Missionary Minds

Hezekiah received a prophecy that because of his disobedience, a future Babylonian invasion would result in the capture and captivity of his sons. Hezekiah was relieved that he and his generation wouldn’t suffer the Babylonian invasion. As we would say, he kicked the can down the road and left his sons and their generation to deal with the consequences of his folly.This seems to be the attitude of many governments around the world, especially in Africa, as they recklessly spend on government projects that leave future generations to deal with the consequences.

Satan has always tried to wrest the role of education from parents and place it into the hands of the State. In a 1933 speech, Adolph Hitler said: “When an opponent declares, ‘I will not come over to your side,’ I calmly say, ‘Your child belongs to us already.’”When it comes to Africa’s educational problems, the solution is not more government intervention but less, and not less Christian influence but more.

We live in a time of self-appointed 'men of God'. Is it ever right for a pastor to appoint themselves? How should the ordination process go? Where should a church that wants to ordain a pastor begin?

All this and more on this week's installation of Missions Monday.

Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else’s ideas or work and passing them off as one’s own. For centuries this has been a worldwide problem and today’s Africa is no exception. One may be tempted to believe that ChatGPT is the source of plagiarism today, but in reality, man’s sinful heart is the cause. ChatGPT has only made plagiarism easier, akin to the way smartphones have made it less difficult to obtain pornography.

How can institutions, educators, and students overcome the problem of plagiarism with the rapid growth of AI? Here are a few brief considerations.  

The determining factors in voting can easily be cast into three categories; liberation, services, and morality. Though not completely mutually exclusive, the recognition of these three categories helps us evaluate our expectations of  Government. Liberation, services, and morality—even in the plethora of political parties that undergird South African elections, it would appear that not even one party promises immediate hope in all three of those categories.

How then shall we vote?

Every Christian man wants to wed a virtuous woman, but how can he know? Is it possible for a man to predict who will be a godly wife?

When a young man pursues a godly wife, he must consider the following three items, moving from most to least important...

What should we do when God does not answer our prayers? Another conversation with Joel Wegner in which he tells of God's faithfulness through the trial of childlessness.

The issue of illegal immigration is a persistent problem affecting many nations around the world at the present moment. South Africa has long been impacted by an unknown number of illegal aliens from neighbouring countries. Most of these are understandably seeking a better life. The estimates on the number of illegal immigrants in South Africa range from 5 to 10 million people.

The question before every blood-bought believer in Christ is how should Christians biblically view illegal immigration and immigrants.

The Easter trip to Zion City Moria is part of the spectacular pilgrimage that over a million ZCC members make each year. This Easter run is similar to the hajj Muslims take to Mecca, as ZCC leaders expect their people to take at least one journey to Moria in their lifetime. It is believed that Zion City Moria has special powers and thus hordes of pilgrims return there each year for healing and renewal. Engenas Lekganyane founded the ZCC in 1924. At the time of his death in 1948, there were over 50,000 members. Today there are well over 12 million members, making it the largest African-initiated church in southern Africa. Zion gets its name from the city of Jerusalem in the Old Testament, which is also adjacent to Mount Moriah where Solomon built his temple. 

Is the Zion Christian Church Christian?

A conversation about some considerations that should be made about missions before sending a potential missionary out into the field.

Listen as Joel speaks about the blessings and challenges of multi-generation Christianity in his family.

With slavery being such a blight on human history and being prevalent in the 21st century, how should Christians think around the issue?

When Christians vote, they are exercising a right given to citizens of a democratic state: they are requesting certain persons to be their government. And since Christians answer to God first, their vote must represent a request for a government that obeys God’s mandate for human government. The Bible lays certain obligations on all human governments. Any political party that refuses or neglects to do these things is disobeying God, and a vote to support them is essentially a Christian ignoring his or her Father’s explicit will for human government. So what does God expect from human government?

A conversation about boti Paul and the church that supported him from before he was married. All about missions.

In this episode, Darren Rock, of Colonial Baptist Church details his experiences in the Fire Department and teaches us how to go through life after loss.

South Africa is facing a dire shortage of skilled workers, according to a recent article published by Antony Sguazzin on Bloomberg. As businesses attempt to start or expand operations in what Sguazzin calls “Africa’s most industrialised economy,” there are certain job openings that employers simply cannot find qualified candidates for. Most of these are in the areas of engineering, science, information technology, and management.  Sguazzin writes, “This skills shortage has been identified by the South African presidency as the second biggest impediment to economic growth, after crippling power outages.” While this skill shortage presents a major challenge to South African businesses, Christian young people should also view it as an opportunity and a guide for their education and career choices.

