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From Darkness to Light

By Dr. Brian de Vries, Principal Mukhanyo Theological College, South Africa


"To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and  a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." (Acts 26:18, ESV).

Most businesses and organisations have a mission statement. It is usually a summary statement of their purpose, vision and often the means by which they hope to accomplish their goals. People can have a mission statement too. It might be in the form of a New Year's resolution or perhaps a job description. A mission statement, however, is usually broader and includes every area of life.

The Apostle Paul also had a mission statement. He was converted and commissioned by Jesus Christ. On the road to Damascus, the Lord stopped him and powerfully converted him. His eyes were opened to see his sinfulness; he realised that he was fighting against God. The Lord also turned him to the marvellous light of Jesus Christ. By grace, Paul was turned from the power of Satan unto God. So Paul's life was changed and given a new direction. Paul repeats his commission from Christ in Acts 26:18. This became Paul's mission statement for the rest of his life.

1. What was Paul commissioned to do? After his own conversion, Paul laboured tirelessly to be used by God to convert other sinners. We see a clear contrast in his mission statement: "from darkness" and "to light." Some ministries work for moral reform or improved social conditions. They work to reduce suffering, or for better living conditions, or for more peace in the world. These all are commendable motives. But these were not the primary motive in Paul's ministry. Paul worked to bring about radical repentance. He was used by God to work a total change in the state and condition of sinners. Paul was taught that the cause of sin and darkness was much deeper than the social level. Only a total change from spiritual darkness to spiritual light by the Holy Spirit's power would work lasting results. Paul was commissioned to labour for lasting conversion.

2. Why was Paul commissioned to do this? What was his central purpose in life? Paul desired that sinners would receive forgiveness and an inheritance. Paul was used by the Holy Spirit to work spiritual blessings in the lives of God's chosen people. He was not seeking an earthly kingdom. He was not even looking for earthly results. His purpose was the increase of Christ's spiritual kingdom. He knew that victories in the spiritual conflict would result in spiritual blessings. Paul was commissioned to work for an eternal goal with spiritual rewards.

3. How would Paul's commission be accomplished? What is the means for the conversion of sinners? Paul was commissioned to work for the increase of Christ's kingdom through the power of God and the preaching of the cross--the gospel of which he was not ashamed. Faith in Jesus Christ was the means for Paul's ministry. "Christ crucified" was Paul's message, motive, method, means and entire mission. What an excellent mission statement; what a glorious ministry! This is the heartbeat of Paul's mission and life, and this should be the heartbeat of each of our missional ministries today.

It is good and necessary to frequently remind ourselves of the ultimate purpose of Christian ministry, including the vital role of Christian education. Our goal should always be missional--to faithfully witness Christ and to be used by Him for the gathering and edification of His church. This should be the heartbeat of our training institutions, and the heartbeat of the men and women we train. They should be stamped with the same mould. Whether they are preparing for gospel ministry or for effective Christian service, their contribution to church and society should be to work for spiritual transformation. The focus in every area of their lives ought to be the building up of Christ's spiritual church for His eternal glory.  


The Christian Educator as Preacher (Part 1 of 2)
By Rev. Chris Hays, Acting ACU Registrar
"May it please your majesty, if I could possess the tinker's ability to grip men's hearts, I would gladly give in exchange all my learning." 

John Owen, when asked by Charles II why someone as thoroughly educated as he would want to hear John Bunyan, a mere tinker, preach.

Preaching is a slippery term. Everyone knows what it is, but it is notoriously difficult to define, especially when attempting to contrast it with the closely related concept of teaching. But despite how problematic it is to nail down, almost all agree that there is a connotative difference between preaching and teaching. For instance, what a pastor does from the pulpit is preaching, but what an educator does in the classroom is teaching. While there is a great of deal of truth to this, I would like to challenge you in this article to consider some of the ways in which the Christian educator is very much engaged in the act and art of preaching.

It would first be appropriate to make two comments. One, by Christian educator I do not mean an educator who also happens to be a Christian. I mean a Christian who endeavours to educate within his discipline from a thoroughly biblical (Christian) worldview. Two, I do not mean to compare the profession of educator with the ecclesial office of pastor or elder. What I mean to do is to compare the activity of educating from a Christian perspective with the activity of preaching. And though they are certainly not the same, I'd like to offer five ways in which they are similar, and by which it can readily be seen that Christian education is radically different from the education offered by worldlings.

1. The Christian educator, like a preacher, seeks to elicit worship. One of my favourite definitions of preaching is offered by Dr. John Piper.1 He calls preaching expository exultation, and explains that it is the responsibility of the preacher not only to explain the truth but also to savour and exult over the truth as it is explained. In other words, preaching involves worship. The preacher seeks not only to worship as he explains Biblical truth, but to elicit in his listeners a worshipful response. This is, I submit, very much like what the Christian educator is striving to do. He is, of course, explaining the truth in whatever discipline he is teaching. But if he is truly a Christian educator, it is vital that he savour and exult over the truth as it is explained. The grand purpose of all knowledge, all learning, in every academic discipline, is that God might be known, loved, and served in and through that body of knowledge.

