Page 1: The Beginning of a mission
Page 2: When God says YES, who then can say NO?
Page 3: The Future of BIMT
We talked with that man, Zablon, and his family for several minutes and decided to conduct the first service of THE INDEPENDENT BAPTIST CHURCH of IBUNGILO in Zablon’s living room. Over the next few hours we trekked along the rocky, dusty roads of Ibungilo Hill inviting people to that first Sunday on November 15, 1998.
If we were going to have a church service, I needed to preach a message to those who would come. I prayerfully constructed a manuscript (word for word), simple salvation message titled “How to know for sure you are going to Heaven” in English. Then, together with an African man proficient in both English and Swahili, translated that message into Swahili, again, writing it word for word.
Sunday came and 54 individuals packed themselves into Zablon’s house for that inaugural service. I thank the LORD for the ability to deliver the message which completely dealt with sin and salvation. Though I was able to preach a manuscript message in Swahili, I was still not very proficient in the kind of conversational Swahili that would be necessary in dealing with someone one-on-one for a personal reception of Jesus Christ as Savior. Therefore, at the conclusion of the message, I lead the group through a precise salvation appeal and asked anyone who had trusted in the LORD at that time to shake my hand and tell me of their decision. I shall never forget standing at the threshold of Zablon’s front door while folks filed out of the meeting as three individuals told me –
“Mchungaji, nimempokea Yesu awe Mwokozi wangu leo.” (‘Pastor, I received Jesus as my Savior today.’)
Praise be to God!
Now a team spirit was developing, a team spirit not just among American missionaries, but also among new African believers. Soon the church was so cramped in Zablon’s small living room that we built a small tabernacle together. Brother Lindquist and I purchased the materials, and the church offered volunteer labor. In December we began conducting services in the tabernacle.
Discipleship of the new Christians was a necessity. Therefore, we started a systematic survey of the Word of God from Genesis through the Gospels. The journey through the Scriptures, which we took, together with Tanzanians, was both informative and trying. It was informative since many of them had never heard the Bible truths and stories that you and I hold so dear. I will never forget the look on the face of Esta (a young lady attending our church) as I discussed Abraham’s offering of Isaac. She really thought that Abraham was going to slay Isaac with that knife. What a privilege to be able to inform her that we serve JEHOVAH-JIREH. He provided another in the stead of Isaac and in the same manner provided another in our stead – Jesus Christ the LORD who died and shed His blood for our sins! It was also trying. It was a trying time for me to prepare the lessons and handouts for each participant. It was also a trying time for our new believers as they were challenged to attend these sessions three times a week and to actively participate in the studies.
Together, my family and I finished our first term of service and were ready to return to the U.S.A. to see our families and report of what was happening in Tanzania.
To be honest, I had heard about team ministries but was not very interested in working within one. Brother Lindquist and I had enjoyed some good times together; but, I was not too keen on a close working relationship with another missionary. However, the LORD had different plans for me.
During a mission conference in January 2001 at Chilhowie Baptist Church, I was reunited with one of my dearest friends in the ministry, Fred Conley. Brother Conley and I spent much time together during the conference. Just after that conference, Brother Conley surrendered to come to Tanzania with his family.
At that point I realized a team spirit was being orchestrated by God’s Spirit and to use an African colloquialism -
“When God says YES, who then can say NO?” My preference of not working within the framework of a team quickly changed as I was completely in awe that Fred, Sharon, Rachel, and Aaron Conley were coming to Tanzania where we would minister… together.
Brother Conley arrived in Tanzania in January of 2003 and is doing a phenomenal job. He is currently overseeing two churches, in Igoma and Fumagira, and is ministering to over 300 people every Sunday.
BIMT was greatly blessed in June of 2005 as veteran missionary Bill Brouwer moved to Mwanza from Nakuru, Kenya where he had been a missionary for five years. Bro. Brouwer is an experienced church planter and is looking forward to starting a work in TZ.
Page 1: The Beginning of a mission
Page 2: When God says YES, who then can say NO?
Page 3: The Future of BIMT