Antioch Church Of Christ

Believed On In The World

What once was just sugarcane fields, Phoenix is now the largest Indian housing area in Ethekwini. The church of the living God assembles at the secondary school sandwiched between a Muslim mosque and a Hindu temple. We knew that we had arrived in Woodview when we breathed in the strange exotic spices which wafted through the air. Dogs ran in abandon across the streets, while ladies adorned in their bright and colorful saris smiled as we passed by. My family and I were greatly encouraged by the renewed efforts being put forth by the family of God at Stanmore. Johnny and Danny, two of the seasoned Christian men, have been taking more of a leading role in delivering the word on the Sundays we are not with them. Our mid-week Bible studies are progressing well, hampered only by the violent attacks upon our brethren who walk to class.

On 16 December we are having a special thanksgiving service for Rian who was spared from death in an automobile accident. We are looking forward to all the Christians and their non-believing relatives coming to hear the word proclaimed.

Busy Teaching Others The Gospel

What a wonderful change has been wrought in the life of Janice who obeyed the call of the gospel in November. Janice who just finished 11th grade is setting forth a fine example amidst her Hindu friends.

The 40% unemployment has swayed many of the Indian youths to pursue a life of drug abuse and prostitution. For yet others, the thought of comiting suicide and being reincarnated as a different person is a deceptive reality. When I handed Janice a new Bible following her obedience in Christ, she smiled and clung to it tightly. We thank God for his saving message and for the opportunity to share the gospel with so many who are searching.

Special Points Of Interest:

As I bring this letter to a close, may I once again solicit your letters and your prayers on our behalf. The Lord's work in South Africa is difficult and fraught with danger on every hand. God continues to open many doors for us to teach others the plan of salvation. We pray for His help and guidance to do it well.

My plea for financial help in September did not fall on deaf ears. Several good brethren and congregations came to the rescue. The support we lost has been made up and one time contributions have enabled us to meet all our obligations. In addition we were able to purchase Bibles for Barbara and her husband Jay following her assault in which her Bible was stolen.

Thank you for your care for us.

Scott Tope

It's All In The Word

It is good to do our share of Christ's suffering for the sake of the church. As a servant, there is a great responsibility to proclaim Christ. We are working hard to teach every man so that we can present everyone perfect in Christ. In our prayers we thank God for His all sufficient word. We are able to understand by faith that Christ is all we need. In Him we have all the blessings of God. Therefore we do not need anything or anyone else.

Nolene Barrett, 25 years old heard of the love based upon the common hope of life in heaven. Being filled with knowledge of God's will, we led this humble soul to water. Over forty brothers and sisters gathered to watch as Nolene's sins were remitted and she was raised by the power of God. We pray that our new sister in Christ will now walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. May she please Him by bearing fruit in every good work and by growing in the knowledge of God.

Nondumiso, 13 years old, has been one of Sharra's students in the children's Bible classes for many years. On Sunday, 21 October, this eager teenager requested to be added to the body of Christ. Following her good confession that she believed Jesus to be the son of God, she put on Christ through baptism. Nondumiso is one of 7 children belonging to Lindiwe Dlamini. Pray for their steadfastness.

Teaching Brings Unity Among Brethren

The faithful brethren in Phoenix invited my father, Gene Tope, to teach a series of Bible lessons during October. Large crowds were present to hear discourses on church discipline, young people, marriage and people acceptable to God. Selvyn Naidoo, Basil Cass and myself also took advantage of the numbers gathered and spoke courageously from the scriptures. All five of Saturday's lessons were translated into Zulu for the benefit of our African brethren. Among the 140 souls who came from throughout Kwa-Zulu Natal, a stronger love and unity now exists.

Violent Crime

Crime Statistics South Africa released it's latest figures this month. In 2006 there were 19,789 murders, most of which remain unsolved to this day. Violent armed robbery and sexual assault also increased by 77%. Jerome Moonsamy became one of our most recent brethren to fall prey to the unprecedented crime wave in Southern Africa's most developed country. Delivering Post from door to door, he was beaten unconscious for his cell-phone.

Barbara Naidoo who just celebrated her 60th birthday was walking home from Tongaat with her new Bible in hand when she was attacked at knife-point. Although she lost all her worldly possesions, she is most upset that her new Bible which her husband Jay had saved all year to acquire was taken. If you would like to help Barbara replace her Bible, please send your help to our account and we will purchase it for her on your behalf. (already purchased)

"Declaring To Both Great And Small ...

... That Christ would suffer and that He would be the first to rise from the dead!"

Such was the message proclaimed to a large crowd gathered at the home of Saroj Govindsamy in Phoenix. Despite the death of her husband last month, Saroj is pressing forward in her Christian life. Letting others who know her that she is strong in the Lord. Many of the Indian community commit suicide following the death of their relatives. Saroj accompanied by her three granddaughters instilled feelings of hope and thanksgiving within the hearts of all.

On Saturday 18 September we joined the Chetty family to thank God for all the blessings He had bestowed upon them during the year. Neighbors, friends and Hindu relatives were all present to hear of Jesus Christ and the church He built. As a young boy growing up Jaya knew that one day he may go blind. Like his father and his father before him, Retinitis Pigmentosa had claimed the vision of all the male members in the family. Two years ago Jaya was fired from his construction job due to danger to himself and to others.

"God has blessed me greatly...", words spoken by Jaya Chetty, now age 41, at his home in Newlands West. We know not what lies ahead for Jaya but we are confident he will do as much as he can. Even blind, he is busy leading others to Christ by his word and example.

17 Souls Rescued From The Domain Of Satan

Mzwandile Gazu accompanied by Thembinkosi Apleni ventured into the Xhosa speaking town of Seymour. Their sole aim to bring light to where there was none. This rural community in the Eastern Cape is far removed from the distractions of television and the sporting events of the city. Large numbers came to hear the gospel. The "president" of the Zionist church threatened to blot out the names of all who dared to attend the tent meeting. Representatives from the denominations were silenced as all their questions were answered from the scriptures. 17 precious souls responded to the power of God's word in repentance and baptism.

Please Pray For These New Babes In Christ

Three young men were baptized and the rest were women. The names of those who were baptized are Zola Apleni who is 17 years old, Anathi 11 years old (both boys are Thembinkosi Apleni's nephews), Ntombekhaya Apleni 35 years old (Thembinkosi's older sister), Nomxolisi Zweni 36 years old, Lizeka Billy 38 years old, Busisiwe Ndzube 18 years old, Vuyokazi Sijako 19 years old, Nokuthula Ndzube 15 years old, Olwethu Billy 12 years old, Thabisi Billy 13 years old, Vuyiseka Zanazo 13 years old, Ntombozuko Zanazo 14 years old, Khayalethu Chitha 18 years old(another boy) Sisanda Chitha 17 years old, Nosiphiwo Dukisa 15 years old, Kuhthaza Kaspire 17 years old and Nangamso Saule 12 years old.