January 27, 2014
Maranatha Church
Ngwenani, Venda, South Africa
ccm Cross #0058
GPS/DMS 22°56’44.30″ S 30°29’5.89″ E
Additional pictures after testimony:
3458 cdd A Church of Prayer
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 15 Number 022
Today’s Author: Pastor Bill
Scripture: Acts 14:23
“With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust” NLT
My name is Pastor Joel Nemutudi from the Venda area in Northern South Africa. This is my ccm cross Testimony.
When growing up I was the second born of four children. Two boys and two girls. Venda has always been my home. I grew up here, was schooled here and met the Lord here. And here I’ll stay offering salvation in Jesus Christ to anyone who will inquire.
I grew up in a church family but nothing about church was real. I went because my family went and it was an obligation for me to be there. Consequently I was drawn to the less desirable types of people. I was always getting into trouble. That is until I met Pastor Baaa Baaa Ntombela. (Baaa Baaa Ntombela testimony Click Here)
Pastor Ntombela and his crusade team came to the local school holding a revival. I went reluctantly. What I heard preached from the Bible I had never heard before. Baaa Baaa Ntombela spoke of Samson in the Old Testament. He told how through his encounter with Delilah he lost his strength and eye sight. While a captive of his enemies Samson prayed:
Judges 16:28a “Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God” NKJV
The Holy Spirit spoke to me through this message. I never heard this before. Asking God for the strength to endure in trying circumstances.
Pastor Madida and Pastor Khuli were on stage with Baaa Baaa Ntombela from the Maranatha Church, as he spoke. I knew I needed to learn more. Both pastors were local and they mentored me in the word. I studied hard and met Eunice. We were married and now have 5 children ages 27, 25, 22, 17 and 14.
As I grew in the Lord my responsibilities in the church magnified until 10 years later I became the Pastor. From the beginning this has been a church of prayer. Now it was my turn to lead the flock in the way of prayer.
The Lord gave me a vision of everyone in the church praying — it took about a year and a half and it happened.
The Lord gave me another vision of the church growing. 18 months to 2 years later and it happened.
Then I received a vision of everyone who became a member of our worship team developed into a prayer warrior. In less than 2 years it too came to pass.
Then I received a vision for how we were to pray. The entire church should fast and pray one week each month. It too came to pass. We fast during daylight hours. Then we meet at church for Praise to Jesus and Worship to the Father. Followed by prayer. Dinner is after the prayer meeting.
Every day I take the bus to work. It takes about an hour one way and I preach the word of God to everyone. It turns a mundane bus ride into an exciting time of sharing the word of God.
My favorite Bile verse is Exodus 14:29: “But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left” NKJV
The Cross to me means the Power of God and this Cross planted in our community is the very first one. There are 14 churches and we are the only one with a Cross. Thank you Pastors Bill and Carol for bringing the Cross to us. It so encourages us to hold on to Christ and gives all who see it an opportunity to come to Christ.
Prayer: Father thank you for completed visions in Pastor Joel’s life that transform Your church. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Raising the Cross
“Fire in the hole”
Pastor Khuli the original Pastor of the Church
and Pastor Joel Nemutudi stand in front of
rain soaked church
Just before three days of rain began we were able to secure
all we needed for both Cross to be planted in Venda.
This is a look at the lumber yard.
Just before the rains the hole for the Cross was completed
Then the rains came. For three days!
Boots serve the mud well and the people
carry their shoes along much as we do
in Minnesota for ice and snow!
This young man is washing my boots allowing
me to walk on the floor of the church.
I should have brought my shoes along too!
The worship team all brought their shoes!
These young men brought a Shofar for
praise and worship
Muddy boots outside the church door
Inside Pastor Bill shares his testimony of healing
and how Cross planting began
Carol ministers to the women
Pastor Joel Nemutudi shares a word
We hired a four wheel truck to slip and slide
up the hills to the church and the driver
returned to pick us up — PTL!
Here Pastor Carol is thanking the driver of the four
wheel drive truck for coming to get us as we are
transferring to our car at the main road.
To God be all the Glory!