Church planting

Rural church planting remains a real challenge. Since 2006 Mozaic has been involved with several church plants with different church denominations in the rural parts of Gaza and Inhambane Provinces.

The challenges are numerous. When leaders are taken away from the bush for a few years of Bible training in cities, they don’t want to go back to rural life. Even those that are supported to plant churches in the bush, battle with the lack of infrastructure in the bush and opportunities to grow personally. It requires a calling and obedience to plant a church in the bush and the workers are few.

We have changed our focus lately. Instead of sending trained pastors to the field, we are now identifying true believers in rural communities we have worked in over the years and train them in Chronological Bible Training. This helps them know the stories of the Bible, understand the message of the Bible and helps them share the message to others. Some cannot read, but have learned to lead a group of believers by using visual materials and attend regular training Mozaic sponsors. With the help of Domingos, we facilitate regular seminars in communities to train rural leaders, and faithful believers to become true disciples of Jesus. Following Him and teaching others to follow Him, and to teach them, to teach others to follow Him.

Over the last two weeks we hosted some of the key leaders from rural communities together in Manjacaze for our very first seminar and training in the new Training Centre. With the help of Franz Benze from Africa Outreach and Michack Sabanda from Assemblies of God, we provided training on how to become contagious disciples. We also looked at challenges leaders are faced with and there was plenty of opportunity for rural leaders to share experiences and relate to each other. The fellowship between teachings and around the dinner table is just as valuable for some of these leaders working in very isolated areas.

Mozaic’s commitment is to continue planting churches in unreached areas, supporting rural leaders with training, materials, facilities, Bibles, transport, and mentoring them. Our team, network and library is slowly growing to be able to do this more frequently and more affective.  

Thank you all for being part of this in so many different ways, may God bless you and continue to lead you and provide in your needs! Being a disciple is more than just a word.

Live contagiously!!

Gerhard ‘Geraldo’ Erasmus

Manjacaze

4geraldo@gmail.com

Picture : Mozaic Training Centre - Mozambique