“Mom, we are supposed to be in Zambia sharing the Gospel with the Children of Zambia!” said my then 6 year old at Church right after a Missions conference. Fast-forward 5 years- we are planting Truth & Light of Christ Ministries (TLC Ministries), the Ministry God had placed on our hearts, and we ARE going to Zambia to share the Gospel with the children.
I look at all the Amazing things God has done to prepare us for this new Season. The challenges, the victories, the travel, and all the people He has placed in our lives.
Since that January, in 2016, God has been preparing us for this time. In 2018 we were blessed to spend a few months in Zambia and got to do ministry with some amazing people; however, often with anything God is using to prepare you the enemy will attack. There were challenges around that time, but God prevailed. Since returning, Dominic has been asking when we will return. My response was always God will provide a way if we are supposed to return.
In the Spring of 2019 God sidetracked Africa and brought me to South Asia. God showed me so much while I was there and there will be a time to return, just not right now. Upon my return from South Asia I had gone into ministry training for sharing the Gospel with Muslims, I was preparing my heart for South Asia. Then GOD! December of 2019 my phone rings, I am being asked to return to Zambia to share the Gospel within the schools. I prayed for confirmation. In the beginning of January 2020 I received confirmation at a Pastors lunch I had attended in Florida. It was so clear it was as if God hit me over the head with a frying pan. God was sending me back to Africa! And God was putting all the pieces together.
No one was aware of what would hit us in March 2020. Covid hits and the world shuts down, including international travel. Puts everyone in a place of rest; which is where I needed to be to prepare me for this upcoming season. But resting is not my comfort zone and I continued to keep busy with ministries throughout the county. By May, God sent me to the mountains of NW Georgia to help out with a Christian Youth Summer Camp. By the end of summer, they had asked me to stay the year to help with their School. This is where I got to focus. By the end of 2020 I was getting antsy and I was ready to “GO” wherever God leads.
While on the mountain I was getting frustrated in the waiting. Borders were starting to open and the longing to go reach the people in Zambia, who had touched my heart so deeply, continued to grow. I was wondering why God had not opened a door yet for us to “GO”. I started 2021 with a 21 day fast. By week 2 I was pressing in and said God show me where we are supposed to be and open the doors. I received a message from Zambia with someone sharing a dream of us being in the schools in their village. The following week we were contacted again. This time the call was pertaining to one of the schools we had previously ministered at. They were wondering when we would be returning. God was confirming that the doors have indeed opened for us and we were supposed to return to Zambia!! Our hearts were so overjoyed, we have missed everyone in Zambia. Over the next few weeks God would reveal what our return to Zambia would look like.
In May of 2018 I received a word from someone “They saw me on an operating table, God was doing a precision cut and is birthing something new through me.” I did not understand until now. It took three years of Mountains and Valleys, pruning and fine tuning, and a night or two up wrestling with God; God had birthed His New Thing!
Truth & Light of Christ Ministries, Inc. is such an Amazing Blessing God has laid in front of me. God has also sent me the most amazing people to join this Ministry, to be part of the corporate team, and to sit on the board.
AnnMarie Gerhardt/Pastor Louis Warrick/Amanda Mangaroo
AnnMarie Gerhardt (along with Dominic) and Amanda Mangaroo will be launching the team on the ground and spending time in Zambia- building the base and relationships, and setting up the Bible Clubs within the Elementary Schools. We cannot wait to get back on the ground in Chipepo to see everyone. Pastor Louis will remain in the US taking care of things on this side of the Globe and covering us in prayer.
We are putting together the final details and will start our fundraising to launch our Ministry in Chipepo, Zambia. The Chief is excited for us to get there and cannot wait for us to launch Bible Training in each of his elementary schools.
There are set up needs in order to make this all happen. We will be purchasing a piece of land and building from the ground up. The Basic one time initial set up needs, that we are looking at will be: Vehicle, Building a House and Meeting Shelter, Solar Generator, Satellite for Internet, and travel expenses for the relocation of the team. Our God is Amazing and will provide the right supporters to partner with us.
For ongoing support, we are asking for people to partner monthly to support a school or two, or a portion of monthly school sponsorships.
We would love to share more details; we ask that you pray, and as you feel led, contact us to set up a meeting where we can share with you all the details God has shown us for this Amazing place!! I cannot wait to share more with you over coffee, on a call, or via Zoom meeting. You can reach us via email: info.tlcministries@gmail.com, on FaceBook or Instagram!!
Many Blessings!!
Truth & Light of Christ Ministries, Inc. 