president’s address cft agm, 7 - 9 sept 2007. my dear brethren welcome and thank you a hearty...
TRANSCRIPT
President’s Address
CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
My dear brethren
Welcome And Thank You
A hearty welcome to all of you!
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
How thankful we are that you took the time and travelled the many kilometres to be with us at this conference. Brethren, we do not take that for granted.
Once again, a very big thank you to the CFT leadership internationally, nationally, provincially and at the local level. A word of appreciation also to the office staff and those involved in various special actions.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Dear CFT members, without mentioning names I would like you to know that some people make big sacrifices to avail themselves for CFT. May the Lord of the harvest reward them richly.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
KwaSizabantu
I’d like Baba Rev Stegen and the Mission leadership to know how thankful we are for the privilege of operating from here. KwaSizabantu is in rural KZN but the infrastructure at this centre, especially in communication, compares with the best in first world countries.The spiritual atmosphere we enjoy here can’t be measured in financial terms.
Praise be to Him!
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
We cannot thank God enough for granting us the grace to serve Him through CFT. In South Africa we have had this privilege for the last 17 years.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Let me remind you once more what our Mission and Vision are.
Our Mission To uphold and promote Christian norms and values as stated by the Word of God.
Our Vision A nation inspired to live according to the highest Christian norms and values.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
I am afraid that sometimes as we look around us in our different countries we are tempted to ask ourselves if the high ideals we have set before us will ever be achievable. As a response to that, these days I asked myself why we pray:
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Advances by evil forces in this world make it to look like we are losing the war. Yes, we might lose a battle here and there but if we strive always to be on the Lord’s side we will certainly win the war. Light will prevail over darkness. Truth will triumph over lies. God’s kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Dear CFT members, those who have been at our actions will testify to the fact that there is a special blessing on taking a public stand on the side of God’s truth.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Radio Khwezi
Let me once again encourage CFT members to look out for opportunities to promote Biblical norms and values. Often we are pleasantly surprised to see how much can be achieved through a few people’s initiative.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Circumstances will differ from place to place and from time to time. I am greatly encouraged by the response that we are getting from the listeners of Radio Khwezi. Increasingly, more and more of them are getting to share our concerns and values, and one senses a desperation amongst them that something, somewhere has got to change. May God grant us wisdom to lead His people in these critical times.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Once again, I urge CFT leaders at every level to keep the vision and lead us on. Listen to the amazing words of the song by Deborah and Barak,
"When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves—praise the LORD!” (Judges 5:2)
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
TLW And TNT
TLW and TNT will speak for themselves but when I read their reports, as much as I applaud their successes my heart breaks when I see the great need out there and how limited our resources are. Contrary to what the liberal media would like us to believe, the truth is that there are many young people that are caught up in immorality and drugs who are yearning for freedom.Let us plead to the Lord of the harvest for more workers and other resources.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Running The Race
I have given a lot of thought to this year’s theme – Running the Race. The part that struck a special chord with me is,
“and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Somehow, my imagination took me to the world-renowned 89.3km Comrades Marathon race between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Early in the morning over 10 000 athletes are given a big send-off by cheering crowds. But do you think there will be cheering crowds all along the way? Never. The crowds will be waiting at the destination to watch and cheer the winning runners as they cross the line.
I believe that the acid test for the runner are the lonely stretches when no one is cheering. That is where patience and perseverance are needed the most.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
What keeps runners running even when there is no one around to encourage them? I believe that they keep the goal – and the cheering crowds – in mind.
Dear CFT members, conferences and special actions are important; they deserve our enthusiastic support, but the strength of our organisation will be the resolve by all of us to live CFT throughout the year.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Special Challenge
For the weak and sickly amongst us let me share with you two quotes that were sent to me by a friend who is being challenged by ill health.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
“Make me Thy athlete even in my bed,Thy girded runner though the course be sped. “Stephen Phillips
“O let me climb when I lie down.”Henry Vaughan
What a challenge!
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Personal Note
Allow me to conclude with the same personal note as I did last year. I am physically very weak but by God’s grace the hope within me is very much alive. For me CFT’s Mission and Vision are clear. The fighting spirit in me is not handicapped by my handicap.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Caleb’s words have a special meaning for me:
"Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!
I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said." (Joshua 14:10-12)
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
May God bless CFT!
May God bless you one and all!
President’s Address: CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007