African Bible Summit

"Sure, we can do that,” was my response eighteen months ago when I was approached with the idea of the CRA sponsoring an event in Zimbabwe. Over the next three months, the African Bible Summit took shape. This three-day event would focus on the principles of New Testament Christianity, with the aim of strengthening and encouraging the churches in sub-Saharan Africa.

Over the past decade, sinister forces have worked to corrupt these churches, especially regarding the work of the Holy Spirit and church polity. Many of the Christian churches in Zimbabwe have lost their way, compromising fundamental Bible doctrines. The Summit would be designed to provide church leaders with the material necessary to set their churches in order.

This past February, the first African Bible Summit was held at Central Africa Christian College in Harare, Zimbabwe. Donnie Collings, Associate Minister at Kent Christian Church, and I embarked upon the 9,000-mile journey to Zimbabwe, excited for the opportunity to teach men hungering for the truth of God’s Word.

The Summit opened with a rousing message from Brother Nicholas, a preacher in Kenya. Following him, I presented five fifty-minute sessions teaching the basics of the work of the Holy Spirit. We clarified what the Spirit is not for, namely miraculous activity today, and what the Spirit is for, namely moral power for sanctification. We also covered in detail the breakdown of New Testament gifts, examining closely 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and Romans 12. My material concluded with an exhaustive study demonstrating that once the completed New Testament revelation arrived, the miraculous activity would cease.

Donnie’s five sessions presented material on the fundamentals of church polity. His approach was creative and effective. Beginning in Genesis 1, he systematically progressed through the Scriptures, laying a solid foundation that God is a God of order. Building upon this fundamental Bible principle, he moved into church leadership, thoroughly covering the Bible’s teaching about evangelists, elders, and deacons. He covered in detail the responsibilities and qualifications of each. Along the way, he tackled challenging issues such as the role of women, the authority of Scripture, proper nomenclature, evangelist-elder relationships, and more.

It’s difficult to express the positive impact this inaugural event had on the almost 250 church leaders who attended. The men departed energized in the faith, renewed in their commitment to New Testament Christianity, and anxious to share the lessons learned with their home congregations. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Over the first 100 years of the CRA, our reach and impact have been primarily domestic. With our efforts in Zimbabwe, that is changing. Two years ago, I traveled to Zimbabwe to assist Brother Emmanuel Timbo and Hippo Valley Christian Mission in launching the Restoration Herald Africa. This quarterly publication provides much-needed instruction on New Testament Christianity and Restoration Movement principles. With readers beyond the border of Zimbabwe, the Restoration Herald Africa is encouraging the sub-Saharan churches to hold fast to the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Our readers and supporters need to know that this initiative is fully funded by the CRA.

Traveling to Zimbabwe is not an easy task. The travel time from Cincinnati to Harare is 36 hours, including roughly 21 hours of flight time. Without hesitation, however, I can testify that it’s worth the effort. The opportunity to teach men eager to digest the truths of Scripture is a blessing beyond description.

The time in Zimbabwe serves as a prelude to this fall. This October 22-23, we will hold our biennial CRA Bible Conference. This year’s theme is Rekindling the Restoration and will focus on the impactful history of the Restoration Movement, emphasizing its continuing relevance. We will seek to rekindle the restoration by renewing our commitment to the founding principles and vision. The conference will again be held here in Mason, OH. Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend.

Finally, the arrival of summer means the camp meeting season is upon us. Without exception, these meetings offer solid Bible preaching, uplifting worship, and wonderful fellowship. From the Southern Indiana Family Rally, the Delmarva Family Week, the Hillsboro Family Camp, Winning at Winchester, and others, there are ample opportunities to attend a meeting. If you have never experienced one of these events, I strongly encourage you to consider doing so.

As I conclude, allow me to say that it’s a thrill to be a part of the Lord’s church. I encourage you all to press on in your service to the Lord, ever confident that “He can keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”