Socialism (and its end goal, communism) is rooted in envy, greed and covetousness. It has bred all kinds of theft and trampling over private property rights (as enshrined in the 8th commandment against stealing) and discourages a biblical work ethic. As Margaret Thatcher famously said: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” Exodus 20:17 reads, “You shall not covet” (Exod. 20:17). How many Christians realise the political significance of those four words (only two words in Hebrew)? Consider with me for a moment the widespread implications of the 10th commandment.

Child labour is the illegal employment of children in business in order to exploit them. Many of the countries most guilty for child labour are found in Africa. Christians should rightly reject the exploitation of children for financial gain as evil. But every parent should teach their children a Protestant work ethic in hopes of equipping them for a productive life in adulthood.How may parents succeed in teaching their children to work hard?

Here are five principles.

We live in an overmedicated world that teaches that the problem is without and the solution is within. From scripture we know that the problem is within–sin–and the solution is without–Christ.

In this episode Jonathan Klimek takes us through his journey through addiction and how the LORD freed him from the power of sin.

Witch hunting is a serious problem in Africa. If locals suppose their neighbour is a witch or engaged in witchcraft, they may injure that person, or even kill them. Why some people are more affected by witchcraft than others may be owing to their neighbour or enemy placing a curse on them. Perhaps a witch doctor is involved.A common proof of such witchcraft is the thousands of stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. It is debatable if these stories are true. What is not disputable, however, is that the belief in these stories is true. Christians must be careful to address these issues seriously, as many people wholeheartedly accept the holistic activity of the demonic world.

How should Christians think about withcraft?

Selling sacred oils has become big business in Africa. Not uncommon are stories of pastors who bring children back from the dead by anointing the deceased with oil. Pentecostal churches from around the continent have flooded the market with their holy anointing oils, promising fortune and healing to those who buy their products. Not surprisingly, churches that promote sacred oil are often entangled in a host of other sins.

It is important that we as Christians consider our role within the political sphere of our Country. Our faith is not confined to the pews of our church; rather, it should infiltrate every facet of our lives, including our engagement with our Country and its politics. What, then, are our responsibilities as Christians in this domain? As Christians, it is vital to understand the distinction between what we must do and what we may do concerning government. Let me give you six of each to consider.

In February of 2024, the Government of Zimbabwe sent out a press statement strongly rejecting the efforts that foreign nations have made to ensnare its citizens into homosexual behaviour through the offers of educational scholarships.

Like other African nations such as Uganda, Zimbabwe firmly condemns Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activities. Zimbabwe opposes the viewpoint of several neighbouring countries, namely South Africa and Mozambique, both of which promote significant LGBT protections.

How should Christians think around this? Especially when a historically evil nation like Zimbabwe does something right.

... Since engagement isn't marriage and all sexual activity is reserved for marriage (1Cor. 7:1-9; Hb. 13:4; Mt. 5:28), then engaged couples should refrain from all sexual activity. The numbers are dipping, but the majority of evangelicals would still probably agree that this includes sexual intercourse.But what about making out? Is that reserved for married couples too?...

Where lies the most perilous domain on Earth in our time? Is it within radical Islamic states or amidst gang-ridden urban communities? No, the womb, intended as a sanctuary of life, has become the most treacherous place on earth. Consider Zambia, where numerous abortions are carried out under the guise of women's rights and gender equality. Across the globe, millions of unborn lives are intentionally ended each year in the name of justice and freedom. Make no mistake, feminism has produced the greatest genocide in the history of the world. Christians have the great responsibility to be a holy people who are in the business of saving lives that are in danger of being exterminated. What might this look like practically?

Godly men are called to fight, but they must pick their fights prudently. “Fight the good fight of the faith,” Paul said (1Tm. 6:12). “I have fought the good fight,” were his last words (2Tm. 4:7). This differs from today’s 11th Commandment: Thou shalt be nice. Break this command and you’ll incur the world’s wrath. How should Christian men go about fighting? Consider the following principles.

Christians have an awesome responsibility to vote according to Christian principles derived from God’s word. For democracy to work effectively it relies on an informed electorate. For this reason, Christians need to be biblically literate on how to best vote even if that vote amounts to choosing the lesser of evils. So, what are some biblical principles South African believers, or any believers for that matter, need to consider before going to the polls in the near future? Here are just three thoughts to remember before you vote.

