Author: Paul Okach

Region: Southern Africa

No Retreat, No Reserve, No Regrets-

These phrases echo the memoirs of one of the stalwarts in Christian Church movement, John G Lake. Although

many years have gone by since his demise, the phrases still stand true of many a willing servant that would follow

the bidding of the Lord to go and make disciples of all nations.

We recently took a trip into Mozambique and it was on this trip that one of my colleagues in sharing their

testimony quoted the words of John G. Lake and their impact in his life in a time of critical decision making.

We travelled to Angoche in Nampula province where two young ministers of the Gospel were living their lives with the same conviction

that the three phrase bare. Pastors Felix and Marios had left their homes in Mozambiques' Manica and Gaza provinces for Nampula

to pioneer Church planting movements among the Sangache and Nantempo people groups who had not been previously exposed to the Gospel.

With a love for the people and a passion for the Lord, the two have braved cyclones and personal attacks in their

lives for the sake of the Gospel. Their sacrificial commitment has borne fruit, with 35 new Church plants in 35

villages spread across a 300 kilometre radius.

The work in this area traces its roots to a group of Mission School students trained in Swaziland that went to the area

for their Missions Outreach programme. It was not easy at the time but the Lord has since opened the doors in this

region. The Church is fast expanding that there is a serious need to equip and consolidate leadership among these

new Church plants.

While in Mozambique with Felix and Marios, we spent time in a workshop with 29 of the leaders from the 35

Churches; some of whom had walked for 40 kilometres to get to the two day meetings. During our time together,

we were quite surprised to find out that 11 of the leaders present did not have a Bible. The discovery made us

realize how needy the Church plants were considering that a Bible is the basic resource for any Christian leader as

well as the Church. Christian literature and discipleship materials are much needed in the area. The languages

spoken in the region are Portuguese and Macua.

We had gone to minister and encourage these leaders, but we left both humbled and challenged to the core of our

being by their commitment, zeal and love. Daily they woke up to pray at 04h00; their cry -"God to blanket the area

with the Gospel. Like John G. Lake the life and ministry of Felix and Marios is a true testimony of No Retreat, No

Reserve, and No Regrets. They have nothing, but have given all they have for the people they were sent to serve.

Felix and Marios recently received a motor bike that they share between each other to facilitate their oversight

visits to the new Church plants. The bike was donated by willing brethren in response to an earlier appeal.

At the World Mission Centre, we are very grateful to the Swazi men and women together with all others who have

and are financially supporting the work taking place among the Sangache and Nantempo people groups. The fast

increasing work call for more financial and prayer partners for the two Pastors to meet their monthly budget. It is

our prayer that the Lord raises more people to stand support these Pastors and the Church plants.