"HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT US"

 

Dear Friend

We are now firmly into the first quarter of the New Year - 2009! A year full of promise and the triumphant hope that only comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ. I trust that you, like us at Focus Africa, are looking forward to what the Lord has planned in this New Year. With all the global, economic and social challenges that this year brings with it, we can align ourselves with the Apostle Paul when he proclaims: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God…and hope does not disappoint us…” (Rom.5:1-5, NIV).

As we use this moment to look at what lies ahead, we also need to take this same moment and reflect on what has already gone behind. In August of last year, we sucessfully launched The Truth Project which took place in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Through these seminars conducted by Dr Del Tackett and his Team, we managed to reach out to over 1,000 people. To provide some continuity to the Truth Project programme, we at Focus Africa have already embarked on local training seminars (a 3 hour or half-day course) that focus on those planning to start small groups within their communities and churches. Details are therefore provided in this same Newsletter on how you can contact our Focus Africa team to visit your church or community. May I also take this opportunity to most sincerely thank you for either coming to Dr Del Tackett’s seminars in August 2008 or for just praying for us during those times of preparation and hard work. Our success has been your success too!

We have a number of exciting things happening in 2009. At the end of March, we will be hosting the President and Chief Executive Officer of Focus on the Family USA, Mr Jim Daly. He will be accompanied by the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Glenn Williams. Mr Daly will bring us some updates on how Focus on the Family is forging ahead as an international global organization. Mr Daly will also be bringing warm personal greetings from Dr Dobson, the Founder of Focus on the Family. Recently, Dr Dobson and his wife Shirley both stepped down from the board of Focus on the Family, in keeping with the transition plan that was put into place 6 years ago. At its instigation, Dr Dobson stepped down as President, (which position is now held by Jim Daly) but he is still actively involved in writing and Radio Broadcasting.
To read the press release concerning this, please [click here].

In September 2009, plans are underway to host our international renowned speaker and author, Mr Rob Parsons. A detailed programme outlining this year’s events will be communicated to you in due course.

In addition to the above mentioned events, Focus Africa continues to commit to providing our radio broadcasting listeners with more local production that will be featured alongside the USA productions. We have been greatly encouraged by the feedback we received on our first local production. Thank you.

A new partnership agreement with Lux Verbi BM has made it possible for us to begin distributing our trustworthy Christian resources to our ministry partners in 23 countries of Sub-Sahara Africa. One advantage of this is that we are offering you, our constituent, an opportunity to buy a selected range of resources that are still warehoused here in our bookroom, at significantly reduced prices. All the details are contained below.

We are very much aware that in all our plans and vision for this year, we need to continue trusting in the unfailing promises of God while also bearing in mind that the hope we have in Christ will not disappoint us. Once again, I would like to thank you for your partnership and support in what we believe the Lord has called us to do in this part of the world. May you experience the same hope in the unfailing promises of God.

Sincerely,

Dr. Amon Kasambala
Chief Executive Officer

TELEVISION

Focus on the Family programmes adapted for television are well received across the continent . Our programmes are aired on: Emmanuel TV, CNW and Solid Rock.
Botswana TV has again renewed their contract for 2009.
We thank God for the privilege we have of sharing these life changing programmes with viewers in Africa.

 

PUBLICATIONS

Our Family related articles are now being featured in 10 publications, which vary from monthly and bi-monthly magazines to weekly newspapers. Contact us if there is a publication in your area that would benefit from including Focus articles in their content.

 

RADIO

NEWSFLASH...we are SO proud of the recognition awarded to Dr Dobson's many years of Broadcasting, having being inducted into the National Radio Hall Of Fame. This is the first religious programme to receive such an honour!

NEWSFLASH...to encourage and appreciate our media partners, Focus is awarding the "Focus On The Family Broadcast Shield" to the broadcaster who airs outstanding family-orientated programmes. This will be awarded at the ACB Conference in March 2009.

NEWSFLASH...our daily programmes continue to bless and inspire listeners all over Africa, and recently, a local church chose these CDs as gifts to honour Public servants in their community who work tirelessly within the Metro Police, Fire Brigade, Reaction Unit and others.

Stay tuned 'till next time.........!

[Radio Programme Schedule]
[Find a Station]

Nothing is more gratifying than the knowledge that the Lord uses our efforts to touch and change lives. Our passion is to serve you, and your letters and emails and telephone calls are handled with great care and prayer: thank you for trusting us with those things that are personal and painful at times. We are incredibly encouraged when we hear back from you……….How gracious is our God!

[Counselling]

NO APOLOGIES &
PARENTING WITH ASSURANCE

Over the past few months the Family Outreach team has been involved in workshops for parents, teachers, care-givers and children.

More recently, we have been asked to present not only our “No Apologies” course but also “Parenting with Assurance” in places of care for orphaned or abandoned children. This need has been two-fold: firstly the importance of teaching the children character and skills to avoid high risk behaviour through the “No Apologies” curriculum and secondly to equip care-givers with skills that they need to help insulate these same children from the dangerous behaviours of our world.

Often, the care-givers are young people themselves, and a number of them have had their own fair share of trauma in their lives. To work through and share “Parenting With Assurance” with them is a great privilege, and to share the love of God with them an even greater honour. These children in care have rarely experienced the joy and safety of a family: how special it is for children to have parents to love and care for them! May we always thank God and appreciate our own families.

 

THE TRUTH PROJECT
LOCAL TRAINING

As the responsibility for “The Truth Project” was handed over to us by Dr Tackett, so we have started to do Local Trainings. Our first was held at Alberton Methodist Church, and was presented by a trained team of three Focus staff. By the time this newsletter reaches you, we will have completed our second one in Johannesburg and the third in East London. Forthcoming trainings will be in Durban in March, Cape Town in April and Kokstad in May - so you still have time to book!

“The Truth Project” Local Training in Alberton

We are ready to come to your church
or community to train new leaders.

Contact Paul at truthproject@fotf.co.za or call us at 031 7163300 for information and details concerning “The Truth Project”.

Visit "The Truth Project" webpage by [clicking here].