Baptism of Kestine Mpofu Lusinga - Cardiff Seventh-day Adventist Church - Sabbath 14 February 2009
Photos by Pedro Garcia
BAPTISM AND EVANGELISM FOR CARDIFF AFRICAN FELLOWSHIP - by Theo Gokah and John Surridge
On Sabbath afternoon, 14 February 2009, Mrs Kestine Mpofu Lusinga was baptised in the Cardiff Central church and welcomed into membership of SWAAF. Kestine's husband Future, who is already a member, and their son Ryan, were present for the service, along with a large number of friends and supporters.
The baptism coincided with a Children's Day at the Cardiff Central church, and many youngsters were able to witness first hand - right from the edge of the baptistery - what a baptism is really like. Many of them, as well as a number of older people in the congregation, responded to an appeal to follow Kestine's example in giving their hearts to Jesus and pledging to be baptised at some stage in the future.
The South Wales African Adventist Fellowship, or SWAAF, grew out of the Cardiff Central church nearly two years ago with the primary intention of reaching out to members of the African community living in South Wales. Under the leadership of Pastor George Asiamah it has retained its evangelistic emphasis and has grown considerably - to the extent that in May 2008 it was formed into an official company of the Welsh Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
An evangelistic campaign held in the autumn of 2008 led to five baptisms, with Kestine bringing the total to six baptisms in less than six months.
The evangelistic emphasis continues. On Sabbath 7 February Welsh Mission President Pastor John Surridge launched "Evangelism 2009" as part of Adventist World Church's "Year of Evangelism". The evangelistic strategy for SWAAF will include using DVDs of the Australian Evangelist Pastor Geoff Youlden, as well as a great deal of personal witnessing by the members. The leaders have also adopted a dual theme: "Each One Win One for Christ - Call your Friend".
Pastor Asiamah and the leaders of SWAAF have introduced a number of other initiatives to help build members' spirituality and capacity to be effective witnesses for Christ. These include a prayer chain programme, where each group prays and fasts on certain days throughout the year. In addition to this, Bible studies, active worship services, and amicable social interactions, all add to the plan for equipping members and building capacity for the task ahead.