Crossroads Compassionate Youth Event

Young people praising God

Crossroads Compassionate Youth Group is led by Brilliant khoza. Recently, Stephen Manhanga – leader of Crossroads Community Church, and Brilliant came up with a Youth event that excited the young people.

Volleyball at it's best!

A group of about 70 young people from in and around the community gathered at Crossroads to share a meal and to have fun and games. It was awesome seeing the turnout and the competitiveness in the young people as they played volleyball and chairball, drew swords and tried to recite scripture. It truly was a fun event.

Fun and games at Crossroads

The Crossroads Catering Team did an awesome job preparing the meal. They love what they do and have such a sense of purpose and oneness. Seven ladies make up the Crossroads Catering Team and their ages range from the late twenties to the sixties. It’s wonderful. They too were amazed at the turnout of young people and to see the having fun on a Saturday afternoon. They felt really blessed to be at such an event.

 

Crossroads Catering Team

We look forward to the next Youth Event.

By Molly Manhanga

Operation Trumpet Call Follow-on pt 3

Alan Norton

Alan Norton spoke from Matthew 5 on the “Call to be a leader and to remember the poor.”

In short he expounded on:

1. The Call to be a leader
2. The Call to be a leader dependent on God
3. The Call to be a courageous, obedient leader
4. The Call to be a serving leader

Never before has there been a greater need for leaders of integrity and excellence. God calls us to be servants and God calls leaders to remember the poor. 

By Molly Manhanga

Operation Trumpet Call Follow-on pt 2

Craig Deall (Also known to be Brian Oldreive's Armour Bearer) spoke about the 5 Giants and these are:

1. Compaction
2. Pests & diseases
3. Crop stand
4. Weeds
5. Tradition

Operation Trumpet Call Follow-on pt 1

Dr Goodwill Shana

Listening to Dr. Goodwill Shana preach about “The Call” from Nehemiah 1:5 – 11 was just brilliant. I love the way he connects with people and his messages are so relevant for the time and season we are in here in Zimbabwe. This is what he said:
1. The Call to be passionate and remorseful at the state of the Nation. As Christians, we need to be moved at what is happening.

2. The Call to prayer: We have seed in our hands and prayer in our hearts. Prayer is a solid foundation. 1st is repentance and 2nd is prayer. Be a person of prayer who depends on God. It’s not by might, nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord. The call today is to seek God passionately in prayer.

3. The Call to return to the Kingdom: The Kingdom of God is a collection of churches, those who call themselves the children of God. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. To change Zimbabwe, Christians need to rise up and show the light. Look at Naaman and the little girl. The little girl had a kingdom mentality. The Kingdom of God has all the answers. One of our answers is Foundations for Farming. This is a call to return to Jesus Christ and to build His Kingdom.

4. The Call to wisdom and preparation: Nehemiah began to prepare. The call is to be a prepared people: know what to do and when to do it. If you want to touch Zimbabwe – be a people prepared.

5. The Call to courageous vigilance and diligence: Nehemiah 2 and 4. Two people opposed Nehemiah and these were Tobiah and Sanballet. We will face opposition within and without. We need to be diligent, vigilant and courageous, not intimidated and defeated.

6. The Call to rebuild: Nehemiah 2:20. Our foundations have to be sure. Foundations matter – the starting principles matter. Zimbabwe needs to sort out it’s foundations for proper rebuilding to take place. The foundations of poverty need to be fixed.

7. The Call to unity and diversity: Nehemiah 3 building of the sheep gate. Zimbabwe cannot be rebuilt unless the church rises up. Only the church can build. The men of Jericho had a new mindset. They saw God do the impossible. We need to change our mindsets. When God is involved, nothing is too big. We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. We all have a role to play. Have a different mindset and for this to happen we need to be full of the word. If Zimbabwe is to change, be FULL of the WORD.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

One on One with Brett Edward Mills

Brett Edward Mills

It was great having the opportunity to chat to Brett Mills. I just LOVE seeing a young person so passionate about God. He has a heart to seeing young folk in the U.K radically changed for Christ. This is what he had to say:

M.M: Tell me about your background?

B.M: I am originally from London. I did my primary, high and college education. I started university but didn’t feel at that time that that was what God had called to me to. I went back to Hounslow to serve Pastor Mark and Pastor Nigel. I’m a Youth Pastor and I’m passionate about young people. It’s a tremendous blessing being part of a young leadership team. Amazing things are happening as I see young people come to the Lord, make recommitments and so on. I’m still hoping to go to University but I’m waiting on God at the moment.

