Order of Christian Service

NEWSLETTER
MAR 2010 - APRIL 2010

EXECUTIVE
MEMBERSHIP OF THE ORDER

"....... Your servants for Jesus' sake" II Cor 4:5

THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE seeks quietly to fulfil its mission.
Perhaps you, or someone you know has a role to play?

ASSOCIATE MEMBER: One who is in sympathy with the ideals of the Order, but who does not yet feel called to full membership. They would be enrolled as Associates, will receive the Newsletter, be invited to the regular prayer fellowship meetings, and can support the work in any way they like.

HOME MEMBER: All Christians are meant to be working and witnessing for Jesus at all times. Not all are called to leave their homes and jobs to go into special service. Home Members are involved in the same sort of activities as Field Members, but they operate from their home base and in their own churches. They are active in witnessing, soul winning, discipling, and recruiting in the local context, as well as praying for, encouraging and supporting Field Members. They are expected to practice tithing.

FIELD MEMBER: One who responds to God's call to go into Christian work as a vocation; who signs on for two years normally, to live and work hard for the Kingdom, who are willing to undertake a pastoral, organizational, secretarial or manual task as they test their call, but always with the opportunity for outreach, evangelism and training. This two-year period will often clarify a call to some area of ordained or full-time work.

What to do: Write to the Secretary of the Order, address at the foot of this page, with a brief outline of your experience in both secular and Christian work. A recent photograph would be helpful. We will respond by sending you an Application Form and make an appointment with you to discuss your calling further.

WARDEN: Rev Denis M'Crystal, 6 Lower York Road, Rosebank, 7700. Tel: 021 - 686.0046 Cell: 0723420087
DEPUTY WARDEN: Rev. Donald Cloete, 7 Hex Place, Marland, 1401,
Tel: 011 8282984, Email: donald@lantic.net
TREASURER & CORRESPONDENCE: Deacon Trevor Harrison,
11 Elm Road Thornton, 7460 Tel: 021- 534-7655.
Email: harristp@telkomsa.net Fax. 0865125758
SECRETARY: Rev. Tony Bethke, 13 Chestnut Street, Thornton, 7460
Tel: 021 534 5839

WARDEN'S A.G.M. REPORT FOR 2009

My first thank you must go to our executive who have served us faithfully through 2009, i.e. Tony Bethke, Donald Cloete, Trevor Harrison and Tim Black.

The year 2009 has been a difficult year for O.C.S. as well as the world.

Sandile Lewu our Field Worker hosted two young nephews who, on returning home by taxi, were both killed when it overturned.

The Gazankulu mission had floods and the contaminated Limpopo River put the people in danger of malaria and cholera. Our newest Field Worker Melikhaya started there in a terrific storm. Rev. Don Cloete, Trevor Geach and Melikhaya got stuck while travelling up to the Mission.

Sadly Pastor Dan Nkosi is no longer an O.C.S. with us and has been asked to return his badge. Bhekani moved to be with Rev. Ngema serving at Mzinoni Society. Rev. Ngema had for compassionate reasons to swop Circuits to be near his seriously ill wife, so Bhekhani no longer had a supervising minister.

Finally the youth Training venture did not take place after 13 enrolments. I couldn't do the planning and Trevor found ordaining as a Deacon very time consuming and the person delegated to the task failed to see it through. We will do better this year 2010.

There were some good things to. Our bursary recipient Aaron Modiselle did very well at Melusi, and is at present waiting for an appointment.

The work at Elliott is flourishing and to accommodate the extra worshippers a youth service has been started in the hall at the same time as the church service. The youth work is expanding rapidly. John-Charles and Sandra under Ivan and Anita Fitchet have been reaching out to the town in personal evangelism.

Excellent reports come in from time to time of how Juliette Maphalala and Joseph Nkambule seek to share Christ, and also access food for the poorest people in their area in Swaziland.

Melikhaya Mgulwana is presently working as a Field Worker in the Letaba Circuit under Rev. Pierre Naude (Supt.)

