My Prayer at the end of last year, was that we would be so bold and unashamed of the gospel, His love and grace, and that by being consumed by His presence, we would be His love and light in the community.

Well it has already been answered!

Our first meeting together this year was one of celebration and life in the Spirit and it has set the tone for the year so far. As I have started my degree in theology, I have done some foundational teaching, and have been amazed at how the simple gospel message, preached in a foundational and structured manner, brings such freedom and life! It is also scary to see how many churches have misguided this message and how much clarity needs to be brought to so many ‘Christians’.

We took a day trip with the team to Zinkwazi and after an amazing time of singing and enjoying the presence of God, we had a very powerful baptism service for Sindi. After baptising this wonderful woman of God, and sensing the intimacy and pleasure of the Father, we were amazed to have one of our leaders, and one of the most solid men of God I know, ask to be baptized. Jabs said that he had never done it before, and wanted the opportunity. WOW!! We had a chance for each person to speak and honour him and sindi, and the depth and love seen and shared, was nothing less than heavenly. This walk in the kingdom is worth EVERY second!

We had Darren come up to minister again after his last visit about 6 months ago. His words were that this team is so hungry for the things of God! He shared powerfully and prophetically and the presence of God in our meetings was so tangible, that a deep impact has been made and a deeper hunger for more from God has been left. He confirmed various prophetic words we have had before, and encouraged many with a solid view on how we are called to have faith and be victorious in this life.

We then had Stuart Morrison come up and share, after his last visit also about 6 months ago, on the Love and Grace of Jesus. He has a deep connection with the Holy Spirit and our meeting time was very freeing and powerful. This Impendulo team has an incredible way of singing, worshipping and praising God, and the sense of God’s presence and pleasure, is amazing. We had a whole bunch of harvesters up with us for the day, and we showed the kids the Chronicles of Narnia, as a picture of Christ as a Lion, His love and sacrifice. During the movie, we went on some house visits, and visited and prayed at many houses. We prayed for one of our little girls from Impendulo, who had been burned on her face at 2am by boiling water that her gran accidentally spilt on her. The pain subsided during the prayer and she is now recovering really well. We also visited some who had just lost family members and it was a challenging but blessed day.

The following day, was a funeral for a lady from a family that we are very close to. The Impendulo team was so involved with this funeral, right from digging the grave, providing the sounds and music to sharing the word. I was asked to speak a word, and got up to share directly after a leader of the Shembe church had just preached a burdening message on the Law. I was led by the Spirit to preach a message on the radical Grace of Christ, and on the difference between self righteousness and the righteousness of God. It was the fragrance of life to many, and the stench of death to others. My heart couldn’t have been more full of love, and acceptance of all there, but still I was asked to stop speaking as this gospel can be that offensive. Some of the leaders got angry and offended by the words I shared, but I saw many who felt that this word had washed them with life and freedom. I am not ashamed of the gospel!! My team was 100% behind me, and the report back from the Khuzwayo family was one of such love and gratitude for EVERYTHING the team did at the funeral, including the word, and the mother hwo lost her daughter has asked me to do her funeral when she dies! Sheea, I love this God of ours and His kingdom…

I spent the rest of the week sick in bed, possibly a spiritual attack after having to face the opposition like that, but it was one of enjoying the presence of God in my cave (my eyes were so sensitive to light)….

I preached again at harvest and am enjoying every preach more and more, as I see the love of God more and more every time, and keep seeing Him changing lives in front of my eyes!

The next 2 months will be very busy for me as I am preaching almost every weekend at one church or another, but wouldn’t have it any other way!!

The Impendulo team is FIRING forward, Thoks and Jabs, leading it, with such love and strength, and all just enjoying Jesus!! I have never seen this team so hungry for the things of God, and so full of His love. Our meetings are times of such intimacy and His Holy presence, that I am finding it VERY hard to stay away and do the studying and preparing I need to do for my degree and preaches… It’s not the worst problem to have!

I just got spoke to Thoks and he has just passed his drivers licence! woohooo

I encourage you today, ENJOY JESUS!!!!!

Rich