Kwasizabantu Youth Conference 10 - 17 December 2004
Theme: `The Truth Sets Free', `IQiniso Liyakunikhulula' Jn 8:32

• For photos of Händel's Messiah, go here.
• For photos of the Joseph play, go here
• For general photos of the conference, go here.

Thursday, 19:00 - Rev Erlo Stegen preached from Gal 5:1, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage". There is no power like the power of the Gospel to free from the bondage of sin. Watchman Nee speaks about a person who was addicted to various kinds of drugs. When he met the Lord Jesus, he broke with it completely and never turned back, even though he had to fight severe withdrawal symptoms on his bed for 3 days. You who believed in Christ need to nourish your spiritual life with God's Word daily, just as you nourish your body with food. Deal ruthlessly with sin, and be sensitive and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. (As the previous evening, Rev Stegen again made an altar call, and a great number of young people gave their lives to the Lord.)

Thursday, 10:00 - Rev Friedel Stegen preached from 2Chron 29:1-4. Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-nine years old. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done. In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. Our body is God's temple. Did we open the door and allow the Lord to repair everything which is in there. Christ is able to cleanse our `house' and make us new.

Wednesday, 19:00 - Rev Erlo Stegen preached from 2Cor 2:16, "To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." You cannot be neutral. You are either for Christ or against Him.
Afterwards Rev Stegen made an altar call to which a great number responded and surrendered their lives to Christ. They were also given an opportunity for personal counselling.

Wednesday, 15:00 - Martin vd Merwe gave his testimony, and CFT (Christians for Truth) had a presentation to encourage the Christian youth.

Wednesday, 10:00 - Rev Bill Bathman preached from Matt 2:1-12 & Luke 2 & 3. In Luke 3:1 we read of the political, military and religious powerhouse of that day, yet the Word of God by-passed them all and came to John in the wilderness, for God could trust him to discharge His word faithfully and fearlessly. Today too, God is looking for a man or woman, who will stand up for Christ; who will be identified with Him who is eternal... [more] (click here to listen to a 15s soundbyte of Rev Bill Bathman preaching)

Tuesday, 19:00 - A Christian film was shown

Tuesday, 15:00 - Rev Bill Bathman preached from Luke 15, on the lost sheep and lost son. This son turned his back on his father, and went into the world and spent all his livelihood in sin. Daily his father was longing for him, and looking for him, but his son stayed away. Finally, when things turned sour for him in the world, and he'd lost all he had, then he returned to his father. Yet his father forgave him freely, when he asked for forgiveness, and hugged him and kissed him. So too, the Heavenly Father is longing for you, and waiting that you would turn to Him. He will freely forgive, if you turn from your sin and acknowledge your guilt.

Tuesday, 10:00 - Police talk to the youth, more here

Monday, 19:00 - A stunning performance by Kwasizabantu young people has been performed, Monday 7pm, 13 December 2004. Go here for more info and photos. (Tomorrow the SAPS will speak to the young people on the dangers of drugs)

Monday, 10:00 - Rev Erlo Stegen took the morning service from Jn 8:32. The story is told of a comedian who made people laugh and forget their problems. One day, this comedian went to see the doctor, for he was depressed. The doctor did not know him, so he told him that he should go and see the performance of a certain comedian, who will alleviate his depression. Despondingly, he had to acknowledge that he was the man that will perform.

Only the truth sets free. The world sought after this comedian, but he did not know the truth himself. He could not help himself. Marilyn Monroe, the world-famous actress and model, committed suicide at age 36. All her riches and fame could not help her. The devil deceives one with promises of fame and riches, but true freedom is only found in Christ.

Friday, 19:00 - The December's Youth Conference started on Friday, 10 December and will end the following Friday, the 17th. Rev Erlo Stegen opened the Youth Conference from the theme verse Jn 8:32. Click here for a summary.

Saturday, 10:00 - Rev Friedel Stegen preached on the theme verse of John 8: 32.