The O.C.S. Retreat was held in Germiston and hosted by Rev. Donald Cloete (for the most part in their home.) It focused on prayer and fellowship. Those attending were also greatly enriched hearing testimonies of the xenophobic attacks in Germiston, from ministers and how the churches united and came to the assistance of these people. We were all made very aware of the fact that we wrestle not with flesh and blood but against powers of darkness.

Bill and Ann Griffin continue for a further year at Queenstown, where they assist the new minister Rev. Bell in his ministry to this rather spread out Circuit.

The Seth Mokitimi Seminary. Rev. Donald Cloete and I were welcomed by Rev. Ross Olivier and Dr N. Richardson and they graciously explained the excellent new syllabus and new "Modus Operandi". They now use the vocations for practical training with only an end of the year break. This year 2010 and onwards all trainee ministers do 3 years at the Seminary before ministering in circuits.

Thanks to the Viljoenskroon Bursary fund. It offered a bursary to start Bhekani at the Seminary (costing about R14 400 a special price) but the additional amount needed for food books etc. about R25 per day meant Bhekhani couldn't afford it. We subsequently realised with the new rules and regulations that he had to do two years of screening prior to entering the Seminary if the church is to send him. Our prayers must surround this faithful servant of Christ.

This past year has been a difficult one for Marie and I as her cancer has resulted in two brain tumours, one was removed and the other treated with radiotherapy. She soldiers on bravely in spite of limitations after the surgery. God daily blessed us with His strength after the surgery.

In the New Year we hope to establish a new ministry of service to the church. We will do this by possibly helping prospective candidates to experience mission and ministry before their three years training at the Seth Mokitimi Seminary. The need for mature local preachers willing to pastor and grow the small country churches remains a critical one. Only men and women with some means of their own (e.g. on pension) can fulfil this role. Thank God for the Fitchets, Griffins and others, doing this important work.

I close with the words of the hymn writer "We praise Him for all that is past and trust Him for all that's to come"

God has blessed the work of O.C.S. through your prayers and giving. Thank you who love Jesus and serve others sacrificially.

Yours in Christ
Denis V. M'Crystal

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O.C.S. WORKERS RETREAT
AT VILJOENSKROON METHODIST CHURCH
THERON STREET

STARTS: LUNCH TIME ON TUESDAY 13TH APRIL 2010

ENDS: MORNING ON FRIDAY 16TH APRIL 2010

TEL: DENIS M'CRYSTAL- 0723420087
KEN EVANS - 082778221

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL ATTENDING THIS RETREAT, FOR SAFE TRAVELLING AND THE TIME SPEND WILL BE TO GOD'S GLORY

THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN SERVICES
INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY TO 31 DECEMBER 2009

INCOME R 55,456.21
Individual Donations R 45,720.00
Church Donations R 7,000.00
Interest Received (FNB - 32 Days) R 1,145.72
Interest Received (FNB - 32 Days) - Bursary R 1,145.72
Interest Received (FNB) R 64.77
Sale of Books R 380.00

EXPENSES R 50,831.28
Field workers allowance R 23,600.00
Melusi Christian Centre R 3,900.00
Bursary - BB Mthethwa R 1,240.00
Christmas Gift R 1,400.00
Mission - A Verreynne R 1,500.00
Transport R 1,200.00
Admin Allowance R 1,200.00
Medical Allowance (E Harrison) R 9,100.00
Printing, stationery R 3,955.08
Postage R 2,700.00
Bank Charges R 1,036.20

GAIN FOR THE YEAR R 4,624.93

ASSETS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2009 R 66,939.69

NON-CURRENT ASSETS - Investments R 44,857.31
32-Day Investment FNB R 20,000.00
32-Day Investment FNB - Bursary Fund R 20,000.00
M.C.O. - 400183 R 4,857.31