I have often said that Africa has so many churches that you can buy two for a penny. Despite the numerous churches we see around us, it seems to me that there is very little impact on our communities. I am concerned with the lack of growth and maturity among many who carry their Bibles every Sunday morning but don't seem to learn from them, let alone read them. Churches are being planted daily on the continent of Africa, especially in the era of self-appointed pastors and prophets

You can determine God’s calling by asking three questions. First, what are your desires? What do you long to do? The first qualification of a pastor is that he “desires” the office (1Tm. 3:1). Paul longed to preach (1Cor. 9:16) and Jeremiah said he was like a volcano ready to burst if he stopped preaching (Jer. 20:9). Matthew Henry said that when we make God our heart’s delight, then we’ll have our heart’s desire. When considering a call to the mission field this is one of the many principles that should be considered.

Many have been asking lately, ‘Should a Christian attend a gay wedding?’  The biblical answer is extremely nuanced and highly complex:  Never, no, not under any circumstances.  In the eyes of God and according to His Word, any such pseudo-wedding is an abominable, blasphemous, profaning of marriage and a pagan celebration of the sodomy that destroys lives, ruins society, makes a mockery of Christ, and merits eternal punishment.

Recently Nigerians considered boycotting a milk company for insensitive remarks they made about the death of Christ. Boycotting is not new to Africa. During the 1970s and 80s, countries around the world boycotted South African goods as a way to oppose apartheid. This is not only a Christian issue. Today, the Muslim association UUCSA is calling on South Africans to boycott Jewish-owned companies like Dis-Chem. The pro-Palestine organization BDS is encouraging South Africans to boycott Puma for sponsoring the Israel Football Association. How should Christians think about boycotting immoral businesses? Is boycotting biblical? Consider the following six principles.

One of the central roles to which God calls men is to protect women. Husbands and fathers should protect their families spiritually. God told “the man” not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gn. 3:17) but he failed to protect his wife from the serpent who induced her to sin (Gn. 3:6). This is why the Adam was ultimately responsible for Eve’s sin (Rm. 5:20). Husbands and fathers should their families physically and emotionally. Men should be willing to die for their wives, not the other way around. Christ laid down his life for his bride (Eph. 5:25), similar to how husbands should give up themselves for their wives.

Here are seven ways that husbands are to protect their wives.

The way different cultures approach the bride price varies, however the concept across the board is generally the same. The intent is to pay the prospective-in-laws a token of appreciation for raising their daughter well and to basically pay for your bride. The charges in the Shona culture can range from $2,000 - $ 10,000 (United States Dollars), some even exceeding those exorbitant ranges, which turns Lobola from a token act into a ‘get-rich-or-die-trying’ scheme.

“My body, my choice” is a feminist slogan used to defend a woman’s right to autonomy over her choices. Women often employ this phrase to defend their right to an abortion. How should one respond to this? Does a woman have complete autonomy over her body, including the right to abort her child? Here are six reasons why the argument “My body, my choice” fails.

For those living in Africa, crime is an unrelenting reality that significantly impacts life through the constant threat of violence. Despite the promises of politicians, criminals are exploiting ineffective governance in many African countries to target the weak and vulnerable. Against the hope of the victims and the longings of Christians who understand God’s standards of righteousness and justice, Africa seems to be plunging into greater depths of criminality. For believers, this raises two important questions—what is the Christian’s responsibility during elections, and what is the Christian’s hope during elections?

While Northern Africa is predominantly Muslim, Sub-Saharan Africa is quick to claim Christianity. But has Africa really been Christianized? What if we used a different metric to determine a nation’s religious moorings? What if the metric became the nation’s Christian character rather than the nation’s Christian confession? Perhaps the numbers would look much different.

Enjoy the conversation between boti Paul and pastor Malamulo in Malawi as they discuss aspects of ministry and the Christian life.

Having 'The Talk' with your son can prove to be quite challenging for most men. Sadly, this results in many fathers abdicating the responsibility. In this episode Boti Paul seeks to give fathers some tips for talking about the birds and the bees with their sons.

Whether we like it or not, technology is moving us to a more cashless society. The Payments Association of South Africa is currently implementing strategies to make South Africa cashless by 2030. It remains to be seen if such an ambitious goal is reached in such a short time. The justification for this move toward a cashless culture is that it is much safer for all concerned and it is less expensive for businesses if they do not handle cash. The banking sector certainly agrees with this. But while there is a great deal of truth in such rationale, there are numerous pitfalls to a cashless society. Here are but a few challenges in this rush to a cashless destination.

