Dear Northside
It was wonderful honouring our Mothers last Sunday. Where would we be without our Moms? I loved the child dedication as it showed so clearly that every woman can be a mother to someone and that this shows God’s heart for us – He adopts us into His family.
For the past few weeks, I have been involved in various meetings concerning the Love Zimbabwe Festival. This week it was launched. So, what is the Love Zimbabwe Festival? It is the church giving the city a party. Calling us to “Love Zimbabwe”. But it is also an evangelistic event. The Luis Palau Association are working with and through and for the local church. There will be many events planned for:
- Children, youth, young adults,
- women, men,
- businesspeople,
- schools, colleges, universities,
- prisons, the police and the military.
At every event, the Gospel will be proclaimed. Once the program comes out, we want you, the local church, to start praying for the Festival and praying for the non-Christians you know. Then, to invite them to the relevant events. If they make a commitment to follow Jesus at the event, then it is your responsibility to disciple them. There will be trainings to help you evangelise and disciple – make a commitment to attend these when they are advertised.
Most events will take place from 22-26 September 2025, with the main festival happening from the 26th to the 28th of September here in Harare. Please make a note of this in your diaries so that you do not miss out on this amazing event. It is our prayer that Zimbabwe and Harare will never be the same again, after the Festival, because of all the people who give their lives to Jesus and are being discipled by the local church.
This festival is being hosted by the 4 denominations that make up the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHoCD). It is wonderful seeing the unity of the 4 mother bodies. Please pray for continued unity.
We are praying for over 1 million people to come to the Festival and hear the Gospel. Please pray for that. This also means that we will need an army of hundreds of volunteers. When adverts come out for volunteers, please volunteer.
Closer to home, we had our newcomers’ welcome tea on Saturday. We have not had one since COVID. It is wonderful having new people join the Northside family. May you know Jesus more and more and glorify God in all that you do – and hopefully Northside is helping you do that!
Next Sunday is Africa Day. In Jeremiah 29, God tells His people in exile to make their home in the city He has sent them to and to pray for the peace and prosperity of that city. God has planted us here in Harare, Zimbabwe. We love being Africans. Come and celebrate Africa Day with us. Come dressed in African attire.
Do not forget to register with the church office if you want to attend the SHAPE Course. Discovering your God-given unique SHAPE for Ministry.
God bless, Pastor Gary