KENYA HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT

The following is a report from Pastor Charles Otieno Owino founder and a leader of the Kenya House Church (KHC) Movement. This is their second visit to this village in Tanzania. They went in at the request of Christians there who were aware of what KHC is achieving in Kenya. There is a request for funds at the end of the report for FOOD and BIBLES. If you are able to help please make a donation via the icon on the Home Page Donations. It will be much appreciated even small amounts go a long way in both Kenya and Tanzania.

REPORT

Our meeting here in this small village of Nyamuzi in Tanzania, is progressing well.

Yesterday we had multiple out reach, moving from house to house, teaching and praying for those unable to come to our meetings for various reasons. We were able to share the word with the sick, lame, even blind and met various people who were held in the  bondage of sin, and in the spirit of  religion for a long time. We were able to share with them the word of God and through the power of the Holy spirit many were set free.

We have been witnessing a powerful move of God, and the Holy spirit has been at work, touching  and convicting many souls of their sins bringing them to repentance and salvation.

We are able to meet and minister to a large  number of people, and the daily attendance at the meetings is good.

 CHALLENGES:

1) Famine out break. There is a great food scarcity in this area, and people are seriously suffering, in nearly every home we visited, we found a family who had been two days without food to put on the table.

2) Lack of Bibles- The members don’t have Bibles, we happened to have only one person with a copy, but with several missing pages.

 REQUEST:

1)  FOOD:  We  kindly request your prayers and support for these people here, so that we may buy food for them ie maize flour, beans and rice.

 2)  BIBLES:  We  request you to help us buy for them even 10 copies of Bibles.

We have done the little we were able to afford, but it is not enough and many people were left out.

If you may feel led to help, kindly let me know so that I may direct you on how the money can reach us here.

 Shalom, Shalom.

Charles

BIBLICAL CHURCH DISCIPLINE

The Pattern and Basis for Discipline

(1) The discipline of the church is first patterned after the fact that the Lord Himself disciplines His children (Heb. 12:6) and, as a father delegates part of the discipline of the children to the mother, so the Lord has delegated the discipline of the church family to the church itself (1 Cor. 5:12-13; 2 Cor. 2:6).

(2) Discipline is further based on the holy character of God (1 Pet. 1:16; Heb. 12:11). The pattern of God’s holiness—His desire for the church to be holy, set apart unto Him—is an important reason for the necessity of church discipline. The church is therefore to clean out the leaven of malice and wickedness from its ranks (1 Cor. 5:6-8). A failure to exercise discipline in the church evidences a lack of awareness of and concern for the holiness of God.

(3) Church discipline is to be patterned after and based on the divine commands of Scripture (1 Cor. 4:6). We have numerous passages of Scripture which both command and give us God’s directives on the how, why, when, and where of church discipline. Again, a failure to exercise this responsibility demonstrates a lack of obedience and belief in the authority of the Bible (1 Cor. 5:1-13; Matt. 18:17-18; Titus 3:10; 2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 5:20; Gal. 6:1).

(4) Another basis for the necessity of church discipline is the testimony of the church in the world (1 Pet. 4:13-19). The world observes the behavior and life of the church. When the church acts no differently than the world, it loses its credibility and authenticity (1 Pet. 2:11-18; 3:8-16; 4:1-4).

(1) Discipline must be done by those who are spiritual, truly walking by the Holy Spirit and growing in the Lord. “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.“ Galatians 6:1

(2) Discipline must be done in a spirit of humility, gentleness and patience, looking to ourselves lest we too be tempted (Gal. 6:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:24-25).

(3) Discipline must be done without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality (1 Tim. 5:21).

(4) Those who walk disorderly are to be admonished, warned, and appealed to in love (1 Thess. 5:14-15; 1 Tim. 5:1-2; Eph. 4:15; 2 Tim. 4:2). This admonishing, is not restricted to church leaders, but may be done by any person in the body with another if that person is Spirit controlled and spiritually minded (cf. 1 Thess. 5:14 with Gal. 6:1).

(5) If there is no response in repentance and obedience, then the sinning believer is to be rebuked publicly and members of the body are to withhold intimate fellowship through the process and procedure of group disapproval and social ostracism as prescribed in procedures for Church Discipline outlined in step 3, (2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; Tit. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:20). This action has a two-fold objective:

  • It is to indicate to the offender that his/her action has dishonored the Lord and has caused a rupture in the harmony of the body. The goal is always restoration and the person is still to be counted as a brother (2 Thess. 3:14-15).
  • It is to create fear in the rest of the flock as a warning against sin (1 Tim. 5:20).

FIRST STEP

First, seek private correction and/or reconciliation with the offender (Matt. 18:15). In Matthew 18:15 many manuscripts have “and if your brother sins against you, go and reprove him in private.”

