African encounters of the best kind
It was my son David who first told me the similarity between chocolate and love. He said love like chocolate is not something you can just teach people. You can talk, teach and even badger people about love but they may not understand what you're saying. Much like you can't teach people about chocolate.
The best way to teach people about chocolate is to let them sample some. The moment they taste chocolate, they'll say, "ahhh, CHOCOLATE, I get it!" Likewise when people experience love they will understand it faster and appreciate it more than any teaching we do.
The chocolate illustration connected well with my Every Nation friends in South Africa. Below top is the picture of Roger Pearce, Senior Apostolic leader of EN Africa at breakfast upon my arrival. Other pictures are with key staff and pastors plus daughter of our Kid's pastor, Jonathan Pardey, bottom left.
Like chocolate love has many colorful expressions in brown, black, white, there is sweet, not so sweet and now there's even chocolate with chili. When you start adding a variety of nuts, fruits, creams and sugars the varieties are endless. Similarly love has many flavors and expressions.
The EN Church is Joburg is an amazing mix of chocolate. By that I mean they are lovers of God and people. The church is an explosive mixed expression of God's love in every color, shape, size and age. With nine locations all over Joburg the church is truly a rainbow church for a rainbow nation. It is amazing!
It was a joy to see that the church uses some of Victory's stuff to make disciples. The slide below shows the announcement for the upcoming Victory Weekend.
Children's church was equally impressive, from staff to the playground and kids themselves. I am hoping that these guys could exchange ideas with our Kid's pastors from all over Asia.
Most impressive were the staff of Every Nation Joburg. Humble, hardworking, passionate and a joy to work with. By day three I had run out of voice owing to allergies and multiple meetings in small groups and big groups. But it was well worth all the energy.
On my last day I also visited the Sunday service that was held at the University of Witwatersrand. One of the leading universities in the nation. Our EN church there has over 600 mostly students who attend two services.
I took this video of the service, the life, passion and love for Jesus was overwhelming. A generation of Christian leaders is clearly emerging. The Gospel lives! Thank you Pastors Roger, Simon and team for having me. It was an honor, joy and privilege to serve with you guys.
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