Visioning Trip

The first step in working with a partnering church from the U.S., or group of churches, is often a visioning trip with representatives who come to see what kind of work they might be able to do. Recently a visioning team came from Trinity Baptist Church in LA made up of Pastor Steve James, missions pastor Greg Bath, Dr. Dick Landry, and Mike Reed, a nurse. They spent the first 2 nights of their visioning trip in a tent on the grounds of a primary school.

This classroom was used during the day for discussions about the potential partnership and meals were cooked and eaten here.



They began their tour in South Central Zimbabwe in the Mberengwa resettlement area which has been very responsive and is made up of a mix of Shona and Ndebele people. Missionary Gregg Fort put them to work showing the Jesus Film, preaching, playing with the school kids, and participating in a Sunday morning worship in which more than 40 people were baptized and participated in the Lord’s Supper together for the first time. Pastor Steve James stood in the baptismal waters beside Pastor I. as this special event was celebrated.



Greg Bath had an opportunity to address the school children and gave them a short lesson on trusting God in the storms of life.



Then missionary Gregg Fort took them on a tour of Tongaland where they were able to visit with Pastor S. and discuss the spiritual and physical needs in Tongaland which their church could address.



The tour concluded with a trip to Victoria Falls and a meal at the Boma where they were able to experience African food as well as a variety of game meat. They were all game to eat their mopane worm!



“Jesus (and his disciples) went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds He had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36 NIV)

Pray for this Visioning Team which desires to help their church members know how they can personally meet the spiritual and physical needs of some of the people in Zimbabwe. Pray that God will show them where and how He is calling them to join Him in the work of His kingdom.