DAY 4

A fresh call of God

Rufaro developed into a thriving music ministry with several hundreds of bookings per year. Still Peter, Vangi, and Oliver maintained a policy of never canceling on a smaller church in favor of a larger one's offer. One day Peter received a call from an influential local pastor.

“Look, I know your policy,” he said. “But something has come up. We have an unprecedented opportunity to host a big 5-night Gospel campaign in the Birmingham City Hall. We’ve got a well-known evangelist, but we want Rufaro...”

“Who is the evangelist?” Peter asked.

“A German guy from South Africa, called Reinhard Bonnke.” What?? Surely this was no coincidence!

One month earlier, Peter had happened upon a magazine published by Bonnke's ministry, Christ for All Nations (CfaN). It outlined CfaN's upcoming plans for expanding evangelism in Africa. With magazine in hand Peter had sense the Holy Spirit saying "The Lord has a role for you to play in this ministry." Despite his attempts to dismiss it, he could not shake this prompting from God, and now there seemed to be a reason behind it. 

He phoned around and each church that he explained to was willing to move their dates, and Rufaro committed to the campaign.

After the event Peter recalls meeting with Reinhard. "I told him about the magazine article and what I believed God had said to me. He was a little taken aback. 'I’m sorry, Peter, but we really don’t have any use for a preacher or a musician. There’s nothing for you.'

'Oh,' Peter said, disappointed. 'I really felt the Lord spoke to me.'

Peter thought he'd better get going, and stood up to take his leave. But then Reinhard said, 'Well there IS one thing. But it’s nothing for you.'

'What is that?' he asked.

'Well, I need someone to kick our transport department into shape.'

'Reinhard, that was my profession! I was the managing director of a motor dealership. I’m a skilled engineer. I know that world!'

'What? Would you come for that?' Reinhard asked, amazed.

'I would'...”

Questions: 

1. Ephesians 1:7-8 addresses the redemption of Christ. Peter thought that his past life as an agnostic motor mechanic was rubbish, but God redeemed it and crafted it into a gateway for further ministry. How have you seen God's redemptive work active in your life? What in your past are you believing God to redeem?
2. Verses  9-10 of Ephesians 1 mention how God reveals the mystery of his will. Has God ever led you in a direction that seemed mysterious? What do you imagine Peter was thinking, as a successful music minister, when he sensed God calling him back into motor mechanics?
3. In Exodus 3:1-10 God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. How do you think Moses' time spent shepherding "on the far side of the desert" prepared him for this task?
4. How do you think his experience previously following the call of God prepared Peter for the opportunity to join Christ for All Nations in their transport department?