CURRENT ASSETS R 22,082.38
Bank Account R 21,952.38
Petty Cash R 130.00
TWO MEN AND A PLOW
By: Claud Rodgers

My daddy, Guy Rodgers, was a weaver in a cotton mill near Griffin, Geor¬gia, a skilled laborer with only a third-grade education. He and Mama, my two sisters and I lived in a four-room house with a faucet outside for water. We bought our coal and electricity from the huge plant where Daddy worked, and lived a life so simple we didn't need to own a clock. Most people timed every¬thing by the mill whistle that signaled shift changes.
"Short time" at the mill came regularly- periods when orders fell off and the plant operated only one or two days a week. In the best of times, nobody in the village had much, but short time meant disaster. Our little town offered no other jobs, so when incomes fell behind; most people bought groceries on credit. If you owed the grocer $15 or $18, it could take years to catch up.
Daddy refused to buy food on credit. There was a confidence in him that kept us kids from knowing we were poor. He thought he was the luckiest man in the world. He thanked God daily for his fam¬ily, his job and our home, and he prayed for less fortunate neighbors and tried to help them.
One afternoon when I was about seven, Daddy sat on the steps of our high back stoop talking earnestly with Herschel, the man who lived next door.
"How in the world can I feed my fam¬ily, Guy?" Herschel was asking.
"A man can always make a garden," Daddy answered. "My family won't never starve. See that little hollow down there? I mean to clear it and grow my food." He gestured toward some bottomland be¬low the houses, a wild tangle of saplings, vines and winter-dead underbrush. "Her¬schel, you could do that too."
"I don't know nothin' about makin' a garden," our neighbor responded help-lessly. He hesitated. "But... if you could teach me and let me share, I'd do any¬thing, Guy."
Daddy threw Herschel a quick, com¬passionate look that said he understood the man's fear, the near-begging, the pride reduced to dust "Sure, Herschel," he said gently. "Reckon the Lord will help us both out."
As soon as the weather allowed, Daddy and Herschel cut saplings and took swingblades to the underbrush. They burned off dead weeds higher than my head, then broke up that land by hand. Even with a mule it would have been backbreaking work, yet neither man complained.
For weeks they worked every day ex¬cept Sunday. Sunday was the Lord's day, and going to church and paying your tithe came as natural to Daddy as breath¬ing. I asked him once, "When you only got ten dollars, how can you give a dol¬lar to God? Doesn't He know how bad we need it?"
Daddy smiled. "Son, it's not my money to keep. That dollar belongs to Him." And he was firm about that, as firm as in his decision never to buy groceries on credit
Spring comes early in mid-Georgia, and soon the men raked the ground, hot and sweaty work. They were excited now, and I could see that Herschel felt more hopeful.
One day they got hold of a little hand plow with a 14- or 15-inch wheel, one you could push. Using it took near super¬human effort, though. Tough and wiry as Daddy was, that stubborn ground needed more horsepower than the man possessed That's when Herschel offered to pull the plow.
At first Daddy wouldn't hear of it. "Reckon I can make it, Herschel. Just take some time, that's all," he protested.
"Naw, Guy, let's figure how I can help you. I don't mind pullin'. Let's take these ropes..."
They rigged up a harness and Her¬schel hunched forward, the ropes biting into his chest and straining shoulders, and he pulled that plow like some pow¬erful, sweating animal. Dad plowed straight as a die. At the end of the first row the men broke into grins.
"Now we'll change places," Daddy commanded.
"Naw, Guy, we're goin' good. I don't know nothing about plowin'. Let's just do it this away."
The Lord must have helped, because the garden came in good. Pole beans made a green tent I could play under, with 10- and 12-inch-long beans dangling in thick clusters. All creation seemed to explode with food-corn, okra, butter beans, peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, cab¬bages, greens-overflowing with plenty for us and for Herschel's family, plus a mess to give away.
Mama taught Herschel's wife how to preserve. She turned our back porch into a canning center where the women put up jars of tomatoes, soup mix, beans, everything imaginable. Again, both fami¬lies had plenty to share. Daddy gave God credit for the generous harvest. He offered his tithe, thanked God for every¬thing and believed himself rich.
Today, if I catch myself having doubts or hanging back when a job or a problem makes heavy demands on me, I summon up that picture of Daddy and Herschel toiling together, plowing with the humil¬ity of simple beasts on a long-ago spring afternoon. I ask myself, "Am 1 willing to put my back to the plow?"
Daddy and Herschel showed me how to plow deep and straight, without hold¬ing back. It works. And the crops come in abundantly.
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WORKERS REPORT

