October 2006 South African Base for PIH/Iris Africa Churches

The Redworths moved to South Africa to direct the base in April 2006.

"Since our return we have held four intensive bible schools for returning and new students. All the students are already pastors or senior workers in their Partners in Harvest Churches. Most are men, but there are women at every session as well. Most of the students come from various parts of the large Mpumalanga province, but there are also a few from the Limpopo and Gauteng provinces.

"Some students have senior levels of education, and at the other extreme, a few are even unable to read. The Holy Spirit makes no distinctions with the outpouring of His blessings however! All instruction is in Zulu and English, while the students’ home languages also include SiSwati, Soto, Tsonga, and Shona.

"Three of the four senior leaders of the churches (who are known as “Commissioners”) are regulars in the Bible school, and encourage other pastors to come.

"In each and every school the Holy Spirit has been the principle teacher, which rejoices all of our hearts. When He makes His presence evident, the Scriptures come alive, bringing riches to both students and teachers. The students return home both enriched and encouraged.

"We have also held two conferences over the last six months, the Easter conference in April and the Youth conference in September. Larger numbers participated in both of these events than in the previous year. For the youth conference, extra buses had to be chartered for the many youth who wanted to be there, plus just as many adults who just could not pass up the opportunity of being together in the Lord’s presence. Many slept in large tents, one of which had been donated to us for our Easter conference by a generous friend of Iris Ministries here.

"A decision has been made to build the much needed additional bible school classroom and dorm, and are hoping to soon begin construction of a Children’s Centre. We are praying that Jesus would provide experienced people to oversee the construction of these projects.

"So much more could be done, “but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask Him to send out more workers for His fields. Go now . . . ” Luke 10:2 New Living Translation."