(1) When the problem involves one believer sinning against another, there are two problems that need to be taken care of: reconciliation and restoration (Matt. 5:23-24).

(2) When the problem involves a believer overcome in or by some sin, as was the case in Galatians 6:1, the need is restoration.

Matthew 18:16-17 should not be limited to the problem of one believer sinning against another in view of Galatians 6:1. So, the one offended or who recognizes the offense or sin is to go privately and try to rectify the problem.

Please note these guidelines:

(1) Begin by expressing your genuine appreciation for the person and their good qualities to show you are genuinely concerned about their welfare. Then and only then bring up the matter which is of concern.

(2) In some situations the sin is apparent and there is no question, but we must allow for the possibility that we have misjudged or have wrong information. We must listen to the other person’s side of the story and seek the facts in the interest of truth and fairness.

(3) If the person fails to respond, warn them that, according to the instructions of Scripture (Matt. 18:16), you will have to get others as witnesses and return with them to deal with the problem.

SECOND STEP

If the first step fails, take witnesses to strengthen the effect of the discipline, preferably spiritual leaders, so that if it has to be brought before the whole church it can be firmly proven and established (Matt. 18:16-17; 1 Tim. 5:19). The aid of church leadership should be sought if the problem involves an offense that is against the whole body or if it is a threat to the unity of the body.

These initial contacts, private and with witnesses, provide opportunity for loving admonition, correction, and forgiveness. On the other hand, if these first steps do not produce results, it constitutes a warning that further action will be taken and provides occasion for serious rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Titus 2:15; 3:10).

THIRD STEP

If the second step fails, seek reconciliation and restoration through the whole body. If further action is necessary, it is to be taken before the whole church (2 Thess. 3:14-15; Matt. 18:17; 1 Tim. 5:20).

This action appears to fall into two stages when we combine 2 Thessalonians 3:14 and 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 with Matthew 18:17.

(1) The body is to exercise group disapproval by way of social ostracism (refusal to have intimate fellowship).

(2) If this doesn’t work, the local body of believers is to exercise excommunication: removal from church membership, loss of voting privileges, and continuation of the loss of intimate fellowship. This must be approved of and done by the entire congregation (2 Cor. 2:6).

This is, in essence, the Lord carrying out discipline through the action of the entire body under the leadership of the elders or the spiritually mature (1 Cor. 5:4). Similar heavenly authority is seen in the ratification of this disciplinary action as spelled out in Matthew 18:18-19.

CAUTIONS

If you see the offense or you have accurate knowledge of the sin(s), please note these cautions:

  • Be sure it is an offense which calls for discipline and not merely one of our pet peeves. Again, the Word must be our criterion.
  • Remember how we too have sinned in the past and heed the warnings of Galatians 6:1.
  • Bring the matter before the Lord in prayer before the confrontation takes place (1 Sam. 8:6).
  • Don’t procrastinate. The longer the delay, the more difficult the condition can become. Remember the consequences listed above.
  • Don’t gossip or even talk to others about it in the sense of Matthew 18:16 until you have talked to the sinning believer privately. We must guard and protect the person and the flock from rumors and a slanderous tongue (Prov. 6:19b; 10:19; 11:13; 18:8, 21; 20:19).

From article by Jack Wellman: What the church says about church discipline – http://www.patheos.com

WHAT AXIOMS IS YOUR WORLDVIEW BASED UPON?

The Creation/Evolution debate

The origin of our universe has never been about facts and evidence as such—we all have the same world, the same evidence, the same facts. It is the philosophical framework within which facts are interpreted which differs and philosophical frameworks are based on axioms (presuppositions, or starting beliefs). The scientific conclusions of Darwinism are squarely based on anti-biblical (naturalistic) axioms, while those of creation are based on biblical axioms. In any discussion on origins, the axioms need to be openly ‘on the table’, and it should be realized that one can discuss them in a secular setting without teaching religious doctrine as such, but without hiding or running away from the implications. The evidence concerning origins can be discussed through a critical comparison of axiom-based models (see below) without fostering the secular myth of ‘neutrality,’ i.e., that evidence ‘speaks for itself’ in some mysterious way.

There are creation and flood stories in most cultures that bear strong similarity to the Biblical accounts: ‘Why not then teach e.g. Australian Aboriginal creation and flood stories in science lessons?’ One could ask such objectors whether they are aware of any origins or flood teaching outside of the Biblical narrative which:

  • Claims to be absolute revelational truth from the Creator in documentary form
  • Has been held and believed consistently for many centuries in essentially its modern form.
  • Has been held to offer a serious historical explanation for all of reality including the origins of man and the universe and the reason why there are millions of dead things buried all around the world.
  • Is supported by a significant group of qualified scientists and other intellectuals who are convinced that it does indeed explain the data at least as well as evolution/long ages.

