Northern Conference 2006

Everyone sang loudly as the bus approached Resthaven. Bro Steve Moore waited near the main hall to welcome brethren and sisters as the bus came to a halt. A queue of brethren in Christ gave a greeting by hand to the UK Brethren: Alan Tanner, Steve Moore, and Sisters Ruth Moore and Sonia Tanner. Soon everyone shambled into the main hall and Bro Steve gave a special welcome to the Resthaven CBM Northern Conference.

The President opened the session with prayer which was followed by readings: Leviticus 11 and 1 John 1:5-7. Bro Steve talked on the subject, “Israel: Separate From Other People”. There was an eerie silence in the hall as Bro Steve explained how and why God chose the people of Israel.

God chose Israel because of the promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, because they were men of faith. Bro Steve talked of Israel as God’s witnesses. Isaiah 48 was read and he continued with the reasons why God chose a special people. The session was good inasmuch as brothers kept to time, time being crucial for every event during the conference. The first day was closed by musical items where each and every ecclesia sang at least one or two songs. It was fascinating as brethren and sisters praised the Lord through hymns of praise.

The following day Bro Tanner gave a lucid description of the geography of the Bible and Israel from the time of Jesus until today. In the time of Jesus, Israel was ruled by Herod the Great, controlled by the Emperor (Caesar) in Rome. Bro Tanner explained the importance of knowing the geography of the Bible as it can help us in understanding the lessons. It was marvellous indeed.

The last day (Sunday), we had the Breaking of Bread service as Jesus said : “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22). It was Jesus’ wish that his followers should regularly do this until his second coming.

Photo: Bro Emmanuel Kondowe

Bro Emmanuel Akwaa Kondowe (Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe)