ccm Cross 0046 – Kroonstad, South Africa | Christian Cross Ministries

ccm Cross 0046
February 25, 2013

Maranatha Church
Kroonstad, South Africa
ccm Cross #0046

GPS/DMS 27.6373° S, 27.2323° E 01 Cross 0046 Kroonstad SA WEB

Additional pictures at bottom of the testimony:

3227 cdd Sleeping Partner
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 14 Number 053

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” NKJV

“They say that money changes people. I submit that more money just makes people more of what they already were. If you were kind and giving, it will make you kinder and more generous. If you were stoical and callous, it will make you more of that.” Futhi Cabe

My name is Malefetsane Mareka Mtimkulu — everyone calls me Pastor Mareka. Together with my wife Lizzy we Pastor the Maranatha Church of Kroonstad, South Africa. I grew up the 3rd child of six and soon established my own way of doing things. My dad was a butcher and mom was a domestic worker. We were in church every Sunday and dad was the head usher.

But that church was not for me — at age seven I picked a new church that was alive and challenged me for God. To entice my best friend to go to church with me I gave him a piggy back ride to and from church each Sunday.

At age 12 the Holy Spirit became real in my life as I began speaking in tongues. I saw a white dove and a cool strong wind blew across my face. It was a spectacular event in my life.

At the age of 19 Lizzy and I were married. We had great expectations but soon we had three of our six children. We were broke, no money, food or opportunities. In desperation I hitch-hiked 20 miles to Johannesburg and spent days looking for work — all the doors were shut. Lizzy was at home praying with no food for the children.

I was dejected and returned home to a hungry family. That night I had a vision — in the vision a voice spoke to me, “Go to Reitz (South Africa) and be their Pastor and preach.” I was shocked — no education, no training — I was embarrassed! Lizzy said, “Go — Jesus will help.”

The night before leaving for Reitz the voice was back in another vision, “When you go to Reitz everything will be taken care of” — in the vision was a brand new grey car.

I went to Reitz and stayed a short while. We set up the large Maranatha crusade tent and held a revival. We were told this tent ministry and revival was the strongest ever here and changed lives like none before. When the tent was taken down and moved for another revival I returned home. At least I had a few Rand in my pocket for food.

On my way to the store for food a white man stopped me on the street. He asked me if I knew where to find a man named Mareka Mtimkulu? I was afraid to tell him it was me because so many bill collectors were after me! I asked the man, “Why do you want him?” He said, “I have been sent here by the South African Housing Corporation. We have a job for him.” I immediately identified myself and he said to report to work in the morning and gave me a business card with the address.

This job has so far lasted 9 years. Two months after beginning I was able to purchase a new car. When I went to the dealership to buy a car the salesman took me to a grey car, it was the same one that was in my vision. I paid cash for that car!

Then another vision. The voice was back and said, “Build ME a church in Kroonstad.” We started preaching and people came from all over. When I preached people got healed, sicknesses fled and marriages were restored. I didn’t even have to study the Word of God. I would stand during praise and worship and the power of the Holy Spirit would over take me and I would preach with power the words the Holy Spirit gave me.

We built the church and things were going well. The Lord was sending me to give messages at church’s all around. If a church was straying from the word of God I was sent with a message to get it straight. I was riding high in the Kingdom of God. Another vision and the voice, “I will send people like the sands of sea to receive from you.”

Then pride hit me full in the face. LOOK WHAT I’VE DONE! I had a great job, excellent income, six cars in my garage of my big new house and now I’ve built a beautiful church. I started drinking alcohol for the first time and regularly got drunk. I was a puffed up, arrogant, conceited drunk pastor — the Bible clearly defines that as a HYPOCRITE! I forbid my wife and children to go to church — I hid the car keys and locked the gates around our house. They were determined to be in church and hopped over the fence to get away from me.

Then another vision and the voice was back, “I’m sending you to the wilderness because you have been an unfaithful servant. I will take it all away.” I screamed back, no way, you can’t do this — I did all this myself!” Then it all started to come undone.

One car after another of my six had severe difficulties, I began receiving law suits for things I was never involved in, my friends turned their backs on me, I was having trouble at work and the church people were suspicious of me. Then it dawned on me that all this was happening because the Lord said He would take it all away!

It was true — I immediately repented and fasted and prayed for six days and nights. That night the vision and voice was back but this time the voice shook the whole bedroom. I heard, “All that is gone you will not get back but if you remain humble and faithful we will start over and begin again.”

We did just that — what was gone was gone — but new blessings and miracles have taken the place of the old — liquor and pride are behind me and I learned a very good lesson — all that I have belongs to the Lord and he has graciously asked me to be a steward over all these things for HIS glory — not mine.

Now I realize I have a sleeping partner in all I do — HE is Jesus.

My favorite Bible verse is Exodus 14:13
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.” NKJV

This cross means to me that Jesus shed His blood for my salvation. And as it stands it will light the way for all to see there is an open invitation to come and meet Jesus.

Prayer: Father I thank you for allowing Jesus to be my sleeping partner in all I say and do for your glory and honor. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

02 Cross 0046 Kroonstad SA WEB