Charl van Wyk (August 2007)

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

Biblical Worldview Summit (BWS)
We challenged the Summit delegates to get back to the Word of God and Reclaim Africa for Christ.

Starting with PT early in the cold winter mornings, over 100 delegates from as far afield as America, Australia, Ghana, Nigeria, Romania, England, Zambia, Zimbabwe and all over South Africa, participated in the week-long Reclaiming Africa for Christ Biblical Worldview Summit, which formed the first part of our Great Commission Course (GCC). 

The BWS (29 June - 6 July) included 14 lecturers, 8 films, outreaches in the nearby town and township, visits to the Huguenot Monument and Museum, a parallel children's programme (in which Roberta, Jason and John-Marc participated), Evangelism Workshops, a Science and Scripture Workshop, Public Speaking Workshop, Debating Workshop and a Christian Action Workshop. 

Roberta has already asked me why I don't know the children's Gospel presentation that they were taught at the conference by our director, Dr Peter Hammond.

Comments by participants included:
"I participated in my first official outreach"; "Informed and equipped"; "My faith in the Christian Worldview has been restored"; "Helped with self-discipline"; "Islamisation, their agenda, Biblical worldviews"; "It gave me a clear and wider view on church history, science and politics"; "New ideas, a desire to learn more"; "Challenged my foundations, we need to get involved"

Great Commission Course (GCC)
When the delegates to the Biblical World Summit were on their way home, those involved in the Great Commission Course, prepared for the even more intensive GCC programme ahead. This year's GCC participants came from America, Australia, England,  Romania, Ghana and Zambia.  They had a further 35 lectures.

Participants in the Great Commission Course completed 4 hikes, including night hikes up and over Lions Head and Table Mountain (my legs were in pain for a week after this) and other night hikes in the forest including wading downstream in rivers. 

I organised an ex-terrorist to come and interact with our participants so that they could understand the worldview and thinking of such people.  My friend, with whom I'm sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, answered questions from the floor on one condition: 'no recordings to be made'.  He answered every question and honestly admitted when he had no answer.  Participants were surprised that an ex-terrorist could defend his belief better than most Christians their faith.  The bottom line is, that all people need Jesus Christ to transform their lives by His Gospel - eternal salvation is open to all who repent of their sin and turn to Jesus Christ.   

Dr Peter Hammond designed the GCC as an intensive introduction to cross-cultural missions to stretch minds and muscles, which included a blend of physical challenges, academic tests, spiritual disciplines, challenging and informative instruction, strenuous hikes, demanding assignments, practical workshops and numerous outreach opportunities.

By God's Grace, several participants of the BWS and GCC had the privilege of leading people to Christ on the streets, and in the shopping malls, during outreaches. 

Visit of Dr McMurtry
Frontline Fellowship recently hosted Creation Science lecturer Dr. Grady McMurtry during his South Africa ministry. He visited schools and universities, had radio interviews and spoke at churches, breakfasts and Parliamentary meetings.  Dr.Grady McMurtry was well received. Frequently the venues were overflowing with not only enthusiastic Christians, but evolutionists eager to interact with Dr. McMurtry and get straight answers on the Creation vs. Evolution debate.

Accident
Whilst driving to the mission office one morning with my colleague Tershia and her husband in the car, we were almost knocked over by a pedestrian.

We were shocked when a pedestrian decided to run across the four lane highway without looking for on-coming cars viz. our mission vehicle.  He ran across the road and straight in front of us.  I skidded to a halt but still hit the man with the front of the car and sent him flying through the air.

Much to our astonishment when we got out of the car to assist, he stood up and ran away.  Next we saw two exhausted policemen running after the man.  He had apparently just stolen a lady's handbag and was running away when he collided with us.

A national newspaper has lately reported that only 4.5% of criminals are convicted and that less than 50% of crimes are reported in South Africa.

US Tour
I'll, Lord willing, be visiting the USA from 2 November 2007 until 13 November 2007.

Any ministry opportunities on radio, at home cell groups, church or public meetings etc will be most welcome.  Please contact Debbie at In Touch Mission International (Tempe, AZ) for any engagements you might want to arrange.

debbie.henry@intouchmission.org or 1-888-918-4100

Please pray for our Women's Day outreaches in local shopping malls on Thursday 9 August; we appreciate your partnership in our ministry.

Yours in His service

Charl van Wyk

Frontline Fellowship
PO Box 74
Newlands
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 27-21-6894480

In Touch Mission International
PO Box 7575
Tempe, AZ 85281
USA
Tel: 1-888-918-4100

PS To financially support our work, visit: http://www.intouchmission.org/itmi_donation.htm or phone 1-888-918-4100 in the US