Extract from an article by Dr Carl Weiland: CMI’s views on the Intelligent Design Movement http://www.creation.com

AUSTRALIA LEADING THE WAY

Yesterday’s National Accounts show Australia’s economy is now larger than it was pre-COVID. 

This is in contrast to all major advanced economies. 

Real GDP increased 1.8% in the March quarter. 

Between December 2019 and March 2021, Australia’s economy has grown by 0.8%.

By contrast: the USA’s economy contracted by 0.9%; Canada declined 1.7%; Japan by 2.3%; France by 4.7%; Germany by 5.0%; Italy by 6.4% and the UK by 8.7%. 

In just over a year, Australia’s economy has recovered what it lost, faster than any recovery from any major downturn in recent history and nine months earlier than previously expected.

The pandemic is not over. 

Globally, there are around half a million cases a day. The Euro area is back in recession.

However, Australia is now experiencing our strongest period of economic growth since 1968. 

Furthermore, Australia was the first advanced economy to have more people employed than pre-COVID. 

There are 46,000 more Australians in work in April 2021 than there were in March 2020. 

There is much more to do to secure our recovery. However, our plan is working. 

Australia’s economic recovery is something all Australians have contributed to and can be proud of.

Josh Frydenberg
Treasurer

I do not believe it is a coincidence that we have a Bible believing PM. He became Prime Minister of Australia in circumstances that were clearly orchestrated by God. Note also a headline in World News after the PM appointed Josh Frydenberg his deputy and treasurer.

Australian Jewish community celebrates appointment of Josh Frydenberg—son of Holocaust survivor and synagogue attendee—as deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer.

TRUTH ABOUT BLACK LIVES MATTER

Indeed Black Lives Do Matter but so do all people groups regardless of ethnicity.

Black Lives Matter
A “Black Lives Matter” banner hangs on the fence erected around the White House to protest the death of George Floyd in Washington, D.C., on June 10, 2020.

Rashad Turner, Black Lives Matter chapter founder in St. Paul, Minnesota, has shared a video exposing what he calls the political organization’s “ugly truth,” arguing that it shows “little concern for rebuilding black families” and improving the quality of education for black students. 

“I believed the organization stood for exactly what the name implies,” Rashad Turner, who founded the St. Paul BLM chapter in 2015, said in May 26 video posted by TakeCharge Minnesota.

“Black lives do matter. However, after a year on the inside, I learned they have little concern for rebuilding black families, and they cared even less for improving the quality of education for students in Minneapolis.”

Turner resigned from BLM after a year and a half but said he has not “quit working to improve black lives and access to a great education.”

Turner said he eventually realized BLM did not care about improving educational opportunities for black children.

“That was made very clear when they publicly denounced the charter schools alongside the teachers’ union,” he said. “I was an insider in Black Lives Matter, and I learned the ugly truth. The moratorium on charter schools does not support rebuilding the black family, but it does create barriers for a better education for black children.”

BLM-led protests erupted across the nation in response to George Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020. The group was founded in 2013. While many have resonated with the idea that black lives matter, many have objected to BLM being an overtly political movement that stands for more than just racial equality. 

BLM is supportive of defunding the police and advancing the LGBT agenda. The organization was founded by three women, two of whom identify as queer. 

BLM reportedly deleted its webpage that listed disrupting “the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure” as one of its core principles, according to Fox News.

BLM recently came under fire for calling for “Palestinian liberation” and standing in “solidarity” with Palestinians as Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets into Israel last month.

Some evangelical leaders and organizations have argued the BLM organization supports a “godless agenda” and that many of its positions are “explicitly anti-Christian.”

BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, who has described herself as a “trained Marxist,” recently announced that she is stepping down from leading the global organization as executive director after helping to launch the organization. 

Cullors said her resignation has been in the works for over a year and has nothing to do with the recent personal attacks she has endured in the past weeks, according to ABC News.

Cullors came under fire when it was reported that she purchased four luxury homes, which sparked criticism and questions over her finances.

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW HELD BY ONLY 6% OF AMERICANS

The number of Americans espousing no religious beliefs at all has been increasing rapidly over the years. A new survey shows that trend continuing, claiming a mere 6% hold to a truly “biblical worldview.”

Photo by Aaron Burden/Unsplash

George Barna, Senior Research Fellow, Center for Biblical Worldview Family Research Council said at the time, “with 94% of Americans essentially rejecting the biblical worldview as their preferred way to think and live, placing first in a race in which few people cross the finish line is hardly a victory.”

He went on to explain that simply “knowing a few Bible verses, attending church services, and praying won’t get the job done.”

