This summer the African Twin Cities camp meeting convened for the largest annual spiritual gathering of Africans in the Mid-American Union that has been held continuously for the past nine years.
Conference president Justin Lyons reported to over 1,000 in attendance that the Minnesota Conference Board of Trustees had voted to affirm the activities of the African Twin Cities camp meeting. “I am so glad that you have this ministry here. We, the conference, give support,” Lyons said.
The president then went on to describe the vision of Minnesota Conference and challenged the gathering to participate in a greater mission. He said: “Keep your EYES on eternity—EYES stands for Evangelism, (minister to people from all walks of life; help them come to faith in Jesus), encourage the Youth to participate in the church and grow in faith, support Adventist Education and grow in Spirituality, do Service to the community and be faithful Stewards.”
While sharing his personal testimony, Lyons described meeting some Seventh-day Adventist young people in a public university. They were happy and walked the faith. They were not perfect, but they were honest with him. In that relationship they brought him to faith and he fell in love with Christ and accepted salvation by grace. Lyons said that he began to experience healing in his broken life, found power to overcome his past, and today he can honestly say he is at peace and intends to have a life-long relationships with Jesus Christ and His church.
Pastor Brian Mungandi, conference vice president, introduced the main speaker. Pastor Clifford Nhlapo, president of KwaZulu Natal Free State Conference in South Africa, preached about the amazing grace of God during a dynamic series designed to apply the Old Testament prophetic words to today’s everyday life. Pastor Nhlapo appealed for everyone to accept Christ’s grace and have an authentic Christian experience.
Many listeners experienced in their hearts how godly sorrow over sin brings repentance that leads to salvation. On Sabbath afternoon we praised the Lord as 18 souls were baptized!
Brian Mungandi is vice president and communication director for the Minnesota Conference.
