CMA INTERNATIONAL
CMA INTERNATIONAL
By BLAIZE Thomas
FIVE years ago , we started meeting with people every second Saturday . Churches and fellowships around Zimbabwe were closed due to the pandemic . “ Why would God allow such deadly trials ?” was the question on millions of people ’ s lips at that time , believers and non-believers alike .
It became glaringly apparent folks were understandably becoming disconnected as they were forced to neglect the “ gathering together .”
Everybody understands we are free to make personal choices in life . However , if our choices cause anybody to stumble or sin in their walk with the Lord , we are to be sensitive to the freedom we have in Christ . Paul ’ s explanation in 1 Corinthians 10:32 ( NKJV ) is very pointed . “ Give no offense , either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God .”
The Lord Jesus was consistently on our minds . Kim ( my wife ) and I took this very seriously and prayed regularly for the Lord ’ s guidance . Simple daily activities offered us opportunities to preach the Gospel . Romans 8:31 ( NKJV ), “ What then shall we say to these things ? If God is for us , who can be against us ?”
With all that free time , we may earnestly seek the Lord .
“ And you will seek Me and find Me , when you search for Me with all your heart ” ( Jeremiah 29:13 , NKJV ).
By our identity in Christ , our Saturday fellowship members thought we had an obligation to preach the Gospel to everyone at every opportunity the Lord provided . Daily riding a bike is most definitely one of the many ways the Lord has graciously allowed as a stress relief . Our weekly men ’ s prayer group has seen the Lord working graciously to allow a harvest of many souls into the Kingdom over the years .
“ Therefore , whether you eat or drink , or whatever you do , do all to the glory of God ” ( 1 Corinthians 10:31 , NKJV ).
2023 was the year our small biweekly Saturday afternoon meetings grew , with the Lord opening new ministry opportunities . Over the last six years , CMA has had the opportunity to bring the Easter message to the residents of a local caravan park . Due to our affiliation with the Saturday fellowship , one of its members owns a caravan site in the park ; we now have a regular service on the second Sunday of each month .
CMA Zimbabwe was invited to attend a biker club ’ s international rally that they hold every four years to spiritual matters along the way . The 2023 venue was Victoria Falls . What we have seen in our country is that , ultimately , it is the poor and hurting who seek God , not the rich and comfortable . It is danger and calamity that turn men to their Savior , not health and wealth .
“ When Jesus heard it , He said to them , ‘ Those who are well have no need of a physician , but those who are sick . I did not come to call the righteous , but sinners , to repentance ’” ( Mark 2:17 , NKJV ).
It is suffering that wakes us to our true need for a Savior . C . S . Lewis put it this way : “ God whispers to us in our pleasures , speaks in our conscience , but shouts in our pain : it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world ” ( The Problem of Pain , HarperCollins , 1996 , p . 91 ).
May God continue to guide and bless our CMA families around the globe . CMA
Blaize Thomas serves as President of CMA Zimbabwe .
29⎪MAY 2024⎪www . cmausa . org