Mathews Fikati pastors Chambishi Central Baptist Church in the Copperbelt region of Zambia. The new church recently celebrated their three-year anniversary. In Mathews’ recent report, you can hear his caution with those who profess faith, his care for souls, and battles with discouragement that every pastor faces.
Sorrow Over a Soul Going Astray
“Mutale was among those who recently professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ whom we gave some time to be observed. For a while, she appeared to be very committed to the means of grace and the life of the church. She really desired to know more about God, hence, she was ever with questions and reading more books. Alas, last month she came with a story to say she was courting a man from Jehovah’s Witness, who is now pushing her to join him in their church and telling her to stop using any other Bible apart from their own. When I got this news, my heart was filled with sorrow because I anticipated where this would lead. I had talks with her over the matter, telling her that if she truly is a Christian as she was professing, the Bible forbids her to marry a non-Christian. I also took time to explain the wrong teachings and beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witness. This did not just happen in one sitting, but for some days I met with her.
After some time, I could see that she was slowly withdrawing from church activities. As I am writing, she has completely stopped coming to church and I have been told that she has been engaged to this same young man. This has really brought sadness and sorrow to my heart.”
More Gospel Opportunities
“We have continued to preach the gospel to the lost souls. One of the people we are keenly following up is a young lady by the name of Queen. Queen has a background of Jehovah’s Witness, but now she does not seriously go to any church. Whenever we visit her, she always promises to come to church but she has so far failed to fulfill her promise. Yesterday, my wife again followed her up with the gospel. Please pray for the salvation of this young lady.
You may recall from previous updates that we have been talking about the desire to reach out to the prisoners and police offers in our area. Thankfully, God-willing, this Saturday we will be visiting the Chambishi prison with the aim of sharing the gospel to the in-mates and, if possible, to the police offers themselves. Pray for the success of this ministry.”