2. The Christian educator, like a preacher, appeals to the heart and soul. Jonathan Edwards said that preaching "stirs up the pure minds of the saints, and quickens their affections".2 Like all good preachers, Edwards recognised that he was not seeking simply to fill the mind with knowledge, but to stir it up and reach the affections. In the same way, the Christian educator knows that all truth, not just truth derived directly from the pages of Scripture, must be affective for it to have the impact that God has designed all knowing to have. Therefore, the heart must be appealed to. The mind must not be simply filled with knowledge, but "stirred up" with the meaning and beauty and significance of this knowledge. God expects for us to embrace and admire and be captured by His truth, and all truth is His.

1. Piper, John. "http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-i-mean-by-preaching." Desiring God. 12 May 2009. Web. 5 Aug. 2015.

2. Edwards, Jonathan. A Treatise concerning Religious Affections in Three Parts. "https://books.google.co.zm/books?id=71xHAQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA28&pg=PA28#v=onepage&q&f=false" Web. 14 Aug. 2015.


Great Things He Has Done
By Kendra Hawley, ACU Librarian

ACU...ACU...We keep hearing about African Christian UNIVERSITY, but when is it going to begin? When are classes going to start? Why is it taking so long to go from being a dream to becoming reality?

The answer is we are waiting on the Lord's timing. ACU is facing opposition every step of the way, but the Lord is showing Himself faithful. In years to come, we will not say, "Look at what we accomplished". Instead we will say, like the nation of Israel as they looked back on their deliverance from Egypt, "[God] has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen" (Deuteronomy 10:21b, NKJV).

The main thing keeping ACU from beginning classes is that the Ministry of Education must complete the registration process to recognise ACU as a University in Zambia. We have done everything required of us to apply for registration and now we actively wait to receive that recognition. Actively, because members of staff and the Zambia board are interacting with people at the Ministry of Education and continuing in other efforts to prepare for classes to begin. Waiting, because we know that it is only in the Lord's timing that this registration will be approved.

So, what is happening at ACU right now? Let me tell you...

Much progress is being made in the construction projects.

Successful Borehole Drilling
We praise the Lord that on August 4, water was found at the Chisamba campus.  The company that drilled the bore hole planned to only go down 65 metres, but did not find water at that depth.  The decision was made to keep drilling and  water was found at about 90 metres.  










The Crew Laying Pavers
At the Ibex Hill campus, we have been treated to the sound  of clinking blocks and rubber mallets as a work crew is laying the paving stones under the Olive Doke Pavilion. Once this is laid, the library books can be  moved into their home in the Jonathan Edwards 
Library container. 
 



The Lord is bringing more staff and faculty to serve with ACU.

Dr. 
Dr. Voddie Baucham Family
Voddie & Bridget Baucham and their family are scheduled to arrive in Zambia on August 24. Please pray for them as they arrive, settle at ACU and in Zambia, and as they look for housing  for their family.




Carlos Paul Family
Exciting news has reached us from Carlos & Diana Paul in Ontario,  Canada. Their support levels are coming along and they hope to move to Zambia in November this year. 






There are several other families considering serving with ACU and some of them, the Michael Janse van Rensburg family and the Dr. Ben Killian family, are raising support to serve in Zambia. 

Michael Janse van Rensburg Family
Dr. Ben Killian Family













Thank you for your continued prayers and interest in what the Lord is doing and, we pray, will continue to do in Zambia through ACU.  

* Please continue to pray for registration with the Ministry of Education.

* Pray for the ACU-Zambia Board as they prepare the ACU constitution.

* Pray that God, through His people, would provide support for several families who are desiring to serve in Zambia with ACU, particularly the Pauls, Janse van Rensburgs, and Killians. 

* Please pray for expatriate staff as they request work permits or renewals in Zambia. That God would grant the needed paperwork so they can serve with ACU.

* Pray for the Baucham family as they arrive in Zambia and adjust to living in this country.

* Ken & Lisa Turnbull are currently travelling in the US. Please pray for rest, safety and sharing opportunities while they are there.
*   That the Paul family will soon be joining the team in Zambia.

*  We thank the Lord that water was found at the Chisamba land.

*  Several potential students have expressed an interest in the Scholars Programme scheduled to begin January 2016. Applications are being accepted and processed. 

*  We are grateful for some new Zambian volunteers helping in the library and with Human Resources.
Print this Update
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Seeking Help

 
 
If God has gifted you as an artisan of excellence in any aspect of the construction trade, consider  discipling colleagues and students with ACU.  Please contact us if you believe God is calling you to serve His kingdom wor k in this way. 


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Conrad Mbewe5   
A Letter From Kabwata