ZEMA, Focus Newsletter, June 23

Jul 18, 2023 | Blogs, Newsletters, Stories

Home Office Directors’ Report


Focusing our energy on the work of ZEMA in the USA, Greg and Carlene have enjoyed visiting new churches locally and in other states. Adapting to new ways of doing life and ministry, we are thankful for all God has provided and trust that He is leading us as we expand ZEMA’s network in the USA. Telling stories of how God is working among many amaZioni congregations, we hope to increase the vision for supporting and sharing in this exciting work. 


Moody Bible Institute gave Greg and Carlene multiple opportunities to teach intercultural studies classes this year. MBI student, Isaac Durant, is interning this summer and will be mentored by missionaries in Gauteng. We’re hopeful that next year we can share ZEMA’s work and opportunities in some of the departmental chapels, which are part of Moody’s program once each term. 


Crossing Cultures with Friends of ZEMA (CCFZ) is a tool to connect, in real-time, people in the USA with Southern African nationals. So far,
we’ve organized six CCFZ via video technology. The Zion leader participants are national pastors and partners in ZEMA’s work. They are eager to share their lives and ministries with those interested in ZEMA’s work. 


In May, we took three weeks to travel through Arkansas and Texas. In addition to visiting potential and new supporting churches, we held two CCFZs in Springdale, AR, and one in Van, TX. We’re also thankful for the opportunities to meet with the missions committee and pastor in Springdale. In Van, we enjoyed wonderful times of fellowship with those who came to the Saturday meeting and then shared another meal with
others in the community that evening. Greg preached on Sunday, gave a report, and played the “Reaching the African Indigenous Church”
video. 


Please pray for these relationships and efforts to grow ZEMA’s network. Pray for new growth in relationships with individuals, churches, and
schools such as Trinity Evangelical Seminary and Dallas Theological Seminary.


Serving our King,
Greg and Carlene Seghers

Discipling the Next Generation by Carlene Seghers 

 Kgomotso Moloko met Kit Tischler (a ZEMA partner missionary through TEAM), at a multi-campus amaZioni service held at Wits University. He was, at the time, studying for his BS in Physics and Applied Mathematics through the University of Johannesburg. 

 Kit shares that upon meeting Kgomotso (KG, as many friends call him), “Right away, I could just see his passion to worship. Afterward, I also met him at a Bible Study and remember how I could see he loved God and loved the Word. We met and talked regularly over a two-year period, and I continued to see more and more of his hunger for God and for the Word. KG had an exceptional understanding of God’s Word and a strong commitment to God. 

 “Then [as] he was getting near graduation and talking to me, he said, ‘Kit, I feel like God is calling me to study more. He is calling me to study His Word more.’ He also told me that he didn’t really know where to go [for studying the Bible]. So, since I have connections at Union Bible Institute (UBI) and the teachers there, we started talking about [studying at UBI].  

Kit also recommended KG to the ZEMA Field Council for a Bible study scholarship. KG studied at UBI for three years beginning in January 2020. Serving at the school and in the community, KG grew in his relationship with the Lord and those around him. During his first year KG wrote:  

“[I want] to express my gratitude to everyone from ZEMA for providing me with the funding to study Theology at the Union Bible Institute. This has been an incredible and life-changing opportunity for me. I have always had the desire to study the Word of God and to get formal training in ministry so that I can know Christ better and live in close fellowship with Him and also be a Christ-like servant leader.  

 “Being at UBI has really helped me a lot. I am learning more about God, His Word, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I am also learning how to effectively study the Word of God and interpret it correctly. I have learned concepts I never knew existed before, concepts such as Eisegesis and Exegesis. These are some of the big words I have learned at UBI. All this learning has been very fun and eye-opening. Being at UBI is truly a blessing to me and to the church I am serving in, The Christian African Apostolic Holy Spirit Church. I plan on teaching the young people in my church all that I am learning at UBI.” 

Today, KG is back at UJ studying for his honors degree in Applied Mathematics. Along with other amaZioni students at UJ, KG is leading a weekly Bible Study of the book of Ephesians. Upon completion of this degree, KG hopes to teach mathematics in a public high school. Currently he worships with an amaZioni congregation in Soweto called the Revival Bible Ministries. Here, KG is a youth leader and Sunday school teacher. 

How could you partner with ZEMA on behalf of tomorrow’s leaders and ministers of the Gospel?  

  • Pray for KG as he seeks to serve God where he has placed him. Pray for faithfulness and that God would continue to give him opportunities to share the Good News with students at UJ and the youth at Revival Bible Ministries.
  • To help ZEMA sponsor other amaZioni as they seek theological training, CLICK HERE.

 

 

How could you partner with ZEMA on behalf of tomorrow’s leaders and ministers of the Gospel?

  • Pray for KG as he seeks to serve God where he has placed him.
  • Pray for faithfulness and that God would continue to give him opportunities to share the Good News with students at UJ and
    the youth at Revival Bible Ministries.
  • Help ZEMA sponsor other amaZioni as they seek theological
    training,     CLICK HERE.

Back row far right: Kgomotso Moloko

Board Member Spotlight

DAN CAPP
Board Treasurer

Dan received Jesus at a Child Evangelism “Bible Club” at an early age and grew up with missionaries from different church-sponsored ministries in his home regularly. Some of these were from Southern Africa. Dan studied engineering at Bradley University in central Illinois and has been utilizing those skills in manufacturing since the 1980s.

While working in Southern California early in his carrier Dan, through his church, became aware of the US Center for World Missions and took a “Perspectives in World Christianity” course. Since then, Dan has felt a passion for mobilizing the local church and growing the church’s world missions understanding. He had an opportunity to join what is now the ZEMA Board in 1995 and has served on the board’s finance committee, investment committee, and the executive committee over the years.

Dan and his wife Jill are active at Liberty Community Church in Lindenhurst, Illinois, for decades, allowing him to serve as a missions liaison, a lay leader, and an elder. LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-capp-06709295/

 

The 2022 Annual Report will be available
by request after June 15, 2023. Please email
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