Synod reports – JFMC report
Rev J. B. Jardine.
THE Jewish and Foreign Missions Committee (JFMC) of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland exists to oversee and promote the Church’s missionary work outside its regular congregations, both among Jewish people and in other countries. The JFMC has historically had three main purposes.
Firstly, the Mission to the Jewish people. This has the following aims: to share the Christian gospel with Jewish communities; to support outreach efforts that present Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah in the Old Testament Scriptures; and to encourage prayer and awareness within the Church for ministry among Jewish people. It is a matter of grief to the Committee that there are no doors open at the moment to pursue actively this side of the work.
Secondly, Foreign or Overseas Missions. This aims to establish and support gospel work in other nations; to send and assist missionaries serving abroad; and to help with church planting, preaching, and teaching in mission fields. Thirdly, Oversight and Support. This aspect of the JFMC’s remit is to provide spiritual and practical oversight to missionaries; to raise funds and report to the Church about mission activities; to encourage congregations in Scotland to support global evangelism through prayer and giving.
Overall, the JFMC reflects the Church’s commitment to the “Great Commission” (Matt 28:19-20), aiming to spread Reformed Christian teaching both to Jewish people and to people in other countries worldwide.
We have to echo the sentiments of Mr T B Mpofu, Zimbabwe Mission Administrator, when he says, “We are, however, cognisant of the sad providences during the year, in the death of Mr Hugh Mackenzie, who had been Mission Co-ordinator for several years, and that of Rev D Ross, whose heart was in the Zimbabwe Mission. Their valuable contribution to the Mission will be greatly missed.” Rev D A Ross was a valued member of the Committee for many years. As a former ordained minister in Zimbabwe, he brought a breadth of knowledge and experience to the Committee that no one else could provide. Mr Mackenzie acted as Mission Co-ordinator for the JFMC for over 20 years, and had first-hand experience from previously working in Kenya. His ITC (Information Technology and Computing) and organisational skills will be missed and will be hard to replace.
Although each report speaks for itself, I would like to highlight a few areas. The various reports show that there have also been several deaths associated with our congregations and institutions in Zimbabwe – a sign that, as in the encouraging to read of the success of the Theological Conference and Youth Conference organised by the Zimbabwe Presbytery.
The existence of the Zimbabwe Presbytery means that the main task of the JFMC is to oversee the work of the various Mission institutions through which we share the gospel with others.
It is interesting to note that the Presbytery’s own Publications Committee has arranged the local publication of the Psalms in large print and the Church’s Manual of Practice. We hope that both publications will prove beneficial in their different spheres.
The plan to extend the Mbuma church to accommodate all the Primary School children at the weekly Prayer Meeting and the numbers attending the Communion seasons is encouraging.
It is good that a Catechist will soon be appointed to assist the elders at Nkayi. It not only means that the supply situation will be helped, but that there will now be someone who can work among the young people in the community and regularly visit the local Primary School. The work of Mr Nkomo, Home Missionary at Zenka, is to be commended. He shows great perseverance in his work. He continues to plough the furrow in what is hard ground. The work at the Ingwenya Mission, including at the John Tallach High School, continues. The financial support from the Calvin Middleton Fund is greatly appreciated. Teaching of the Bible and Reformed doctrine is given a central place. It is hoped that Mr Nkosi Khumalo, acting deputy head, will be appointed to the position permanently once he has gained more experience. Mr TB Mpofu, Mission Administrator, shows a high level of ability in overseeing the work of the various institutions. This has been noted and is much appreciated by both the JFMC and our Dutch friends at the Stichting Mbuma Zending. The good work at Thembiso Children’s Home continues, with Mr B Dube settling well into the post of Home Superintendent. The Home is now full, with a capacity for around 31 children. It is hoped to extend the area of ground around the Home used for growing crops. This will cut costs and increase the Home’s sustainability. Mbuma Hospital is at the heart of the work overseen by the Mbuma Mission Board. The new maternity ward was opened in 2025, and we hope that it will prove a beneficial addition to the hospital.
The Committee would like to thank all those involved in the work in Zimbabwe for their continued labours in advancing Christ’s kingdom. There is much for which we ought to be thankful to the Most High, and we crave His continued blessing upon the work. “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes” (Is 54:2)