The Cross

August 31, 2017



The Cross


Why is the cross the worldwide image for Christianity? It was the brutal instrument of execution and torture employed to kill Jesus. So why do Christians view it so positively? Well, God's Word tells us the following things about the cross:

• It was God's "deliberate plan and foreknowledge" to have Jesus nailed to a cross. (Acts 2:23)
• It demonstrates the power of God who is able to give life to that which is dead. (I Corinthians 1:17-18) 
• It tells us that Jesus took the curse of our sin. (Galatians 3:13) 
• It communicates that by the cross Jesus can free us from this world of sin and can free us from the desire to sin. (Galatians 6:14) 
• It was God's instrument to reconcile all ethnicities to Himself and one another. (Ephesians 2:14-16) 
• It demonstrates the humility of Jesus. (Philippians 2:8) 
• It was God's way of reconciling to Himself "all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20) 
• It signifies that God has canceled the debt of our sin. (Colossians 2:14) 
• It fixes "our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) 
• It reminds us that, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)

Life Discipleship Center (LDC) with the cross.

Hopevale Church Mission Team


Rod, from Hopevale Church, has traveled to Zimbabwe 5 times. He loves the people and they love him. Last year he encouraged Bob, also from Hopevale, to create a cross from scrap lumber at our Life Discipleship Center (LDC) building site. In raw lumber it looked like the cross in the Hopevale worship center. In July while the Hopevale team was in Chinhoyi, the cross was placed on the wall of the LDC so it is visible to all who walk by. Thank you Rod & Bob, for helping us communicate the purpose of Life to Life Africa!

On their mission trip to Chinhoyi in July, the Hopevale team engaged in discipleship meetings with young and old and with the pre-school children at the LTLA Critical Care Center. They also tackled numerous building project tasks , including painting nearly every wall, inside and out, of the LDC. Below are some photos of their time serving with LTLA:

LTLA & Hopevale teams under the cross at the LDC.

Hopevale Team at the combined Men & Women of Hope meeting.

Shelton & Naomi painting the kitchen walls in the LDC.

Linda painting.

Monica painting.

Roger (up on the scaffolding) installing wire mesh over the roofing ventilation gap while Rod (below) lays tile on the floor.

Kait & Naomi preparing supper for the Hopevale team.

Mary Ann Shimkus with the Hopevale team. 

Mary Ann Shimkus

What a blessing it was to have Mary Ann Shimkus join me on this trip! It was special for her to meet Arthur & Mildred Nhau for the first time and to serve along side the Hopevale team. Hopevale Church has been part of the Shimkus support team for many years. Mary Ann gave three teaching sessions on the topics of faith, love for the scriptures, and ministering for a lifetime. It was a rich time together. Here are some photos of Mary Ann's time in Chinhoyi:

Mike, Mary Ann, and Hopevale team riding to Chinhoyi in a kombi.

Mary Ann with Arthur & Mildred Nhau at the Ron Shimkus memorial stone.

Mary Ann sharing on faith with the LTLA & Hopevale teams.

Mary Ann participated in a Life to Life Zimbabwe Trust board meeting. 

Prayer Needs


Please pray for peace as Zimbabwe enters the political campaign season in advance of next year's presidential election. Our prayer is for leadership that "acts justly, loves mercy and walks humbly with God." (Micah 6:8) Please also pray for Zimbabwean friends, Johan & Louisa, as they face a battle with cancer in Louisa's body. Our prayer is for healing, and that through this experience they would know the truth of Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 


Gratefully in Him,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa