A snippet of what happens at Crossroads on a Sunday morning

Encouragement pt 1

Stephen Manhanga sharing the word of God

On Sunday, Stephen Manhanga shared 2 Corinthians 5: 17 - 19 and encouraged the Church by reminding us that we are a new creation and because we are NEW, we need to be ambassadors for Christ.

Ephesians 3:16b - 19a

".....be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge......."

Quiet Reflections

No words required but quiet reflections

From the inside out

What can separate us from the love of God........Absolutely NOTHING.

Encouragement 2

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" Hebrews 10:23

A God of Miracles 2

Pastor Brian with Helga and Stephen

When you hear the words cancer survivor, what comes to your mind? I think of the goodness of God, His amazing grace, His sovereignty, His mercy, His power, His Healing  etc, etc. Meeting Helga Pullen, a cancer survivor, was extraordinary. She is a woman of faith.

M.M: Your testimony is incredible. Please can you share your experience with us.

H.P: I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in April 2015. I was fearful because my mother had died of breast cancer. I didn’t want to deal with the emotions. When I went to the Doctor, I was sent for a second opinion. I went for a biopsy which proved to be cancerous. I was in denial. I didn’t hear what the Doctor said – “we’ve caught it in time” because I was in shock. My employer was very supportive and I had great support from my husband and family. I had a mastectomy and after a week I went back to work. I started 4 cycles of chemotherapy as a precaution. The result showed that there was no more cancer . 9 lymph nodes were also removed. The Doctor told me that the survival rate was 80%+.

M.M: What kept you going through this process?

H.P:  I stood on Gods word throughout this process and trusted God. My Pastors encouraged me to believe and trust God completely. I trusted that God had healed me as I didn’t want to live in fear. God did it for me. He accomplished everything at the cross.

M.M: What happened to you this year?

H.P: In April 2016, I had fluid in one lung and the Doctor told me that it was probably cancerous. I went to the oncologist after feeling very ill. All the tests that were done proved that I did not have cancer. I was sent to a physician and was told that my heart was pumping at 25%. I went for a heart echo and I was on oxygen and medication. I recovered within a week. These are the miracles of God in my life.

M.M: Incredible. What would you like to share with people after this experience?

H.P: Stand firm on the word of God. He is just so faithful. God will come through for you. Believe and don’t take His word for granted.

M.M: Thank you Helga. When you have an encounter with the Living God, you cannot stay the same. Whether we get healed or not, He is still God. He is still on the throne. He is still in control and we are the apple of His eye. Praise God.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga   

Pastor Brian and Helga

A God of Miracles...

Gaone Dudu Thipe

It was fantastic meeting Ggone Dudu Thipe from Maun in Botswana. What caught my attention about Dudu was her amazing voice and when she sings, it’s from deep within her, as she gives God all the glory. Hearing one of her testimonies stirred my faith and made me realize yet again that we serve a miracle working God.

M.M: What was the highlight of the conference for you?

D.T: The highlight was the word. I learnt a lot of things and had new revelations. I have a different perspective as everything changes.

M.M: Your testimony is incredible. Please could you share it!

D.T: In June 2016 I had my second stroke. The left side of my body wasn’t functioning. My arm was twisted, my leg couldn’t move and my mouth was displaced near my left ear. My husband was calm and supportive and gave me lots of encouragement. I never lost hope because of him. He never went home day and night and when I woke up, I would find him praying.

M.M: How long were you in the hospital?

D.T: I was in hospital for 5 days. My Pastors came to pray for me. My leg straightened and my arm straightened out at a later stage and it remained numb for some time. My mouth was slow to go back to position.

M.M: How did your Doctors react?

D.T: They were surprised and shocked because they had never seen anyone recover without medical intervention.

M.M: What has this experience taught you about God?

D.T: He is indeed a faithful God. He is not man the He should lie. He doesn’t go back on His promises. If your faith is at a place where you completely trust God, then His word does come to pass. When you’ve seen a manifestation of God’s word in your life, you fully depend on Him.

M.M: Excellent. God is so faithful and what seems impossible with man, is POSSIBLE with God. He truly is able to do exceedingly, abundantly and above that which we can ask or even imagine. Thank you Dudu.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

Encouragement

Meet Faith Jamikel

Pastor Kennedy and Faith Jamikel

It was excellent meeting Faith Jamikel at the Conference in Kariba. Faith and her husband Pastor Kennedy lead Mahombekombe Fellowship in Kariba.

M.M: What did you find most challenging about the conference preparations?

F.J: Putting resources together and making sure everything is done.

M.M: The conference was amazing. What was the highlight for you?

F.J: The 1^st night, especially the word. The explanation tied in with the theme scripture. Through the word, we get to know the speaker. It blew my mind. I also enjoyed the praise and worship on the last day. The word kept everyone focused and ‘awake’ which is very good.

M.M: What are your thoughts about the theme scripture?

Faith Jamikel

F.J: The theme scripture was hard – “The body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit”. It is a practical word and practical for our situation. God is concerned about us and wants us to live right.

M.M: Yes, He is. What encouragement would you like to share with other people about the conference?

F.J: Conferences are good. Why? In 3 days we really focused and had time for the word of God. We mix and mingle with others. It’s about being one body. People get to know you, accept you and value you. A bond is being created. We are gifted differently. There is a saying, “New brooms sweep clean”. The speaker said new things and we learnt new things. People will receive the word differently. No one wants to remain stationary. Everyone wants to move forward. There were testimonies of God’s goodness. God is moving and unifying the body. God will have all the glory.

