Last Day of Conference

The last day of the minister’s conference was incredible. Different people got up and began to testify how the meetings have changed their lives and caused them to think differently and believe God more for the impossible. Various choirs got up to sing special songs before the word of God was preached. When I finally got up, I preached a message called "Receiving the Promise" It wasn't long until we all were shouting, running, jumping dancing and crying out to God because  of what he was doing in our lives. There was a living river of God's power in the house and if it touched you, you were changed!

Pastors fell out onto the altar under the power of God. Elders and mothers were speaking in tongues. Many teenagers were filled with the Holy Ghost and demons were cast out of many people’s lives. The enemy tried to bind some of God’s people and stood against us, but when the saints began to pray and called on the mighty name of Jesus, the Holy Ghost began to move and Satan lost his power. Hallelujah!  Jesus went through the church today healing the sick, casting out devils and rebuking the devourer! God showed himself strong in the church today. It was incredible, magnificent, glorious and powerful.

Towards the end of the day, there was a water baptism and 43 souls went down in Jesus’ name and came up new creatures in Christ. Old things are passed away and all things have become new…it was just a precious day in the Lord.
All we can say is mission accomplished, mission complete and the US team is coming home!

God bless you thank you all for praying.
-Rev. Melvin L. Sanchez

Minister's Conference

This year's conference, held in Lusaka, Zambia in an area called Misisi was so beautiful. It's hard to imagine that God packed that much into just 3 days worth of meetings.  There were times of teaching and instruction, times where the Lord was dealing with hearts and minds by pulling out old roots and traditions and then, there were times when we just got lost in the Lord!  We jumped, shouted, danced and claimed the victory for our lives!

All of the messages flowed together and built upon each other. Our brothers and sisters in Zambia are on the brink of a great move of God and each speaker built on the common themes that God is calling his people to change their mind set, to do something with what they have, and to "only believe" for God to cover the rest.

The last meeting was so powerful, as the Holy Spirit came down and pleaded for the people of Zambia. People cried out to God with all their hearts for nearly an hour. Many fell flat on their faces, some were on their backs, some stood and prophesied as the preacher had ministered, while others just knelt and wept. There is a determination in the people of God that they are going to make a difference in their communities for Jesus Christ. 

Really, that last meeting summed up our entire trip. The ministry here is filled with men and women who are battling odds that would seem insurmountable by all accounts. How can you teach 560 students with only 6 teachers and limited supplies? How can you build a permanent church when you're surrounded by needs and there seems to be no money? The Bible says that with man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible! This week, we've seen this scripture in action.  560 children, who cannot pay, are receiving an education every day.  A village in need of a church is digging mud out of the river bed and baking it to make bricks. Right now, on the ground in Chongwe lies a pile of bricks that are prepared and a Pastor believes that God will supply the money to purchase cement so that he can mason them together. But he's not just waiting - - Somehow, the wall is already waist high!

That's where this whole work in Zambia seems right now.  Many are being fed, educated, clothed, and receiving salvation every day. But there are still bricks on the ground.  With just a little more mortar, hundreds, even thousands more could be reached.  This week, the men and women of these wonderful churches claimed God's promises for their lives and we know that God is going to supply.

Thank you so much for praying, thank you so much for sending, thank you so much for doing! You are a part of what God is doing here in Zambia.  And the best part....it's only the beginning!

-Ben Satagaj

Men's Meeting

What a wonderful time of fellowship we had this afternoon! The plan was to talk to the men in an informal teaching format and take some time breaking down Matthew 6, with a focus regarding trust in God and motives. This was a perfect follow up to Rev. Sanchez's morning meeting on "When things don't get better/There is oil in the house." He talked about how we are naturally trusting when we're born, but mistrust quickly creeps in because experiences and hurts in life cause us to build walls. If we're not careful, this mistrust extends to God and we subconsciously group him in with everything around us, and this translates to a lack of faith.

