How I See It

By Scott Marques

I was born and raised in Zimbabwe. I came to know Jesus at boarding school at age fourteen through my friend PJ Smyth. I graduated with a BCom at University of Cape Town amidst greater excitements than the academic curriculum, such as becoming engaged to my beautiful wife, Claire. We have since had two children, Kimberley and Stephen, who are now thirteen and eleven years old.

From as young as I can remember I have wanted to see the church thrive. I always hoped to generate income through business as a platform to serve. As a fledgling church plant in Harare in 1998, we came to know of Newfrontiers and I clearly recall being ecstatic to see such authenticity in church life and not least in the emphasis on remembering the poor.

As we developed friendship and partnership with Newfrontiers my life has been filled with exceptional people and challenging adventures in church and kingdom action.

On an exploratory trip to Mozambique a couple of years ago, I found myself face-down in a prayer meeting, with a deep sense that God was calling me to move my family for a season to establish a basis for effective church planting and kingdom advance in Nampula, Mozambique. Somehow the harshness of the environment, the dearth of Biblical values, the challenge of new language and new culture all fitted with what God was calling us to. This resulted in some big changes and the exciting development of partnerships for the church, business and educational initiatives that have opened up.

As the Mozambique work was developing, significant partnership with the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe paved the way for the establishment of a national, church-wide initiative called ‘Trumpet Call!’ This initiative is challenging the church to united and transformational action, galvanizing the believers in the nation to convert Zimbabwe from being a ‘beggar for maize’ to being an ‘exporter of maize’ - through heart and lifestyle change by the gospel.

As I dream and pray about the future I have a sure knowledge that God is preparing Zimbabwe, Africa and the ends of the earth for glorious purpose. I am encouraged that God takes the weak and the foolish things of this world to shame the strong and the wise. In a context of ‘meltdown’ by many indicators, we are seeing daily the evidences of churches in love with Jesus, filled with His Spirit and on powerful mission to witness Jesus to the world through their words and actions.

My prayer and passion is that we would see the churches we serve growing in every way, blessing widely and extending the kingdom of God with great effect through Zimbabwe, through Malawi, through Mozambique, through Southern Africa, up into Tanzania and onwards … everywhere the Lord opens up for us.

I am thrilled to see the unfolding of multiplied apostolic gifts across Newfrontiers as a whole. This has the great potential for momentous, forceful advance coupled with genuine friendship, partnership and accountability across the globe. We have some special promises that God has given us, which I believe we will joyfully realise as we courageously step into the next phase of what Jesus has for us.

Another Zimbabwean that it has been our great privilege to meet and get to know is Scott Marques, a truly remarkable young businessman with a passion to see Jesus glorified and the nations reached with the gospel.

Taking the oversight of the churches in Zimbabwe after PJ left, Scott has by no means moved into maintenance or consolidation mode. Rather, against the most horrendous political background, he has raised up a powerful team of leaders and seen the churches prosper and grow. Their members shine with a phenomenal radiance and they display a truly God-glorifying faith and patience in the midst of great trial.

In addition to bringing oversight to an ever-growing team of pastors and church planters from around Zimbabwe, Scott is very involved with the marvellous Foundations for Farming project, which provides hope and practical help to the people of Zimbabwe as well as opening doors for church planting.

Developed by Brian Oldreive, this extraordinary ministry holds the key to feeding and helping so many people, not only in Zimbabwe itself but across the nations.

The evangelisation of Zimbabwe can be advanced through pastors whose needs are being met, not simply by handing out aid but by teaching accessible farming methods that provide both food and dignity in a discipling environment.

Meanwhile Scott and Claire, together with their two enthusiastic children, have been living another adventure as they have invaded Mozambique with another amazing project resulting in eggs and chickens being produced in great numbers, providing work and possible financial resources for many as well as a very practical healthy diet in another impoverished nation. The ultimate goal is further evangelisation and church planting in a tragically needy area.

Scott’s energy levels, leadership skills, easy approachability, love of God and His Word make him an exceptional guy. I am so thrilled to be able to commend him.

When Simon Pettit was still alive, Steve Oliver was living in Clarens, South Africa on the Lesotho border. While a businessman in Cape Town he heard God’s call to sell up and move with a promise in his heart that a harvest would be won for God’s glory.

He and his wife Heather and their three sons made the journey to start a new life in a very poor part of South Africa. Steve’s skill in church planting, shepherding many new Christians and raising up new leaders has been exemplary. His annual Master Builders conference has been truly inspirational, and a great work continues to grow with new churches being planted.

How I See It

By Scott Marques

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