Saturday, 15:00 - Young people came forward to give testimonies about the Lord's working in their lives since the previous Youth Conference in July.

Saturday, 19:00 - The Zulu film, "Izono Zakho", was shown.

Sunday, 10:00 - Rev Erlo Stegen spoke on the theme verse and looked at the power of the Truth, which is Jesus Christ, to set free. In Ephesians 6: 10 we are told about the "power of His might" which we must stand in. Paul also speaks of the "surpassing greatness" of Christ's power in 1:19. It's as though Paul can't find sufficient expression for the "mighty power" which is ours through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The same power which rose Jesus from the dead is given to us. That is why we can be "free indeed".

Sunday, 14:30 - A special performance of Händel's Messiah at Kwasizabantu Mission on Sunday 12 December 2004, 2:30pm, was rendered by the Natal Bach Choir with the P.A.M.S. Augmented Orchestra under the
baton of Lutz Kohrs. . Thousands came to attend. The director of the mission, Rev Erlo Stegen, opened in prayer and shared the story of Händel’s life-changing experience in writing the Messiah in 22 days. Rev Bill Bathman closed in prayer.

(preview of Händel’s Messiah, 12 December 2004, 2:30pm, here}
The following are photos of a similar event in 2001: . Here are more photos of the event (including photos from the Messiah performance at Pietermaritzburg on Saturday evening, 19:00, where some of KwaSizabantu's youth participated).

Sunday, 19:00 - A 35 minute video "In Your Face", was presented by Doctors for Life, Albertus Bodenstein. (More about this newly released video about the latest info on Aids here.)

Preparation weekend: 26-27 Nov 2004 - About 400 ushers were trained to receive and serve the thousands of young people that will arrive for the coming youth conference. Services were also held for them to prepare them for the coming weekend.

Some Bibles and other literature		Rev A Mdlalose		Ushers
	Ushers		Rev Shadrach from the Bible League
Illustration				Rev E Stegen

26 Nov, 19.00 - Kjell Olsen took the service from Nehemiah 4:6. The Lord gave them a willing heart - a "mind to work". Nehemiah received a burden from the Lord; shared the work with others and God gave willing people, fellow workers, to help rebuild the walls.

27 Nov, 09.30 - Rev A Mdlalose gave a devotion from Hebrews 11.24-25, and spoke on Moses' choice to rather suffer affliction with God's people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. He was exposed to numerous temptations, being the `son' of Pharaoh's daughter and growing up in the palace. Yet, he rejected it all, because he looked towards the reward. When God called him to lead Israel, the Bible says that he was very humble. He acknowledged that the work was too great for him and always turned to God for help. He fully trusted God for strength and guidance. That is where we will find our strength and guidance too.

27 Nov, 11.30 - Rev Shadrach from the Bible League addressed the ushers and gave them some literature and guidance on how to approach and help others.

27 Nov, 15.00 - Rev John Powys preached from John 15:16-17. Jesus declared that we did not choose Him, but He chose us. This is a humbling thought. We have nothing to be proud of. However, this also places a great responsibility on us whom God chose for His work. Because He chose us, we cannot simply quit when the going gets tough, but we have to be faithful to the end.

27 Nov, 19.00 - Rev Erlo Stegen took the evening service from Titus 2:11. "the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. In verse 12 it teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age". Just as it is foolish to deny the existance of the sun, moon or stars, simply because we cannot see them sometimes when it is night, or clouds cover them, so too it is utter foolishness to deny God's grace, which has appeared to all. We see the work of God's grace all around us. Just as the sun's rays bring life wherever they shine and kill germs, so too, wherever God's grace appears, it brings salvation. It kills off all kinds of grudges, bitterness, drunkenness, sexual lust, thieving, etc. It teaches us to say 'no' to unrighteousness and live upright in this present evil world.

Click here for information about the previous Youth Conference in July