We took some time to review prophecies of the Bible that illustrate the infallibility of God's Word. There are specific Messianic prophecies that could never be predicted by natural man because the circumstances around them were not in place at the time they were written. However, God revealed it to the prophets and they wrote down the words that would one day be fulfilled, once everything else fell into place.  From there, we really dug into the portion of scripture that says, "Thy father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly."

We began to discuss the motive behind our ministries and who is being glorified. There is a difference between someone who is consumed with the kingdom vision and a person whose desire is to promote himself. The difference is the anointing and without it you can entertain, but you can't break yokes.  At this point, the Holy Spirit started revealing dreams and desires in the men and a few began to weep. One man tried to take notes even though tears were welling up in his eyes.  Within a few minutes, it was impossible to go further. God was refreshing the vision in men's lives and telling them that they could trust Him, for He would bring it to pass. God is not a respecter of persons and He could move on whosoever let him. 

We lifted our hands and began praying together as God took over.  One man put his head on his desk and just poured out his whole heart to God.  When we prayed with him, you could feel discouragement breaking away and an assurance that God would do exactly what he said he would do. God was bringing him to another level. Another man rocked back and forth with tears streaming down his face proclaiming God's promises.  Men were standing with hands raised, prophesying God's Word for their lives and corporately we spoke to the mountain…it shall be moved, and Misisi is going to change! It was awesome! 

I personally felt such a bond to these men and a burden for the struggles they face. It's easy to talk of faith when you're comfortable and life is easy, but these men live next to children who know they won't eat that day. Many children are sick because they live, play, and sleep surrounded by trash on every side. This is a place where it's easy for dreams to be swallowed up in circumstance and hope can seem fleeting. God has placed an answer in Misisi, and it is the church.  Today, I experienced a part of the burden they face, and then I experienced the burden-bearer come on the scene and say, "I can make a way where there seems to be no way. I can open a door, no man can shut." I know God is about to do even greater things in their lives.

Thank you and God bless!
-Ben Satagaj

Women's Meeting

The fellowship with the ladies was a great experience for me. I did not feel like I was ministering to strangers but to family that I have known all my life. The ladies laughed and cried as I shared about Ruth and Naomi's journey.
 
After the message, we gathered in a circle and began to pray. The Lord was faithful to move upon these beautiful women of God!
After prayer, all the ladies began to ask Sis. Nicole and I about our lives and families. We all laughed and just had a great time, as we shared stories about our families.

It was a beautiful service and these women have gotten in my heart. The ladies call me ‘mom’ and just shower me with love. Even though they have great needs, they also have great faith in a great God that is able to meet their every need. It is so difficult to put into words what is in my heart but I am so grateful to be a part of this team.

-Bishop Gallaher

Report from Bishop Gallaher

Bishop Gallaher reports:

Let me start by giving honor to God, to Bishop Joy Misika and to the executive board for holding this beautiful annual conference.  I would also like to give honor to Minister Benjamin Satagaj and his wife Nicole.  Last but not least, I’d like to give honor to Rev. Melvin L. Sanchez and World-Wide Lighthouse Missions, Inc. who thought it not robbery to bring an 80-year-old lady to Lusaka, Zambia so she could preach the gospel!

Everything here has been so beautiful…the children, the people and the singing. It's hard to put into words, but God's people here in Zambia are a precious people – they are a strong people and they are mighty in their faith toward God.

While here in Zambia, God spoke to my heart to preach a message entitled – Just Believe.  In the middle of my message, I also shared a personal testimony of how God raised up one of my children for His glory. When all others had given up hope, God told me to, just believe.
I know the message challenged people and stirred their faith because many lives came to the altar crying and seeking the face of God. They began to believe that God was able to meet each and every need. The entire U.S. and Zambia team worked together at the altars of God, ministering to the young and the old. God was faithful, so very faithful, to move on his people with the power of the Holy Ghost!  It was just precious!  At times, all I could do was lift my hands and glorify God, with tears running down my cheeks as I watched God work in the mist of his children.

