The Apostolic Season

FOREWORD BY THAMO NAIDOO
The apostolic season in its present formation has been in the earth for at least two decades (since early 1990’s). Its existence is nonetheless relatively new and unknown to a large percentage of the global Church. In some circles there is the view that the Pentecostal, Charismatic and other paradigms of Christianity have lost its attractiveness and impact to shepherd its members into the deeper things of God. Many from within these circles have become spiritually discontented. They are searching for a deeper spirituality. They are searching for a church that is free from the influences of post modernistic, contemporary and secular ideologies. Accordingly there has been a steady migration of people from mainline and popular Christian groupings resulting in the formation of ‘apostolic’ communities all over the earth. Over the years many of these apostolic communities existed in relative obscurity but quietly developed by carefully espousing biblical patterns for their formation, function and ministry. They have passionately pursued a deeper understanding of what it means to be an apostolic church (as set out in the NT) and how to return to the original divine intent – the establishment of the Church as the agency for the propagation and advancement of the kingdom of God in the earth. These communities are now imploring the established Churches to turn away from institutionalised religion and return to the ancient biblical patterns prophetically set out by the patriarchs and apostles of the Holy Scriptures.

With the advent of the apostolic season there has emerged fresh voices who are communicating in simple but sincere ways the heart of God for His People. One such person is James Mbugua, the senior Elder of Fountain Gate Ministries from Nairobi, Kenya. He is a powerful exponent of the Word who has pioneered a phenomenal model of an apostolic community in Kenya. I’m of the conviction that James and the Fountain Gate household are key members of a first fruit global company who are signifying the dawning of new things for the Church of Christ. His ministry is an excellent example of how the church in Africa can live above the diverse challenges they face, yet produce a way of life akin to the apostolic church of the New Testament.

Therefore this book is not a philosophical presentation of brilliant ideas but a subjective dissertation of biblical principles, culture and lifestyle that has been incarnated and authenticated in the Fountain Gate household. In a nutshell James and his people teach what they’ve lived out. Their dynamism and amazing testimony of triumphant living witnesses to the fact that the pragmatic lessons in this book offer a fresh way of doing church in the 21st century. I recommend this book, ‘The Apostolic Season’ with the belief that it not only introduces this amazing season but conveys fundamental keys on how the church can effectively function in an increasingly hostile, secular world system.

Thamo NAIDOO, Senior Elder, Gate Ministries
Sandton – South Africa