This year, SCPC will do a one-off Christmas appeal for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP). Luke Tattersall (retired Presbyterian minister and the team leader of the CCAP training in Zimbabwe that I attended recently) invited SCPC to support CCAP through its school, elders training or Theological College.
The Presbyterian denomination in Zimbabwe was founded in 1924, thus celebrating its centenary this year. But, not dissimilar to other African contexts, it has struggled to resist the prosperity gospel with
thousands of Zimbabweans flocking to the rallies of so-called ‘prophets’. Not only has that internal threat been prevalent, there have also been external threats from western arms of the denomination urging the leaders of CCAP to adapt to liberal positions in theology and practice.
It was into this contortion and confusion that Presbyterians from NSW began a partnership with CCAP over a decade ago. The main focus since 2011 has been threefold: the establishment of preaching training for elders across the nation, supporting the CCAP school outside Harare by purchasing teaching resources and the construction of additional teaching blocks, and the establishment of a theological college on the edge of Harare.
In spring this year, I had the privilege to visit the school and participate in a week-long intensive at the Theological college (a unit on Revelation, delivered by Peter Ryan the director of Cornhill Ministries based at Moore College in Sydney), and it was a fascinating and fruitful experience. You can read more about my experience in this edition of the Pastors’ Pen.
Your donation can go towards one of the three initiatives above. Or, if you prefer, you could also select ‘CCAP general’ and the Australian board of the CCAP Zimbabwe Supporters will distribute the funds to one of these three areas of need.
Click here to donate. The funds directed electronically to our account will be collected and distributed to the Australian board of CCAP.
If you have more specific questions regarding the Australian board you can email the office for contact
details for the chairperson.
I am excited about this Christmas appeal, for what greater message can we support than seeing the clear truth of Christmas made known simply in a nation that desperately needs it. Even Luther famously said in his preaching that he was desperate to be clear, Christ-honouring and accessible to all. So much so, that when he was preaching he had in mind the servant maid and the children. [1] These are the same goals of the Aussie team supporting CCAP to see the power of God’s word, accessible and present in the life of everyday Zimbabweans.
Can I leave you with this stunning image from the book of Revelation of Christ born at Christmas, who, though unassuming in a cattle trough at his birth, commands great power, authority and is simply supreme.
SP
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man,[d] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! Revelation 1:12-18
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[1] M. Lloyd-Jones Preaching and Preachers, (London: Stodder, 1971), 127.
