Newsletter July-August 2010

The 2010 Football World Cup has just come to a spectacular end here in South Africa.  As one advertisement said “Every four years the world comes together to stand apart in determining which country is the greatest.”  South Africa is the beneficiary of hosting this event – with plaudits from every level in venues, preparation, and quality of production.  The world was charmed by the beauty of the country and the warmth and friendliness of the people.  There is a legacy of stadiums and infrastructure for the future, but of far greater consequence is the harmony, unity and optimism within the people who joined together during this event.

Wendy and I attended a game hosted in Nelspruit just 20 km from the Press – one of four games held there.  I stood with 40,000 excited fans marveling at the loudness of the incessant vuvuzelas where for two hours the focus of the whole world was on this little town in the middle of this vast country at the end of Africa where we live and I grew up.

What amazing development and technology that makes this happen. It’s the same new technology that allows anyone anywhere in the world to access Emmanuel Press via the internet.

We have just had our website revamped and updated so that anyone anywhere in Africa and even the world can read about our ministry and get involved.  We have an area on our website where people can read the message of salvation in Jesus, and ask to be enrolled in our Discipleship Course. Since the new website was launched in June of 2010 we have received many requests for Bible Study  material! 

This is one step of many towards being able to have students study our lessons ‘on line’.  We would like to give our students the opportunity to read their lesson material via our website and then complete their examination on line. The examination would be marked electronically, and then the next lesson would be available to them to study.  This is a whole new delivery system to complement the old tried and true postal system.  In many African countries this will mean better access and delivery than is now available.  Even restricted access countries will now be open to the Bible Study Courses we offer.

Please pray with us for this new approach to Africa – that many will make use of and benefit  from the Word of God being delivered to them.  Pray also for skilled people to come alongside us to implement this new technology.  The existing postal system, that has been and still is the life-blood of this ministry, is often slow and unreliable which delays the growth of eager students studying the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ.  For us it is still vital and we are dependent upon it for effectiveness.  Please continue to pray that the mail that is being posted to us is delivered on time!

Check out the new website as you pray for us - http://www.emmanuelpress.co.za 

Russell Clark, a pillar of Emmanuel Press, went quietly into the presence of Jesus as he neared his 95th birthday. He and Elaine have served faithfully on site for almost 30 years.  A wonderful celebration of a life dedicated to being in  Christ was held with tributes from 5 children and spouses, grandchildren and a host of friends. We honour his dedication to the work of the Kingdom and expect thousands will call him blessed in heaven as his works follow him.

Together in reaching Africa for Jesus 

Executive Director
Dean Skinner
  

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