October 10, 2003

Baptism was a breakthrough for 13 Simba believers.

"For the little church here it was a big step, as traditionally very few of the Simbas have ever been baptized," wrote missionary Bill Mann.

Some Simbas began hearing the Gospel as long as 30 years ago. But the people who shared it with them did not learn the Simba culture and language and do follow-up teaching. Instead, they gave the Simbas a set of rules.

One of those rules said people needed to be baptized to take part in the Lord's Supper or have any role in the ministry. But in order to be baptized, the rules said, they had to have a marriage certificate -- which most Simbas lack.

To make matters worse, the long, expensive process of obtaining a marriage certificate also requires a birth certificate -- which, again, most Simbas lack.

"Many don't even know the date they were born!" Bill wrote.

But some Simbas began questioning the rules as they studied the Bible with missionaries.

"A couple of the believers ... decided that the only requirement the Bible places on us for baptism is a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ," Bill wrote. "We were very encouraged to see their willingness to go ahead and trust God's Word instead of man's traditions."

As a result, 13 believers publicly professed their faith by baptism. Praise the Lord!