches in all people groups and see the rule of God extended to the ends of the earth.” (p. 203) “Christ’s Radical Church” by John Hosier.

Testimony
One of the apprentices and up-coming leaders at Crossroads Community Church, Mxwayisi Dube, had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ last year. His whole life-style has changed and he is passionate for the things of God. His hunger for the scriptures is evident in his speech, his faithfulness in attending services and his every free moment is spent searching the scriptures. His sister, Sisasenkosi, drawing card to Ebenezer was in seeing the complete change in her brother and desiring to experience God in an intimate way. Mxwayisi is being trained to lead services and he is leading 2 Cell groups. How is that possible? He leads a group on Wednesday evening and he initiated leading a group of 13 teenagers on a Sunday afternoon. Mxwayisi is also part of the ‘set-ups’ team that gets the church ready for services on Sundays. What a “fired-up” young man he is.

More exciting news is that Mxwayisi goes to his home in Njelele every 4th week. Njelele is about 6 – 7 hours walk from Ebenezer Training Centre. Whilst at home, he gathers people from the neighbouring homes and holds Cell meetings. His enthusiasm and fervor come straight from His relationship with God. He will NEVER be the same again.
It is TIME for CHANGE.
From The Kezi Community To The Surrounding Communities.
From The Nations To The Nations