Title: Presidents Address
1Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
2Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
My dear brethren Welcome And Thank You A hearty
welcome to all of you!
3Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
How thankful we are that you took the time and
travelled the many kilometres to be with us at
this conference. Brethren, we do not take that
for granted. Once again, a very big thank you to
the CFT leadership internationally, nationally,
provincially and at the local level. A word of
appreciation also to the office staff and those
involved in various special actions.
4Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Dear CFT members, without mentioning names I
would like you to know that some people make big
sacrifices to avail themselves for CFT. May the
Lord of the harvest reward them richly.
5Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
KwaSizabantu Id like Baba Rev Stegen and the
Mission leadership to know how thankful we are
for the privilege of operating from here.
KwaSizabantu is in rural KZN but the
infrastructure at this centre, especially in
communication, compares with the best in first
world countries. The spiritual atmosphere we
enjoy here cant be measured in financial
terms. Praise be to Him!
6Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
We cannot thank God enough for granting us the
grace to serve Him through CFT. In South Africa
we have had this privilege for the last 17 years.
7Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Let me remind you once more what our Mission and
Vision are. Our Mission To uphold and promote
Christian norms and values as stated by the Word
of God. Our Vision A nation inspired to live
according to the highest Christian norms and
values.
8Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
I am afraid that sometimes as we look around us
in our different countries we are tempted to ask
ourselves if the high ideals we have set before
us will ever be achievable. As a response to
that, these days I asked myself why we pray
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as
it is in heaven. (Matthew 610)
9Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Advances by evil forces in this world make it to
look like we are losing the war. Yes, we might
lose a battle here and there but if we strive
always to be on the Lords side we will certainly
win the war. Light will prevail over darkness.
Truth will triumph over lies. Gods kingdom will
come and His will be done on earth as it is in
heaven. Dear CFT members, those who have been at
our actions will testify to the fact that there
is a special blessing on taking a public stand on
the side of Gods truth.
10Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Radio Khwezi Let me once again encourage CFT
members to look out for opportunities to promote
Biblical norms and values. Often we are
pleasantly surprised to see how much can be
achieved through a few peoples initiative.
11Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Circumstances will differ from place to place and
from time to time. I am greatly encouraged by the
response that we are getting from the listeners
of Radio Khwezi. Increasingly, more and more of
them are getting to share our concerns and
values, and one senses a desperation amongst them
that something, somewhere has got to change. May
God grant us wisdom to lead His people in these
critical times.
12Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Once again, I urge CFT leaders at every level to
keep the vision and lead us on. Listen to the
amazing words of the song by Deborah and
Barak, "When the princes in Israel take the
lead, when the people willingly offer
themselvespraise the LORD! (Judges 52)
13Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
TLW And TNTTLW and TNT will speak for
themselves but when I read their reports, as much
as I applaud their successes my heart breaks when
I see the great need out there and how limited
our resources are. Contrary to what the liberal
media would like us to believe, the truth is that
there are many young people that are caught up in
immorality and drugs who are yearning for
freedom. Let us plead to the Lord of the harvest
for more workers and other resources.
14Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Running The Race I have given a lot of thought
to this years theme Running the Race. The part
that struck a special chord with me is, and let
us run with patience the race that is set before
us (Hebrews 121)
15Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Somehow, my imagination took me to the
world-renowned 89.3km Comrades Marathon race
between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Early in the
morning over 10 000 athletes are given a big
send-off by cheering crowds. But do you think
there will be cheering crowds all along the way?
Never. The crowds will be waiting at the
destination to watch and cheer the winning
runners as they cross the line. I believe that
the acid test for the runner are the lonely
stretches when no one is cheering. That is where
patience and perseverance are needed the most.
16Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
What keeps runners running even when there is no
one around to encourage them? I believe that they
keep the goal and the cheering crowds in
mind. Dear CFT members, conferences and special
actions are important they deserve our
enthusiastic support, but the strength of our
organisation will be the resolve by all of us to
live CFT throughout the year.
17Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Special Challenge For the weak and sickly
amongst us let me share with you two quotes that
were sent to me by a friend who is being
challenged by ill health.
18Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Make me Thy athlete even in my bed,Thy girded
runner though the course be sped. Stephen
Phillips O let me climb when I lie
down.Henry Vaughan What a challenge!
19Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Personal NoteAllow me to conclude with the same
personal note as I did last year. I am physically
very weak but by Gods grace the hope within me
is very much alive. For me CFTs Mission and
Vision are clear. The fighting spirit in me is
not handicapped by my handicap.
20Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Calebs words have a special meaning for me
"Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has
kept me alive for forty-five years since the time
he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about
in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five
years old! I am still as strong today as the day
Moses sent me out Im just as vigorous to go out
to battle now as I was then.
21Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
Now give me this hill country that the LORD
promised me that day. You yourself heard then
that the Anakites were there and their cities
were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping
me, I will drive them out just as he said."
(Joshua 1410-12)
22Presidents Address CFT AGM, 7 - 9 Sept 2007
May God bless CFT! May God bless you one and
all!