Despite the influence of Christianity and Islam on the continent, Africans still attach tremendous honour to their ancestors. Ancestor worship is deeply engrained into the African belief system, its influence reaching the heights of political power. Remembering ancestors and requesting from ancestors are very different. Scripture allows the first but not the second. Here are five reasons why.

We thank those that prayed for us during our latest missionary survey trip. It was successful in every way, all of this due to God’s grace and the prayers of his saints. Here are six brief lessons I learned.

As we prayerfully plan for 2024, with our long lists (actual or mental) of goals and resolutions, where does Sunday night church fit in? Thanks to American pragmatism (the church growth, seeker-friendly movement) and rampant secularism, evening worship services have largely vanished. It is a once-holy habit that has now almost disappeared in today’s Christianity. One pastor remarks, “...It can be downright difficult to get the family out the door once on a Sunday, not to mention twice; and your neighbours will be convinced that you’re crazy for doing it.”

Here are five reasons our churches must recapture Sunday evening services.

Ousted from the South African presidency in 2018 because of corruption, Jacob Zuma regained great political fame this past December in his announcement of forming a new political party—this all amidst his corruption trial! 

So also spiritual leader Shepherd Bushiri from Malawi, while awaiting extradition orders in Malawi for financial crimes committed in South Africa, enjoyed a renewed following in his recent 2023/2024 Crossover event.

Many more stories like these can be told, and they demonstrate that the price that the humble pay for the mistakes of these leaders can be very high indeed.

Applications for firearm licenses in South Africa have quadrupled over the past decade, according to a recent report written by William Brederode on ⁠News24⁠. Between April 2022 and March 2023, over 139,000 new applications for gun ownership were filed with the South African Police Service, compared to just over 33,000 in the same period from 2011 to 2012. South Africa has seen a 77% increase in murders in that same time span, rising from 15,554 in 2011/12 to 27,494 in 2022/23. In an increasingly crime-ridden SA, is more legal gun ownership good news?

the COP28 Climate-Change Conference is underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai. Every year for the last 28 years, at this time of the year, the United Nations hosts the COP meetings with up to 70,000 people flying in from all over the world for the two-week extravaganza. The goal of COP and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change is to meet to discuss ways to limit CO2 emissions. But what does COP28 have to do with Africa? One of the topics of discussion at this year’s COP28 conference concerns negotiations by wealthy oil barons, in the UAE, buying up land rights in Africa to plant trees on protected land to serve as carbon offsets for wealthy polluters in the West and Middle East.

It has been said that the first casualty of war is truth. Many confuse the issue of cannabis (“dagga”, etc) by co-mingling two different aspects of the debate — medical versus recreational use of marijuana. In truth, while related, these are two separate ethical issues that Christians need to approach differently. This episode of TARIF addresses three of the many flawed arguments based on smoke-screen logic that are used by the pro-pot lobby to convince the public of the benefits of recreational dagga.

A godly father can never fully be replaced as the leader and shepherd of the home. But should the father be deceased or absent, single mothers mustn’t despair. This episode goes into detail about the hope that single Christian mothers can find from the scriptures concerning the spiritual futures of their children.

Parental authority in training and bringing up their children has faced attacks in most parts of the Western world, yet we are now beginning to see this tidal wave on the family hitting the shores of Africa. We must have a clearly laid out view that no academic curriculum is ‘a-theological’, because any form of teaching or philosophy will find answers either in man or in God. Most postmodern institutions have based their curricula on the philosophies and doctrines of the British biologist, Dawkins, who claimed “that atheism was the only possible position for educated men and women and that religion, in all its forms, was little more than dangerous and delusional superstition.”

Worldwide, the gaming industry makes more money than the film and music industries combined. In 2021, the gaming world brought in over $180 billion. Companies such as Facebook and Google have invested billions of dollars into Virtual Reality, which is certain to become a major part of gaming in the next 5-10 years. Although using games for harmless diversion and amusement may be a lawful use of leisure for Christians, there are some real spiritual dangers associated with gaming.

The Egyptian pyramids have yet to be cancelled. If Cancel Culture has its way, the Great Sphinx may be next. Ramses II, father of more than fifty sons and Pharaoh of Egypt for sixty-seven years, inscribed these words on his throne: "I am [Ramses II], King of Kings. If anyone would seek to know how great I am and where I lie, let him surpass one of my works." His works were great indeed, in part because he constructed these awesome structures on the backs of thousands of slaves. Slavery? Doesn’t this mean we should raze them to the ground? Today, there aren't many calls for the demolition of the pyramids, mostly because it doesn't fit the narrative. But the questions remain: Should we cancel others? What is Cancel Culture? Is Cancel Culture new?