DIVINE APPOINTMENTS: ‘He who wins souls is wise’

TODAY marks the last Sunday of the first half of 2015. It’s time for introspection.

How connected are you to the vision or prophetic message that God gave at the beginning of the year?

We had time to ask Jesus for Africa Evangelistic Ministries (JFAEM), which is led by Evangelist Paul Saungweme, about the miracle crusades they have held since January. Like all soul winners, Evangelist Saungweme and team have traversed the length and breadth of Zimbabwe, taking the gospel to the nations, and reaching out to places that most ministries would not think of.

Since March, they have held four miracle crusades in Mutoko, Mukumbura, Magunje and Jerera where a total 6 851 people gave their lives to Christ. This was achieved through synergies that JFAEM established with churches and pastors in the respective areas. They worked with 34 churches and 41 pastors during the crusades.

JFAEM said Evangelist Saungweme’s message to the people is that of “hope in Christ Jesus”.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate solution to every man’s problem, sickness, business, challenges, marriages, family and relationships. To the lost souls, the key highlight has been a call to salvation. God created man for a purpose and that is only found in Jesus Christ. Below are briefs from some of the crusades.

Jerera Miracle Crusade

It’s with great joy that we announce to you what the Almighty God did through JFAEM in Jerera, Zaka District in Masvingo province. Many wonderful miracles took place, the sick were healed after hearing the gospel. They were set free by our God. The five-day Miracle Crusade ended on Saturday June 20.

Magunje Miracle Crusade

JFAEM said one can call it the miracle of Magunje because it was beyond description. Even after facing difficulties in crusade planning, it was evident that there was something special in the air in Magunje.

Hundreds of excited and cheering people signalled the start of what became an amazing week (May 19-23), despite the cold weather.

“The Holy Spirit brought us to the place and made us seek the lost, look for the overlooked and as we found them, they in turn were found by Jesus. The largest single meeting had an attendance of more than 7 000 people, and that at a growth point like Magunje is amazing.

“Steeped in the occult and bound by witchcraft and prostitution, Magunje was a great harvest. Souls were harvested and people were saved,” said JFAEM.

Some of the scriptures that Evangelist Saungweme cited were John 11: 20-22, Luke 13:10-13, Acts 4:21a and Mark 10:46 on the healing of the blind man, Bartimaeus.

He told the residents of Magunje: “The picture of Africa today is either you are sick or poor. Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside. Roads are meant for mobile activities not immobility.

“This means that his life was stagnant. There might be stagnancy in your life but you need to believe and follow Jesus, for when Bartimaeus believed, Jesus made him walk. Believe and follow Jesus, he will make your stagnant life move.”

The evangelist encouraged them to, “get out of that problem mindset and go to Jesus. Do something about your problems instead of wallowing in your sorrows.

“It matters who sees you in life especially when your life situations are bent over. In fact it matters when Jesus looks at you. After he sees you, your life will never remain the same.”

Mukumbura Miracle

Crusade

Mukumbura will never be the same after the gospel campaign conducted by JFAEM. It was full of impact through the Holy Spirit. Evangelist Saungweme had an opportunity of speaking to some men who had walked for five hours all the way from Kaitano to the crusade. One would think they were tired but it was the opposite. They were so jubilant and expectant.

He also ministered to a couple that had come 50km deep from Mozambique for deliverance and true gospel. Many people would sleep at the grounds awaiting the next service during the evening.

Evangelist Saungweme confessed that for the past 38 years he has been minister of the gospel mainly engaged in mass evangelism campaigns, he had never seen such great faith as that exhibited by the people of Mukumbura.

Partnering to advance

the gospel

As an inter-denominational ministry, the success of holding the miracle crusades depend on the support from the ministry’s partners: individuals, corporates and/or churches to ensure the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached across the whole of Africa and beyond.

JFAEM said under the prevailing conditions, life has not been that rosy even for its partners; hence crusades have not been easy to finance. But they still get support in many forms: intercessory prayers, financial and material support from partners. Some have supported the vision since it was birthed. They also do their own fund-raising.

Before the Jerera crusade, Evangelist Saungweme appealed to partners, “In Philippians 1, Apostle Paul explained to his partners how they literally shared in the anointing, power and grace that rested upon his ministry. In fact, in the 4th chapter (verse 17) Paul writes these amazing words, ‘But though I appreciate your gifts, what makes me the happiest is the well-earned reward you will have…’

“Apostle Paul was happy for his partners because he knew how God would bless them with the very same blessings that were taking place in his ministry.

“And, what is Jesus Christ doing through Evangelist Paul Saungweme’s ministry? What is the fruit?

“Souls are being saved. People are being delivered from bondage. Health and healing is replacing sickness and disease. Triumph is overcoming personal tragedy. Needs are being met by the power of God and Evangelist Paul knows this same miracle fruit and well-earned reward of ministry is going to be passed on to his partners, applied to their account, available for their own need by Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:15-19). This shows you our heart and explains the spiritual reason why we want you to consider partnering with us towards the Jerera Crusade,” he said.

Challenges

JFAEM said holding the crusades come with many challenges, including logistical challenges – vehicle and equipment breakdowns and their stage currently needs refurbishment.

Uniting various churches for the cause of the kingdom of God’s business is also a major challenge. They face resistance from some pastors who are yet to grasp the concept of uniting for the cause of lost souls.

And most of the time, their budgets are underfunded but God always come through to ensure His work is carried out as planned.

They also face physical challenges – the crusade team and the equipment are victims of prevailing weather conditions.

Evangelist Saungweme, however, remains determined: “I want to live for neither significance nor success. I am praying that after all has been said and done when I pass on to glory that some will say this man has helped transform my life spiritually so to speak. I want to be spent on God’s kingdom and his work. That’s all.

“There was a time when I also wanted to be a big Bishop, Overseer, District Pastor, etc, but now no more. I am satisfied to go out there to pluck the souls of many if He allows me to, so that I see them in Heaven one day.

Apostle Paul says, “I am a debtor and miserable if I do not preach the gospel, especially where no one has reached. May the Lord remember and hear my prayer before it’s too late for me. Why should I turn my back when Isaiah 5:14 says, ‘Hell has enlarged its mouth beyond measure, their great ones and happy ones are descending into it daily?’ I can’t stop.

“I have told my team that if we don’t have vehicles, we must use public transport in order to get to our destination. If we happen not to have shoes, we must go bare-footed to where they are. Just that . . . And yes, we must go. My time is running out. Other world religions are advancing in a ferocious way and I can’t sit any longer.”

Four crusades are lined up in the second half. From July to October, JFAEM will hold crusades in Birchenough Bridge, Ngezi, Cowdray Park in Bulawayo and Tongogara in Shurugwi.

Feedback: [email protected]