“Our studies show that Americans are neither deep nor sophisticated thinkers,” Barna argued. “Most people seem more interested in living a life of comfort and convenience than one of logical consistency and wisdom. Our children will continue to suffer the consequences of following in the unfortunate footsteps of their parents and elders. People who are willing to fight for a more reasonable way of thinking and acting can make a difference, but it will be slow progress.”

Family Research Council, President Tony Perkins said this week he hopes the new Center for Biblical Worldview can help give believers a firm foundation so that they can engage the culture by being rooted in God’s Word.

“Every Christian can and should obtain a biblical worldview,” he said, “which is only achieved when a person believes that the Bible is true, authoritative, and then taught how it is applicable to every area of life, which enables them to live out those beliefs.”

The Bible which the world has now largely rejected is where we find both a true history of the world as well as the prophesied future of the world. Satan, the Prince of this World has convinced the world that God is not needed, the world has evolved from simple life forms to more complex life by natural selection and mutation despite the absurdity of such a worldview.

The same Bible reveals what it will be like in the last days before Jesus returns to rule and reign on this earth for 1000 years. It will be like the days of Noah when lawlessness abounded and God judged the world with a worldwide flood.

“you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:2-4

Here is the promise of His coming to rule and reign with a rod of iron!

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:11-16

SUMMARY OF GOD’S PLAN

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by his Son, (Jesus) whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:1-3

Notice the plan is all about JESUS ( the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature). God our heavenly Father, created the world through Jesus and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. Jesus came into this world to pay the price for our SIN (disobedience of Adam and Eve at the Fall of Man, the penalty for which was death). Jesus died in our place “making purification for sins” so that whoever believes in Him can have eternal life.

The only important event missing from this summary is Jesus return to this earth to complete the promise the Father made to Abraham. Jesus will rule all nations, the world from Jerusalem. God has unfinished business with His nation Israel that He established for His purposes.

“And when He (Jesus) had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11

“They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4

THE HARVEST IS RIPE

A Team In Pakistan went out Into the Harvest. They shared the Gospel with the 3 Circles presentation. Six young men repented & believed In Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord!

Here is the report: “God is awesome; to be given six youths to teach them about God’s Word so God can prepare them and to make them a means of saving others. Because in Pakistan 98% population are far from Kingdom of God. Thank God by yesterdays first meeting when I had shared the Word of God with them, by great anointing of Holy Spirit, the 6 young boys did repent of their sin.”

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1

Need your prayers to spread the word of God in Pakistan.

LEADER USING THE 411 DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING TOOL TO TRAIN A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS

The 411 Discipleship Multiplication Tool!
3 Circles presentation

Report from one of the participants

Wow! It was an amazing Sunday today. After going through the Harvest training program, I gathered about 15 people today and taught them the 411 training program and they were all excited and this week we will bombard our various spheres of contact with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks to the wonderful Harvest Team. I am so so grateful for the rich content of the trainings. God continue to bless you all.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledges the ‘selfless stoicism’ of Christians

The Prime Minister, who will be speaking briefly at the online Christian festival Spring Harvest Home said, “I want to say a great big thank you because over the past year or so I have seen over and over again the teachings of Jesus Christ brought to life by people like yourselves: men and women, young and old, right across the UK.” Johnson continues, “I’ve lost count of the number of Church leaders and congregations from all denominations, that have stepped up to support not only one another, but also to support the whole local community, people of all faiths and none.”

The Prime Minister also recognised the sacrifice many Christians have made over the past year: “For many months you have been unable to come together for worship and prayer as you would normally do. I know that has been a huge burden for many Christians, but it is a burden you have borne with selfless stoicism without complaint and by adapting to online worship and meetings.” The Prime Minister concluded, “While this past Easter has not been the event any of us would have liked, and Spring Harvest is obviously not happening in its usual bustling way, but we’re getting there, and we’re getting there because of people like you.” The Labor party leader Sir Keir Starmer and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey have also recorded a video message for those attending the online festival, with their own message to Christians in the UK.

CARRIE SYMONDS and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have married at Westminster Cathedral

Phil Loose, CEO of Essential Christian, the home of Spring Harvest, responded to the Prime Minister’s comments by saying, “This is an important moment for the Church, to have the recognition of the Prime Minister for the work and sacrifice Christians have made, shows how important the church has become in modern society. We are no longer a peripheral voice, but an essential service to those in our communities. Churches up and down the land have responded to the needs of the nation to see our society supported and transformed.” He goes on to say, “Now is the time for us as the church to support our nation’s leaders as we work together to restore, renew and rebuild our communities in the wake of a devastating pandemic. At Spring Harvest we’re stepping up into that need providing resources online to help equip the church to serve their communities.”

How good it is to read of Christians doing what our Lord has called us to do, to serve our communities and it being recognised by the UK Prime Minister as “the teachings of Jesus being brought to life”.