Everyone is stepping UP
11-6+7=12^
We had a remarkably special Together Sunday two weeks ago and looked at this exciting equation. We are proposing that of the 11 current elders, 6 step UP-and-off and that 7 step UP-and-on to eldership. The ^ symbol denotes that, through this process, EVERYONE IN THE CHURCH can step up in various ways to live lives of MAKING DISCIPLES. This change to the eldership would significantly re-shape the age and diversity demographics of the leadership of ROL and, simultaneously, open up huge opportunities for greater fulfillment of our vision which is:
TO GLORIFY GOD
BY ADVANCING HIS KINGDOM
THROUGH PLANTING & STRENGTHENING NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES.
Those stepping UP-and-Off eldership would still be part of ROL Eastlea/GP as their base church, but would have more far-reaching influence into other DNa churches and beyond. For example:
- Roy Chimanikire: Finances for ROL and DNa
- Gus Hulley: The Base Church Byo, DNa education
- Stu Knight: Christian Counselling Center
- Derek Landman: Courses across DNa (Alpha, Network, Marriage, Parenting etc)
- Jacob Ngandu: staying on eldership for a transitionary period up to a year, New Creation Church Byo, Kigali church-plant.
- Scott Smith: Hope City Church Byo.
The proposed new elders were all profiled with endorsement and recommendation from the current elders, with whom they have walked for the last 2 years. As they were profiled to the church we have invited further feedback on their character and gifting for eldership – ahead of potential appointment with Dave Holden in Feb 2023. They are:
Kelvin Chamunorwa
Kumbi Dhliwayo
Danny Hillman
Danny Hulley
Leon Rademeyer
Unity Sahke
Blessing Wazara
Around this leadership updraught there will be many opportunities for others to engage with these situations and more. EVERYONE STEPPING UP into greater effectiveness for making disciples of all nations.
I closed Together Sunday’s meeting with a call to all River Of Lifers to please:
- Continue to Pray for all these people, their loved ones, and everyone in leadership within ROL, that we would gain momentum in proclaiming the Gospel as we should.
- Continue to Participate in attending faithfully, giving faithfully, and serving with whatever talents each has in faithfulness to The Lord
- To feedback on these proposed plans via Site Leaders, Small Group Leaders, or to me personally on the proposed changes. We are all in this TOGETHER.
Thank-you for the vibrancy of that Together Sunday and the sense of momentum across the church as so many are running with this. I look forward to all that The Lord has for us in this next phase of the ROL adventure with Him.
Much love
Scott
Newfrontiers Global 2022
Over 80 nations were represented by 150 international leaders at the Newfrontiers Global 2022 in Cyprus last week. Scripture read in Arabic, Albanian, Ukrainian, Russian, Shona, French plus many, many more languages.
The sense of joy in The Lord, delight in one another, and zeal for the gospel was truly awesome. So many highlights and encouragements. Claire and I travelled with next generation leaders in Disciple Nations including Muss & Natsi Maramwidze, Tongai and Joy Mahobele from Zimbabwe and Timóteo & Sara Bila who represented Mozambique. 
Baptisms and Growth at ROL
19 amazing people were baptised in water 
at River of Life Church, Eastlea site last Sunday. We are increasing from 3 Sunday meetings to 4 next month and hopefully 5 by January 2023. Currently 1500 people across all ages, races, languages and walks of life.
It is such a joy to see the church alive in God’s love and shining that love in many diverse ways within some super-stretching circumstances. 
Shining Brighter through Giving
Dear River of Life
As we started the third term I felt such joy to preach the message ‘State of River of Life Church’. In a nutshell I believe that we are shining brightly and are called to shine even brighter in our Lifestyles Of Making Disciples❤️🤸🏽♂️
I am so thankful for the broad participation across the church in so many diverse ways, which is what makes the light of Christ radiate so brightly.
In particular, I would like to especially encourage us to faithfulness in finances. We have known real grace in this area, but of late we have real strain – somewhat of a crunch point. Please do pray about this and be free to give as The Lord leads you.
I encouraged irregular givers to move to be regular – Whhooo!
Regular givers to move to regular tithers – whohhooo!!
Regular tithers to move to ministry of giving (over 10% income) – wwhhooohooo!
Not under compulsion but as genuine worship to The Lord.
Thank-you for the response to this, and for the amazing zeal and unity we have.
A reminder of the nine ways you can give, which hopefully can make that step of transaction slightly more easy :
These details will also be circulated as a stand-alone graphic for easy reference.
Let’s continue to press forward in the face off all the challenges and trust The Lord for an even more more radiant, life-giving expression of River of Life as we go towards year-end and 2023.
Huge love and thanks to all,
Scott
Local Giving, Regional Impact!
Just as we encourage individuals to generosity with personal income, so we as a church give away 15% of our income on a monthly basis.
When you are part of River of Life you are therefore contributing to the advance of the gospel on diverse fronts including Christian Counselling Centre, Zambezi Holidays, Makomborero, Refuge Trust, The Michael Project and many others.
Our recent Disciple Nations conference was funded in significant part by this generosity. 120 church leaders from across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia gathered in Kadoma for a weekend of vision and equipping. There was massive connection of relationship and massive engagement in joint mission. I believe we are set to see great expansion of effectiveness in church-planting and strengthening as a result of this.
Thank you for your personal generosity that is catalysing this corporate generosity for the benefit of thousands of people and situations beyond our local church.
Much love
Scott
Two Fold Response during COVID
I love being part of a church that has its hands dirty, whose heart is towards God and whose hands are extended towards the world. It is thrilling to be part of a church where so many people are participating in so many ways. We are on a great journey together!
Love to all
Scott
Alpha material translated into Shona
It really has been a special joy working with the Alpha Zimbabwe team, and the ROL afternoon service leaders, who have linked up together, to translate the Alpha Course into Shona. I have such an expectation of where this could go, and how people can hear the gospel in the vernacular, as a result of this initiative.
Much love
Scott
Alpha Series Kicks Off
I am very overjoyed to say that we are approaching 700 people in 70 Alpha Small Groups as we approach the launch, this weekend, of our First Term Alpha series.
We have never combined the Sunday service and Small group before, but it is certainly an exciting prospect for this term.
This Sunday 31st Jan 2021 will be our first ever CHURCH-WIDE LIVE ZOOM Sunday. We have four meetings through the day, each covering the same content, and everyone is encouraged to come online via Zoom at the time of their choice – 8:30am, 10am, 4pm or 6pm.
From next Sunday 7th Feb all Sunday service messages will be delivered within the with Alpha Small Group meetings on Sundays. The groups can choose their preferred time and the content will be delivered to the Small Group Leaders for sharing with the Small Group on the Sunday.
Spaces are filling up but there is still time if you have not yet registered on the website and/or signed-up for a Small Group. You can do so HERE.
I am praying for many to come to Christ and many to be strengthened in Christ through this 9 week series. Also for many stronger leaders to become more effective in discipleship and for groups to continue next term aimed primarily at unbelievers.
Thank-you for your participation and engaging in this exciting Alpha adventure with us.
Love to all,
Scott