By Don Davis
For The Salisbury Post
In May two High Rock Community Church Pastors, Brian Duncan and Ron Loflin accompanied a team of 11 others from the Cabarrus Baptist Association in doing missions in Kimberly and Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was led by Rev. Don and Barbara Davis who have now completed 14 trips to that country working with churches of the Baptist Union of South Africa.
In Kimberly, Brian and Ron played integral roles in assisting Florianville and Grace Baptist Churches in their concerted effort to rebuild their congregations into vital Christian worship centers. During the week both pastors were involved with visiting the local schools, nursing facilities for the aged and a home for displaced children. In the schools these pastors and other team members were able to speak to about 5,000 students, introducing them to Jesus Christ. The response from the children was overwhelmingly positive.
These two young pastors bonded quickly with the students and others as they traveled to different venues in Kimberly.
This pair of dedicated men of God did whatever was asked of them. They worked with children in a vacation Bible school provided for the combined churches. Brian used his electronics background in restoring the sound systems for the churches and purchased and installed a computer projector for use by both the churches. Both participated in youth night activities. Brian and Ron preached at other churches in Kimberly where some of the congregations spoke in their native languages thereby requiring an interpreter. Their primary goal was to let the people know they served the Lord Jesus and would do whatever was necessary to make sure as many people as possible came to know Christ as their personal Savior.
When the team moved on to Johannesburg to work at Palm Springs Baptist Church, a new church start, new friendships was established with a primarily Zulu speaking population. Brian and Ron hit the road running, getting involved with adult and children’s ministries. All the team discovered in a hurry that mission teams must be flexible. The vacation Bible school was projected to have 40 children, but 150 were in attendance. This meant stretching supplies that were available and buying extra where necessary. Everyone learned in a hurry God always provides.
These High Rock Community pastors preached to different congregations using interpreters to convey the message of salvation to their audiences. God used them wherever they went. Both men were also called to participate in door-to-door and street evangelism where many people heard the Gospel for the first time. Again, they did not shy away from the job at hand, but shared openly about their faith.
Both Brian and Ron plan to return to the same area in the future. Without a doubt, their lives were enriched by seeing people come to know the Lord Jesus as Savior. If you are interested in going on a mission trip you can call the Cabarrus Baptist Association at 704-786-9171 and you will be provided information on how to join one of the future teams.
Brian and Ron would tell you in a heartbeat that once you go, your life will never be the same again.