Melikhaya Mgulwana: Melikhaya reports that he has just restarted ministering in the Letaba circuit. At times it is not easy in the ministry he says, but Melikhaya continues as he knows he is called by God to serve. He has registered at TEE College as it is his intention to candidate next year. Please continue to pray the work that Melikhaya does in the Letaba circuit and for his studies this year.

Juliette Maphalala: It is going well with Juliette in Swaziland. For a while she will be concentrating on pastoral care and visitation to those who need some encouragement. There is times when she and some friends go onto the hill to pray and fast for those in need. Juliette thanks all for your prayers especially whilst she was doing her two TEE subjects. We rejoice with her as she has passed her two subjects last year.

Nosipho Cele: Nosipho is our new bursary candidate who arrived safely at Melusi. She will be spending some months there learning different skills and seeking the Lord's guidance in her life. Please pray for Nosipho as it is not always easy serving at Melusi.
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AN ELEVATING IDEA
By: Susan Stetson Renault

Awhile back, primarily for financial reasons, I needed to find a job out¬side the home. A job with a school seemed ideal, since it would allow me to be with my children in the afternoons and during school vacations.
I learned that a new high school would be opening in our district and decided that was where I wanted to work. I called the district office constantly-even before the new building was finished-asking for an interview. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11*).
My prayers were answered, and I became a receptionist at the brand-new school. It took me about four days to discover that the job bored me to death. I grew exhausted reading newspapers. Wearily I'd watch the clock drag through the hours. I organized my paper clips 21 different ways.
One evening I collapsed onto the couch in despair. What could I do? "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you" (Jeremiah 29:12). God was listening, and in His wisdom He reminded me of the elevator man.
Years before, when we lived in Chicago, we took some visitors to the Sears Tower. However, it wasn't the view from the world's tallest building that impressed me most It was the elevator operator who whisked us up and down those 110 stories. He took a job that must certainly rank among the dullest in the world and made it fun. His friendly humor was contagious as he showed us how to bend our knees in preparation for landing. In a matter of seconds he made our fives a little brighter.
If this man could run an elevator joy¬fully, I could do the same with the recep¬tion desk. The trick was not to dwell on its dullness but to creatively introduce some fun into the job. It shouldn't be too hard, I thought After all, how could a building with a thousand bright, fun-loving teenagers possibly be dull?
The next day I began a trivia contest by posting a provocative question beside my desk. No fanfare, no announce¬ments-I just waited for students to notice. And when they did, I said, "A sucker for the right answer," having already stashed lollipops in my desk drawer. You'd think I'd offered a pot of gold. Kids raced to the library to learn the name of Australia's president
My desk soon became a "stopping place," with students coming by first thing each day "to check the question."
I later put puzzles on my desk-a Rubik's Cube or pegboard teasers. Dur-ing lunch hour or waiting to see an administrator, students would play with the puzzles or just talk to me. I became a sort of mother confessor-a friend
And to anyone who inquired, "Doesn't your job get boring?" I'd say, "Not at all" And then I'd offer a prayer, thanking God for "elevating" me out of discouragement Just as it says in Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek Me and find Me when you
seek Me with all your heart"
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ORDER OF CHRISTIAN BANKING DETAILS

Account Name: Order of Christian Service
Bank: First National Bank
Account No.: 51460055557
Branch: Pinelands
Branch Code: 200309