With the Lord’s help and trusting in his direction, Beautiful Saviour, Blantyre, is making some rather significant plans.  I believe the second half of 2008 will be marked with a significant event that will change the flow of the congregation.

The church is divided into five committees: Evangelism, Education and Stewardship, Worship, Youth, and Property.

Some of the more significant events in 2008 will be: We want to practice new ways of keeping in touch with our members and reaching out to others through making visits. We are presently airing a series defending the Christian faith against criticism from non-Christian groups who attack the Bible and Christian character on the TV Malawi Program. The broadcasts are going well and many Malawians are hearing the Gospel truth.  In June of 2007 we had very successful small group stewardship meetings.  Offerings and Christian service have kept up with our needs.  We hope to call a Malawian Pastor. This will be a great challenge for our small congregation.  But under God’s hand, we pray it will be a precious blessing to us.  Much work and planning will need to be done with finding housing, saving money and coming up with a job description.  The members already have a significant 21,000 kwacha saved (about $150).

As you read about your sister congregation in Africa, please remember to pray for her success and most importantly that everything be done to advance God’s kingdom.  This year will be a challenge for us.  Unless the Lord builds his house, our labor is in vain (Psalm 127:1).  Thank you for your love and spiritual concern.

Missionary Mark Johnston
Beautiful Saviour Lutheran Church
Blantyre, Malawi, Africa