The Kingdom of God is Like... Another South Africa Update
Jesus started so many stories by saying, “The kingdom of God is like…” This trip to South Africa has been an invitation to take part in one of those stories. I have come to a wonderful state of dependence since writing my last update from South Africa. Unless someone feeds me, I do not eat. Unless someone comes to get me, I have no way of getting around. Unless someone is willing to take me in, I have nowhere to sleep. Maybe that doesn’t sound so “wonderful” to you, but trust me, it has been perfect! Stress has been melting off my life since I landed here, nearly 3 weeks ago. I am learning to appreciate Jesus’ words about “take no thought…” If only I could learn to see my life so completely in his hands, as I have come to see it in the hands of my South African hosts.
One amazing experience has been the Easter Camp with Fountain Vineyard. This was the twenty-third Easter these incredible folks have packed up trucks and trailers and cars to spend five days in tents and sleeping bags, come hellish heat or high water. They’ve refined the whole endeavor to quite a high art – the campsite is nothing but a school’s soccer stadium when they arrive, but by Thursday there is electricity, hot water, shelter from the elements and plenty of great food. Don’t get me wrong… it is certainly still camping, but they do all they can to make it comfortable. Nothing can burn away the masks and get us down to who we really are like sleeping outside in the rain, showering in the presence of guys you just met and sharing toilets with four hundred other people. It has been said that the only thing worse than having diarrhea is trying to have it quietly in a public bathroom. I concur.
Nothing could have prepared me for Easter Camp. What I mean to say is that no one could have described the sense of love, acceptance, belonging and community that I enjoyed this Easter. In fact, I wonder if it is even possible to understand until experienced… I felt as though I were literally living in the Kingdom of Heaven. There were no walls, no barriers, no hindrances – nothing to stand in the way of connecting with people – nothing to keep us from loving one another and being loved in return. I think Dave Pedersen is among the very few (very few!) genuine Apostles I have met, and his calm, compassionate nature reigned tangibly throughout the camp.
I was the speaker for the evening meetings, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday night. I talked about our willingness to be broken open so that the life of Jesus within us can escape and touch the people around us. I 
cannot describe the meetings any other way than to say that there was an impartation. Far beyond mental ascent to an idea, I could see people’s hearts opening and their spirits lunging to grab this concept and make it their own. God is up to something in South Africa! During the morning and evening meetings people were released from demonic oppression, people were physically healed, people received emotional recovery, some were filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the fullness of the Body of Christ at work and on display.
I have also been in one of the world’s surfing capitals, Jeffrey’s Bay, and one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth, Knysna. In both places, God seemed to breathe fresh air into the rooms. People began to understand that Outflow Evangelism is something doable, practical and powerful. When we open ourselves to be used by God to do “small things” with “great love,” the world begins to change.
Scott Bane
in Discoveries, Outflow Living, Outward-Focus, Servant Evangelism, Thoughts
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Reader Comments (6)
That's ok, I know you're busy playing TMNT on the playstation (just kidding).
It's cool that you had this opportunity. I'm glad the Banes are back to blogging!
It's Gareth from South Africa. Been checking out your web pages, they are really cool.
Was great meeting you recently, look forward to staying in touch.
God is so good, the easter camp was a powerful time of personal breakthrough for me. The camp was the kingdom on earth.
Thank you for your heart it encourages me daily as the spirit reminds me of your words and face.
Cheers
Gareth
scottjbane@mac.com
Peace, Brother!