In closing, I’d like to say how very evident it is to see the many needs that our friends here in Zambia have.  They need churches to be built, and children fed and educated – some may think it takes a lot to help change a life, however, the Lord spoke to me years ago and said, “Use what you have and do what you can.” So today, I want to encourage you to use what you have and do what you can, and God will do the rest!

First Day of Conference

Today was the first day of conference and there was such an excitement in the air!  Preparations were made, grounds were cleaned, and water buckets had been filled.  People were singing and everyone was getting ready for the members of all the church branches to arrive for the annual conference.
It wasn’t long until the members started arriving - the atmosphere was filled with great joy!  People hugged, embraced and cried because they hadn’t seen one another since last year, while others came in singing songs.

As people entered the church grounds, they brought potatoes, rice, chickens, and goats, for all the meals that were going to be served this week!
The worship service was amazing, listening to everyone lift up their voices to Glorify God…and I absolutely loved the handmade instruments they use.  You don't even miss the guitars, drums or trumpets that we are used to back home because when people begin to open up their mouths, they create something that sounds like a heavenly symphony – it truly is captivating.

After song service, every choir wanted to sing, but there was not enough time. So, they gave each choir a chance to sing throughout the week. As the songs were sung, people clapped their hands and praised God. One Pastor said to me, "We owe God all the praise because we made it through another year…in the mist of poverty and hunger, unemployment, discouragements, deaths and sickness, God through His love and mercy, chose to keep us alive. God has kept us safe, He has provided and we just had to give Him the glory!"

When it was time to preach, I preached the first message on the Divine Destination! This message was embraced with great joy and faith.  God was so faithful to remind His people in the message that they're on a journey and He is walking with them.  He has a divine purpose and call on the lives of each and every one of them and the Holy Spirit has come to empower His people to accomplish the call.

As the Word went forth, people were dancing, shouting and running around the church because they knew that they had purpose!  They knew God's hand was still on their lives. They knew that nothing they went through this past year was without purpose. Even what they are facing right now, God was working it out for their good!It wasn't just a meeting, it was a celebration!  It was a revival!  It was like God had come down and empowered His people to keep moving forward!  No matter what happens, don't stop!  Keep moving forward!

When the altar call was given, many people were blessed by God and filled with the Holy Ghost. Older people were at the altar thanking God for his faithfulness, younger people were at the altar thanking God for their future. We even had sinners at the altar thanking God for destroying the past.

As the altar call went on, people were falling out under the power of God. Elders were praying for one another and families were gathered together calling on the mighty name of Jesus. It was a beautiful, beautiful service.  Thank you for all your prayers!

Please forgive the poor quality of the following video, but we wanted our viewers to catch even a small glimpse of what God did during these meetings!

Youth Meeting Report

Written by: Nicole Satagaj

What an amazing experience it was, to gather with the youth and leaders in the church and head out to the paths of Misisi!  As we walked and sang, children on the street ran from every direction to join the group with big smiles on their faces.  They followed us into the church and sat down to hear the Word of God.

I have such a desire for these young people.  They are so special in God's sight. The first meeting, I preached on how the enemy is out to steal their future, their purpose, and their identity, but Christ has come to give them life and hope! The next day, God gave me a word to tell them that they are not forgotten! God has called them and wants to anoint their lives with the Holy Ghost and power!  In the last meeting, I preached how God wants to use their lives even now, as children.  God doesn't need to wait to use them until they are grown up, they can have a ministry now!

The altar calls were beautiful.  Little children and teenagers flooded to the front, anxious to receive from God.   The team, along with the youth workers, prayed over their lives that God would anoint them.  The presence of God just settled over the young people like a blanket.  God also gave us a special time to pray with the youth leaders, that God would anoint them to reach the young people of this generation!

During one of the meetings, I felt such compassion rise up in me for these young people.  Through the Holy Spirit, I began to pray for this generation that God would raise them up.  I prayed that they would serve Jesus all the days of their lives!  These children are the future of the church and the future of Zambia!  Let's pray that they will be world changers for Jesus!