MACEDONIAN MINISTRIES REPORT – JANUARY 2014
Posted on: SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2014 8:45 AM
VULNERABLE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
This ministry has been in existence for about 12 years. Over the past few months, significant progress/fruitfulness has become evident in the lives of some those in the ministry program. We Praise God for is faithfulness in using this ministry for the development and discipleship of young people.
Selection Process
The following steps form the criteria used for the selection of vulnerable children to receive assistance from this ministry.
Candidates are NOT afforded the opportunity to apply for assistance.
Selection of candidates is based on observations which come to the attention of Macedonian Ministries’ Missionaries during the course of events, which take place whilst inter-reacting with and ministering to communities on the field. All needy people are entitled to general humanitarian care provided by Macedonian Ministries irrespective of colour, ethnicity, age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
HOWEVER, selection for admittance to the vulnerable children’s ministry is based on the following criteria:
· candidates may include children up to the age of young adulthood.
· the person must be vulnerable due to circumstances beyond their control.
· these will include those who are sick/diseased, orphaned, abandoned, alienated, displaced, etc.
· they must reveal a consistent seeking after the holistic Gospel and it’s transforming power in their lives. In other words, when Macedonian Ministries’ Missionaries become aware of vulnerable children who are earnestly seeking to be transformed by the Gospel in a manner which lifts them out of their vulnerability, we immediately endeavour to find the best possible means do all we can to grow these children into mature disciples of Christ. In most cases the best way forward is a long term/lifetime investment by caregivers/foster parents, which in some cases lasts for many years. Possibly from the cradle to adulthood.
· the most obvious model is placement of these vulnerable children in Mature Christian Homes, when available and present.
· another fruitful model is placement of older/young adult/mature persons under the supervision/care of a capable mentor/s, where accountability structures are clearly defined and kept in place.
Ministry Goals
To create THE most natural and Godly environment for these vulnerable children to live in, in order for them to be greatly influenced by the holistic Gospel; without necessarily compromising the ethos of their ethnicity and culture.
To have them exposed to Christianity in an environment which is conducive for them growing into men and women of God, who will follow and serve Him for their entire lives.
To rescue children from the extreme hopelessness of the despairing situations in which they find themselves. Usually these children are victims of circumstances beyond their control.
To provide a way of escape for some children who probably will otherwise be imprisoned in their vulnerability, for life.
Meet some of those who have recently reached significant milestones
Sakkie
Orphaned in his early teens. Responded to the Gospel in 2009. Revealed a sincere desire to be discipled and was immediately enrolled into the vulnerable children’s ministry. Mentors intentionally engaged all means to influence him to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. They have also endeavoured to provide as much of his daily needs as possible, for him to live a normal life in his community.
This has all born fruit. Sakkie is faithfully following the Lord, serving in the local church, discipling and evangelising his peers and recently, after intense Bible study on Believers Baptism, decided to follow his Lord instructions and was baptised after a Sunday morning service; in a river near his home.
Anele Kungwana
We met Aleko [common name] when he was only a young boy. He often joined us on fishing holidays and would make himself useful by collecting bait and cleaning our fish. A healthy friendship soon developed, and it wasn’t long before he understood the Gospel. God began to work in his life, drawing him to Christ as saviour. Aleko was converted 2002. He immediately showed an earnestness in His following after Christ. A life of commitment serving his Saviour followed. He was an exemplary son to his father and a model student at school. His mother had passed away.
When he neared the end of high school, his father died leaving him orphaned. We simultaneously sensed the call of God upon his life, to follow Christ into fulltime Christian Service. He was sponsored through Bible School, which also moulded and made him into fine young Man of God with a huge heart for evangelizing his own ethnicity, the Xhosa people of SA.
Aleko graduated in 2011, accepted a call to the pastorate in 2012 and has witnessed God’s anointing on his ministry.
As is to be expected he fell in love with a beautiful young Christian lady who agreed that the Lord had brought them together for marriage and a future life in ministry together. They were married in December 2013. It was Trevor’s great pleasure and privilege to preach at their wedding.
Our anticipation is that God is going to make them a wonderful ministry team as husband and wife. And that HE will use them mightily together for many years to come.
Shadrack Bengu
We first met Shadrack some six years ago during evangelistic outreaches in the Pietermaritzburg region. What struck us most was his passion to reach with the Gospel to Zulu young and children. It soon became apparent that we should be investing in this young man’s life. He was 32 years of age at the time, single, orphaned and longing only to follow and serve his Lord.
Sponsorship was made available for him to attend Bible school in Pietermaritzburg. During these informative years he spent long periods living on the premises with Mally and myself, where he became a part of the family. This enabled us to have a close, hands-on influence in his life. It has been our joy to mentor him
through his theological studies, which were life transforming to say the least.
Shadrack graduated in December 2013, and now waits for God to open the door for him to commence fulltime ministry.
We praise God for these wonderful blessings through our vulnerable children’s ministry.
Please pray with us that what has commenced will continue in these lives and through them into many other lives, ALL for the Glory of God.
ALSO, pray with us that God will raise additional finance for us to expand this ministry into other lives. Currently, there are a number of deserving young people who we wish to assist but for whom there is insufficient funding at present.
Give thanks with us to God, for the wonderful manner in which He has used meagre efforts to greatly exalt his name in the lives of these young people.
Blessings.
Trevor Eayrs
