Church Conference in Cape Town

For nearly as long as I’ve been in Africa, I’ve known that our church here is in an association with similar congregations in several other sub-Saharan countries.  But for years I never paid much attention to it.  A few months ago, though, I was impressed with the need to become acquainted with like-minded brethren ministering in this region of the world, so I studied the association’s website — and liked what I saw.

The association’s name, Sola 5, heralds its adherence to the 5 Solas of the Reformation.  My director participated in its formation twenty years ago.  Its annual conference was scheduled for September in Cape Town, a city I’d already wanted to visit — with my director as one of its speakers.  And though our office doesn’t run as smoothly with the two of us gone at the same time, he encouraged me to attend.

And what a blessing it was!  From Wednesday afternoon through Friday evening, I personally met dozens of the 200+ attendees from throughout Southern Africa.  I soaked in powerful preaching directed towards those in ministry.  I learned recent, Christ-exalting hymns, and watched a new documentary about Biblical Christianity in Africa.

Our host church provided all meals and snacks for a nominal fee of $6.  A member named Lisa, with whom I found much in common, hosted me warmly in her apartment.  She even picked me up at the airport on my arrival at 11:00 pm on Tuesday, and took me to the beach the next day before the conference began.

In God’s providence, the best return ticket price was for the Thursday after the conference.  In other words, I get five days of sightseeing!  Please pray for God’s blessing and protection on my adventures, which I look forward to describing for you next weekend.