Be a culture in which seekers meet Jesus, become Disciples, and are equipped, encouraged, and empowered to steward their talents and gifts in magnifying the name of Jesus - impacting the community around us, and discovering what God can and will do through them.
OUR VISION:
January 2022
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GEOFFREY MISSION REPORT
Dear Church,
I Geoffrey, a servant of The Lord, sends you greetings. My family and Machegene Church of Christ also greets you. We hope and pray that you are all doing well in the Lord despite these difficult times.
Year 2021 has been quite trying for my Ministry and the Church here in general. Our Sunday service attendance has gone down from an average of 40 to an average of 25. My Ministry was almost grounded by the restriction of movement imposed by government to prevent the spread of Covid 19. Sunday and any other Church meetings were cancelled and I was completely unable to visit any of the three Congregations I preach to.
I have survived this period by doing home visits. It's my way of door knocking. It worked well for me though I could only meet one individual at a time. I would buy masks, gloves, and sanitizers to give those I would be sharing the Gospel with. Ninety percent of my Church members don't have cell phones. There is no way we could share or meet online. So this way of door knocking was the only way I kept the Church going. I was also able to give communion to the Church members I met at their homes on Sundays.
Through 2020 and 2021, we have managed to purchase a 1/8 acre of land and have built a Church building for Machegene Church of Christ. Through fund raisings, we have built the building using iron sheets for the walls and roofing. The local law though has not allowed us to use the building for Church meetings until we have completed digging and constructing a pit latrine.
Our weekend Christian movie shows temporarily stopped because we were not allowed to congregate. We tried wearing masks but we were unable to keep the 1.5 metre social distance. Hence the meetings were cancelled. I therefore made copies of various Christian movies and distributed them to villagers and friends who have televisions and dvds, for free. This way, I managed to maintain the idea of Christian movie shows going on.
With the lifting of most covid 19 restrictions in mid November 2021, things have a bit returned to near normal. My plan this year is to have the pit latrine completed as soon as possible. Once that is done, I plan we purchase the necessary pews and officially move to our new Church building.
I am hoping and praying for an easier year. I am hoping for a vibrant Congregation this year 2022. My target is an average attendance of 60 adults by end of 2022. I will work hard to teach them The Truth and ensure they grow strong in The Faith.
The Churches at Kagaene and Kanthenge have stabilized but the Church at Mulika is still having teething problems. The Churches at Kagaene and Kanthenge have since constructed their Church buildings but Mulika Church of Christ is still renting a building for Sunday and Wednesday meetings. Through fundraisings and friends contributions, we hope to raise enough funds to purchase a piece of land and construct a Church building for Mulika Church of Christ by end of year 2021.
I will also need to purchase Bibles printed in our local language and also hymn books. Most members have not returned with these items. Lucky for me, Mutare Church of Christ in Zimbabwe recently sent me plenty of pamphlets dealing with different Church topics. These pamphlets have helped me teach on various Church topics with ease. Those who can read English are able to read these pamphlets on their own.
I am therefore kindly requesting for your thoughts, support, and prayers in this mission. God willing, I will achieve my targets by end of year 2022 going forward.
Finally, let me let you know that we also remember you in our prayers. May our Lord continue blessing you all and whatever you do in His Kingdom. Amen.
In His Service, Geoffrey, Machegene Church of Christ.Weekly Devotional for 1/23/2022
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” 1 Peter 2:21.
Most often, examples held up for us to follow are of those who have succeeded in some great way for us to follow. Perhaps it is some sports star, business owner, or student who worked hard, overcame adversity, and made sacrifices to achieve a great result—that is, accord-ing to the world’s standard and not God’s. Jesus is a stumbling block and folly to the world, according to 1 Corinthians; dying on the cross was shameful for One who could have called twelve legions of angels to stop it all. But to us who are being saved by His “failure,” it is the power and wisdom of God, which is wiser and stronger than men and their standard of success. This is why we are willing to suffer with Him and copy His example, following His footsteps that lead to our own Golgothas as we carry our own crosses that He helps us to bear. To this we have been called. Jesus was made like His brothers in every way to let us unite with Him in death and in His resurrection, yes, but also to show us how to live.
Are you following in His steps as an example?
Doug Kashorek
518.645.1509; email; sermonlin
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YOU CAN MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OR DONATION HERE:
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DO YOU HAVE A MEMBER ACCOUNT?
Attention: 36th Street Members
Our website contains much useful information for you as a member of the 36th street congregation. We are updating and improving www.36thstreetchurch.com on an ongoing basis.
In order for you to take advantage of the full (members-only) benefits of the site, you need to set up a personal account on the site. It's easy to do - just go to the homepage of the website and click on the 'MEMBERS' tab and select 'REGISTER' from the drop-down menu. You will need to complete the form there and set up a username and password. Your request will be forwarded to a web administrator, who will review the form and set you up in the system.
We encourage you to access the website and see how it can benefit you.
Friday, January 28, 2022
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”(Daily Reading, ESV)
