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In Blantyre, the main speakers Miki Hardy and Stephen Gachengo, arrived on Sunday morning quite exhausted. After two weeks of continuous, back-to-back meetings, they were both looking a bit ragged, but determined to rely on God's grace. The brothers at Blantyre had arranged for a joint churches service where Stephen spoke to about 300 church members in a packed hall. There was much excitement in the air. This gathering was a testimony of the relationship and unity that had grown in the hearts of the pastors since their first contact with CTMI some 5 years previously.
150 pastors had registered for the Blantyre Conference. Many were housed with local families, mainly members of the organising committee, and at lunchtime, 150 meals were prepared at the hall, so that they could have fellowship together between meetings.
Miki opened the first session, urging the Pastors not to hide behind their preaching and Bible School diplomas, but to live as righteous people of God, using the life of Paul as an example, who despite the revelation he had received, said, " I bring my body into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified…" To be a man of God you must not only be called and receive a revelation from God, but must also allow the same revelation to work in your own heart. The crowd responded positively, lifting their hands and crying “ Yes, amen! ”
Stephen shared on being birthed in the true gospel and being a son in the House. He highlighted the state of commercialism in the Church today; how, on the contrary, the Church must come back to the foundation of ‘Christ and Christ crucified'. As Miki started the next session, he didn't beat about the bush. He reminded the pastors how often the blame for the state of the church is put on the flock, without realising that as pastors, they are actually the ones responsible. He said they had to stop pointing fingers at the flock and stop condemning, destroying and killing them. Miki then continued sharing from his heart, how in his own life, the times God had used him the most was when he was least prepared. "… It is not how much we charge ourselves up or prepare ourselves, but how much of the life of Christ we carry in our hearts. It is not the glory of being called 'Pastor' but a daily death so that the fragrance of Christ can emanate from our lives '. Stephen's next message emphasised how men of God must be of good reputation – and the only way is to allow the cross of Jesus to break us and change us.
Later that evening, the pastors who had helped with the whole organisation, joined the team for dinner and shared many very encouraging reports from Lilongwe , about Pastors repenting before their congregations for misleading them. The news had spread rapidly about the preaching and miracles and many were asking for tapes, CDs and for the ‘Power of Grace'. A great time of fellowship was had by all, and no-one wanted to leave. All were in agreement that Malawi was ready for the Gospel of the Cross. A National Conference for leaders will be arranged for September 2006.
On the third and final morning, Miki's message was on "Unity Through the Cross". He shared that a doctrine cannot bring unity, nor can a piece of paper, but it is only when two men walk on the road of the cross that their hearts can be united in the work of God . The pastors stopped taking notes at this point, and gave their full attention to what was being shared. Stephen then took over and stressed that God was looking for men of integrity, who have order in their house. The gospel begins at home, he shared, also giving testimony of his own life, how he fought and argued with his wife, and was not on speaking terms, but he “ would then go to church, pretend that all was OK and preach like a lion! ” By this time, the hall was filled with excitement and joy, as the truth came to the hearts of those present. After a five minute break, Miki took his last session, making it clear that unless God is allowed to deal with our lives, we might well end up being an enemy of the Cross. It is only through the Cross, the place of death, that hearts meet and barriers come down. “ This could shake the world! ” he said, reminding the pastors that in these ‘last days' that we are living, God is setting apart those who are ready to lose their lives for Him. On this note, he left to catch his flight back to Johannesburg together with Audrey and Gilbert.
Stephen continued in the afternoon, on how God is going to uproot what is not of Him. All man's plans, his pride, position and knowledge must go. The pastors jumped with joy as they could fully identify with what he was saying. He added that this is a gospel where pastors are called to serve and not to be served. Stephen ended the meeting by praying with the pastors. Many were touched and couldn't stop saying, " This is the true Gospel! "
The team also visited Thandiwe School for Orphans, which CTMI has helped sponsor for the past three years. Despite extremely difficult circumstances (including no running water and no toilet facilites for the 200 kids!), its founder, Rita Maliza, is determined not to be discouraged and makes the best of what she has . The Thandiwe youngsters entertained the team with a real variety programme of song and dance, exuding such hope and vibrancy, even though life has given them nothing but each other and the love of Jesus through Rita and her team. CTMI has a vision to find a better location for the orphanage, where decent living accommodation, a proper Christian School and church can be built.
On the final day, Stephen went to the hall to have some fellowship with the pastors before leaving to catch his flight back to Nairobi . This meeting was to identify those who want to keep in contact with CTMI and to inform them about the Follow-up meetings to be organised for November. About 85 pastors turned up, some burning to give their testimony. In the midst of this, a sister stood up and said boldly: " Brothers, this man of God leaves for Kenya in the next 50 minutes, so let him share the Gospel with us one last time! " Stephen grabbed his bible and preached for another 40 minutes, encouraging them to cry to the Lord to catch the Spirit of the gospel.
It could be said without a shadow of doubt, that Jesus had been with the team and that a few stones had been laid in the building of His church in this wonderful country, known as the "warm heart of Africa”.
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