M.M: Thank you so much. May God extend your territory as you continue to live for Him.

By Molly Manhanga

Stunning views of Kariba, Zimbabwe.

 God of wonders beyond all galaxies
You are Holy,
The universe displays your majesty

Conference Highlights with Bessie Mwedzi

Bessie Mwedzi

 M.M: What was the highlight of the conference?

 

B.M: The ministry of the Holy Spirit as hearts were being convicted and the saints seeking God. It was a blessing to see God answer our prayers in every ministry from ushering to the sharing of the word. We saw God touch lives through testimonies and the word. The unity was totally amazing and the visiting ministers were totally amazing.

M.M: Thank you Bessie. Lovely meeting you and getting to know you.

By Molly Manhanga

Pastor Musa Mwedzi

Kariba Conference

Stephen Manhanga 

Stephen and I were invited to a Conference in Kariba, Zimbabwe which we attended over the weekend. It was absolutely brilliant. The theme of the conference was "The body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit". 

People arrived from Bulawayo, Maun in Botswana, Harare, Majunge, Mola (from across the Kariba dam) and surrounding congregations from outside of Kariba.  

Stephen was the main speaker and expounded on the word from 1 Corinthians 6:15 - 20. The word was received well and the ministry was incredible.

............More to follow........

By Molly Manhanga

I like......

Thought for the day

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place."    2 Chronicles 7: 14 - 15

Thoughts on Disciple Nations (MegaVision) 2016

The Disciple Nations (Mega Vision) conference has come and gone. It was awesome being in the presence of God and listening yet again to Terry Virgo speak. 30 people from Crossroads attended the conference and were blessed beyond measure.  Here are a few comments almost a month later:

Mandla Ndlovu
Disciple Nations was good. I really enjoyed the praise and worship and about preaching good news to the poor. I spoke in tongues for the first time after Terry Virgo's message on Sunday morning. I feel much stronger in God.

Sithabiso Khoza
Mega Vision was good. It impacted my life as I learnt many things. I enjoyed the message on grace......that I am saved through it and not my works. I also enjoyed learning about the Holy Spirit....how it works and how it guides us. I have shared my experience with others.

Brilliant Khoza
Whenever I attend the conference, new things come to me. The gathering of different cultures and awsome speakers from abroad like Terry Virgo who encouraged us to endure through storms. Tongai Mahobele (Leader of River of Life Church Westgate, Harare) also encouraged us. I have had many challenges in my life and after Terry Virgo's message about storms of life, I have found out that through the storms, Jesus is at hand to save me so I have placed in my heart the truth that Jesus is with me.

Mbusiso Ndlovu
I really enjoyed Mega Vision. The cost was affordable for many people. I was happy because we could take people from Crossroads Community Church. I enjoyed the message from Tongai Mahobele who spoke about the People of God. I also enjoyed the message on Sunday about the Holy Spirit.

Amazing how we can recall messages and speakers that have impacted us.

Compiled by Molly Manhanga

From the mouth of babes....

Kidz Alive at Crossroads Community Church

Kids Alive ministering to the church:
1. Reciting memory verses
2. Answering quizz questions
3. Singing
4. Summarising Bible stories

 The children were amazing.


By Molly Manhanga

Kidz Alive facilitators (Pretty, Smellie (back) & Tabela (front)

Thought for the day

Hosea 12:6
"Therefore return to your God! Hold fast to love and mercy, to righteousness and justice, and wait for your God continually"

One on One with Sibongile Mhlanga

It was absolutely brilliant catching up with Sibongile Mhlanga when she came to share the word of God at Crossroads recently. Sibongile attends New Life for All Ch

Sibongile Mhlanga

urch.


M.M: How has 2015 been for you personally?
S.M: It has been a year of growth in my christian walk...........in leaps and bounds. It has not been an easy year but through the challenges, I've grown alot.

M.M; What about church life in 2015?
S.M: There has been lots of changes that have taken place. My husband, Pastor Godfrey has now moved to Ebenezer Agricultural College in Kezi (approximately 4km from Crossroads church) resultingin life between Bulawayo city and Ebenezer. I am torn between the two: I want to be in town and at the same time, I want to be with my husband. We now have two homes.

M.M: I certainly understand. How are you coping?
S.M: We are adjusting to staying apart as a couple for the first time in 29 years.

M.M: What has been your highlight in 2015?
S.M: I have the ability to fast for longer periods after I fell ill and God is restoring my health.

M.M: Any disappointments that you have overcome which you don't mind sharing with others?
S.M: Losing a loved one after praying with faith. I've yet to understand it.

M.M: As 2016 is upon us, what encouraging words would you like to share?
S.M: "Pray without ceasing". That is all I'll say - "Pray without ceasing".

M.M: Brilliant! Thank you Bongi. May God bless you and Pastor Godfrey abundantly in 2016.

By Molly Manhanga   

Highlights of 2015

There have been quite a number of highlights at Crossroads Community Church in 2015. Some of the main highlights are listed below;

• Ladies month of preaching
• Megavision 2015
• "I know who I am conference" held at Crossroads
• Youth Conference held at River of Life Westgate church in Harare
• Combined service held at Crossroads
• Children ministering in the service
• Many testimonies of the goodness of God, His faithfulness, healing and provision throughout 2015.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies are new every morning.

By Molly Manhanga