ccm Cross 0095 Rangemore Baptist, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

ccm Cross 0095
February 14, 2017

Rangemore Baptist Church
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
ccm Cross 0095

GPS/DMS 20° 12′ 20.61” S 28° 29′ 31.39” E

Additional photos after Testimony

4294 cdd Highway of Holiness
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 18 Number 064

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Isaiah 35:8
“A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness” NKJV

Hello, my name is Pastor Rodger Sibini Rangemore from Baptist Church, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I was born about 100 miles from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in the rural area. My dad and mom raised five children. I was number 2. My dad passed away when I was young and mom raised us. We went to church but it was more social than spiritual. Growing up I learned all about Traditional African Religion which mixes going to church with the darkness of witchcraft.

When I was 22 years old, in 1973, I had a job as a gardener and care taker. It was a good job and the people I worked for accepted me as one of their family. I had my weekend free so with some friends we visited a park. There was a revival going on as a local church was introducing all who would listen to Jesus Christ. I stopped what I was doing and was drawn to their testimonies. I hid behind a tree so no one would know I was there.

Our church and traditional African religion leaders often told us not to listen to such things. The more I heard the more I wanted to know about this Jesus they were speaking about. Then the pastor of the group spotted me. He came over to introduce himself. He asked me, “Do you mind if I stop by where you stay and help you understand what we are talking about?” I’m not sure why I said what I said, but I asked him to stop by at 1:00 PM the next day, during my lunch break, from gardening.

Exactly at 1:00 PM the next day the Pastor came to visit me. He brought his Bible and began to preach to me about John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” NKJV

I asked about the Traditional African Region worship that my church embraced where our dead ancestors have control of us even today. I told him my brother had received a spell from a wizard and could not see. He was blind. I told him that I lived in fear of witches, wizards and their spells.

Pastor opened his Bible to John 17:15: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” NKJV There it was, the protection from the evil one I had been looking for. It erased all my fears. Jesus was my answer. The power of Jesus was stronger than witchcraft. I decided right then that I must have Jesus in my life. I knelt and received Jesus in my life.

The next four years I attended a church that put me on the Highway to Heaven. I learned about the Bible and how Jesus died for my sins so I can have everlasting life. I grew more and more enthusiastically in love with Jesus. Then my Pastor asked me if I desired to go to Bible school and learn more and become a preacher. I said, “I had not thought about it.” He said, “Pray and ask Jesus if it is the right thing for you to do.” I prayed and sensed Bible school was for me.

I told my employer that I was resigning to go to Bible school. They loved the work I was doing and were very unhappy I was leaving. They offered me more money, clothing and extra days off. Their children one by one came asking me not to leave. The whole family was crying. I said I would stay. Thy were so happy. But soon my desire for more of Jesus outweighed staying there.

Once again, I told them my heart was heavy to go to Bible School. They offered money to my mom to help her with living expenses. I stayed. But soon my heart yearned for more of Jesus. Then my Pastor said, “pray earnestly and let Jesus decide.” I prayed all night long — no sleep — I heard clearly from the Lord. Go to Bible school. I went to the bank and withdrew all my money and gave it to my mom to insure she would be taken care of. Then I entered Bible school. I was 2 weeks behind as thy had already begun. I made that up and excelled in my classes.

In 1979 I graduated right on time and took a position as an evangelist. Setting up tents in rural areas and bringing the lost to Christ.

In 1983 Rangemore Baptist Church was looking for a Pastor. I preached for the people and they wanted me to stay. I prayed and the Lord confirmed this was for me. I became their Pastor.

In 1984 I met Entobur, the Lord confirmed we were to be married. I had waited a long time for the Lord to send the one I would share ministry with for the rest of my life.

We are a church of miracles. They don’t have to come through me or with me. The Lord picks and chooses who He will use and when.

One day I was working around the church when some people entered in a frenzy. They asked me to come quickly. There was a young man who received a wizard spell and if anyone touched him he would die. He was crawling around on his hands and knees barking like a dog.

I entered the home. It was a trap to attack and kill me. I immediately rebuked Satan and his tormentors. The young man vomited the tormentors up all over the floor. All the evil spirits left. This dangerous house of witchcraft was reduced to a peaceful neighborhood home even to this day.

A mother of six was brought to our church with a leg swollen many times larger than the other. She was in severe pain and doctors and witch doctors could not offer a cure. I told her, “first we preach Christ.” She listened carefully to every word I said and received Jesus Christ as Lord of her life. Instantly the leg returned to normal as the demons attacking her had to flee.

I met a man on the street and offered him some tracts. He told me to come by a certain place later that day with the tracts. It was starting to get dark when I arrived on my bicycle. As I approached there were three men. They attacked me with sticks. The one who invited me to come said, “I’m going to bury you preacher.” He immediately died. The others let me go.

Our life has been a blessing from the Lord as we are now 33 years in ministry. We have five children serving the Lord and five grandchildren.

This Cross planted is epic. It declares to all who see it that Jesus Christ took away all my sins when He died on the Cross and resurrected in victory for all. Without the Cross I am nothing. The Highway to Heaven is through the Cross because Jesus lives.

My ministry desire is to train leaders. One at a time, to do the will of Jesus. We all need more of Jesus.

Prayer: Father thank you that the Highway to Heaven is open and ready for all those who believe. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Picking up the Cross beams