M.M: How best would you describe your family life?B.M: Interesting. I lost my dad when I was 9 and my mum a year later. I was raised by my aunt and that is how I started going to church. My aunt is responsible for taking me to a church environment. I have an older brother. God is speaking to me about getting my family sorted. Once my family is sorted, it will be easier to have greater impact on others.

M.M: How long have you been in youth ministry?B.M: I’ve been in the youth from the age of 14 but really got involved from 15 by leading small groups. It continued from there.

M.M: What have been some of your highlights in Youth Ministry?B.M: My first highlight is me being saved. At one of our camps I accepted Jesus and have seen God’s goodness. As a leader I depend on God. Doing things in my own strength I come against problems and get nowhere but with God, I see the fruits – people come to know him. In my culture, the youth are rude and very insubordinate. But, I see how God is transforming that and opportunities are staring us in the face daily.

M.M: What are some of the challenges of the Youth?B.M: For me, it was confidence. My school life was not fantastic. I had negative words spoken to me. I was seen as “nerdy” and academic and my dress didn’t “fit” in with the other young people. It was an intimidating experience but, with God on my side, I realized that I can do all things with Him. Another challenge I find being a Young leader is being conscious of how much responsibility to put on young people. Young people are going to mess up big time and burn out but I find it such a privilege to lead. Having Pastor Mark and Pastor Nigel guidance is helpful and it makes things easier. With all the challenges, I realized that I have got to run to God and pray first.

M.M: What did you think of the service at Crossroads Community Church?B.M: It was an eye-opener culturally. The English people are so reserved while people here are so free. It was great seeing the ladies dancing. It showed a sense of freedom. You and Steve have a “can do” attitude to overcoming obstacles. Your team works incredibly well and God comes first. NOTHING stops you. The children are amazing. It was brilliant to see and culturally it was a real eye-opener. When I go back, I’ll see a difference with our home church but we are serving the same God.

M.M: How encouraging! What words of encouragement will you take with you back to the U.K?B.M: From here, I’ll tell the young people back home to seek God and be committed. Steve and you are so focused on God. You have faith to overcome obstacles and it makes me realize what a privilege to have a relationship with God.

M.M: Thank you so much Brett. Enjoy your time in Victoria Falls and have a safe journey back home.

Interviewed by Molly Manhanga

Faithful Stewards Programme Training pt 2

Stephen Manhanga helping with the Faithful Stewards Training Programme

The next day was a bright and early start with breakfast at 6:30am. A noticeable difference was the weather. The Thursday training day was pretty hot but on Friday morning, it was drizzling with a chilly wind. The dramatic weather change caught some of the farmers off guard but that didn’t stop the training. A demonstration of how to put in a Well Watered Garden (WWG) was done.

Field scale, rotations and small grains were also spoken about. Stephen Manhanga helped to facilitate with the training. Alan Norton gave an excellent talk on the call to be a leader and remembering the poor.

All in all, the training was excellent and the farmers enjoyed themselves.

By Molly Manhanga

Faithful Stewards Programme pt 1

Alan Norton, Zulu Dube and Make Mwenda from the Faithful Stewards Programme came out to Kezi, Bulawayo and held a two day training at Shalom Camp Site.
A group of about 30 people from 9 different churches attended the training. The churches involved were Crossroads Community Church, New Creation, Zion, United Penticostal Church, Seventh day Adventist, Thembalezizwe, RoL Westgate, New Life and Kingdom People. It was great seeing people come together and demonstrating the unity of the body of Christ. Each person stood up and told the group something of themselves as a “connecting” time. The farmers shared their problems and what they thought was the solution.

The farmers sharing about themselves.

The problem in Africa was shared together with vision, strategy and the folly of ploughing. The Grassroots team did well explaining the problem in Africa – especially using a visual aid in the form of the Foundations for Farming Training manual.

Alan Norton explained about making a planting string and in-between were many questions from the farmers.

Planting string

One of the highlights was when the farmers had a social time canoeing. Many went on the water for the first time and LOVED it. Letter Ndlovu, the wife of the Village Head was a shining example by braving the waters and really enjoying herself. Another highlight was the song/prayer session in the evening. It was just amazing seeing people from different Churches worshipping together and focusing on the Living God. How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

A few minutes with Adrian Willard

Adrian Willard

It was GREAT chatting to Adrian Willard – the man behind the “minute questions”. He came down to Kezi, Bulawayo to meet with Stephen Manhanga and he popped in on the Faithful Steward training with farmers from Umguza and Kezi. This is what he had to say in a few minutes….What do you do to relax?Walk on the beach. I love the beach and the sea for creative and spiritual times.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?Haggis – Sheeps stomach stuffed with offals. It’s a Scottish food and I ate it by accident. Really tasty!
What do you feel most passionate about?“Seeing other people’s potential realized”. That drives me: whether it with the poor, my staff etc. For example, Foundations for Farming is a fulfillment of what God showed me 15 years ago. African people are hard-working. With business and enterprise, we can help them make a profit and break the yoke of poverty.
Who has shaped your life?Quite a few people: My wife Madeline, Keith Wallace – he taught me about communication & marketing, Terry Virgo and Nigel Ring. I’ve worked with them for over 25 years. Anita Roddick; she is the Founder of “The Body Shop”, Piet Dreyer, Reverent Ian Barckley – He introduced me to the Holy Spirit. It was through him that I got filled with the spirit and Mrs Buthelezi in Petermaritsburg, South Africa.

Adrian chatting to Steve Manhanga, Mbonisi Malaba & Alan Norton

What sorts of book do you read?Mostly autobiographies of inspiring people. I feel the same about films; it’s about people’s lives.



By Molly Manhanga

A few minutes with Alan Norton

Alan Norton

What do you do to relax?
I love having time with my family, swimming, sailing and watching a good DVD

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?Goats head and crocodile tail

What do you feel most passionate about?Other than my wife, empowering the poor and the church

What sorts of book do you read?Christian Theology books like John Piper, Terry Virgo, David Devenish & thrillers like Dick Frances

Who has shaped your life?My wife continues to shape my life, my parents, Piet Dreyer, Brian Oldreive and Scott Marques.

What is your current favourite album?CCK album called “Have you Heard”.

Alan training farmers in Kezi, Bulawayo. 

By Molly Manhanga

A few minutes with David Lee

David Lee

What do you do to relax?
Read and play tennis
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?Mupani worm
What do you feel most passionate about?Helping others less fortunate than myself
What sorts of book do you read?I enjoy Christian expositions like “If you want to walk on water you got to step out of the boat” by John Ortburg. I’ve also enjoyed Terry Virgo’s book, “No Well Worn Paths”.
Who has shaped your life?Jesus, my parents and my wife Andrea.
What is your current favourite album?Michael W. Smith
What is your favourite quote?Something from David Livingstone: “You can send me in any direction as long as it is forward.”
What are your thoughts on the FSP training?Foundations for Farming is commendable. It runs so closely to what Andrea and I came to do in Wales. It’s in line with my thinking.
You’ve moved to Zimbabwe almost 3 months ago, what are your thoughts on being in Bulawayo?
Our purpose is evolving. James 1:29: we are thinking of helping orphans. 


By Molly Manhanga

A few minutes with Andrea Lee

Andrea Lee

Andrea is originally from the U.K. She moved to France and then Spain. She met David (her hubby) at a teacher training college in the U.K. nearly 40 years ago. Andrea is a lovely woman of God – devoted to reading the Word.

What do you do to relax?Read and walk
What is the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?Sadza
What do you feel most passionate about?Following what God wants me to and being obedient to His will.
What sorts of book do you read?Mostly Christian books – biographies
Who has shaped your life?My parents, David and my children
What is your current favourite album?Michael W. Smith
What are your thoughts on the Faithful Stewards Programme (FSP) training?It’s nice to meet people from other communities and get to know them. The training is reinforcing what we’ve heard before at the Foundations for Farming Champs Conference. Reinforcing is good.
What are your thoughts on your stay in Zimbabwe so far?After being here for 2 weeks last year it was like coming home. It’s great to meet up with people we’ve met before and to meet up with new ones.

By Molly Manhanga

A few minutes with Zulu Dube

Zulu Dube

Zulu Dube is one of the leaders of Kingdom People Church based in Harare, Zimbabwe. He came down to Kezi, Bulawayo with the Faithful Steward Programme team and it was great chatting to him for a few minutes. This is what he had to say:
What do you do to relax?Play loud hip hop music and dance
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?Mupani worm
What do you feel most passionate about?Seeing young people empowered – guys who were not working finding something to do. I’m passionate in helping to facilitate that.
What sorts of book do you read?I read books that motivate me like “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” When I read them, I want to get out there and achieve something – make a change.
Who has shaped your life?Several people like P.J Smyth, Sibs Sibanda, Mbonisi Malaba, Kenneth Hagan and Cross Movement – a hip hop group.
What is your current favourite album?Kingdom People by Tedashi

By Molly Manhanga