Youth Conference at the Tent of Meeting

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
his army shall he lead,
till every foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.
(George Duffield)

As the political and economic climate in Zambia continues to inspire less hope to many Zambians, there is much to disturb and grieve us, but when the well over 200 youths from the Reformed Baptist churches across the city of Lusaka met on Saturday, August 22nd at the Lusaka Baptist Tent of Meeting, there was not a gloomy or despondent face at this one-day conference. It was a great sight to behold! (See picture below)


The theme for the conference was "The Fruit of Knowing God," and was derived from Daniel 11:32 - "And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

The speakers were Pastor Victor Kanyense of Mount Makulu Reformed Baptist Church and myself. (See the speakers pictured below).



In the first session in the morning, Pastor Kanyense set the tone by placing the text within its immediate and general context. He then gave a lucid exposition of what it means to know God. In a country where more than 70% of the population boast of being Christians, this is an imperative message to deliver. This country needs the biblical teaching concerning the true knowledge of the living God which results in a vital, intimate and living relationship with God through His Son.

And knowing that the true knowledge of God is eminently practical in nature, the afternoon session was dedicated to the practical application of the truths taught in the morning session. I handled this second session. George Whitefield (1714-1770) once said: "A true faith in Jesus Christ will not suffer us to be idle. No, it is an active, lively, restless principle; it fills the heart, so that it cannot be easy till it is doing something for Jesus Christ." In the context of the the last three chapters, a messenger from God speaks to Daniel about a time of great spiritual conflict. And about halfway into the eleventh chapter, the prophetic camera zooms upon a wicked ruler, interpreted by scholars as Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 BC). He was a cunning, powerful, cruel, greedy and godless leader. He corrupted the sacred things and polluted the sanctuary of God. Pagan worship and pagan agendas ruled the day. He carried out a systematic campaign to blot out every trace of Jewish religion, and introduced the thought and culture of the Greeks. He persuaded the apostate Jews to become his allies.

And in the midst of this wicked political and moral climate and chaos under this ruler, the messenger assures Daniel of this great promise: “They that know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” From among the Jews, there were those who refused to buy into the flattery and corrupt influence of the wicked ruler. They displayed great determination to resist every form of compromise.

And from these faithful remnant's intimate knowledge of God proceeded remarkable effects or fruits that the youths were exhorted to emulate, namely an untiring spiritual energy - "they shall be strong" and expanded spiritual accomplishments - "and do exploits." The young people were challenged to manifest the fruits of such an intimate knowledge of God from Daniel 11 and from the rest of the book.

We live at a time when there is so much in our culture that is anti-God. The trends and systems of thought opposed to biblical truth are increasingly becoming popular, and fewer and fewer Christians, especially the youths, are holding their own against this godless culture. The media, society and friends daily bombard young people's and exert relentless pressure upon them to conform to the worldly system. There is the pressure to lie, to steal, to read dirty books, to watch filthy movies, to lose their virginity, get into marriage through cohabitation, to dress immodestly, etc.

It was so heartwarming to see the young people enthusiastically hung on to every word that was preached. If there is any hope of pushing back the torrential waves of popular culture from our doorsteps, it lies in our young people that are full of God and the Spirit, and are determined, with God's help to fight every foe within, still lodged in our redeemed humanity, mortifying sin everyday. They must also stand on firm ground, and dig their heels in as they fight back the foes without, from victory unto victory, being mindful that this is not kids' playground. There is a high price to pay.

As I drove back home that Saturday, it was with a satisfied heart that out of the huge number of youths that attended this conference, there are not a few who are prepared to take a stand for Jesus and be the valiant soldiers of the cross. It is my prayer and hope that this event will soon turn into an annual event similar to the Copperbelt Annual Reformed Baptist Youth Rally.