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Africa: Power Through Unity In Pangani
July 4, 2002
A POWERFUL PASTORS ALLIANCE
It is hard to describe the emotion at breakfast this morning as Ralph, Brother Lee and I sat with nine of the pastors in Pangani, Tanzania region. They talked of last year's conference and how it had been a turning point in their ministries.
All the pastors had agreed during last year's meeting to work together. Amazingly they had followed through and formed a pastors alliance. A few weeks after we left they had an all night prayer meeting inviting all the churches.
"That night we had a breakthrough in the spirit here in Pangani, now we see the importance more than ever of working together," they said. They also held several praise and worship meetings since last year, with the whole city coming together as one body.
THE FRUIT OF UNITY I realized I was seeing a miracle of sorts. People told us this could not be done. However, God has brought them together in an unprecedented way and now they talked of the fruit of such unity.
They were excited about the prospects of a united body of Christ in such a hostile Muslim area. Several of the pastors only had churches of 5 or 6 members and their new relationships brought needed encouragement. They told me about the persecution and how the Muslims follow up on new Christians trying to make them renounce Christ.
Tears came to my eyes when I saw how alone and discouraged they were until last year's meeting. God has used last year's team as a catalyst for unity and cooperation that has made a lasting impression on the church in Pangani.
MOVING IN RADICAL OBEDIENCE You feel so unworthy talking to such men. What can you say? Only to remember who has sent you and just as important who stands behind them. I told them, "Never forget you are Christ's ambassadors to Pangani. If you find His plan you cannot fail."
The chairman of this group of pastors said that this was a historic meeting because no one had ever come to them and asked them to talk about their problems and offer help and encouragement.
It is hard to believe, but this is often the case in Muslim-dominated areas. The fruit is small, the labor and help is hard to find. However, if they can learn to move in radical obedience to the Holy Spirit, they will become a tremendous light for Christ in this region.
A NEW BOLDNESS FOR EVANGELISM Our meeting Saturday night was again powerful as God healed and touched many. Brother Lee shared a message from Daniel 3 about how Daniel and his friends would not bow down to the golden idol. They were thrown into the fire because they would not worship a false God. "Do we worship a false God when we refuse to share our faith? You can be sure the god of Islam doesn't want you to share your faith." Many seemed to be deeply moved and convicted by the word.
Later we prayed for a new boldness and a Spirit of evangelism to come upon the church and God moved powerfully among the people. They seem so eager to come to the altar to repent and be cleansed. Many wept, as the presence of God was strong. We called for the sick and as amazing as it sounds almost all were healed.
LIFE TRANSFORMATION As the service was almost over the pastor came forward and whispered that a man who had epilepsy was outside and wanted to be healed. I felt the Lord say to bring him in. I started to pray, but the Lord impressed me that he was not saved. I asked if he was a Christian and he said he was not. So I asked him if he wanted to give his life to Jesus. Yes, he said. Ralph prayed with him for salvation and then we prayed for him to be healed. He left healed both physically and spiritually!
Sunday afternoon, I saw him working around the church. Ralph asked the pastor if that was the same man who was saved and healed yesterday. "Yes," the pastor said, "he is doing great." To see one life so transformed in a single service has really encouraged the church and pastor!
It reminds me of the potential of the church. We are seeing such life-transforming miracles in this remote village that our team is in awe. God seems so powerfully at work in the Church of Pangani.
In His Fields,
Stephen Gray
Location: Pangani, Tanzania, United Republic Of
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